Regional initiatives

In order to be able to communicate and assert the economic policy interests of the German Asian economy in a precise and sustainable manner, the OAV cooperates with various partner organizations of the countries and is also involved in the most important interest group of the German Asian economy.

In addition, there are specific bilateral development cooperations, such as with Sri Lanka and Mongolia.

Simplified map of Asia and Australia

Asia-Pacific Committee

As one of the founding members and supporting organizations of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) the OAV has been involved in this central German body since 1993. The APA acts as the mouthpiece of the German Asian economy vis-à-vis German politicians and in the Asian partner countries. As a joint initiative of the supporting associations BDI, DIHKOAV, BGA and Banking Association economic and economic policy concerns of German companies with interests in the region.

Goals and tasks:

  • Measures to promote and intensify reciprocal trade and investment relations

  • Organizing high-profile events with German and Asian decision-makers from business and politics, such as bilateral business forums and the biennial Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK)

  • Formulating positions on opening up new business areas and removing barriers for German companies

  • Support for trips to the region by high-ranking representatives of the German government

The joint presence of the APA member associations, including the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs), ensures effective representation of corporate interests vis-à-vis politicians and provides a platform for Asian business partners. In addition, the APA supports the profiling of Germany's image in Asia and thus flanks the work of German location marketing in the region.

Chamber and association partnership Sri Lanka

From November 2023 to October 2026, the OAV will be the German project sponsor of a chamber and association partnership (KVP) with the Northern Chamber of Industries (NCI) in Jaffna and the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The KVP is part of the BMZ program Partners in Transformation program.

Project objective and initial situation

German development cooperation with Sri Lanka promotes political stability and national reconciliation. Economic development varies greatly from region to region, with Colombo being the main center of economic activity. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are mainly active in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the food, rubber, and textile sectors.

The CIP aims to improve the economic conditions for SMEs in northern Sri Lanka—especially for founders, managers , and entrepreneurs.

Project measures

The project focuses on three areas:

  • Organizational development of the partner chambers

  • Development of customized services for members

  • Professional representation of interests

Workshops are held on topics such as membership development, financial and business planning, and advocacy. These are conducted by OAV staff as well as German, international, and local experts.

Contact point for the German-Mongolian Economic Committee

The German-Mongolian Economic Committee (DMWA) was founded as part of the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the raw materials, industry and technology sectors between Germany and Mongolia.

The DMWA forms a central platform for German-Mongolian business dialog and actively supports companies in opening up new business opportunities.

Since 2015, the OAV has been operating a contact point in Germany on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, which serves as a point of contact for companies and institutions. In Mongolia, the DMUV assumes this function locally as a cooperation partner.