Development Cooperation Programs
SPECTARIS provides access to topics and institutions related to development cooperation
Many markets in developing and emerging economies offer German companies attractive business and investment opportunities. High growth rates, rising purchasing power, low production costs, and a motivated workforce present opportunities. However, trade and investment in developing or emerging economies are often associated with increased risk. German development cooperation (EZ) programs and projects can therefore serve as a bridge for companies into high-risk markets.
In addition to traditional foreign trade promotion instruments, the German government offers additional support through development cooperation (DC) to help companies enter markets and establish sustainable economic engagement in developing and emerging economies. To strengthen cooperation between member companies and German DC, SPECTARIS has sought to join forces with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The Agency for Economic Affairs and Development (AWE) serves as the central point of contact for development cooperation for the German and European business communities. It specifically promotes partnerships in countries of the Global South. Through its international network of experts, the AWE offers advice on support, financing, and project development, and facilitates contacts worldwide.
Agency for Economic Affairs and Development
AWE advises companies on business opportunities in developing and emerging markets
The Agency for Economic Affairs and Development (AWE) supports German and European businesses in sustainable projects and investments in countries of the Global South. With its network of over 60 experts in Germany and abroad, the AWE offers tailored advice on grants, financing, and project development, and facilitates contacts worldwide. AWE’s consultants help companies enter promising markets, facilitate access to strategic partners, and support the transfer of expertise. By establishing new partnerships and innovative solutions, economic actors from countries in the Global South benefit, and the local economy is strengthened.
The Business and Human Rights Helpdesk, which is part of AWE, advises companies on implementing human rights and environmental due diligence processes throughout their value chains.
AWE and the Business and Human Rights Helpdesk are part of the “Partners in Transformation” Business & Development Network of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). With funding from the BMZ, AWE and the Helpdesk are supported by two strong partners: the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH and DEG Impulse gGmbH. AWE’s advisory services are free of charge, tailored to individual needs, and confidential. Here you will find a concise overview of contact persons and opportunities for cooperation between the healthcare sector and development cooperation.
The Agency for Economic Affairs and Development (AWE) promotes sustainable and responsible engagement by the private sector in countries of the Global South. AWE experts provide German and European companies and relevant economic stakeholders with individualized, tailored advice on development cooperation grants, financing, and cooperation opportunities.
With more than 60 experts in industry associations, leading business organizations, chambers of commerce, and labor unions, the AWE is represented by a broad network both in Germany and abroad.
AWE facilitates access to relevant networks and supports project development. The service is free of charge and confidential. By establishing new partnerships and innovative solutions, economic actors from countries in the Global South benefit, and the local economy is strengthened.
As a free support service offered by the German federal government, the Business and Human Rights Helpdesk provides companies with individualized and confidential advice on human rights and environmental due diligence along value chains. As a first point of contact for initial and referral counseling, the Helpdesk advisors support companies in ensuring that their operations are environmentally and socially responsible. The Helpdesk’s services also include workshops, training sessions, events, and online tools.
Since January 2024, AWE and the Helpdesk have been operating as part of the Business & Development Network “Partners in Transformation” ; this is the joint umbrella brand for the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (BMZ) programs on cooperation with the private sector. The primary goal of these programs is to contribute to socio-ecological transformation in countries of the Global South. The focus is on economic cooperation to promote climate neutrality and the decarbonization of the economy, the development of sustainable and resilient supply and value chains, and the utilization of opportunities offered by digital technologies. Through improved vocational training and continuing education, as well as strengthened entrepreneurship, the programs also contribute to a competitive and sustainable economy.
AWE is sponsored by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH and DEG Impulse gGmbH, a subsidiary of DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH.
Shaping Health Partnerships
A JOINT APPROACH TO STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
Worldwide, 4.5 billion people lack adequate access to appropriate health care. Both the German government and the private sector are already involved in a variety of ways, but this involvement needs to be better coordinated. As a result, opportunities for greater efficiency and impact remain untapped. The concept of health partnerships brings together the expertise and activities of various stakeholders, thereby ensuring a more efficient and effective improvement in health care in partner countries. In this way, Germany can better fulfill its international responsibilities, contribute to sustainable development, and consistently capitalize on economic opportunities.
Partnership with the East African Health Platform (EAHP)
A NEW CONTACT FOR MEDTECH AND LABTECH IN EAST AFRICA
For the past three years, there has been a partnership between SPECTARIS and the East African Health Platform . With funding from the BMZ via sequa gGmbH, SPECTARIS is using its expertise to support the development of the EAHP as an umbrella organization for the health sector in the countries of the East African Community (EAC). Based in Arusha, Tanzania, this well-connected organization also serves as a point of contact for SPECTARIS members with interests in East Africa. Not least due to the EAC’s efforts to transform its six member countries—Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan—into a unified economic area, the region, with its 177 million inhabitants, is becoming increasingly attractive to German companies.
More information about our partner, EAHP:East African Health Platform, EAHP – Fostering Stronger Ties for Better Health in East Africa (eahponline.net)
Vaccination Campaign, April 2022
Vaccination Campaign, April 2022
Ottobock and the Association for People with Disabilities Strengthen Orthopedic Care in Rwanda
Joint project in cooperation with the Business Scout Program and Spectaris
To improve access to orthopedic care in Rwanda, Ottobock and the Rwandan umbrella organization UPHLS (The Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS and for Health Promotion) developed and conducted training sessions for rural health centers in Rwanda. The pilot project was supported by the Business Scouts for Development program on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in cooperation with the German industry association Spectaris and the East African Health Platform.
For more information about the project, please visit the Ottobock website
Impressions
Your Contact Person
What Our Members Say
SPECTARIS acts as a strong association that vigorously represents the interests of its members in the political, business, and social spheres.
“SPECTARIS acts as a strong association that vigorously represents its members’ interests in the political, business, and social spheres. As members, we have the opportunity to actively raise our concerns and help shape the agenda to ensure that our voice is heard in relevant political and social discussions. In addition, through SPECTARIS, we have access to a broad network of companies, experts, and decision-makers from the high-tech industry. This allows us to forge valuable contacts and leverage synergies. Through this exchange, we and other members can benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise.”
Frank-Martin Rammelt, Managing Director of seleon GmbH
Together, we are strong.
Together we are strong—That is why we value the strong network and the open and excellent collaboration within the association, which allows us, as one of the leading manufacturers, to work together on solutions to the modern challenges in the contact lens industry, to collaborate on joint campaigns, and to capitalize on identified trends.
Johannes Zupfer, General Manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, CooperVision GmbH
Advancing Photonics
Photonics is one of the most innovative key industries and places high demands on the organizations that represent its interests. SPECTARIS meets these demands in a compelling manner. As a strong industry association, SPECTARIS effectively represents the interests of its members in the political, business, and social spheres, while also promoting exchange and networking within the industry. We thank SPECTARIS for this commitment and greatly value our trusting collaboration.
Dr. Ralf Kuschnereit, JENOPTIK AG
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.”
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.” Thanks to innovation and automation, spring hinges and security screws can be manufactured in large quantities at the Ispringen facility. This goes hand in hand with increased productivity and a division of labor for simple products at our facility in China. In this way, we secure jobs in Germany.
Peter Specht / Erik Schäfer - Managing Directors, OBE
Community makes us strong!
For us as medium-sized companies, the SPECTARIS association serves as a bridge between the government and our interests—our collective strength makes us stronger! We appreciate the very helpful continuing education program in the field of medical technology and benefit from the organization of a wide variety of delegation trips. Our membership in SPECTARIS also ensures that we receive regular updates on new regulatory requirements.
Maik Greiser, Managing Partner / CEO, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH & Co. KG
The association offers services that are perfectly tailored to our needs.
Our industry association, SPECTARIS, is a strong advocate for the interests of medium-sized, owner-managed companies like ours. It is just as important to us that the association provides a platform for open dialogue among member companies and offers services—such as industry reports and events focused on specific topics—that are perfectly tailored to our needs.
Managing Partners of Jüke Systemtechnik GmbH, Martin Hovestadt (left) and Heinrich Jürgens (right)
A Voice for Medical Technology
For us as a medical technology manufacturer, SPECTARIS serves as an important voice in our dealings with policymakers. Especially in light of the current MDR, it is immensely important to have a strong and effective association to represent our interests. We are very satisfied with our collaboration and feel well represented.
Regina Kirchner-Gottschalk, Managing Director of KaWe – KIRCHNER & WILHELM GmbH + Co. KG
Innovation drives us forward
Demands are growing, markets are changing—but innovation opens up new paths for us. With digital progress, bold ideas, and modern processes, we are shaping the standards of tomorrow. As a SPECTARIS member, we leverage the strength of the network to actively shape the future in this dynamic environment.
Fabian Bohnen, COO / Stephan Börner, CEO, Ofa Bamberg GmbH
What we particularly appreciate about SPECTARIS is its technical expertise.
As a medium-sized medical technology company, Richard Wolf benefits greatly from SPECTARIS’s extensive network. We particularly value their technical expertise.
Management of Richard Wolf GmbH: Mr. Pfab, Mr. Steinbeck
It's worth getting involved!
In times of rapid and far-reaching changes in the medtech industry and a challenging regulatory environment, SPECTARIS is an important partner for our company and plays an indispensable role as an advocate for our interests in Berlin and Brussels. It’s worth getting involved!
Bert Sutter, Managing Director, Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
We want to be a trusted partner for our laboratory customers, both today and in the future.
SPECTARIS’s in-depth information on industry and technology trends, as well as the regulatory landscape, is just as important to us as its advocacy work in Berlin and Brussels. The dedicated SPECTARIS team is always a great point of contact for us.
Dr. Christoph Schöler, Managing Partner, BRAND GMBH + CO KG, VACUUBRAND GMBH + CO KG
A voice for the industry
In a diverse and specialized industry such as analytical technology—which is highly technical and subject to numerous regulatory requirements—small specialists compete with large technology conglomerates. SPECTARIS succeeds in uniting the interests of all its members and serves as the industry’s collective voice and advocate.
Albrecht Sieper, Managing Director of Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH
SPECTARIS is the ideal platform.
SPECTARIS provides us with the ideal platform for constructive dialogue with member companies and serves as a reliable voice for the laboratory industry in the realms of politics and science.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, Managing Partner of LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG
SPECTARIS fosters collaboration in our industry.
“The very informative discussions at SPECTARIS in Berlin and here at our office convinced me of SPECTARIS’s commitment and the quality of its work. In particular, the opportunity to combine topics from analytical, biotechnology, and laboratory technology with the field of medical technology is very interesting for Sigma,” I wrote upon joining in 2011. This has been confirmed, and today we are actively involved in several working groups.
Dr. Michael Sander, Managing Director of Sigma Laborzentrifugen GmbH
National advocacy group puts the spotlight on the industry
Laser Components benefits from the industry association in a variety of ways. As a company, we value the broad exchange of information within the working groups—whether in human resources, marketing, or export control, customs, and foreign trade practices. For our industry, Spectaris also serves as a political voice—the Photonics Trade Association not only maintains constant communication with the BMWi and BMBF ministries but also provides information on European initiatives.
Patrick Paul, Managing Director of LASER COMPONENTS GmbH
A Voice for Innovative Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
In the century of the photon, we need an advocacy group that is both strong and responsive. For us, as providers and consultants for the most innovative products on the global photonics market, this institution is particularly important. We know our interests (e.g., in the area of foreign trade) are in good hands, and we can focus on what matters most: satisfying our customers.
Andreas Börner, Managing Director of Laser 2000 GmbH
Our membership in the SPECTARIS industry association is of great value to us.
It not only gives us access to a strong network of leading companies across various high-tech industries, but also provides an important platform for professional exchange and continuing education. In addition, we benefit from the association’s strong advocacy with policymakers, the business community, and society at large, which plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable framework for the future. Through our membership in SPECTARIS, we can contribute our expertise, address current developments at an early stage, and jointly drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Frank Billhardt, Laser Protection Division EMEA, LASERVISION GmbH & Co. KG
