GTZ and CIM work in close cooperation, not only at the German Technology Symposium

Glowing red and brash green – the colors of the GTZ and CIM logos are recognized already at the entrance by the visitors of the German Technology Symposium in Bangkok. The GTZ and CIM presented themselves jointly on the fair in the Central World Building, which had been organized by the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce in november 2008. Especially popular in the talk at the booth, but also at different lectures, were topics on energy and the environment: „Technology and Know-how – how to manage and cope with complex changes?“ – this was the slogan used by GTZ to present for example their successful cooperation with Thai partners like the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO). „We can look back on a long and successful history of cooperation in Thailand and we want to inform interested partners about our range of consulting services“, says David Oberhuber, country director of the GTZ in Thailand. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for example is a sector which in Thailand still would have room for improvement and the experiences of GTZ in other countries like India could be helpful for a further development.

A PLATFORM OF DIFFERENT BUSINESS SEGMENTS
After the lectures, the inviting booth was the right place to deepen talks according to the needs of the partners. What is GTZ doing in Thailand? Which approach are they following in the planned project on palm oil? How can a Thai partner find qualified personal?. Contact partners from the “Centrum für internationale Migration und Entwicklung“ (CIM) were present at the both as well. They gave information on the programs on integrated and returning experts and explained the process of personal procurement in development cooperation from the point of application till recruitment. „We intensively incorporate the integrated experts in our work and effectively utilize the knowledge of these competent counterparts” Mr. Oberhuber points out. At present eleven CIM experts are working for Thai employers. They for example support the energy sector regarding the sustainable use of biomass or contribute to the innovative application of bioplastics in the industrial sector. „The complementary approach excels the CIM program in Thailand. Many of the CIM experts work in the setting of GTZ’s activities and this creates positive synergies“, opinions Simon Triebel, the responsible program coordinator of CIM.

COMPLEMENTARY AND SUCCESSFUL
One example for the successful cooperation of business segments is the assignment of Astrid Faust. She is working for the „Science and Technology Research Institute“ at Chiang Mai University. Besides local research institutes the integrated expert also advises small and medium sized enterprises on the development, introduction and processing of innovations in products and processes. The focus of her work lies in selected value chains of the textile sector and the agro industry. This constitutes an interesting link to the projects of GTZ on the promotion of small and medium sized enterprises in agricultural production. This sector not only offers employment and income opportunities for the rural population but also plays an important role for technology transfer. Regarding fresh fruit, GTZ mainly works on the improvement of agricultural productivity whereas the assignment of the CIM expert aims on introducing optimized post harvest practices and on the efficient cooperation in deliveries between farmers, the industrial sector, traders and logistics. Strategic approaches which perfectly complement each other in the practice. The newest joint project: To advance the marketing of fresh fruits like Longan and Pomelo, Astrid Faust wants to present the choice of products of the Thai farmers on the Biofach in Nürnberg next year with support of the GTZ and a project co-financed by the EU. Therefore she joins forces with another CIM expert. Till Ahnert who is responsible for organization and design of exhibitions at the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce will support the entrepreneurs regarding their presence on the Biofach.