Business Scouts for Development Programme

Business Scouts for Development work as development policy experts in around 40 coun-tries across the globe. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), they advise German, European and local companies on develop-ment policy matters and promote responsible business engagement through cooperation projects. The Business Scouts for Development work closely with partners from business associations and institutions and from TVET organisations both in Germany and in each country.

The Business Scouts for Development promote sustainable and responsible engagement by the private sector in around 40 countries across the globe. They are development policy ex-perts who advise German, European and local companies on the opportunities for promotion, financing and cooperation available through German and European development coopera-tion, facilitate networking with potential partners and initiate cooperation projects. In addition, by supporting business and learning partnerships, the transfer of expertise and targeted sup-port for trade fair participation they not only generate new opportunities for trade but also improve prospects for local job creation.

Within Germany the Business Scouts provide advice directly through Germany’s top busi-ness associations, such as the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) and the Federation of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA), as well as through chambers of commerce and industry, chambers of crafts and trades, industry asso-ciations, state-level associations and – in cooperation with Engagement Global – foundation organisations. In the partner countries they are either integrated into German development cooperation offices or work at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad and Delegations of German Industry and Commerce. The experts therefore bridge the gap between the private sector and development cooperation; companies have better access to new markets, and sustainable development in partner countries receives a boost. The programme is being im-plemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

additional Information

 For example, the experts advise on the following offers:

Project Development Program (PEP)

The energy demand in emerging and developing countries is growing rapidly and investments in energy supply therefore do not tolerate any delay. At the same time, these future markets have great natural and technical potential for renewable energies. As the cost of technologies continues to decline, renewable energy sources are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional energy production. Products and services of German companies offer reliable, innovative and high-quality solutions tailored to local conditions.

Engagement in emerging and developing countries is a particular challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Project Development Program (PEP) accompanies German companies in their move into these promising, yet often still difficult markets. The PEP is being implemented by GIZ as part of the Exportinitiative Erneuerbare Energien (EEE) (Renewable Energy Export Initiative) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).

The project promotes business partnerships between German and local companies and accompanies them over the long term in the various phases of market positioning and project development. It supports the transfer of technologies and know-how, promotes sustainable market structures and the distribution of renewable energies and energy-efficient solutions.

Currently, activities are concentrated in Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in Southeast Asia as well as in Botswana, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania in sub-Saharan Africa. Since foreign trade promotion structures already exist in the destination countries, PEP closely coordinates planned courses of action with the delegations or German Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Thus, synergies, experiences and networks of foreign trade promotion and development cooperation are bundled together and can achieve greater effects.