Membership, Events and Communications

526

GTCC MEMBERS

48

NEW MEMBERS

83

EVENTS

Membership

Despite the ongoing challenges from second year of covid-19 pandemic, GTCC had successfully retained 526 active members in 2021. There were 462 members in Thailand (including 6 honourary members), plus 64 members in Germany and other countries. Among discontinued members, a significant number of them were terminated because 180 days-overdue membership fee invoices. The rest were SMEs whose operation in Thailand had been shut down or their German management had been replaced and selected members in the hospitality industry whose operations had been suspended or limited during strict covid-19 safety measures from April to October last year.

The number of new members in 2021 was 48, among them 41 from Thailand and 7 from Germany and other countries. Among them, 26 were represented by Germans, 9 were represented by Thais, and 13 were represented by other nationalities. New members were introduced to GTCC via other chambers services such as business delegations, events, and member referrals.

With the impact of second and third waves of covid-19 in 2021, new members and new representatives had been introduced to the community via GTCC Virtual Members Speed Networking in January and a series of newly introduced GTCC Open Forum from May to November. Even without physical events, the engagement between new and existing members could successfully continue with these virtual get-together format.

GTCC Industry Committees on Human Resources, Tourism & Hospitality and Logistics chaired by experienced member in each industry had been established as a new platform to enhance the German-Thai business community engagement. It offered opportunities to exchange of knowledge and experiences among our members. The suggestions and proposals can put forward in the cooperation with our Thai partners in business, government and society.

The weekly newsletter “GTCC’s member special promotions” continued to be popular among members in hospitality and healthcare sectors. Members from other sectors had as well started to adopt it as an alternative to promote their events, corporate news to the community.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Effective 526

578

615

610

598

570

580

Events

Following the adoption of precautionary measures, several virtual events were held instead of physical events especially during May to October 2021. Therefore, GTCC’s Membership, Events and Communications Department successfully organised and participated in about eighty-three events in 2021 as summarised below: • Forty-two physical events • Forty-one virtual events

Physical events

In 2021, the Chamber organised forty-two physical events in various forms including breakfast talk, business luncheon, site visit and community networking.

BREAKFAST TALKS

Date Topics Speakers/panelists

30 March GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk: Mr. Till Morstadt “ASEAN headquarters in Thailand: Ways to Managing Partner, Lorenz & Partners (L&P) save personal and corporate income tax” Mrs. Athitaya Chanthasirichot Senior Lawyer, Lorenz & Partners (L&P)

26 October GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk: Mr. Fabian Lorenz “German Supply Chain Act -The implications Attorney-at-Law (Germany), INC Corporate Services on businesses in Thailand” (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a partner firm of Luther

BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Date Topic Speakers/panelists

23 February GTCC Joint Chambers Luncheon Mr. Wirat Uanarumit Thailand Economic Outlook 2021 Vice Chairman, The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) / Chief Executive Officer and President of Thai Oil Public Company Limited (Thaioil) Mr. Roland Folger President & CEO, Managing Director Passenger Car Region SEA1, Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited Mr. Tomasz Mazur CEO, Siemens Mobility Limited Thailand Mr. Bjoern Schoon Managing Director, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, Kuehne + Nagel Limited Mr. Papong Pramoj Na Ayudhya Managing Director, BayWa r.e. (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Young Professionals

Date Topics

17 March GTCC Young Professionals Network Evening: E-mobility in Bangkok’s urban canal system

Business Women Networking

Date Topics

31 March GTCC Business Women Networking: “Women in Innovation”

1 December GTCC Business Women Networking: “Gender equality in workplace”

Venues

64 Restaurant (Häfele Design Studio)

Venues

The Peninsula Bangkok

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

NETWORKING PLATFORMS

Signature Networking

Date Events

11 March GTCC connects - Welcome New Year 2021

16 December GTCC Year End Cocktail Reception

Venues

Sindhorn Kempinski Bangkok Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok

Eastern Seaboard (ESB) Networking

Date Events Venues

19 February Joint Chambers ESB Networking Evening by BCCT 19 March Multi-Chamber ESB Networking by AustCham

Holiday Inn Pattaya Amari Pattaya 18 June Multi-Chamber ESB Networking by NTCC Movenpick Pattaya 19 November Multi Chambers ESB Networking by NTCC and BeLuThai Royal Varuna Yacht Club 17 December Multi-Chambers ESB Christmas Networking by BCCT Royal Varuna Yacht Club

Stammtisch Bangkok get-together

Date Venues

16 November Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park

SITE VISITS

Date

19 February 19 March

Sites

Bader Asia Co., Ltd. Continental Tyres (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Date Events

25 March Ordinary General Meeting 2021 (OGM2021)

Venues

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit Bangkok

SPECIAL EVENTS

Date Events

18 November Appreciation Luncheon with GTCC Founding Members 9 December GTCC Partners and Customers Appreciation

Venues

Pacifity City Club Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

OTHER SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, AND NETWORKING EVENTS CO-BRANDED WITH PARTNERS

Date Events Venues

25 February Joint Chambers Phuket Business Briefing: Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa “Phuket’s plan to lure back tourists by October” 25 February Joint Chambers Phuket Sundowners by AustCham Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa 5 March BCCT Multi-Chamber Networking in Hua Hin Anantara Hua Hin

Dates Topics Hosts

19 March Joint Chambers ESB Business Briefing: Amari Pattaya “Covid-19 impact on manufacturing and logistics” by AustCham 24 March STCC Multi-Chamber Networking Night Landmark Bangkok 27 March Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai Artisan Digital Chiang Mai Connect: Tech ecosystem entrepreneurs meet-up & Networking organised by NTCC 10 June Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai Artisan Digital Chiang Mai Connect: Urban-tech entrepreneurs Meet-up & Networking by NTCC 24 June Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai Alt_Chiang Mai co-living space Connect: Urban-tech entrepreneurs Meet-up & Networking 29 July Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai One Sala @ One Nimman, Chiang Mai Connect: Agri/Food-tech entrepreneurs Talk & Networking by NTCC 11 August Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai Weave Artisan Society, Chiang Mai Connect: Creative / Mar-tech entrepreneurs Talk & Networking by NTCC 26 August Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai Alt_Chiangmai co-working space Connect: Health-Tech entrepreneurs Talk & Networking by NTCC 16 September Joint Chambers Tech & The City x Chiang Mai One Sala @ One Nimman Connect: by NTCC 16 October EEC Business Forum: Reconnecting Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa International Business with Thai Eastern Economic Corridor by JFCCT 20 October Joint Chambers Phuket Business Briefing: Phuket Boat Lagoon “What’s ahead Phuket’s plans for kickstarting the economy” by AustCham 20 October Joint Chambers Phuket Sundowners Pool Bar, Phuket Boat Lagoon by AustCham 10 November Joint Chambers Phuket Business Briefing: Four points by “Open for business” by AustCham Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort 10 November Joint Chambers Phuket Sundowners Four points by by Austcham Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort 25 November Lunch Talk on “Reopening Thailand: SO Bangkok Main Targets and Ways to Achieve them” by TEBA 25 November Chiang Mai Alive Business Forum 2021 Northern Science Park by NTCC 26 November Joint Chamber Phuket Business Briefing on Similan Ballroom, SAii Laguna Phuket “How to build back better after the pandemic?” by AustCham 26 November Joint Chambers Phuket Sundowners SAii Laguna Phuket by AustCham

Dates Topics Hosts

3 December BCCT Multi-Chamber Networking in Hua Hin Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin 14 December Multi Chamber Networking Night by STCC Lancaster Bangkok

Virtual events

Virtual events have emerged as a replacement for some physical events in the period of social distancing requirements and strict measures. In 2021, GTCC organised forty-one virtual events to discuss and share important information about the latest development in Thailand’s legal systems, health, business continuation, digital marketing and human resources as many businesses have been strongly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

OPEN FORUMS

Dates Topics

18 May

15 June

20 July

GTCC Open Forum GTCC Open Forum GTCC Open Forum 17 August GTCC Open Forum 21 September GTCC Open Forum 19 October GTCC Open Forum 16 November GTCC Open Forum

Hosts

Markus Lorenzini, GTCC President Krisna Thiengtham, Director, GTCC Board of Directors Ms. Waranya Pratumtin, GTCC Vice President Mr. Andreas Richter, Director, GTCC Board of Directors Mr. Oliver Schnatz, Director, GTCC Board of Directors Mr. Stefan Molnar, Director, GTCC Board of Directors Mr. Marcus Grundke, Director, GTCC Board of Directors

CLEAN AIR INITIATIVE (CAI) WEBINAR SERIES

Date Topics Speakers

15 February Fifth meeting of the GTCC CAI The meeting was led by Mr. Andreas Richter, GTCC, Working Group for FCA cooperation GTCC Board of Directors / Chair of GTCC Clean Air Initiative Working Group / Partner, Blumenthal Richter & Sumet

13 July GTCC-Vehicle Transport Clean Air Initiative – Mr. Dirk Naber Bosch Mobility Vice President, Engineering Diesel Engine and EGT System, Robert Bosch GmbH Mr. Stephan Gröger Head of Product Management Business Field Electrification and Market Segment Electric Vehicles, Robert Bosch GmbH

10 August CAI Webinar Series: Decarbonized Energy Mr. Tobias Kadziela Systems (DES) Director Sales Operations - Asia & Pacific, Siemens Energy Pte. Ltd. 14 September CAI Webinar Series: More fresh air for a Mr. Engin Caglar healthy, productive and sustainable future Global Marketing Manager – Sensors, Thermostats, Meters and IoT Devices, Siemens Limited

12 October CAI Webinar Series: MAN - Solutions for cleaner air Head of High Speed APAC, MAN Energy Solutions Alexander Feindt Global Business Development Manager (Marine Four-Stroke), MAN Energy Solutions

Viktor Brickmann

Dates Topics Hosts

9 November CAI Webinar Series: Mercedes-Benz’s Mr. Björn Gustrau contribution as a local (and global) spearhead Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Mercedes-Benz of the automotive sector to improve air quality Thailand and Vietnam, Mercedes-Benz (Thailand)

WEBINAR BY GTCC INDUSTRY COMMITTEES

Dates Topics Hosts

6 October “Covid-19 pandemic practical guides for Mr. Wichai Somboonchokpisal senior executives and HR leaders” Partner, Mazars (Thailand) Co., Ltd. by GTCC HR Committee Moderator: Mr. Tom Sorensen Managing Partner, Tom Sorensen (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 8 September “Covid-19 pandemic practical guides for Mr. Wichai Somboonchokpisal senior executives and HR leaders” Partner at Mazars (Thailand) Co., Ltd. by GTCC HR Committee (Thai edition) Moderator: Mr. Tom Sorensen Managing Partner, Tom Sorensen (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

13 July The virtual preparatory meeting of the Mr. Oliver Schnatz, GTCC, GTCC Board of Directors / GTCC Tourism and Hospitality Committee Cluster General Manager, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

OTHER GTCC WEBINARS

Dates Topics Hosts

26 January “Green energy at no cost and savings for commercial and industrial customers: The corporate PPA market in Thailand”

28 January “ASEAN Today and Tomorrow” Mr. Franck Constant CEO, Constant Energy Mr. Markus Ganterer CFO, Constant Energy Executive Directors of the German Chambers in ASEAN

9 February “Sharpening your leadership skills in Mr. Gregor Schmalz challenging times”- A snapshot & food for Executive Coach, C&E Coaching thought 11 June “The logistics market during COVID-19: Mr. Jan-Michael Beyer A forecast for challenges and solutions” Managing Director Air & Sea Logistics Thailand, Dachser (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. Mr. Timo Herbst Business Development Manager Air & Sea Logistics Thailand, Dachser (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. 28 September Taking your next step towards business Ms. Jana Bulkin innovation with blockchain: A guidance for Transformation Management Consultant at adoption S2BConnected – CIO, integrationWorks Asia Co., Ltd. 27 October Uncover preventable lifestyle diseases with Dr. Narinthorn Surasinthon integrative medicine and wellbeing Medical Director, VitalLife Scientific Wellness Clinic at Bangkrachao Ms. Piyarat Tanjaputkul Health and Wellness Director, RAKxa Fully Integrative Wellness & Medical Retreat

2 November Because Education Matters – The Swiss-German School in Bangkok Principal, RIS Swiss Section Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok Mr. Knut Sierotzki President, RIS Swiss Section Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok

Mr. Christian Vogel

Dates Topics Hosts

1 December “Taxation Changes in 2021 and Beyond” Mr. Martin Liebenow with Mazars in Thailand Tax Director / Head of German Desk, Mazars – Tax Department, Mazars (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENTS

Dates Topics

28 January GTCC Virtual Member Speed Networking GTCC

Hosts

OTHERS CO-BRANDING WEBINARS

Date Topics Speakers

11 March GTAI Webinar: “RCEP-Freihandelszone in Thomas Hundt Asien –was erwartet deutsche Unternehmen?” Director for South and Southeast Asia, Germany Trade & Invest in Bangkok, Thailand Johannes Kirsch Senior Director International Affairs, Dept. International Trade & Future Markets, the Central Association of the Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry (ZVEI) in Frankfurt a. M Klaus Möbius Senior Manager Customs, Germany Trade & Invest in Bonn

12 March Digital Briefing #1: Mr. Heinrich Klingenberg The Production of Green Hydrogen Hydrogen Expert, Hamburg Invest Mr. André Steinau Head of Business Unit, GP Joule Dr. Oliver Weinmann Managing Director, Vattenfall Innovation Dr. Saskia Greiner Innovation Manager, Invest in Bremerhaven Dr. Geert Tjarks Innovation Manager, EWE Dr. Mischa Paterna Managing Partner, APEX Technology

16 April Digital Briefing #2: Ms. Annika Fischer Green Metals & Manufacturing Hydrogen Expert, WT.SH Schleswig-Holstein Mr. Reiner Blaschek CEO, ArcelorMittal Bremen Mr. Roland Harings CEO, Aurubis Mr. Arne Stecher Chief Procurement Officer, Holcim Dr. Alexander Redenius Head Department Efficiency of Resources, Salzgitter Mannesmann Research Mr. Robert Schwabe Supply Chain Manager, Weber Mechanical Engineering

Date Topics Speakers

22 April ASEAN-Forum: Geschäftschancen für Mr. Daniel Bernbeck, deutsche Unternehmen in und mit Executive Director, AHK Malaysia Südostasien Dr. Martin Henkelmann Executive Director, AHK Philippines Dr. Tim Philippi Executive Director, AHK Singapore Mr. Gert Rabbow Delegate of German Business, Myanmar (interim) Mr. Jan Rönnfeld Executive Director, AHK Indonesia Mr. Marko Walde Delegate of German Business, AHK Vietnam Dr. Roland Wein Executive Director, AHK Thailand 7 May Digital Briefing #3: Dr. Klaus Bonhoff Green Mobility & Transportation Director General, Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure Mr. Guido Schwartz Strategy & Innovation Lead, Airbus (Operations Aviation) Mr. Christophe Huth Business Development Manager, Alstom iLint (Trains) Dr. Angela Kruth Head of Materials, Campfire Mr. Timo Hinrichs Business Development & Funding Management, Clean Logistics (Trucks) Mr. Jürgen Thirase Manager, Faun (Municipal vehicle)

27 May Webinar: Business Opportunities in Cambodia Ms. Suntke Heeren Head of Corporate Services & Regional Coordinator Cambodia and Laos, AHK Myanmar Ms. Bianca Untied Business Scout for Development Programme, GIZ Mr. Tom Hesketh Deputy Director, EuroCham Cambodia Mr. Thomas Hundt Director Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, Germany Trade and Invest H. E. Reatrey Oum Provincial Governor Banteay Manchey, Cambodia Mr. Takahiro Yamamoto Executive Director, Sanco Cambo Investment Group Co., Ltd. Mr. Tassilo Brinzer Chairman, EuroCham Cambodia Mr. Stefan Hanselmann Head of Programme , GIZ Mr. Christoph Janensch Business Scout for Development Programme, GIZ

11 June Webinar: “Reconnect: Hong Kong-ASEAN Mr. Matthew Cheung Partnership” Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR Government

Date Topics

15 June Digital Briefing #4: Green Distribution & Storage

Speakers

Prof. Dr. Johannes Gulden HyStarter & University of Applied Science Stralsund Mr. Georg Böttner Head of Executive Board Projects, HHLA Dr. Tim Husmann Managing Director, H2-Region Emsland Mr. Jens Scharner Managing Director, Rostock Port GmbH Prof. Dr. Matthias Rehahn Managing Director, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Dr. Lars Stemmler Head of Bremen ports international, bremen ports

29 June

30 June

20 July

Internationale Beratungstage by IHK Region Stuttgart

SGC Dialogue: “Government over- indebtedness in post-Corona and implications for businesses” Mr. Tobias Schmittbauer Digital Transformation Manager, IHK Region Stuttgart Ms. Katja Rudolf Managing Director, Legal Aspects Mr. Uwe Heizmann EAC International Consulting Ms. Theresa Steward Business Unit Director China, Storymaker Ms. Olivia Noor Head of Market Entry, AHK Indonesia

Dr. Ludger Schuknecht German Economist and former Deputy Secretary-General, OECD

GTRA talk “Developing German-Thai

Mr. Nakorn Chantasorn cooperation and Tech-Localization for Former Governor of State Railway of Thailand, NSTDA enhancing service quality and attractiveness Mr. Watcharachan Sirisuwannatash of Thai Railways” Chief Mechanical Engineer (Rolling stock) of State Railway of Thailand Mr. Georg M. Wolff Vice President and Chair of Working Group Rail & Road Infrastructure, European Chamber of Commerce Thailand (EABC) Mr. Tomasz Mazur CEO, Siemens Mobility Ltd. Mr. Armin Rosocha Vice President and Head of Customer Services, Siemens Mobility Ltd. Mr. Pracharak Ittiwiboon Head of Sales Industrial SEA & Thailand, Schaeffler

22 July Business Roundtable: Socially Responsible Mr. Petros Sourmelis Business Practices in the Automotive Sector Head of Trade and Economic Section, in Asia European Union Delegation to Thailand Ms. Githa Roelans Head of the Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement Unit, ILO Dr. Ajaree Tavornmas Senior Advisor, Thai European Business Association (TEBA)

Date Topics Speakers

7 September SGC Webinar: “Supply Chains Under Tension” Speakers from The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES)

21 September Webinar: “Smart Cities Ed Tech: Opportunities in Germany” Mr. Johannes Fischer Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)

28 September Webinar: “Restarting Europe’s engine: Dr. Volker Treier and Dr. Ilja Nothnagel Economic developments and business Members of the Executive Board of opportunities in Germany” the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK)

9 December DIHK webinar: Germany after the election Marko Walde AHK Vietnam, Regional spokesperson for Asia-Pacific Dr. Volker Treier Head of Foreign Trade and Executive Board Member Of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) Gerrit Gramer Head of the political coordination of the DIHK

Communications and publications

UPDATE E-MAGAZINE

In 2021, GTCC UPDATE e-magazine featured major trends in various industries, especially in Thailand. It contained several sections: a special focus; Chamber activities; GTDEE Insight; Business Briefs; Members’ Corner; and Trade Fairs. The themes of the magazine during 2021 were Biotechnology, Innovative Agriculture, E-Mobility, and Renewable Energy.

ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Our Membership Directory is fully available on GTCC Website. With a user account and password, members can get access to information on members’ profiles and contact details in order to facilitate business interaction among the members of the German and Thai business communities. Chamber members can still put their company logo at their company profile, in order to enhance corporate brand and visibility.

E-UPDATE

GTCC e-UPDATE is a bi-weekly e-newsletter which summarises the latest information on GTCC events and updates on Thailand’s economic development, industry sectors, investment, green technology, ASEAN growth and prospects, bilateral business relations as well as the major activities of GTCC members. It is provided to more than three thousand subscribers, mainly comprising executives of German and Thai companies operating in Thailand, trade/academic institutions, embassies, other foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand as well as counterparts in Germany.

GTCC WEBSITE

GTCC website was facelifted in December 2021 to be more user-friendly. Several new pages such as GTCC Industry Committees and GTCC Clean Air Initiative, were also added to provide members, partners and customers updates and important information on the chamber’s activities. A webpage about Covid-19 situations in Thailand was regularly updated.

GTCC MEMBERS PROMOTIONS E-NEWSLETTER

GTCC members promotions, another electronic newsletter issued by the Chamber, has been sent to members and friends of the Chamber every Wednesday in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, in attempts to support the Chamber’s members in promoting their products, services and activities.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Apart from the GTCC website, members and friends of the German-Thai business community are able to stay connected and receive daily updates on GTCC services and events through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Join today on German-Thai Chamber of Commerce.

GTCC ADVERTISING SERVICE

The Chamber offers valuable advertising alternatives in its digital materials which allow companies the flexibility and benefit of reaching out to specific target groups. GTCC advertisement channels in 2021 included: • GTCC UPDATE e-Magazine; • GTCC website (flash logo/banner); • GTCC Membership Directory (logo); • GTCC newsletter (banner in e-UPDATE); • Electronic direct mail (e-blast); • Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter).

GTCC continued using the branding terms of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), which were suggested by the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). The hashtags #PartnerForSuccess, #PartnerWorldwide, and #PartnerInThailand as well as #PartnerForDVET have been utilised in various GTCC communication platforms such as corporate banners, business cards, website, UPDATE magazine, and social media channels. Logo and weblink of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) remain on GTCC e-newsletters and electronic direct mails (EDMs) as our supporter.