Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (OA)
Purpose
The Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (OA) is the German business community’s oldest regional initiative (since 1952). Operated jointly by the community’s central associations, it represents the interests of German companies in relation to business with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasian Republics and South-East Europe. It serves as a mediator between business leaders and policymakers in Germany and Eastern Europe and seeks to build up economic relations with these countries in order to promote trade and industry as well as investment and services with and in the region. At the same time, the OA provides support and assistance on major economic policy developments in bilateral relations.
Sponsor organisations
- Federation of German Industries (BDI)
- Association of German Banks (Bankenverband)
- German Insurance Association (GDV)
- Foreign Trade Association of the German Retail Trade (AVE)
- German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH)
Activities
- Network of contacts to government bodies and business associations in Germany and in the relevant countries and regions
- Coordination of the institutionalised dialogue with official bodies (bilateral cooperation councils, German-Russian Strategic Working Group with Sub-Working Group on Financial Services, German-Ukrainian High-Level Group, etc.)
- Current information on economic developments in the relevant countries and regions
- Organisation of delegation visits, conferences (including finance events with the Association of German Banks), seminars with high-ranking government representatives and entrepreneurs from the relevant countries and regions
- Projects aimed at promoting the development of market economies and at educating/training young people in Eastern Europe
Chair
Eckhard Cordes, METRO AG
Contact at the Association of German Banks
Tobias Unkelbach
Internet
www.ost-ausschuss.de
