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Germany to extend Manager Training Program for Belarus
Photo courtesy of the Economy Ministry
MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany and the Economy Ministry of Belarus agreed to extend the Manager Training Program for Belarusian executives for another three years, BelTA learned from the press service of the Economy Ministry.
The School of Business of Belarusian State University in Minsk hosted the sixth meeting of the Germany-Belarus steering committee on the Manager Training Program run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany. Taking part in the meeting were German Ambassador to Belarus Peter Dettmar, Belarus’ Deputy Economy Minister Dmitry Matusevich, Heinz Hetmeyer from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany, and Director of the School of Business of Belarusian State University Piotr Brigadin.
Dmitry Matusevich and Heinz Hetmeyer signed another joint statement on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany and the Economy Ministry of Belarus. This statement formalizes plans to promote cooperation in improving qualifications of Belarusian executives for the period of 2019-2021.
The deputy minister assured the German partners that the program will receive utmost support from the Belarusian Economy Ministry and praised Germany’s economic transformation efforts. Dmitry Matusevich stressed that for the open Belarusian economy it is important to increase presence in the European markets. Successful product promotion required a high-level interaction, mutual understanding and trust between Belarusian and foreign partners. This is what the program is designed to serve.
Peter Dettmar highlighted the importance of the program for improving intercultural competence, increasing the ability to better understand foreign partners. Another important goal of the program is to help Belarusian managers understand the importance of marketing. According to Peter Dettmar, Belarus has a lot of interesting products but Belarusian companies are often not aggressive on the international market. “We would like the Made in Belarus brand to become more visible,” the ambassador noted.
A report on the results of the program in 2015-2018 was presented during the meeting. Some 143 Belarusian managers were enrolled in the program. According to the German side, in 2017-2018 some 79 Belarusian participants visited 178 German companies, signed six contracts and planned another 136 contracts for signing. Several alumni of the program spoke about their experience and business results, answered questions of the steering committee and made suggestions regarding the future of the program.
According to Dmitry Matusevich, the Belarusian Economy Ministry will keep promoting the program in the regions of the country. He also called on the German partners to expand cooperation both within the program and in other areas.
The Manager Training Program for Belarus consists of two stages. The first stage includes advanced training courses for persons selected for internships in Germany. Courses are run by the School of Business at Belarusian State University. The second stage is a 3.5-week internship in Germany. The internship program is focused on enhancing the professional, intercultural and managerial competence of Belarusian executives, as well as establishing business relations with German enterprises. It comprises visits to German enterprises, participation in seminars and practical trainings, meetings with German entrepreneurs, presentations of Belarusian enterprises to German companies, labor unions and trade associations.
Since 2006, as many as 482 Belarusian executives have taken part in the program. The program is run by the School of Business of Belarusian State University and the German Society for International Cooperation GIZ.
The German government has been implementing the Manager Training Program for other countries since 1998. Currently, taking part in the project are 22 partner countries and 18 training centers.
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