1985 – AFS is established in the Danish Industry Council

The history of DIBD dates back to 1985, when the Department for Marketing and Project Consultancy (AFS) was established in the Danish Industry Council. The purpose of the department was to assist Danish companies to exploit their potential for systems export.

1993 – Danida’s Private Sector Programme

Jørgen K. Hansen headed AFS, and with his ramified contacts in both the Danish and foreign business societies, the department developed fast. The activities were quickly widened to include more than just systems export, and in 1993 the department developed a programme to promote business as a new component to the Danish development assistance. The result of this work was Danida’s Private Sector Programme, and since then, DIBD has been involved in more than 450 strategic alliances under this programme

1996 - DI International Consultancy becomes an independent unit  

Confederation of Danish Industry gradually began to experience an increasing demand for services and performances with an international focus, and on 1 June 1996, DI International Consultancy (DIIC) was established as an independent, but fully integrated, business unit of Confederation of Danish Industry. This change presented the unit with improved possibilities for assisting Danish companies individually in the international arena

 1998 – The first twinning arrangement commences with CTI in Tanzania

Under a component of Danida’s Private Sector Programme, focused on the development of the business environment in the developing countries, DIBD in 1998 commenced a long-term co-operation with Confederation of Tanzanian Industries (CTI). The purpose of this twinning arrangement was to build capacity and transfer knowledge from Confederation of Danish Industry to CTI. The co-operation became the start of a number of similar co-operations with business organisations in developing countries. Since 1998, 11 large capacity building assignments have taken place, and more are on their way.

2002 - DIIC becomes DIBD

At the beginning of the millennium the activities in the unit were numerous and new products and services were being developed. The name DIIC no longer covered the activities, and after many considerations, the new name, DI International Business Development (DIBD), was introduced.

2003 – New products and services are launched

In October 2003, Confederation of Danish Industry went through some organizational changes, and in this connection the Exporters’ Guide, Global Tender Watch, and the Certificates Office were included in DIBD. These three products added an extra dimension to DIBD because the unit now had the opportunity to sell more specific products in addition to our consultancy services.

2004 – The OMIC office opens in Shanghai

In June 2004, DIBD opened its “Own Man In China” (OMIC) office in Shanghai. The opening was an important step towards more local representation of DIBD.

2005 – The OMIR office opens in Moscow

Following the success in China, DIBD opened an office in Moscow on 1 October 2005. The concept is the same as at the office in Shanghai, and the name became “Own Man In Russia” (OMIR). 

2006 – The offices in New York and Sao Paulo are established

The office in New York was established in 2006, and DIBD started assisting Danish companies establishing on the American market. The same year, the office in Sao Paulo opened the doors in order to assist Danish companies in the Brazilian market.

2007 – New management team in DIBD

On 1 September 2007, Lars Tejlgård Jensen and Jacob Kjeldsen succeeded Steen Donner as the new management team in DIBD. Lars Tejlgård was appointed Director, and Jacob Kjeldsen will continue as Deputy Director.

2008 – The OMII office opens in Mumbai

Following the success in China and Russia, DIBD opened an office in Mumbai in April 2008. The office adds to the “Own Man In” concept and is called “Own Man In India” (OMII).