How to export to Germany?

On 27 February 2014 the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce held an Export Forum. In the German market only well-prepared businesses can be successful, those which have an extensive knowledge of the market. It was told at the forum that there are few successful Hungarian SMEs in the German market, as the majority of trading is done by joint ventures. There were presentations telling the story of Hungarian enterprises’ success in the German market: the heads of ‘77 Elektronika’ Kft. and Békési and Bajkó Kft. talked about the importance of never stopping to innovate, the necessity of constant renewal, the high quality of products and reliability in being able to setting their feet in the German market. According to the organisers of the forum, there are few Hungarian SMEs in the German market because they don’t know the market well and because they lack competence. The chamber’s service can help them do away with these obstacles. The organisers told that there is no such thing as ‘the German market’: the 16 German provinces constitute a heterogeneous market and those who wish to enter have to be aware of this. Organisers urged participants to learn about conditions in Germany – from the legal background to taxation to consumer protection – before entering the market. In connection with subsidies it was told that establishing a GmbH by foreign companies can spare 25-35 percent of investment costs, what is more, they can even reclaim half of the sum spent on R&D if they agree to use the results in Germany.