This initiative from the Bavarian Office of Foreign Trade (Außenwirtschaftszentrum Bayern, or AWZ) is designed to assist small and medium-sized Bavaria companies in their efforts to expand in the US and Canadian markets.  The project is being carried out jointly by the German American Chambers of Commerce and the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Within the project, qualifying Bavarian companies receive customized advice from experts on their opportunities and strategies for North American market entry. In addition, the participating companies are also connected with potential business partners in the United States or Canada. Targeted industries include machinery and automation, medical technology, and IT.   The AWZ is a joint facility of the Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Bavarian Chambers of Trades and Crafts, and offers a wide range of measures for promoting foreign trade.