Welcome to East Frisia and Papenburg!
Welcome to the Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) für Ostfriesland und Papenburg, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) for East Frisia and Papenburg. Our aim is to promote our region as a business location. We provide our 33,000 member companies with a wide range of services.
Our online content is primarily in German. If you have difficulties using our main page, please do not hesitate to contact us. Many of our employees speak English.
East Frisia and Papenburg
Moin! – That is how you are welcomed in East Frisia and Papenburg. Our region is situated in the very northwest of Germany. It encompasses an area of more than 3,100 square kilometers, including the world famous Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our Chamber of Commerce and Industry is based in Emden, Germany's westernmost port city on the North Sea. The Port of Emden has more than 1,200 years of history to look back upon and is a major logistic hub for commodities of all kinds.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Chamber Commerce and Industry (CCI) for East Frisia and Papenburg is a public corporation that represents the interests of approximately 33,000 member businesses in the trade, industry, and services sectors. As a self-governing entity, the CCI works independently and operates autonomously. This means that public bodies have no authority over it. However, state licensing authorities supervise the CCI.
As an independent advocate of the market the CCI for example ensures that rules and regulations are clear and binding for all market participants. As a service provider we support existing and newly established businesses in achieving their goals.
As an independent advocate of the market the CCI for example ensures that rules and regulations are clear and binding for all market participants. As a service provider we support existing and newly established businesses in achieving their goals.
International Affairs
Global trade and international investment are among the most important prerequisites for growth, employment and prosperity in Germany and the world. The CCI offers assistance, especially to our small and medium-sized member companies preparing to enter foreign markets. An important partner is the network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) with more than 150 locations in 93 countries worldwide.
In turn, foreign enterprises may approach the CCI’s International Department for assistance when interested in establishing a business or looking for potential partners in East Frisia and Papenburg.
In turn, foreign enterprises may approach the CCI’s International Department for assistance when interested in establishing a business or looking for potential partners in East Frisia and Papenburg.
Foreign Skills Approval
In their home countries, many migrants have gained a vocational qualification which is in urgent demand in Germany. However, until now, it has been very difficult for German employers to assess foreign qualifications correctly. The result: people with foreign qualifications often do not find employment in Germany or are forced to take jobs which are not appropriate to their actual qualifications.
IHK FOSA (Foreign Skills Approval) is the national competence centre of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany for the evaluation and recognition of foreign vocational qualifications. IHK FOSA accepts applications for recognition and examines them to determine to what extent the foreign qualifications can be considered equivalent to corresponding German qualifications.
IHK FOSA (Foreign Skills Approval) is the national competence centre of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany for the evaluation and recognition of foreign vocational qualifications. IHK FOSA accepts applications for recognition and examines them to determine to what extent the foreign qualifications can be considered equivalent to corresponding German qualifications.
Start-Up Support and Business Development
A functioning economy includes business start-ups, new ideas, and new business models. Existing businesses have questions about financing, succession or even the organization of family friendliness within the company. As the umbrella organization for businesspeople and entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Commerce is the focal point for the local business community.
We help launch new businesses, or to consolidate and expand existing businesses. We are also the people to contact for expert advice for businesses in crisis or succession planning.
We help launch new businesses, or to consolidate and expand existing businesses. We are also the people to contact for expert advice for businesses in crisis or succession planning.