Economic development projects are key to the advancement of the private sector, and the economy as a whole. bw-i not only supports small and medium sized enterprises but also fosters their institutional environment - business associations, chambers or umbrella organisations.
Services
bw-i supports small and medium-sized enterprises via:
• Design and implementation of credit schemes specifically for SME
• Development of efficient consulting structures for SME
• Establishment and promotion of local support bodies such as business associations,
industrial parks, business incubators, and chambers of commerce
• Expert advice on business, management and technology transfer for individual companies
References
Egypt - Institutional Strengthening of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI)
The Twinning project contributes to consolidating an institutional framework that actively supports a future steady flow of foreign direct investment by means of strengthening the GAFI`s role as an investment promoter and as a policy reform advocator.
The project assists GAFI in improving the investment climate, developing an investment promotion strategy and target market oriented investment promotion measures. Furthermore, international experts give inputs on management operational procedures.
Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina - A sustainable cross-border Tourism Concept for the Countries in South East Europe
The project area Lonjsko Polje / Croatia and the adjoining area in Bosnia-Herzegovina is a well-developed nature reserve with great touristic potential. Together with the local actors, potentials and difficulties for a sustainable tourism development and cross-bordering cooperation are analysed. The findings will be evaluated and new target-group-specific offers will be developed.
The project is carried out by the German Economic Institute for Tourism e.V (dwif Consulting) together with Baden-Württemberg International on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.
Czech Republic - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Czech and foreign companies. As of 2008, 201 companies had participated in the project.
Czech Republic - Strengthened support for SME strategy and programme development
The specific objective of this project was to help CzechInvest develop, enhance and refine a coherent and broad based SME support strategy based on international best practice. This requires primarily an over-all critical appraisal of the strategic framework to develop a new national SME support strategy, which is accepted by the key stakeholders. bw-i assisted CzechInvest operating divisions and regional offices to develop programmes (such as start-up promotion, entrepreneurship development, venture capital, innovation and technology transfer) as well as delivery mechanisms aimed at achieving the strategic objectives of the plan. An effective structure will be developed through the elaboration of job descriptions and key responsibilities. Furthermore, bw-i provided training for the staff on strategy and programme development, project development and implementation, budgeting and project cycle management to improve the institutional capacity.
Poland - Establishment, Monitoring and Support of a Revolving Fund System
From 1991 until now the German Ministry of Interior supports regions in Eastern Europe where German minorities are located. The target of the German government is to assist in the regional economic development in Silesia with the specific objective to build up more favourable conditions for the German minority and their Polish neighbours. bw-i was mandated with the introduction and maintenance of a revolving fund system for start up enterprises and SME. Up to now the project can be judged as a success. The generated income surpassed largely the administration cost of the foundation and the focused results have been achieved. The partner foundation is professional and capable to handle a capital of more than 30 Mio Euro.
Poland - Support of the Silesian Chamber of Economy
bw-i provides consultancy services and support for the Silesian chamber of economy, assists SMEs, and fights against unemployment. The consultancy services are on issues of organisation and business management, as well as qualification seminars for the staff. In addition, bw-i also supported co-operation in more than 50 seminars and workshops with approximately 1000 participants from regional SMEs, as well as management training in business planning and international marketing.
Poland - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Polish and foreign companies.
Romania - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Romanian and foreign companies. In the end of 2008, 621 companies participated in the project.
Romania - Improving the Institutional Framework and the Organisation of the Ministry for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Cooperatives
Aware of the importance of the SME sector, Romania established a Ministry for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Co-operatives in 2001. As part of the PHARE twinning programme, the project’s general objectives were to support the participants in Romania and Baden-Wurttemberg in strengthening their economic relations, in profiting from positive and negative experiences in Baden-Wurttemberg and other European regions, in obtaining the necessary professional background to conduct complex projects, and in becoming familiar with the EU in the context of SME assistance (acquis communautaire, relevant rules, conditions, and support structures).
Russia - Development of a Business Promotion Concept for St. Petersburg
In close co-operation between the German and Russian Government, a community for 188 German-Russian families was built in Peterhof-Stelna, a suburb of St. Petersburg. A component of the settlement is an industrial area for national and international companies, which want to relocate in Peterhof-Strelna and create jobs for the German-Russian settlers. In addition, bw-i developed a conception for business promotion for the industrial area in Peterhof-Strelna.
Slovakia - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Slovak and foreign companies.
