Worldwide, the transport sector offers excellent opportunities for private investment. Economies cannot function without an efficient traffic infrastructure. Governments of many developing and transition countries are consequently looking for private investors to push ahead with the expansion of roads, railways and ports. Liberal framework conditions attract foreign businesses, thus increasing competition and efficiency. This in turn encourages domestic companies to introduce state-of-the-art technologies and management methods. Only if they conform to global standards will they stand a chance to be accepted as a partner by international consortia or as subcontractor by foreign companies. A co-operation with Inwent helps local firms to meet these challenges.

Inwent offers training courses in the field of transport, logistics and traffic that address specific needs and problems.. The measures comprise intensive on the spot short-term trainings, study tours, conferences and discussion seminars. Long-term trainings in Germany can be organised too. Participants also have the chance to earn a Master of Business Studies in Logistics degree.

Advantages for businesses

You will increase your market presence and enhance your attractiveness for foreign partners with:

• employees that know how to plan and finance infrastructure projects further training measures that introduce your staff to international standards and teach them how to develop customised logistics concepts.

Water and energy constitute basic needs. Companies that meet this demand tap into a huge potential. On the other hand, developing countries face enormous supply gaps. Bridging these gaps is on the top of nearly every government´s priority list. To achieve this goal, countries are increasingly prepared to include private enterprises in infrastructure development projects. Local companies face growing international competition. To stand a chance, they need to familiarise themselves with efficient management methods and modern technologies. PPP projects with Inwent impart the relevant know-how and an awareness for productivity gains and cost reduction that can be achieved through environmentally friendly processes and sound management.

Inwent champions environmental protection as well as water and energy supply, for instance by offering training measures for skilled and executive staff of public authorities and companies as well as management training for decision-makers, support in the development and implementation of customised technologies, and advice in the field of industrial sector politics.

Advantages for businesses

You will secure your market position by:

• training your company´s and business partners' skilled and executive staff in the implementation of international quality standards.
• developing and implementing pilot projects to introduce environmentally sound technologies, for example in the field of renewable energies.
  introducing technologies to boost your company´s resource efficiency.

Future technologies are in high demand in developing and transition countries. The implementation of environmentally sound processes to promote the conservation of natural resources is therefore an increasingly important competitive factor that boosts exports, strengthens economic growth and create jobs.

New business opportunities are waiting to be developed in the field of biotechnology too, particularly in the production of food-stuffs, animal feed, biological fertilizer, natural medicines and vaccines. But exploiting biodiversity and biomass in tropical and sub-tropical countries demands a special sensitivity and expertise to make sure that this natural capital is preserved for future generations.

Lacking technical know-how, funds and management expertise often are the reasons why companies of the South fail to employ future technologies. Technology co-operation, for example with German businesses can help remedy the situation. Inwent helps to establish the relevant contacts. Furthermore, Inwent´s training programmes empower skilled and executive staff to master new processes and technologies and train their co-workers.

Inwent provides support mainly to small and medium-sized firms in developing and transition countries by helping them develop efficient and sustainablke technologies. To this end, Inwent trains employees of businesses, technology centres, institutes and technology promotion institutions active in the area of cleaner manufacturing technology, environmental and biotechnology as well as technology transfer. This opens a host of opportunities for North-South-business-to-business partnerships.

Advantages for businesses

You will secure your market position by:

• setting up networks that bring together technology users and technology centres, business promotion institutions, public authorities and reasearch institutions.
• developing customised technological solutions.
• enabling skilled and executive staff to implement new technologies and processes.

You will enhance your product quality by

• providing training for your and your suppliers´staff in the fields of management and resource efficiency as well as environmental and social standards.

The health industry in many developing and transition countries boasts a robust growth rate. Growing privatisation is a shot in the arm for the sector. Even state-run service providers increasingly operate in accordance with the principles of an open market economy, for instance through efficient management and cost accounting as well as sensible planning of personnel and resources.

Investments into preventive measures are especially important for businesses. Every entrepreneur realises that illness leads to sick leave and causes costs. The devastating spread of HIV/AIDS has had a dramatic impact on affected businesses. This explains why South African firms are increasingly committed to the prevention of AIDS.

Many countries of the South must also invest time and effort to build up well-functioning schools and professional training systems. An efficient economy cannot be developed without a solid basic education. Private institutions can make an important contribution towards improving education, for example through teacher training.

Employees of most companies and state agencies in the countries of the South have a qualification deficit in the area of health and education. This is where PPP projects with Inwent might come in. They help senior staff and employees to acquire the relevant know-how that leads to efficient structures.

Inwent conducts training measures for skilled staff and enables organisations like health authorities to improve their performance and offer in-house trainings. Inwent also supports vocational education and further training of teachers. Moreover, Inwent has customised concepts for all situations: long-term training in Germany, in situ short-term training, e-learning or discussion seminars. Alumni activities and refresher courses ensure the projects´ viability.

Advantages for businesses

You will improve your manufacturing processes and/or expand your customer base through:

• training measures focusing on modern management methods for your own and your suppliers' staff, e.g. in the field of pharmaceutical management or cost accounting in health institutions.
• trainings on HIV diagnostics and dealing with tested persons.
• training programmes, where teachers and trainers learn to use educational software or how to develop and effectively use teaching materials in the local language.

Before a company is willing to invest, it will need reliable planning parameters. These require transparent ownership and regulatory structures as well as efficient public administration. Another crucial factor for a good investment climate is a business-oriented public administration that understands what private enterprise needs.

Social security has far-reaching implications for an economy too. It is the basis for social equilibrium and can play a role in avoiding poverty. People who are adequately provided for will spend money on products and services. Developing countries still have a considerable backlog in the restructuring of public administrations and the establishment of health insurance and pension schemes. Many have embarked on reforms, but need support with the development of lean and efficient structures, especially in the field of e-government.

Inwent furthers reforms through dialogue and a wealth of flexible training measures. For example short term measures for senior management, train-the-trainer courses, training for business promotion agencies, and administrative studies in Germany leading to a recognised Masters degree.

Advantages for businesses

Your market position is strengthened through:

• qualified civil servants who have acquired computer skills; this opens new business opportunities for IT companies and private training firms.
• the development of micro-insurance systems.
• training in the field of customs regulations to improve efficiency in the export business and eliminate non-tariff trade barriers.
• communicating EU standards for your trade association or business: this is of particular interest for future EU member nations.

Only well-trained employees work independently and responsibly, are creative, assure quality and respond flexibly to challenges. It is therefore worthwhile for a company to invest into the further training of staff and senior management and support the vocational education of their suppliers and business partners. A qualified workforce not only secures a competitive edge, but also makes a contribution towards a region´s economic potential.

As PPP partner, Inwent supports companies looking to invest in international vocational education and further training. Inwent's cross-border learning programmes promote international know-how transfer and improve intercultural skills of staff and senior management. But apart from that, they also benefit a company by offering ideal approaches to establish international commercial relationships.

Inwent designs and runs vocational education programmes in close so-operation with firms, partners from social groups, and educational institutions. Special emphasis is on fostering an international stance within vocational education and advanced training. In developing and transition countries focus is on professional education programmes that promote sustainable economic development and create jobs. Our objective is to establish a close-knit international network consisting of professional training structures. For this reason we support train-the-trainer networks and the training of disseminators.

Advantages for businesses

You will improve your competitiveness through:

• professional training programmes for your employees as well as those working for your business partners and your suppliers.

Consumers in industrial countries are increasingly concerned that the goods they buy are produced in line with social and environmental standards. Importers and manufacturers pass these concerns on to their suppliers in transition and developing countries. But especially small and medium-sized companies in those countries are often unaware of these standards' significance and don't realise what better working conditions and environmentally-friendly production would mean for their businesses. They also often lack the knowledge and resources to retool production to those standards. Their competitiveness suffers as a result. A PPP project together with Inwent can help resolve these problems and enable even small businesses to tie in to international standards.

Inwent holds information programmes on international environmental and social standards, trains businesses to implement those standards and prepares them for certification. Inwent also helps the companies it trains to establish contacts in industrial countries, increasing the chances for local businesses of developing an export market.

Advantages for businesses

Your competitiveness is enhanced and new export markets are targeted by:

• introducing your skilled staff and senior management to social and environmental standards.
• certification according to international standards.
• improving your company´s reputation in both the media and among staff by assuming social responsibility for employees.