CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

From 1 July to 25 September 2020, the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) organised seven physical events and five virtual events.

1. Physical events

GTCC Ice Breaker Networking Welcome Back!

GTCC received overwhelming responses to its first physical networking event after Thailand’s relaxation of lockdown measures. GTCC Icebreaker Networking: Welcome Back! was held on Thursday, 16 July 2020 at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside.

This event would not have been possible and successful without the great support given by venue partner Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside as well as event partners Mazars Thailand and Serenity Wines Asia.

GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok

GTCC’s first physical GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok of this year was organised on 20 August 2020 at Bei Otto Restaurant and it was fully booked. The Chamber greatly appreciates Bei Otto Restaurant’s support for the venue and providing the lucky draw prizes. This year, Bei Otto has been one of the GTCC’s long-time members, having been a member for 25 years this year. Also, thanks are due to another long-time GTCC member, KCG Corporation, for participating in this event with their delicious dairy products.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Executive Breakfast Talk: “Companies in distress – how to avoid personal liability as a director?”

Covid-19 has had an adverse impact on many businesses in Thailand, and multinational companies may decide to wind down operations or at least reduce their financial exposure. These actions come with certain risks for such companies’ directors.

Experts from the international law firm Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd., Mr. Till Morstadt and Mrs. Athitaya Chanthasirichot explained the risks existing under Thai law and showed ways to mitigate such risks at #GTCCBreakfastTalk “Companies in distress – how to avoid personal liability as a director?” organised on 25 August 2020 at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. Dr. Roland Wein, GTCC Executive Director, delivered opening remarks to the 45 participants.

Thanks are due to Advantage Austria and Swiss-Thai Chamber of Commerce for co-branding the event. Mr. Günther Sucher, Commercial Counsellor of Advantage Austria at the Austrian Embassy, Bangkok and Mr. David Stauffacher, new Executive Director of Swiss Thai Chamber of Commerce also participated in the vent.

GTCC European Wine Dinner

The Chamber is very grateful for the support of GTCC members, partners, guests and friends in making the GTCC European Wine Dinner on 28 August 2020, very successful. The European Wine Dinner took them on a journey to Europe through a crafted four-course dinner, paired with a fine selection of premium wines, in an elegant and spectacular atmosphere of the Pacific City Club.

GTCC President Mr. Andreas Richter opened the event with welcoming remarks to the participants following the wine and cheese tasting reception. German wine was among the European wines served at the dinner, especially Germany’s globally popular white wines produced with many grape varieties, such as Riesling. Mr. Joe Sriwarin, Founder and President of the Thailand Sommelier Association, also joined the dinner during which he provided a brief introduction to the European wines served to the guests. The great support provided by Global Wines & More, KCG Corporation and Serenity Wines for providing the delicious food and beverages is highly appreciated.

GTCC Round Table on HR: “Challenges of the New Reality Post-Lockdown”

The GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Seminar with Lorenz & Partners (L&P) was held on 25 September 2020 at the Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa. GTCC appreciates the great interest shown by the participants as well as the support given by seven participating Chambers of Commerce that made the seminar successful. Thanks are due to the experts from L&P, Mr. Till Morstadt and Mrs. Athitaya Chanthasirichot, for sharing with the guests their insights on the important topic of “Companies in distress – how to avoid personal liability as a director?” in these difficult times. Dynamic peer-to-peer discussions on “Challenges of the New Reality PostLockdown” at GTCC Round Table on HR took place on 24 September 2020 at GTCC Office. We appreciate the active participation of GTCC members and the moderation by Mr. Tom Sorensen, Managing Partner at Tom

GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Seminar

Sorensen (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking

GTCC, in co-operation with seven foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand organised an Eastern Seaboard networking event on 25 September 2020. In the excellent ambiance of the Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa, GTCC members, guests and friends enjoyed connecting with relevant contacts of their industries and the breath-taking sunset view, followed by opening remarks from GTCC Board member Ms. Waranya Pratumtin. GTCC would like to thank Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa for the fantastic venue and to the participating chambers of commerce for their great support.

2. Virtual webinars

14 July 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Impacts on Cash Flow & Business Valuation” by Mr. Prasen Chakraborty, Head of Financial Advisory Services, Mazars Thailand

30 July 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Blockchain Technology in Supply Chains” by Dr. Thomas Fernandez, Director, Logistics of Fair & Easy Co., Ltd.

23 July 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Thai government’s Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) programme” by Mr. Prin Pathanatham Executive Assistant Manager Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok

9 September 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Navigating Uncertain Times – Hospitality in 2021” by Mr. Karan Kaul, Vice -President – Business Development, Absolute Hotel Services Group

3. Virtual conference

Within the framework of the German Energy Solutions Initiative supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the GTCC in co-operation with eclareon GmbH organised a successful virtual conference on the topic of “Energy Efficiency in Buildings (including Solar Rooftop)” on 22 September 2020. Featuring a total of five German company presentations, several exclusive contributions from German and Thai experts as well as recording more than 60 participants, the virtual conference has driven the momentum of the cooperation between Thai and German companies in the field of energy efficiency even further. During the course of the week, GTCC also organised business-tobusiness meetings, both online and offline, for the five participating German companies to explore potential business opportunities in Thailand.