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Search for the latest information on the partner countries, examples of successful cooperation projects and visits to German companies.
Economic relations between Germany and Vietnam continue to grow, defying a global trend
Six years after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) entered into force, economic ties between Germany and Vietnam continue to expand despite Germany’s economic stagnation and a challenging global environment. Partnering in Business with Germany’s network meeting held on 12 March 2026 in HoChiMinh City offered an opportunity to take stock of the progress made thus far and to look ahead.
New partner countries boost diversification and resilience in Germany’s trade and investment
The Partnering in Business with Germany programme has provided a strategic impetus in recent months: Türkiye, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia have been added as five new partner countries. The aim is to facilitate access for German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to high-growth markets and to further advance the international diversification of trade and supply relationships. Malaysia is expected to complement the partner network in due course.
Successful cooperation: joint venture for green energy
A forward-looking project for carbon-free power generation in Egypt has been launched with the newly established joint venture between the German technology company Frenell and its Egyptian partner Solar Energy Solutions (SES). Based on the innovative solar technology of Frenell, the project, which was established in the context of the Partnering in Business with Germany programme, will not only lastingly shape the local energy supply, but also strengthen German-Egyptian economic cooperation.
German-Mexican steering committee pleased with the way Partnering in Business with Germany is developing
The German-Mexican steering committee of the Partnering in Business with Germany programme convened in Mexico City on 25 February 2026. The focus of the meeting was on further developing the priorities and strengthening bilateral economic relations.
Shaping the future: annual meeting of the Business Development Centres in Bonn
Making Partnering in Business with Germany even more effective and attractive for German companies was at the heart of the annual meeting of the Business Development Centres (BDC), held in Bonn on 4 and 5 February 2026. The aim was to strategically develop the programme as a tool for promoting foreign trade and to prepare it for the future, with a clear focus on delivering value for German businesses.
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NRW Business Forum Ukraine: business cooperation as key to the future and to reconstruction
At the NRW Business Forum Ukraine, which was hosted by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Mittlerer Niederrhein in Neuss on 27 January 2026, it became clear that business cooperation between German and Ukrainian enterprises is an important lever for resilience, reconstruction and sustainable growth on both sides.
Award for Partnering in Business with Germany in Ukraine
In December 2025, the Partnering in Business with Germany programme received an award at the Ukrainian Employers Annual Meeting in the category “Support Ukraine – Support Ukrainian Business”. The award expresses the appreciation for the programme’s special commitment when it comes to supporting Ukrainian companies and promoting sustainable business cooperation with German small and medium-sized enterprises.
New business: pushing the envelope
In mid-May, around 60 Ukrainian programme alumni from the construction industry came together in Lviv to pinpoint innovative business opportunities. What stood out was the format: the entrepreneurs were urged to think outside the bounds of conventional categories.
Successful matching: the Special Initiative for Ukraine proves to be relevant
Promotion of foreign trade and investment, labour market integration and a corporate social responsibility project: the second round of the Special Initiative for Ukraine in the context of the Partnering in Business with Germany programme came to a successful end in Berlin and Düsseldorf at the beginning of April 2025. 76 Ukrainian “bridging managers” and 63 German host companies look back on valuable cooperation.
Business cooperation: The Special Initiative for Ukraine enters its second round
At the end of January, around 40 Ukrainian refugee managers and 33 German companies started a unique new edition of the Special Initiative for Ukraine of Partnering in Business with Germany in Berlin and Düsseldorf. The aim is to establish and strengthen business relations between Germany and Ukraine.
Partnership with Ukraine extended: continuation of the cooperation in the context of "Partnering in Business with Germany"
Ukraine has been a partner country of Partnering in Business with Germany since 2001 and was thus one of the first countries to join the programme. A joint declaration of intent to continue the cooperation was signed in Kyiv on 29 January 2025. The aim is to further deepen the business relations between German and Ukrainian companies and to strengthen the strategic collaboration.
Dialogue between Ukrainian and German Government Officials
Senior managers from various Ukrainian ministries and representatives of the Federal Government met for a two-week conference in Berlin in September. As part of the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme, they visited several ministries in Berlin and learned about EU-related requirements. At the same time, they discussed bilateral economic relations, including topics relating to the reconstruction of Ukraine.
‘Bridging Managers’ connecting Germany and Ukraine – a successful pilot project enters its second round
Eliminating obstacles – building bridges: this is a brief summary of Partnering in Business with Germany’s special initiative for Ukraine that enabled 37 refugee managers from Ukraine to do eight-week internships in German companies in Berlin and Düsseldorf in autumn 2023.
Partnering in Business with Germany promotes foreign business with Ukrainian companies
Six years after the last bilateral meeting in Kyiv, the 12th meeting of the German-Ukrainian steering committee of Partnering in Business with Germany was held on 21 March at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in Berlin. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and then the war, the programme had to be interrupted for a significant period of time.
Visit to DEULA Nienburg: promoting sustainability in agriculture
The managers from Ukraine and Moldova visited the German Training Institute for Agricultural Engineering (DEULA) in Nienburg. The six-hectare DEULA site is home to state-of-the-art teaching halls and training rooms covering an area of over 9,000 m² as well as an attractively furnished guest house.
Short official channel: Ukrainian and German government officials in Berlin
As part of the Partnering in Business with Germany programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), 19 executives from various ministries in Ukraine met in Berlin from 13 to 17 November 2023. The programme has been held annually since 2001 with the aim of improving cooperation at government level and supporting Ukraine’s rapprochement with the EU through professional exchange.
Successful Kick-off of the “Special Initiative Ukraine”
This October, 17 Ukrainian refugee managers in Düsseldorf and 20 Ukrainian refugee managers in Berlin started the “Special Initiative Ukraine of the Manager Training Programme” pilot project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany.
“Our processes are now 90 per cent more efficient”
For more than two decades, Ranok has provided the Ukrainian market with books and stationery. Business is good and processing all the orders quickly and efficiently is one of the firm’s biggest challenges. As head of logistics, this is Jurij Bugaj’s responsibility. In the course of the MP, he optimised the warehouse technology in his firm and increased his focus on employee motivation.
