CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

After the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, the number of infections in Thailand also drastically increased, according to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) adjusted its operation to protect the health and safety of its members, partners and staff. Following the adoption of precautionary measures, GTCC physical events from 16 March to 30 June 2020 were either postponed or cancelled. Despite working from home, the GTCC fully supported its members and customers in various ways including the activities detailed below:

• Five e-newsletters of GTCC’s update on COVID-19 were sent to the German-Thai business community to provide them with useful and updated information regarding COVID-19, based on external sources.

• Two letters, one on social security payment and another concerning support to businesses for maintaining employment were submitted to the Minister of Finance by the Foreign Chamber Alliance (FCA) on 10 April and 12 June 2020, respectively.

• #PartnerInThailand social media campaign was launched on 29 April 2020, inviting GTCC members to tell the stories of partner German companies in Thailand in a two-minute video. The campaign showcased 15 examples of contributions by GTCC member companies to the economic development of Thailand, and the close co-operation between German and Thai companies on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube from May to June 2020.

• From April 2020, GTCC launched another e-newsletter that featured GTCC members’ special promotions in order to support members in the food and beverage, hospitality and health-care sectors.

• From 16 March to 30 June 2020, 20 virtual events were organised via Zoom as summarised on the next page:

1. Virtual webinars

The Chamber organised 10 webinars to share information about the latest developments with regard to Thailand’s legal aspects, health and business continuation during the COVID-19, together with digital marketing, human resources and aviation aspects.

26 March 2020

GTCC Webinar, “HR Management during Covid-19 crisis – relief mechanisms under Thai labour law” by Mr. Till Morstadt, Managing Partner at Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. ; Mr. Rapeesak Kesasuwan, Head of Commercial Law at Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd.

1 April 2020

GTCC Webinar: “COVID-19 – Thai Government Relief by Mr. Fabian Doppler, Managing Partner at FRANK Legal & Tax Ltd.; Mr. Rangsarit Suwanarat, Partner at FRANK Legal & Tax Ltd.

7 April 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Strengthening Our Immune System During Covid-19 Outbreak” by Ketchai Suavansri, M.D., Neurology, Medical Director of Bumrungrad International Hospital, Cognitive and Behavioural Neurologist at VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center

21 April 2020

GTCC Webinar: “German Export Credit Guarantees: How they can support your activities in Thailand” by Mr. Markus Leichum Financial Expert at the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC)

30 April 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Turning crisis into opportunity: Digital marketing in times of COVID-19” by Mr. Carlo Herold, CEO of Heroleads Asia

12 May 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Leveraging on technology for business continuity” by Mr. Philipp H. McPherson General Manager at CRM and Cloud Consulting Co., Ltd.; Ms. Shamila Sivasiamphai Project Manager at CRM Cloud and Consulting Co., Ltd.; and Ms. Kathryn Phyo Partner Manager at HubSpot Asia

19 May 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Video marketing: How to shoot a professional-looking video and fire up your online presence” by Mr. Alexander Grawe, Managing Director of Mediawok Co., Ltd.

17 June 2020

GTCC Webinar: “Legal and practical aspects for remote working” by Mr. Jost Wagner, Managing Director and Certified Professional Facilitator of The Change Initiative Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Martin Chrometzka Senior Associate at Rödl & Partner, Ltd.

24 June 2020

GTCC Webinar: “The future of the aviation industry: Travelling safely in times of coronavirus – and beyond” by Mr. Stefan Molnar General Manager Sales Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and the Mekong Region at Lufthansa German Airlines

2. Virtual round tables and forum

2 April 2020

GTCC Virtual Round Table on Manufacturing moderated by Ms. Waranya Pratumtin, International Sales Director of Thai Switchboard and Metal Work Co., Ltd. (GTCC Board member)

9 April 2020

GTCC Virtual Round Table on Renewable Energy moderated by Papong Pramoj Na Ayudhya Managing Director of BayWa r.e. (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; and Hans D. Westphal Managing Director of Retech Energy Co., Ltd.

21 April 2020

GTCC Virtual Round Table on Healthcare moderated by Dr. Armin Wiesler, General Manager/Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim (Thai) Ltd. (GTCC Board member)

21 May 2020

GTCC Virtual Round Table on Logistics moderated by Alexander Donau, Regional Head Asia-Pacific and Director of the Board for Leschaco (Thailand) Ltd.

26 May 2020

GTCC Virtual Round Table on HR and Hiring challenges moderated by Mr. Tom Sorensen, Managing Partner at Tom Sorensen (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

11 June 2020

GTCC Virtual CEO Forum: “Best practices for restructuring/ reopening of your business operations amidst Covid-19” moderated by Mr. Guenter Raichle, Managing Director of Rodenstock Thailand

3. Virtual conference

GTCC organised Thai-German Virtual Conference: “Solar PV and Grid-Integration” on 23 June 2020 in cooperation with the eclareon GmbH, within the framework of the German Energy Solutions Initiative supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)

The conference also featured exclusive presentations by participating German companies, highlighting respective products and technology solutions. It was followed by Thai-German business matching.

4. Virtual networking events

GTCC continued to offer networking platforms for its members as well as the German-Thai business community. Two GTCC Virtual Stammtisch events were organised in a casual style, with special virtual tables arranged to help them be more closely connected. A Speed Networking event was held to help connect new members with existing members.

9 April 2020

GTCC Virtual Stammtisch by GTCC

14 May 2020

GTCC Virtual Speed Networking by GTCC

18 June 2020

GTCC Virtual Stammtisch by GTCC