C O N C E P T O F S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
Partnership Project DIHK – ABC
Preamble
The following concept of sustainability is based on the results of the partnership project between the Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag e.V. (DIHK) and the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC).
The projects funding was/is provided by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMZ) via SEQUA.
The partnership project originally started on September 1st, 2000 with its first phase and continues until January 31st, 2010.
Although there's more months of project work ahead, the foreseeable end of the partnership project forces both partners to reflect the previous work and to collect ideas – as well as find answers – to the question: How can the results be preserved to achieve sustained success, even without the institution of a partnership project.
The following concept, developed by and agreed upon ABC will set up a framework of ABC's continuing work.
" The ABC contributes to the promotion of intraregional trade and the revitalisation of business relations with the European Union, especially Germany."
This overall objective of the project was valid over the entire term of the partnership project.
Based upon this overall objective, the results and indicators of each phase of the partnership project have been adapted referring to the needs and demands of ABC's member chambers and the current developments in the region.
Looking back at the beginnings of the partnership project it is evident that the countries in the region - and therefore their economies - faced huge problems, connected with their transition process. Through all the times and its difficulties it always was the aim of ABC and the partnership project to help the local economy to recover and develop. The emphasis in the first place was put on a close cooperation within the region to be expanded in further stages. These activities were focused on two target groups; chamber staff and businesses.
The summary of the activities of the partnership project on the following page shows the successful implementation of the ideas and activities.
Even though these numbers and figures indicate the quantity only, the evaluation of the quality and sustainability of these actions, as presented in reports and statements, shows the huge success of ABC's approach.
The results show, that ABC and its member chambers are:
- well positioned in the political and economical dialogue in the region and in the EU,
- recognised and accepted as the representatives of the regional economy,
- supporters of the economic cooperation of companies within the region and the EU
- in a position to offer services related to the needs of the members
Concept of Sustainability
Partnership Project DIHK – ABC
Draft
page 1 of 9
Seminars / Number of participants / Economic Conferences/Forums / Number of participants / Trainings / Publications / Technical Equipment and reconstruction/furniture for chambers
(Number of chambers – beneficiaries) / Certification of chambers
2001 / 10 / 287 / 3 / 399 / 6 / 3 / 11
2002 / 13 / 380 / 2 / 700 / 7 / 4 / 2
2003 / 11 / 203 / 2 / 400 / 3 / 4 / 1
2004 / 16 / 392 / 2 / 204 / 5 / 3 / 4 / Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
2005 / 23 / 492 / 2 / 110 / 6 / 2 / 5 / Serbian Chamber of Commerce
2006 / 17 / 416 / 3 / 126 / 8 / 9 / 3 / Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania
2007 / 15 / 341 / 3 / 135 / 2 / 5 / 0 / Chamber of Economy of Montenegro
2008 / 14 / 477 / 2 / 350 / 2 / 4 / 2 / Economic chamber of Macedonia - in process
Total: / 119 / 2988 / 19 / 2424 / 39 / 34 / 28 / 4 - finished
1- in process
Topics for Seminars: / Topics for Economic Conferences / Forums: / Titles of Publications:
EU Customs and Regulation System / Investments / EURO and the Business
ISO 9000, 9001, 14 000 / Infrastructure / Starting-up new Business Activity
E-commerce / SME / Balkan fairs and Exhibition ( annually)
Industrial and Transport Policy of the EU / Food Safety / Human Capital
Access to EU Funds and Programs / ECO Packaging / Guide for Investors
CARDS Programs / Balkan Partenariat / Safety and Healthy Working Conditions
Doing Business with Germany / CEFTA / EU Regional and Cohesion Funds
Lobbying before EU Institutions / Balkan Summit / Border Crossing Guide, etc.
Marketing and PR for Chambers / 4 conferences on Free Trade Agreements
Chamber Structure
Foreing Trade Contracts, etc
Concept of Sustainability
Partnership Project DIHK – ABC
Draft
page 1 of 9
As discussed at the meeting of the presidents of ABC's member chambers at DIHK Berlin in April 2008, ABC once again confirms to further implement the successfully tested activities and the results achieved in the partnership project.
ABC's general structure as a merger of Chambers of Commerce and Industry from different countries from the region shows, that it is able to act and react referring to the needs of the members as well as being able to easily adapt to political changes.
ABC itself and the national coordinators therefore strongly recommend the retention of the composition of ABC's structure is to be favoured in future.
The results of ABC's work show, that there is no need for substantial changes in ABC's future. It is most essential to keep and further develop the contents of ABC's work.
Next to ABC's general tasks, special emphasis will be placed on the further implementation and the development of successfully tested actions; as there are:
- Regular meetings of the national coordinators,
- Regular meetings of the ABC working groups on EU-Integration, Trade Facilitation and IT,
- Further development of ABC's portal (
- Common ABC stands at fairs and exhibitions
- Matchmaking cooperation meetings,
- Business conferences,
- Exchange of trainees between ABC's member chambers,
- Seminars and workshops for chamber staff and/or companies.
The following table shows the contents of the concept of sustainability, as agreed at the National Coordinators Meeting in Sarajevo in 2008.
Next to general indicators such as content, an already specified list of actions and responsibilities is added. First concepts of financing of the activities are shown.
The continuous implementation and development of these actions will lead to the consolidation of ABC's reputation in the region and the EU and therefore is to be seen as an integral part of ABC's concept of sustainability.
Concept for Sustainability
3 parts of the Concept for Sustainability:
1. Contents:What kind of activities
2. Organization:Tasks, time, place and responsible chamber
3. Financing: by own funds or by applying for on different EU programs, initiatives, projects or EUROCHAMBRES
Concept of Sustainability
Partnership Project DIHK – ABC
Draft
page 1 of 9
No. / Contents / Organization / FinancingTasks / When / Where / Who is responsible
1 / Meeting of the National Coordinators / To elaborate an annual activity agenda / Minimum once per year / In accordance with the rotating system of the ABC Presidency / The ABC Presidency CCI / Option 1: during the ABC General Assembly no need of extra expenses
Option 2: separate meeting transport, hotel and daily allowance expenses covered by each CCI participating; rent for hall covered by the hosting CCI
2 / Regular Meetings of the ABC Working Groups on EU Integration, Trade Facilitation and IT / 1. to elaborate strategy papers and to present it to the ABC GA in order to influence the governments towards EU issues
2. to enhance the cooperation with other institutions, associations, etc. / Before the ABC GA in order the strategy papers to be included in the Agenda of GA / By the decision of the WG members / EU Integration – Greece
Trade Facilitation – Serbia
IT – Romania / Transport, hotel and food expense covered by each CCI participating; rent for hall covered by the hosting CCI
3 / Further development of the ABC portal / To maintain the portal as a common product of the ABC / Continuously / Romania / Romania / Romania
4 / Common ABC stands on fairs and exhibitions / 1. to promote the cooperation between the ABC company between themselves and between them and third parties
2. to promote the ABC as institution by providing information, PR materials, leaflet, brochure, etc. / By the decision of the National Coordinators / In accordance with the rotating system of the ABC Presidency / The ABC Presidency CCI / The ABC Presidency CCI covers the expenses for the stand OR invite national companies upon participation fee
5 / Matchmaking cooperation meetings / To enhance cooperation, trade and investment opportunities within the ABC countries and with third parties / Once per year / By the decision of the National Coordinators / The hosting chamber / By participation fee from the companies
6 / Business conference / 1. To enhance cooperation, trade and investment opportunities within the ABC countries and with third parties
2. to promote the ABC as institution
3. to provide forum for exchanging ideas, proposal, initiatives, etc. / Once per year / In accordance with the rotating system of the ABC Presidency / The ABC Presidency CCI / By participation fee, sponsors or other project
7 / Exchange of trainees between the ABC CCI / To exchange know-how, experiences, information about the different systems, organization, work, etc. / By the decision of the National Coordinators / By the decision of the National Coordinators / The hosting CCI / the CCI sending a trainee covers the expenses for the training (transport, hotel, daily allowance, honorary for the trainer, is requested)
8 / Seminars and workshops for chamber staff and / or companies / 1. To provide better services for chamber member
2. to improve the qualification of the chamber staff / 1 to 3 seminars per year / By the decision of the National Coordinators / The hosting chamber sends invitation to the other chambers and to its national companies. the other chambers send invitations to their national companies, who by interest confirm directly to the hosting chamber / By participation fee, sponsors or other project
Concept of Sustainability
Partnership Project DIHK – ABC
Draft
page 1 of 9
The implementation of the actions listed in the concept of sustainability will ensure the high quality of ABC's work.
Together with the structural design of ABC it will lead to an improved performance of ABC, providing the flexibility needed to react to the ever changing demands of the regional and local economy.
At the same time ABC will be enabled to easily adjust its work to changing political developments, not only in the region but on an international basis as well.
Keeping in mind the immense assistance from DIHK which ABC has experienced over the last years, ABC will be delighted to declare the highest interest in the further cooperation with DIHK and also Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the region, not being members of ABC yet.
ABC highly appreciates the communicated interest of BMZ and DIHK to further cooperate with ABC and to further support the cooperation with corresponding initiatives.
Agreed by the ABC General Assembly
27.11.2008,Istanbul, Turkey
Concept of Sustainability
Partnership Project DIHK – ABC
Draft
page 1 of 9