Provides references to the principal business associations, indicating which accept U.S. companies. Describes the primary roles of those associations and to what extent they influence government actions.

Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. (BDI)
(Federation of German Industries)
Deutscher Industrie und Handelskammertag (DIHK)
(Federation of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce)
Bundesverband Grosshandel, Aussenhandel, Dienstleistungen e.V. 
(Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services)
Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Eletronikindustrie e.V. (ZVEI)
(German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association)
Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V. (VDMA)
(German Association of Machinery and Plant Manufacturers)
Centralvereinigung Deutscher Wirtschaftsverbaende fuer Handelsvermittlung und Vertrieb (CDH) (National Association of German Commercial Agencies and Distributors)
For industry-specific business associations, please visit our leading sectors section, which lists key contacts and resources by industry sector.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.