| Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce | |
| Type: | Advocacy group |
| Founded Date: | 1872 |
| Location: | Berlin, Germany |
| Key People: | Hans Heinrich Driftmann, President of DIHK Martin Wansleben, Chief Executive of the DIHK |
| Area Served: | Germany European Union United States |
| Focus: | Business advocacy |
| Method: | Trade promotion political lobbying |
| Homepage: | DIHK AHK USA AHK Malaysia |
Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (German: link=no|Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag, DIHK) is a German 'chamber,' similar to an English guild but is required under German law and provides political influence of a trade union. This organization was formerly known as the Deutscher Industrie- und Handelstag or DIHT.
In Germany, 'Chambers of Commerce and Industry' is an organization for 79 'chambers' who represents companies within the German state. The DIHK provides over 'three million entrepreneurs' or association members, representing small kiosks and shops to larger commercial companies, with political influence. DIHK has its headquarters in Berlin, a major office in Brussels and representative offices throughout Europe.[1]
Association members are under German Chamber of Commerce compulsory or public law model, enterprises of certain sizes, types, or sectors are obliged to become members of the chamber. This model is common in European Union countries (France,[2] Germany, Italy, Spain), but also in Japan. Main tasks of the chambers are foreign trade promotion, vocational training, regional economic development, and general services to their members. The chambers were given responsibilities of public administration in various fields by the state which they exercise in order management. The chambers also have a consultative function; this means the chambers must be consulted whenever a new law related to industry or commerce is proposed.[1] [3]
In Germany, for over 150 years, the chambers of commerce and industry (IHK – Industrie- und Handelskammer) and the chambers of skilled crafts (HwK – Handwerkskammer) are public statutory bodies with self-administration under the inspectorate of the state ministry of economy. Enterprises are members by law according to the chamber act (IHK-Gesetz) of 1956. Because of this, such chambers are much bigger than chambers under private law. IHK Munich, the biggest German chamber of commerce, has 350,000 member companies.[4] Germany also has compulsory chambers for "free occupations" such as architects, dentists, engineers, lawyers, notaries, physicians and pharmacists. Exceptions are skilled craftsmen, freelancers and agricultural businesses.[1] [5]
German American Chambers of Commerce is a bilateral trade organization promoting German and German-American businesses within the United States and worldwide in 90 countries and 130 locations. The AHKs throughout the world are under the 'DEinternational ' brand name.[6]
The GACCs represent about 2,500 members in the United States under the abbreviation AHK USA. In German this is; Deutsch-Amerikanische Handelskammer or AHK. It has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco with a liaison office to the Representative of German Industry and Trade in Washington D.C.[6]
The GACC Consulting Services Department's goal is to assist and support German companies with USA market entry and expansion. They do this by providing "events, such as networking receptions, economic forums, members only events, Industry specific conferences, business luncheons, seminars" including lobbying the American government agencies.[6] They also provide companies with market analysis, marketing concepts, legal and tax assistance, business representation, and Trade show support.[7]
The GACC publishes various articles, journals and reports. These include, but are not limited to:[8]
AHK Malaysia or locally known as the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) is the official representative of German companies within Malaysia and worldwide, together with the German diplomatic representations.[9]
MGCC represents its members throughout Malaysia under the abbreviation AHK Malaysia/MGCC with its main office located in Kuala Lumpur. Among the services rendered by the chamber includes, but not limited to, Market Entry into the country, Corporate and Accounting Services, German Business Centre, Conferences and Projects and Trade Fairs support and representations.[10]
MGCC also publishes articles, journals and reports primarily in regards to the Malaysian industry such as the Malaysian Rubber Glove Industry.[11]