The DIHK Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce is the national organization of the 82 German chambers of industry and commerce. All German firms within the country (with the exception of craft and trade enterprises, the independent professions, and agricultural operations) are by law members of the chambers of industry and commerce. They represent the interests of regional businesses vis-à-vis the municipalities, state governments and regional state authorities. They function as advisers for their member firms and as knowledgeable providers of information for business and industry. The chambers of industry and commerce are democratically organized and independent of government influence. The Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce represents the interests of business and industry at the federal level and at the European Commission in Brussels. It also supports the approximately 110 offices of the German chambers of commerce abroad as well as the offices of delegates and representatives of German industry in more than 70 countries all over the world, providing support primarily for SMEs.

DIHK thus represents 3.5 million German enterprises who are members of the chambers of industry and commerce as well as 40,000 member enterprises of the German-Foreign chambers. More than two third of all member enterprises are small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

The increased competitiveness of German companies is illustrated by the marked improvement in export ratios in the most important export sectors. The export ratio shows the share of sales outside Germany in relation to overall sales. Between 1991 and 2002 the export ratio for mechanical engineering soared from 52% to almost 69%, in the chemicals industry from 50% to almost 70%, in the automobile industry from 43% to 69%, and in the electronics industry from 31 to 42%. The western industrialized countries are Germany's most important trading partners. The closest trading relationships continue to be those with EU member states, with whom more than half of all foreign trade is conducted. In 2002, the most important partner was once again France. In terms of imports, the Netherlands and United States followed next. Following France, the main importers of German goods and services were the United States and Great Britain.

One more in 2005 – like a year earlier – France ranks first among the countries for German exports, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Last year, Germany exported commodities for EUR 79.9 billion (accounting for 10.2% of total German exports) to France, commodities for EUR 69.3 billion (8.8%) to the United States and commodities for EUR 61.7 billion (7.8%) to the United Kingdom.

The trade with central and east European countries also has also been rising steadily. Whereas in 2001 total foreign trade rose by just 4.6%, trade with these countries increased by 12.8%. Poland was the most important market for German goods and services in central and east European countries. The Czech Republic and Hungary are also important trading partners for Germany in the region. All in all, trade with Central and Eastern Europe accounted for 11.9% of overall foreign trade, surpassing even the trade with The United States. This is a clear indication of just how strong the role of the region is for German foreign trade and the importance it will have for Germany in light of EU expansion eastwards.

Foreign trade is exceedingly important for both growth and employment. In Germany, roughly one job in four depends on the export trade. The figure for manufacturing is even higher, with 25% of all produce being exported. Income and the standard of living in Germany would be lower were the country not to have such close ties with the world economy. In addition there would be fewer resources available for public services such as education, health care and provisions for old age. Needless to say, efficiency and competitiveness are also a fundamental basis for relations with other countries. Trade and economic links help stabilize international relations.

Source: Facts about Germany www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de