IHK

IHK stands for Industrie- und Handelskammer, a network of regional chambers in Germany that represent the interests of businesses and provide services to companies in their districts. IHKs operate as public-law corporations and are part of a nationwide system coordinated by the Deutscher Industrie- und Handelstag (DIHK).

Membership in an IHK is generally mandatory for most commercially active businesses registered in the chamber’s district, covering small enterprises up to large corporations. Each IHK has a governance structure elected by its members and finances its work through mandatory contributions and service fees.

The core functions of IHKs include lobbying and policy input, representing business interests to authorities and in the legislative process, and offering a range of business services. They provide information and advisory services for founding and running a business, support for exporting and international trade, and guidance on regulatory requirements.

A central area of activity is vocational training and examinations. IHKs oversee much of Germany’s dual education system in various sectors, supervise apprenticeships, issue registrations and licenses for certain occupations, and administer final examinations that lead to widely recognized IHK qualifications. They also offer continuing education and professional certification programs.

Overall, the IHK system comprises a network of regional chambers that operate under public-law from local to national levels. It plays a key role in representing business interests, delivering services to enterprises, and contributing to the country’s economic and educational infrastructure.