About us

The Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Köln) advises companies on a wide range of business-related issues, including location, taxation and economic development. It also provides expert opinions on business start-ups and applications for public funding.

IHK Köln maintains a continuous dialogue with government bodies, public authorities, parliaments and courts. This exchange benefits both sides: public institutions draw on the Chamber’s economic expertise, while IHK Köln represents the interests of its member companies and contributes to a strong and competitive regional economy.

Vocational education and training is another core responsibility of IHK Köln. The Chamber is responsible for training in approximately 175 recognised occupations and advises companies and individuals on vocational and continuing education and training. Its services also include a broad range of information, advisory and networking activities.

Founded in 1797, IHK Köln is one of Germany’s longest-established chambers of commerce and industry. The Cologne economic region is closely integrated into national and international markets.

The region has a highly diversified economy, spanning automotive and mechanical engineering, chemicals and biotechnology, insurance and trade, as well as ICT and media. Around 55 per cent of manufacturing turnover in the IHK Köln district is generated in international markets, making manufacturing the region’s most internationally oriented sector.

The Cologne region is also an important centre for research, science and innovation and is home to numerous universities and higher education institutions. The IHK Köln district comprises the cities of Cologne and Leverkusen as well as the districts Oberbergischer Kreis, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis and Rhein-Erft-Kreis. Around 150,000 to 155,000 companies are members of IHK Köln.

The Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a corporation under public law. CCI performs the tasks entrusted to it independently and under its own responsibility. Businesses operating commercially within the Chamber district generally become members of IHK Köln by law. Certain professions and sectors, including skilled crafts businesses, tax advisers, lawyers and agricultural enterprises, are represented by their own professional bodies or chambers. IHK Köln is financed primarily through membership fees paid by its member companies.

The supreme body of CCI Cologne is the General Assembly, the “parliament of business”, whose members are elected every five years by the member companies.

The General Assembly elects the president and nine vice-presidents from among its members. In addition, committees are formed to deal with specific issues such as international business, taxes and law, environment and energy. The General Assembly, the president and the committees serve on an honorary basis.

The permanent staff of CCI Cologne are managed by the chief executive officer, who is appointed by the General Assembly. Together with the president, the chief executive officer represents the chamber externally. The permanent employees work in departments organized according to areas of responsibility.