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GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok at Häfele Design Studio
GTCC organised the fourth Stammtisch Bangkok of 2019 on 19 September at a new location, the Häfele Design Studio. GTCC Board member Mr. Michael Welser and Häfele Managing Director Mr. Volker Hellstern, delivered welcoming remarks to the guests. Afterwards, more than 70 guests enjoyed a warm atmosphere with German food and drink, and plenty of opportunities to network.
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Breakfast Talk with L&P on avoiding payment shortfalls in Thailand
GTCC, in co-operation with Lorenz & Par tners Co., Ltd. (L&P) organised an executive breakfast talk on “Dealing with legal challenges – how to avoid payment shortfalls when doing business in Thailand” at the Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok on 24 September 2019. Mr. Till Morstadt, German Attorney-atLaw and L&P Managing Partner, gave the participants insights into key strategies and tools for securing claims when conducting business specifically in Thailand.
Young Professionals Networking Evening: Meeting the CEOs – Part II
GTCC organised the third Young Professionals Networking Evening at ABar on 26 September 2019. More than 90 participants had an opportunity to meet Carl van der Elst from Deutsche Bank AG, and Mr. Volker Hellstern from Häfele Thailand Limited. The speakers provided insights into adapting success and overcoming challenges in doing business in Asia during the panel discussion and the lively Q&A session that followed. Afterwards, the guests and speakers had the chance to network among peers from different industries.
GTCC, in co-operation with DACHSER (Thailand) Co., Ltd., organised a Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Seminar at the Mytt Beach Hotel Pattaya on 27 September 2019. Mr. Warasit Muangkoom, Chief of Customs Procedure, Thailand Customs Department, informed the participants of changes in customs clearance procedures following the implementation of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area on 1 August 2019.
GTCC Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking
Following the Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Seminar on “Customs Clearance”, the GTCC hosted a Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking session at the Mytt Beach Hotel Pattaya on 27 September 2019. More than 110 representatives, members and friends of AMCHAM, AustCham, BCCT, BeLuThai, CanCham, NTCC, NZTCC, STCC and SATCC came together and spent an evening networking in a great atmosphere with delicious food.
Study trip to K 2019 and exclusive site visits
GTCC, in co-operation with the National Science and Technology Development Agency, organised a business and study trip to Germany on “Innovative Materials and Plastic Technology Exclusive Site Visits, and K 2019: Plastics shape the future” from 19 to 27 October 2019. With special tours, the participants had the opportunity to engage with some of the 3,200 international exhibitors at K 2019, the world’s first fair for plastics and rubber industry. The participants experienced first-hand the latest developments and innovations in the rubber industry through exclusive visits to four sites in Germany and Switzerland.
German delegation for transport and logistics in Thailand
GTCC organised a business mission to Thailand for German transport and logistics companies from 11 to 15 November 2019, within the framework of the Foreign Market Entry Programme for SMEs supported by the BMWi (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy). It started with an official briefing at the GTCC office on 11 November. Mr. Marius Mehner, GTCC Deputy Executive Director, together with Mr. Jan Scheer, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bangkok, and Mr. Thomas Hundt, Director Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, provided the delegation from Germany with an overview of the economic, political and legal framework of market entry into Thailand. The meeting concluded with an introduction to the logistics sector in Thailand and the BMWi SME programme.
On 12 November, GTCC hosted the GermanThai Conference on “Transport and Logistics Solutions” at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn for stakeholders to gain more knowledge of transport and logistics solutions in Germany, gain valuable insights from Thai experts in this sector and foster individual B2B-meetings with German companies.
The conference was opened by Mr. Marius Mehner. Dr. Alexander Raubold, Counsellor of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the German Embassy in Bangkok gave welcoming remarks. Mr. Athibhu Chitranukroh, Director Bureau of Safety Planning of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport of Thailand, delivered the keynote speech. Mr. Thomas Hundt, Director, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) provided an overview of transport and logistics in Germany to the participants. Dr. Luxmon Attapich, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office also presented “EEC in Action – Infrastructure Projects and Investment Plan”.
A panel discussion was held on “Opportunities and Challenges in Transport and Logistics Sector” by Dr. Chumpol Saichua, President of the Thai Transport and Logistics Association (TTLA), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manoj Lohatapanont, Executive Director of the Transportation Institute, Chulalongkorn University, and Dr. Thomas E. Fernandez, International School of Management, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Study and business trip to AGRITECHNICA
An exclusive study trip to Germany on smart components for agricultural machinery was organised by GTCC from 10 to 16 November 2019. The trip included visits to the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural technology, AGRITECHNICA, for three days from 12 to 14 November and to leading German companies Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co., KG and Third Element Aviation GmbH on 11 November to gain first-hand experience of the latest technologies.
GTCC Stammtisch Tri-Nations Night
The annual “Tri-Nations” Stammtisch was organised at the Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel on 14 November 2019 and extended an invitation to Advantage Austria and the Swiss-Thai Chamber ofCommerce. The participants at the Tri-Nations Stammtisch had an opportunity to meet the guests of honour and other guests from the Austrian-German-Swiss business community in Thailand. The participants also enjoyed special German dishes and networking in a lively atmosphere.
Luncheon with Parliamentary State Secretary Mr. Thomas Bareiß
GTCC Vice President Mr. Andreas Richter hosted a luncheon on 19 November 2019 for Mr. Thomas Bareiß, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, together with Board members and executives of GTCC member companies, as well as German Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Georg Schmidt to discuss economic developments in Thailand.
On the occasion of the Parliamentary State Secretary’s official visit to Thailand, he had meetings with Minister of Industry H.E. Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Deputy Minister of Commerce Mr. Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol, visited Mercedes-Benz factory as well as METALEX2019 and the German Pavilion. He also participated in DZT Roundtable on “Current developments in the German and European tourism sector and Outbound tourism from Thailand to Germany and Europe”.
The GTCC supported the organisation of the DZT Tourism Roundtable on 20 November 2019 at Sukhothai Hotel, discussing “Current Developments in the German and European Tourism Sector & Outbound Tourism from Thailand to Germany and Europe”. It is initiated by the German National Tourist Board to promote Germany as a vacation destination.
Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Mr. Thomas Bareiß delivered opening remarks. Representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi), the German Embassy in Bangkok, the German National Tourist Office, German companies in the tourism sector as well as key representatives of tour agencies, magazines and newspapers were attending the event.
The fourth Business Women Networking on “The roles of social media for women in business” was organised by GTCC on 20 November 2019 at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse. Panel speakers Ms. Alexandra Reich, CEO of dtac, and Ms. Nipatra Tangpojthavepol, Executive Director at SEAC shared their insights and experiences with business women from a wide range of industries.
GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with Deloitte
The GTCC, in co-operation with Deloitte, organised an Executive Breakfast talk on 26 November 2019 at the GTCC Office. Deloitte experts Ms. Chayalaak Chutima and Mr. Stuart Simons gave a presentation on “Solving the Thailand Transfer Pricing Conundrum” for about 25 guests.
MEA - Technical Trip to Germany
The GTCC organised a Technical Trip featuring Exclusive Site Visits for MEA (Metropolitan Electricity Authority) to Germany from 23 November to 1 December 2019, to support MEA in developing new business potentials and experience new technologies first-hand to drive the MEA Smar t Metro/Smar t Industry project in the future.
The trainings and site visits included Energy Brainpool GmbH, Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH (CHP Plant), AGFW (German Energy Efficiency Association for Heating, Cooling and CHP), Energy Factory (EnFa), EGS-Plan & Green Hydrogen GmbH Esslingen, Landau Microgid Project (LAMP), Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy System (ISE), and Solar Settlement & Helitrope projects (“Solar Village”) at Schlieberg in Freiburg.
AHK Regional Meeting Asia-Pacific & ASEAN AHK Meeting
Executive Directors and Chief Representatives of Delegation of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) in the Asia Pacific region gathered at the AHK Regional Meeting Asia-Pacific in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China (PRC), from 2 to 3 December 2019. The Association of German Chambers of Industr y and Commerce (DIHK) was represented by Chief Executive of Foreign Trade and Member of the Executive Board Dr. Volker Treier. On the second day, Dr. Clemens von Goetze, German Ambassador to the PRC, delivered his speech on interest representation in China. The delegation also met with partners to discuss regional developments and cooperation in foreign trade promotion.
AHKs in ASEAN further had a meeting at AHK Hong Kong during 4-5 December 2019 to exchange ideas about next year’s key activities such as ASEAN Insight 2020, German-ASEAN Roundtable, Hannover Messe – ASEAN Forum, and AHK World Business Outlook 2020.
GTCC Oktoberfest 2019
The GTCC Oktoberfest 2019 welcomed more than 1,600 guests on 25 and 26 October 2019 at the Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park. German Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Georg Schmid officially opened GTCC Oktoberfest on the fully-booked first day with the tapping of the first keg of beer and the triumphant “O’Zapft is!” (It’s tapped). On the second day, GTCC Oktoberfest was marked with “International Night” in co-operation with 11 foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand. Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Germany in Thailand Mr. Jan Scheer tapped the keg.
The lively entertainment provided by AnTon and the Funny Guys, the genuine Paulaner Oktoberfest beer, the German buffet and the games for the guests made the night even more enjoyable.
GTCC would like to express our sincere gratitude to par tners Marriott Marquis Bangkok Queen’s Park and Paulaner, and esteemed sponsors [Diamond] Häfele; [Gold] BMW, Kuehne + Nagel, Munich RE, Olymp, SCHÜCO and Thaivivat Insurance; [Silver] BASF, B. Grimm, Lenk Frozen Food, Mazars and Robinson Clubs. GTCC is also very grateful for the great support and contribution provided by in-kind sponsors Robert Bosch, Bumrungrad International Hospital and Stiebel Eltron as well as Airline Partner Lufthansa German Airlines which made the Oktoberfest 2019 event so successful. Thanks are also due to the participating foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand for their co-operation in making the Oktoberfest “International Night” such a wonderful event.
GTCC Family Christmas Party 2019
The GTCC’s Family Christmas Party 2019 was held on 12 December at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. GTCC members and their families as well as friends of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce enjoyed delicious food and drinks — including warm Glühwein — in a festive atmosphere and a real Christmas tree. Activities for children, a live band, and gift exchanges brought delighted smiles among the guests. Santa Claus also greeted the children and provided special gifts for them during the evening’s festivities.
The event would not have been possible without the support of the Santa Claus partner Turkish Airlines and our in-kind partners Asian Tigers Mobility, baan & BEYOND, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Majorette, Staedtler and TGM.
