About us
CGCIC - Your Partner in North America
The Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CGCIC) was founded in Montreal in 1968 and has been supporting German and Canadian companies in almost all areas of international trade for over 50 years. We are a member of the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad.
Today, the CGCIC is based in Toronto and brings together hundreds of companies to form the strongest German Canadian business network.
The Canadian German Chamber is the official representative and voice of the German industry in Canada. The Chamber is also the official partner of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy to represent German economic interests in Canada.
The Chamber supports businesses by providing market entry services, organizing business events to improve business relationships, and using its unique position with Canadian and German authorities to promote favourable business environments.
What is the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad?
With over 150 offices in more than 90 countries worldwide, German Chambers of Commerce Abroad offer their experience, contacts, and services to German and foreign companies.
Their offices are located in all countries that are of particular interest to the German economy.
Three Functions
At their worldwide locations, German Chambers of Commerce Abroad fulfill three core functions:
- Official Representative of German Industry: On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, German Chambers of Commerce Abroad are the central players in German foreign trade promotion. They represent German business interests in their host countries. They inform about and promote Germany as a top business location. Through the AHKs, the German industry speaks locally with a voice that is perceptible to all players.
- Member organization: The German Chambers of Commerce Abroad see themselves as a central point of contact for companies with bilateral economic relations. At each location, interaction and communication with the members are one of the most important instruments for cooperation, exchange and innovation. Members benefit from numerous networking opportunities and an attractive network within the German Canadian community.
- Service provider: Under the service brand "DEInternational", German Chambers of Commerce Abroad offer companies from Germany and the host country services to support their foreign trade business activities. German Chambers of Commerce Abroad see themselves as highly specialized and competent service providers who offer practice-oriented services at fair conditions.
Close connections to Germany
In Germany, the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad are closely integrated into the network of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs). Together, IHKs and AHKs support German companies in establishing and expanding their business relations with foreign countries.
The umbrella organization of the IHKs is the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) in Berlin, which also coordinates and supports the worldwide German Chamber of Commerce Abroad network.
German Chambers of Commerce Abroad also work closely with German trade associations and government agencies, such as ministries at both federal and state level. Based on a resolution of the German Bundestag, they are subsidized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.