Our Profile

The German Eastern Business Association (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft, further in text shortly as OA) is the major regional initiative of the German economy for 29 countries in Central Europe, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, in the South Caucasus and in Central Asia.

We support our members in their projects, arrange contacts and answer questions about market entry. In close cooperation with the federal government and the governments of the partner countries, we work to reduce trade barriers and improve economic conditions in the region. The OA is supported by six central associations of German business and has nearly 400 member companies. In 2022, it celebrated its 70th anniversary.

As a competence centre, we inform our members about current market developments via country and industry working groups, specialist conferences, delegation trips, background discussions as well as print and online publications.

As a door opener, we network our member companies with the Federal Government, the governments of our 29 partner countries and the EU Commission and offer them valuable contacts to the relevant local economic actors.

As a representative of the interests of German industry, we act in bilateral government working groups and committees. We promote the business of our members in the region and address your company petitions.

Membership at OA

Are you interested in becoming a member of the German Eastern Business Association? Please contact:

Anke Zimdars
Member support & consultation
+49 (0) 30 206167-119
a.zimdars@oa-ev.de

Benefits of OA Membership

As a member of the German Eastern Business Association (OA), we help you conduct business in our partner countries and provide active support for the implementation of projects. You have the opportunity to help shape the priorities of our association through the various committees, to discuss the industries and regions in the working groups and to network during our many events. 

We are happy to assist you in getting in touch with government and company representatives from the region, in market research, in resolving claims or other matters, and discuss your needs in bilateral working groups.

You will also receive the following expert publications free of charge: the bimonthly “Ost-Ausschuss Informationen” (OAI), the annual book “Mittel und Osteuropa-Jahrbuch”, “OstContact” magazine, country updates, position papers and dossiers, and our monthly newsletter.

You can also find current information on our website (www.ost-ausschuss.de), social networks Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram.

Our Goals

• Promotion of German companies, in particular SMEs
• Reduction of trade, investment and visa barriers
• Greater legal certainty and compliance
• Transparent tender processes
• Promotion of German economic relations with Eastern Europe

Our Portfolio

• Expert consulting and support in market development
• Assistance for projects of German companies
• Around 100 event offerings per year in various formats (delegation trips, conferences, expert talks, webinars)
• Country Working Groups on Belarus, Central Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, South Caucasus, South Eastern Europe and Central Asia
• Sector working groups on agribusiness, energy and sustainability, digitalisation, health industry, logistics/transport infrastructure, securing skilled workers
• Networking with government agencies, business representatives and the EU
• Print and online publications, yearbooks, position papers, country updates, regional updates.

Our Projects

• Green Transformation Business Platform
• Service Desk Ukraine
• Zoran Djindjic Scholarship Programme for the Western Balkan Countries
• German Agribusiness Alliance (GAA)
• Berlin Eurasian Club
• Purchasing initiatives to network German companies with suppliers from Central and Eastern Europe
• Digital cooperation initiatives, e.g., with the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Armenia
• Liaison Office Hamburg - coordinates and works on topics relevant to Hamburg as a business location and to Hamburg's member companies, including logistics and supply chain management, digitalisation and financial services in close cooperation with the regional and sectoral working groups).