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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.

Colombian program participants in conversation at Agritechnica

International partnerships as a success factor for SMEs

Against the backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions, increasing fragmentation of the global trading order and volatile international supply chains, the Federal Government is pursuing the strategic objective of diversifying international trade, investment and supply relationships and systematically reducing one-sided economic dependencies. For Germany’s SME sector, international business partnerships are a key lever for strengthening economic resilience, but accessing foreign markets and establishing such partnerships involves significant barriers to entry.

Partnering in Business with Germany makes a measurable contribution to the diversification and strengthening of the resilience of Germany’s foreign trade and investment. The programme provides targeted support to SMEs in initiating sustainable international business relationships and in expanding global value chains. The economic impact is clear:
The volume of import and export contracts initiated through the programme exceeds the public funding invested more than twelvefold. At the same time, demand for the programme has risen steadily in recent years. In 2025 alone, around 2,350 German companies benefited from business initiation activities under Partnering in Business with Germany.

Since 2022, the number of German companies reached directly each year has increased by around 30 per cent. At the same time, the number of contracts concluded has risen by an average of around 10 per cent per year, a clear indication of the programme’s growing relevance for the German SME sector.

The Partnering in Business with Germany programme at a glance

Since its launch in 1998, Partnering in Business with Germany has supported German SMEs in establishing and deepening international business relationships. The programme is open to all sectors, but will increasingly focus on areas in which Germany’s foreign trade demonstrates particular technological and economic strengths. These include energy efficiency, the circular economy, Industry 4.0 and the healthcare sector.

A key distinguishing feature is the combination of structured business initiation, entrepreneurial training for participating business partners, and a cooperative approach based on bilateral agreements with the governments of the 22 partner countries. Close cooperation with international partner institutions also brings significant own contributions from the partner countries, thereby increasing the efficiency of programme implementation.

Zwei Personen sitzen an einem Tisch in einem hellen Raum und führen ein Gespräch, im Hintergrund weitere Personen an Tischen
Turkish entrepreneurs in B2B discussions with German companies at a business matching event organised by the Rheinhessen Chamber of Industry and Commerce ©GIZ/Milton Arias

Focus on new partner countries: initial results and strategic importance

With the addition of Türkiye, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya and Indonesia, the country portfolio is being strategically expanded to include economically dynamic emerging markets. The new partnerships open up additional markets for both sales and sourcing for German companies and make an important contribution to geographical risk diversification.

Türkiye
The pilot phase began in 2024 and is already showing substantial results. In the first pilot group, participating companies concluded seven contracts and two memoranda of understanding with a total volume of around €11.6 million (imports and exports). On average, more than three B2B meetings were held per participant. The range of cooperation extends from energy management systems to mechanical and plant engineering through to industrial components. Further groups are planned for 2026 with a focus on Industry 4.0, green technologies and the circular economy.

Colombia
The first pilot group from the food sector travelled to Germany in autumn 2025. As part of the group programme, including participation at Agritechnica in Hanover, an average of 2.8 direct business contacts per participant were initiated. Initial concrete outcomes include a preliminary import agreement as well as further cooperation arrangements. Two additional groups are planned for 2026, focusing on Industry 4.0, automation, civilian shipbuilding and metal processing.

Brazil
In spring 2026, a pilot group will visit the Hanover Fair with the aim of identifying technology partners. The focus of this first group is on energy efficiency and sustainable industrial solutions. A further group visit is already planned for the autumn. Particularly strong potential lies in the traditionally robust economic ties between Germany and Brazil in areas such as green investment, renewable energy, mining, sustainable agriculture and infrastructure.

Kenya
Initial consultations with Kenyan partners on objectives, target groups and sectors took place in October 2025. The focus of economic cooperation includes food technology, the healthcare sector, the manufacturing industry, IT services, logistics, infrastructure engineering and construction. The first group is scheduled to travel to Germany in autumn 2026.

Indonesia
The pilot phase focuses on companies in the food industry and food technology. For many participants, the objective is to enter the German market in a structured manner as a strategic entry point to the European market. The programme stay in Germany at the beginning of 2026 includes training, company visits, B2B meetings and trade fair contacts at Green Week in Berlin and at ISM in Cologne, the world’s leading trade fair for sweets and snacks.

 

Outlook: strategic further development of the programme

Experience to date with the newly added partner countries confirms the economic policy value of Partnering in Business with Germany. Against this background, the programme will be systematically developed further. Key areas of focus include the targeted expansion of the country portfolio, increased outreach within the German business community, and closer integration with existing foreign trade and investment promotion instruments.

With the planned inclusion of additional countries such as Malaysia, Partnering in Business with Germany will remain a central strategic instrument for promoting diversification, strengthening resilience and safeguarding the international competitiveness of Germany’s SME sector.

Teaser picture: Colombian entrepreneurs at Agritechnica (c)GIZ/Rolf Klatt

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