The training seminars "Working Out Strategic Planning for Belorussian Enterprises", as part of the German Transform Project "Training Programme for Executives of Strategic Management", took place several times in Minsk and in Baden-Wurttemberg. The seminars were carried out by bw-i in co-operation with the High School for Management and Marketing of the Belorussian Economic States University, in Minsk, Belarus, and the Centre of Management and Marketing (ZMM), "Progress", in St. Petersburg, Russia. Experienced German and Russian specialists gave lectures and performed workshops on topics such as management methods, project management, essential financial aspects and key concepts. In addition, participants took part in practical exercises on joint ventures, marketing, entrepreneurship, types of co-operation, crisis management and many others.

Baden-Wurttemberg initiated a program to assist returning refugees from Baden-Württemberg to Bosnia and Herzegovina. bw-i arranged management and practical training courses for these refugees, especially on the topics of SME development, start-up training and joint ventures. The program consisted of training for approx. 100 refugees, who wanted to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina and start a business there. In addition, 25 entrepreneurs from Zenica-Doboj, Bosnia received business training in Bosnia.

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. By the end 2011, total of 243 companies participated in the project.

This project consists of the promotion of economic co-operation between companies from Baden-Wurttemberg and Slovenia through the organisation of co-operation events, advisory services for individual companies and public relations work. Since 1991, bw-i has been promoting the economic co-operation between Slovenian and German companies, mainly through three means: First, co-operation events, which are held either in Germany or in Slovenia to provide a basis for the companies to get in direct contact with each other through business delegations. Co-operation events were carried out in Ljubljana and in Stuttgart, each with about 250 companies participating. The following co-operation event was held in Celje (combined with Zagreb). Second, individual advisory services are being provided in Stuttgart for German companies seeking Slovenian business partners. Third, through the publishing of a monthly newsletter, Slovenian companies are given the opportunity to search for German co-operation partners.

Through this project, bw-i supported the German minority in Poland, especially through the economic aid for farmers via assistance in purchasing agricultural machines and tools. Additionally, bw-i assisted in procurement and the monitoring and evaluation of projects.

This project consisted of the establishment of joint water authorities, construction of water networks, and promotion of local initiative. Technical consultation (on pipelines, distribution networks, wells, and water treatment plants) was offered and building work was completed to supply drinking water to 52 communities in Upper Silesia. Water authorities have been formed in 11 communities. In a second stage, sewage installations will be planned and constructed. Courses are held, both locally and in the Federal Republic of Germany, for municipal decision-makers on future-oriented concepts of inter-communal co-operation in the fields of drinking water supply, solid waste, and waste water disposal.

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.

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. By the end 2010, total of 664 companies participated in the project.

 

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.

Four independent institutions for SME consulting services and management training were united in a consultation centre for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Consulting experts from all involved institutions were trained by German consultants. In addition, numerous Russian companies were advised via on-the-job training for the Russian experts. Further consultation was given to encourage business relations between Russian and foreign companies and to promote access to European markets. Advanced training was given to the Russian consultants, both locally and in the Federal Republic of Germany.

bw-i established a service centre in the wood-working sector for the development of SMEs. The aim of the centre is the development of SMEs through technology services, i.e. improving the competitiveness of existing SMEs and establishing new ones. The main activities of the centre include: production, tool service, vocational training, consulting, procurement and international co-operation. Short and long-term experts were sent to Ekaterinburg from Germany for the realisation of these aims. The measures also include the training of counterpart multipliers.

This project consisted of the implementation of six two-week management courses in Baden-Wurttemberg for Russian managers. The subjects of the seminars included: market economy, marketing, project management, personnel management, cost calculation, controlling and financing. In addition, business contacts and visits to German enterprises were arranged.

This project consisted of the organisation of a series of training courses for top Russian managers in the Centre for Marketing and Management in St. Petersburg, conducted by staff members of German companies seeking access to the Russian market. Topics of the courses included modern company management in a social market economy, strategic management, project management, controlling, marketing and personnel management.

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. By the end 2011, total of 496 companies participated in the project.

A general strategy for the Slovak transport sector was developed for the use of recycled construction materials in the building of new roads and rail substructures, which previously did not exist in Slovakia. The activities of the pilot study concern the preparation of the following: a feasibility survey of the organisation of transport construction waste recycling and considerations on rentability; a survey of the state-of-the-art technologies in EU member states; a survey about the organisation and marketing within EU member states; identification of legal demands for implementation with the relevant EU guidelines being of highest priority; identification of environmental and macroeconomic advantages; recognition of investment demands; and recommendations for practical organisation/implementation of a recycling plant network in Slovakia.

bw-i established advisory centres for consultation services in order to give direct advice to these companies on questions concerning access to the European markets and relations between Slovak and foreign companies, as well as to lecture in courses on these subjects. In addition, bw-i supports the training of Slovak consultants, locally as well as in the Federal Republic of Germany.