The North Africa Middle East Initiative of German Business

The North Africa Middle East Initiative of German Business (NMI) is a German business initiative that serves as the voice of German business in both Germany and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It supports the establishment and expansion of bilateral economic relations, helps shape the debate on trade and investment potential and challenges, and communicates the economic concerns of German companies relating to the MENA region. The initiative is dedicated to fostering bilateral ties between Germany and the MENA region, supporting visits to the region by the German government together with business delegations, and advocating for the reduction of trade and investment barriers in the region and within the European Union. The NMI is carried by five leading German business federations: the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), the Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V., and the Banking Association (Bankenverband). Coordination among these federations takes place in the BDI's International Markets department. The initiative is part of six regional initiatives within the BDI, alongside for example the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (OA). The NMI has high-level contacts at political and economic levels both in Germany and the MENA region, great expertise, and a broad network, including the German Chambers of Commerce (AHKs / Auslandshandelskammern) in the region. It pools regional economic interests and represents them vis-à-vis policymakers. For the NMI, the MENA region includes the countries of the Middle East and North Africa as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan, covering 20 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. The initiative is led by a presidency. Between 2016 and 2019, the presidency was held by Prof. Dr. Siegfried Russwurm, at the time a member of the board of Siemens AG and currently President of the BDI. Since 2019, the presidency has been held by Ralf Wintergerst, CEO of Giesecke+Devrient. To ensure the initiative is more present within the German economy and toward foreign partners, it also has a vice-presidency of entrepreneurs appointed by each of the supporting federations, including Philipp Bayat (BAUER COMP Holding GmbH), Sabine Dall'Omo (Siemens Sub-Sahara Africa and Chairwoman of Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.), Detlef Daues (V-LINE GROUP), and Peter F. Mayr (CEO, Terramar GmbH). The NMI operates as a platform for dialogue and advocacy rather than as a commercial company. Its work is particularly relevant given that foreign trade accounts for a quarter of all jobs in Germany, making the development of future markets such as the MENA region crucial to the success of the German economy. The region's geographic proximity to Europe, young population, natural resources, and numerous diversification programmes make it a key partner for Germany, and "Made in Germany" enjoys an excellent reputation in the region, above all because of high quality, reliability, and innovative strength.

The North Africa Middle East Initiative of German Business (NMI) was established as a regional initiative within the Federation of German Industries (BDI) to strengthen economic ties between Germany and the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. It is one of six regional initiatives within the BDI, alongside the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (OA). The initiative is carried by five leading German business federations: the BDI, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), the Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V., and the Banking Association (Bankenverband). Coordination among these federations takes place in the BDI's International Markets department. The NMI's purpose is to establish and develop bilateral trade relations between Germany and the MENA region, to organize the interests of German entrepreneurs in the MENA region by coordinating communication and activities of the responsible organizations vis-à-vis political decision-makers in Germany and in partner countries, and to mobilize new potentials in this strategically important region for Germany. The initiative also serves as a partner for the federal government on questions of economic policy and foreign trade topics. Between 2016 and 2019, the presidency of the NMI was held by Prof. Dr. Siegfried Russwurm, at the time a member of the board of Siemens AG and currently President of the BDI. Since 2019, the presidency has been held by Ralf Wintergerst, CEO of Giesecke+Devrient. To ensure the initiative is more present within the German economy and toward foreign partners, it also has a vice-presidency of entrepreneurs appointed by each of the supporting federations, including Philipp Bayat (BAUER COMP Holding GmbH), Sabine Dall'Omo (Siemens Sub-Sahara Africa and Chairwoman of Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.), Detlef Daues (V-LINE GROUP), and Peter F. Mayr (CEO, Terramar GmbH). The NMI defines the MENA region broadly to include the countries of the Middle East and North Africa as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan, covering 20 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. The initiative supports visits to the region by the German government together with business delegations and advocates reducing trade and investment barriers in the region and within the European Union. It has high-level contacts at political and economic levels both in Germany and the MENA region, great expertise, and a broad network, including the German Chambers of Commerce (AHKs) in the region.

• 2019

  Ralf Wintergerst, CEO of Giesecke+Devrient, becomes President of the NMI.

• 2016

  Prof. Dr. Siegfried Russwurm begins his term as President of the NMI.

The NMI positions itself as the voice of German business in both Germany and the MENA region, fostering bilateral economic ties and advocating for reduced trade and investment barriers.

Product categories. Business advocacy and representation · Bilateral economic relations support · Trade and investment policy dialogue · Business delegation organization · Network and expertise provision

1. 1NM Initiative: The North Africa Middle East Initiative of German Businessnm-initiative.de
2. 2The North Africa Middle East Initiative of German Business - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Initiative de l'économie allemande pour l'Afrique du Nord et le Moyen-Orient - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org