In 1988 the Technology Area Manager - Project was initiated by the DIHK as part of the technology co-operation network of the DIHK, the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The project was promoted by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) and had Technology Area Managers in a couple of Asian countries and in Latin America, including India, China, Korea and Mexico.

The Technolgy Area Managers were instituted to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in expanding their technological and economic competence by assisting and accompanying them in their search for foreign co-operation partners for research and development programs. By opening up foreign sources of innovation additional technological options should be presented to the German SME.

During the first five years of the technology co-operation network, the Technology Area Managers of the DIHK - Organization have met the task put to them with respect to the content of their job and the structure of their business relations (customer relations, connection to the Chamber of Commerce Abroad, co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and coordination of the DIHK).

This could only be achieved by a consequent specialisation and focussing of  the contents of the job according to the experience gained during the first years. Beginning of 2004 the Technology Area Manager in India was integrated into the International Technology Cooperation Network.