German Centres

The first step into a foreign market is often a difficult one for SMEs. On the one hand, they are attracted by the opportunity to gain new customers, sell more products and boost growth rates in markets that offer high margins.

But they also have to deal with

• Opaque markets
• Lack of knowledge concerning competitors, customers and the workings of the local market
• Linguistic and cultural barriers

Large corporations have sufficient financial resources to independently invest in new markets. Mittelstand firms, however, often lack this luxury.

German Centre – the idea

There are currently seven German Centres worldwide: in Beijing, Delhi.Gurgaon, Jakarta, Mexico City, Moscow, Shanghai and Singapore.

The objective of the global network is to support German Mittelstand companies in setting up their own foreign entities in potentially lucrative markets by providing commercial space and a comprehensive range of services. The German Centres unite the strengths of German business under one roof. They are supported by German federal and state ministries and by trade associations such as the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

The existing network of seven German Centres has already assisted more than 1,800 Mittelstand firms in successfully entering these markets.

Through its German Centres in Shanghai and Delhi.Gurgaon, BayernLB supports companies as they seek to establish a presence in China or India.

What the German Centres offer:

The German Centres serve as problem-solvers, information and knowledge pools, meeting points and intermediaries between German and foreign companies and officials. You can:

• Rent commercial space that can be used flexibly.
• Use the Business Centre Services, such as secretarial, translation and interpreting services.
• Benefit from the expertise of the German management team and in-house experts.
• Acquire valuable information thanks to intensive sharing of experience with other tenants at the German Centre.
• Take advantage of other forms of assistance on offer, such as help in extending your business licence or finding a law firm.