Tasks

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) is a superior federal authority subordinated to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.

Energy

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control has helped drive Germany’s transition to renewable energy for many years. It is entrusted with conducting a variety of tasks to promote the efficient and economical use of energy and the further expansion of renewable energy.

Export Control

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control as a central licensing authority is responsible for the administrative implementation of the Federal Government's export control policy. Together with the monitoring and investigating authorities, especially the different customs offices, it is involved in a complex export control system.

Mar­itime Se­cu­ri­ty

In order to take account of the specific needs of guarding ocean-going vessels, the trade of maritime security companies has been subjected to licensing requirement with the latest amendments of the Law Introducing a Licensing Procedure for Security Companies on Board Ocean-Going Vessels of March 4., 2013 (Federal Gazette I page 362 of 12.03.2013).

Outreach

Promotion of Economic Development and SMEs

Small and medium-sized businesses, including in particular the mid-size, mainly family-owned “Mittelstand”, dominate the German economy. BAFA is an important central coordination point for most SMEs, since it offers multiple support programmes to help these companies sharpen their competitive edge.