International Network
The German Chambers of Commerce
All around the globe in more than 90 countries, 130 Chambers of Commerce (Auslandshandelskammern "AHKs") with more than 1.400 employees look after companies which are interested in bilateral economic activities with Germany. These institutions form a unique, performance-oriented, locally experienced and globally present servicing network – the largest of its kind in the world. When it is a question of the economic interests of enterprises in foreign markets, the AHK offices are the service performers in situ.
The comprehensive range of services offered by the AHK offices extends from commercial information services, legal and administrative services, representation at German trade fairs abroad, market and economic analyses, technology transfers and environmental protection, trade and investment promotion to public relations and vocational training and further education. The AHK offices also represent the interests of companies and politics concerning the promotion of bilateral trade.
Originating from the initiatives of private enterprises, the AHK offices are now an economically autonomous institution and a part of the German foreign trade support programme. Today the AHK offices - with more than 100 years of experience and especially thanks to the continuous extension of the AHK network – are situated in all countries in which German enterprises are particularly active: 97 Prozent of German foreign trade turnover is generated in countries with AHK presence. The German AHK offices are a recognised factor worldwide. In countries where there is less business interest and in countries where the foundation of an AHK office is impossible according to the German understanding of autonomy, a delegation or representation of German industry is founded with the option of developing into a AHK.
AHK offices "think globally" and "act locally" for the worldwide benefit of their clients.