Résumé Michael Schmidt

Michael is an international manager,
consultant and trained economist with a
multidisciplinary background.

Born to a mixed family, his mother originating from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (present-day Croatia), married to his Russian wife, Michael spent the largest part of his education in the United Kingdom, lived and worked for several years in Russia and on the Western Balkans.

During his professional career of over 15 years, Michael gained substantial experience in investment and privatisation consulting, the German chamber system, academic research, international development projects, and developed investment projects as a private entrepreneur and consultant.

Professional Experience:

  • INEAST Consulting, Bonn (2013 – today): Independent business consultancy with focus on sales, purchasing and investment, HR and organisational development in the EU, South-Eastern Europe and CIS, for selected clients. July 2016: Launch of INEAST Business Portal – Platform for experts in sales, sourcing, investment and project management. June 2017: Launch of INEAST Export & Supply Forum - Platform for leading innovation- and export-driven companies in Southeast Europe, CIS and beyond.
  • DIHK – Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag, Berlin, Association of Germany Chambers of Industry and Commerce, (2009 – 2013). Director of the German Chambers of Commerce (AHK) for Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo, headquartered in Belgrade (Serbia) with offices in Skopje (Macedonia) and Tirana (Albania).
  • Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade (2005 – 2009): Advisor to the Minister on investments, privatisation and bilateral economic co-operation with Germany (contracted through the German Government’s CIM-Programme).
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Eschborn (2001 – 2005): Project Manager for EU, World Bank, ADB and other donor-financed projects, with focus on Russia, Ukraine, Caucasus and Central Asia.
  • German Institute for Economic Research – DIW Berlin, Moscow / Berlin (2000 – 2002):  Research Associate and Project Co-ordinator. KfW-financed project in co-operation with Higher School of Economics in Moscow/Russian Federation.

 

If you would like to find out more about the founder of INEAST Consulting and his approach to consulting, please read the Interview with Michael

Education:

  • The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Kiel, Germany (1999 – 2000): Post-graduate Diploma “Advanced Studies in International Economic Policy Research” (ASP Program). Focus: International Trade, Debt- and Exchange Rate Policies, Political Economy, Econometrics and Statistics.
  • University of Warwick, United Kingdom (1997 – 1998): MA in International Political Economy. Focus: Foreign Direct Investments and Fiscal Policies in the Russian Federation.
  • State University of St. Petersburg, Russian Federation (1996 – 1997): Guest studies in History, Russian Language and Literature
  • University of York, United Kingdom (1993 – 1996): BA in Politics, Philosophy & Economics

Languages:

  • German, English, Russian, French, Serbo-Croatian.