CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

GTCC Multi-Chamber Seminar: “Design and Constraints – How Limits Boost the Creativities in Architecture” with VIRTUARCH Co., Ltd.

Constraints in terms of technology, skills, plant, materials, labour, budget, specific performance requirements and site form are often seen as obstacles, but paradoxically they are necessities for a successful architectural design project. At the GTCC Multi-Chamber Seminar "Design and Constraints – How Limits Boost the Creativities in Architecture", on 7 April 2022, Mr. Therdsiddhi Hoprasartsuk, Managing Director of VIRTUARCH Co., Ltd., explained how constraints in design can stimulate an architect's imagination and thus stimulate a design that meets the needs of the project. He also provided insightful information on how projects are implemented around the world. The seminar was rounded off by an engaging Q&A session with the participants.

GTCC x RECOFTC: Tree for ALL

GTCC co-operates with RECOFTC by supporting the Tree for ALL (T4A) Initiative. The activity will be the planting of 600 trees in Santisuk District, Nan Province, to commemorate GTCC’s 60th anniversary and mark the most significant period of membership and collaboration between German and Thai companies. GTCC Executive Director Dr. Wein, Deputy Executive Director Mr. Mehne, and Project Manager, Corporate Services & Greentech Agent Mr. Anon Siharat planted the first three trees on 4 April 2022. In co-operation with RECOFTC, they also visited Sribunruang Village, the community nursery, the community forest as well as farmers’’ plots of land.

RECOFTC is a non-profit organization in Asia and the Pacific, that takes a long-term, landscape-based and inclusive approach to supporting local communities in securing their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equity. RECOFTC launched the T4A project, which aims to restore watersheds in Nan Province by reducing short-term monoculture and increasing planting variety. The initiative will collaborate with farmers in the highlands over a five-year period. Supporters of the initiative will also be able to track the growth of their crops.

GTCC E-OGM 2022 and Reception

GTCC held its first Electronic Ordinary General Meeting (E-OGM) on 26 April 2022 via Zoom in accordance with the GTCC Bye-Laws, Section 20. The election of five new board members as well as the election of the GTCC President and Vice-President was successfully held via electronical voting.

Congratulations to Mr. Michael Welser, Managing Director, Powertech 2004 Co., Ltd., on his election as GTCC President and Khun Waranya Pratumtin, Director of International Sales, Thai Switchboard and Metal Work Co., Ltd., (TAMCO), on her election as GTCC Vice-President as well as the following five newly-elected GTCC Board members for 2022/2023: Mr. Roland Folger, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Ltd.; Mr. Jan Wittenstein, Head of Automotive Technologies Sales and Business Development, Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd; Mr. Martin Liebenow, Tax Director/Head of German Desk, Mazars (Thailand) Ltd; Mr. Steve Loo, Managing Director, Siemens Energy Limited; and Mr. Enrico Sielaff, Managing Director, Gerenga Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

GTCC would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank outgoing Directors Mr. Krisna Thiengtham, Deputy Managing Director, Thai Nakon R.O.P; Mr. Peter Rankl, President ASEAN, Continental Automotive Bangkok Co., Ltd.; Mr. Stefan Molnar, General Manager Passenger Sales Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and the Mekong Region, Lufthansa German Airlines; and Ms. Thira Nuntametha, Senior Representative, Commerzbank AG Representative Office Bangkok, for their strong commitment and consistent contributions.

Following the election at the E-OGM, GTCC and 80 attendees celebrated the newlyelected Board 2022-2023 on 27 April 2022. The celebration was held in the ambiance of the poolside Mexicano Restaurant, Rembrandt Hotel. The new GTCC President, Mr. Welser, opened the reception with a cordial speech. GTCC also appreciated the presence of Mr. Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Head of Mission for his congratulatory remarks. GTCC members donated THB 22,000 as contributions to tree planting and long-term landscape management in order to develop livelihoods and restore ecosystems in Thailand under the “Tree for ALL (T4A)” Initiative in which GTCC co-operates with RECOFTC.

GTCC Logistics Committee online meeting

GTCC organised the first GTCC Logistics Committee Online Meeting on 28 April 2022 via Zoom. Executive Director, Dr. Roland Wein, delivered welcoming remarks, followed by an opening statement from Logistics Committee Chairperson, Bjoern Schoon, Managing Director, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, Kuehne + Nagel Limited. After an introduction of the Logistics Committee members, the topic of ICC Incoterms 2023 was discussed.

In addition, potential future topics were proposed, and a zoom survey was conducted to find out what member companies expect from the GTCC Logistics Committee.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Seminar on “Tax Updates and Transfer Pricing in Thailand”

On 29 April 2022, GTCC hosted the Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Seminar on "Tax Updates and Transfer Pricing in Thailand" at the Renaissance Pattaya Resort and Spa. Speaker Mr. Martin Liebenow, Tax Director of Mazars in Thailand, shared valuable insights into Thailand's taxation updates and transfer pricing policy. Through his presentation, participants learnt more about topics such as personal income tax exemption on cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, new Global Minimum Tax proposals, the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty-Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI) as well as transfer pricing documentation requirements.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking

Following the GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Seminar on "Tax Updates and Transfer Pricing in Thailand", GTCC in co-operation with other bilateral chambers of commerce in Thailand organised the first GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking since September 2021. The event was opened with welcoming remarks by GTCC Vice-President Khun Waranya Pratumtin and provided a platform for the participants to connect with vital contacts in their industry, while enjoying food and beverages. Taking place in the spectacular location of the Deck, Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa, the networking event attracted more than 130 participants.

GTCC Seminar on “CEO Tells All Series: How HR can Become a Strategic Partner to the CEO” by the GTCC HR Committee

GTCC successfully hosted a seminar on "CEO Tells All Series: How HR can Become a Strategic Partner to the CEO" by the GTCC HR Committee on 12 May 2022 at the Sindhorn Midtown Hotel. The 18 participants learned from the speaker, Mr. Micah Shepard, President of SEA Industrial and Automotive Aftermarket Asia Pacific at Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., about how to be a true and efficient partner to the CEO. GTCC would like to thank Mr. Tom Sorensen, our HR Committee Chair and Managing Partner at Tom Sorensen Recruitment (Thailand) Co., Ltd., for leading the session as Moderator, and Mr. Mathias Reindl, Managing Director Southeast Asia of Hansen Beck as MC.

GTCC Open Forum

On 17 May 2022, GTCC organised the second Open Forum in 2022 with Mr. Enrico Sielaff, Managing Director, gerenga Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Director, GTCC Board of Directors as a moderator. The virtual exchange format discussed technology challenges including the availability of industrial components, machinery or IT infrastructure as well as changes in product design due to shortage and online service/software/AI/app development-related impacts. In addition, two polls were conducted on “What technology challenges do we see at the moment?” and “What is the channel to get updated from GTCC?”. Mr. Nikolay Kurnosov, General Manager Thailand and Lao PDR, Bosch Rexroth, shared a digital media overview of Thailand in his presentation.

GTCC Webinar on “Development of the microelectronics industry in Thailand and Germany – Fostering partnerships”

GTCC hosted a webinar on the topic of "Development of the microelectronics industry in Thailand and Germany – Fostering partnerships" on 19 May 2022. The speakers included Assoc. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Suramate Chalermwisutkul, Head of High Frequency Systems Laboratory (HFS), the Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok; Dr.-Ing. Bodin Kasemset, CEO of Silicon Craft Technology PLC; Dr. Michael Oehme, Akademischer Oberrat/Stellvertretende Institutsleitung, Institut für Halbleitertechnik (IHT) and Mauritz Schwarz & Nicolai Dill, P3 Group, who provided useful insights into the microelectronics and semiconductor industry in Germany and Thailand. Through this webinar, it is aimed to strengthen German-Thai co-operation.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Training on “Incoterms® 2020 – Dividing logistics costs, obligations and risks correctly”

Incoterms® rules are used to show how logistics costs, obligations and risks are shared between seller and buyer. Due to the huge importance of the Incoterms®, GTCC organised a Multi-Chamber Training on "Incoterms® 2020 – Dividing logistics costs, obligations and risks correctly "on 25 May 2022. Dr. Thomas Fernandez, Director of Fair & Easy Co., Ltd., and currently the only trainer for the Incoterms® 2020 in Thailand and CMLV, provided valuable knowledge to the 19 participants. The participants discussed challenges in using Incoterms® for their business during a dynamic exchange.

“Thailand Meets Germany: Forging Stronger Business Partnership”

GTCC co-organised the “Thailand Meets Germany: Forging Stronger Business Partnership” seminar on 30 May 2022 at the Capital Club Berlin. Following welcoming remarks by Ambassador of Thailand to Germany, H.E. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, and the Head of the Southeast Asia/ASEAN Division, German Federal Foreign Office, Dr. Jan Freigang, a keynote speech was given on “Thailand Business Outlook: the EEC as a key driver for growth” by Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office of Thailand.

GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein participated as a panelist on “Forging Thai-German Business Partnerships”. In addition, he discussed the results of the GTCC members survey on the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) conducted from 13 to 20 May 2022.

GTCC Meets the German Ambassador

On 9 June 2022, around 50 GTCC members enjoyed the opportunity to meet Ambassador of Germany to Thailand H.E. Georg Schmidt during the GTCC Meets the German Ambassador luncheon. After welcoming remarks by GTCC President Mr. Michael Welser, the Ambassador delivered a speech on the topic "War in Ukraine – Lockdown in China: A political assessment of the situation and possible consequences in German-Thai relations". Following an engaging Q&A session, the guests were served with a delicious luncheon at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok.

GTCC Workshops on “Green Hydrogen in Thailand” in Phuket and Krabi

GTCC hosted two workshops with a focus on technology solutions in the field of green hydrogen in Thailand. The first workshop took place at Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chao Fah Phuket on 13 June 2022 with the presence of Mr. Panot Sangsomboon, Head of Provincial Energy Office Phuket, while the second workshop was held at Dusit D2 Hotel Ao Nang Krabi on 15 June 2022 with the presence of Mr. Kumpoo Petthummarong, Head of Provincial Energy Office Krabi. About 70 participants joined the workshops online and onsite, which were opened by GTCC Deputy Executive Director Mr. Marius Mehner.

Dr. Sirichai Koonaphapdeelert, Chiang Mai University, delivered a keynote speech on the topic of “Prospectives of Hydrogen Production and Utilization in Thailand”. It was followed by various company presentations including “Green hydrogen in Thailand” by Mr. Tanai Potisat, Enapter; “How to transform potential into projects” by Mr. Mark Shiels, H2 Core Systems GmbH; “2G Energy’s 100% Hydrogen CHP” by Mr. Alfred Buchner, 2G Energy AG; “Complete hydrogen and Power to X solutions with a focus on islands” by Mr. Soumya Sahu, MAN Energy Solutions; and “The energy storage industry in Germany (focus hydrogen technologies)” by Mr. Markus Rosenthal, The Energy Storage System Association (BVES).

Supported by the BMUV (Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection), the workshops showcased the potential for possible technology applications in the field of green hydrogen through different presentations and examples.

GTCC Celebration Wine Dinner

GTCC celebrated 60 years of supporting companies and institutions from Germany and Thailand in opening up and strengthening trade and investment opportunities on 17 June 2022 at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, with a crafted four-course dinner paired with a fine selection of premium wines in the ambience of a spectacular river view and glittering nighttime landmarks. Some 80 distinguished guests who were GTCC members, partners and friends, celebrated together and were warmly welcomed by GTCC President Mr. Michael Welser.

This prestigious and memorable event owed much of its success to GTCC’s Event Partner, Samitivej Hospital for ATK testing support; and Food and Beverage Partners, Global Wines and More, Heritage Snacks and Food Co., Ltd., KCG Corporation and Serenity Wines Asia for the premium wines, cheese and nuts; and Venue Partner: Millennium Hilton Bangkok for the delicious food and the venue management.