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Shaping the future: annual meeting of the Business Development Centres in Bonn

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.

Drei Frauen stehen vor einer Metaplantafel und präsentieren Ergebnisse

27.02.2026

How can Partnering in Business with Germany attract even more German companies? Which levers need to be adjusted to make the programme even more efficient and better tailored to demand? And how can the networks and expertise of the nationwide Business Development Centres (BDC) be used in a more targeted way to promote successful business matchmaking between German companies and international partners? These were the central questions discussed by representatives from the 17 BDCs, together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and GIZ.

The meeting provided a platform to develop concrete recommendations for attracting more German companies. The BDCs act as key ambassadors of the programme and are to play an even greater role in promoting it through targeted outreach. “The meeting demonstrated the programme’s potential for the future. Our goal is to develop it in a consistent, strategic manner and align it even more closely with the foreign trade interests and needs of German businesses,” Manuel Palz said. “Targeted engagement and direct access to SMEs and regional networks last year allowed us to attract more German companies to the programme. We aim to continue building on this success.”

27.02.2026

Drei Personen sitzen an einem Tisch, im Hintergrund stehen Metaplantafeln

©GIZ / Anke Flören

Flexibility and focus on business

Another focus was on refining both the content and structure of the programme. Future scenarios were explored that place greater emphasis on the needs of German businesses and the potential of individual partner countries, with tailored programme formats designed to enable even more successful business matchmaking. Pauline Sautter from BDC CEFE International expressed her satisfaction: “It is encouraging to see ideas being implemented directly in the programme. Maintaining a consistent focus on German business is an important approach for the next steps.”

Methods and approaches, such as a more flexible structure and stronger clustering of industries, were developed. Julia Moritz from Gisma welcomed this approach: “It is important to continue adapting the programme and keeping it flexible. Equally important is the focus on German business and the recognition that participating international executives bring a broad range of competences, particularly in relation to foreign trade and investment.”

Working groups also developed concrete measures to achieve these goals. This included designing more efficient group programmes that increase business contacts while streamlining the programme. Digitalisation, shorter programme formats, the use of digital tools, and the integration of online cooperation platforms were discussed as potential solutions. The existing programme content was reviewed and structured into modules to help participants prepare more effectively for successful business matchmaking. “The meeting was an excellent opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers and actively influence the future design of the programme,” summarised Dr Vadim Ermakov from the Educational Institute of Business (Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft, bbw) in Berlin and Brandenburg.