CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok at SIXTYFOUR

The warm and friendly networking event, the GTCC Stammtisch, took place at the Sixty Four restaurant on 23 June 2022. GTCC would like to express its appreciation to the 60 guests for joining the gathering, the great support from Event Partner Samitivej Hospital for the ATK testing, and Venue Partner Sixty Four Restaurant for the nice setting, food and beverage arrangements.

GTCC Young Professionals Network Evening “A creative outlook on the future of mobility and the impact on the lives of our young professionals”

At the GTCC Young Professional Networking evening organised on 7 July 2022, the participants gained insights from speaker Bjoern Voss, Managing Director of P3 group (Thailand), on the future of mobility and its impacts. They also enjoyed networking with the circle of young professionals as well as the finger food buffet, and free flow of wines and beer, in the wonderful ambiance of Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

Our sincere appreciation goes to speaker Bjoern Voss for sharing his insights, Event Partner Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and Beverage Partner Flow Inter (Paulaner) for their generous support.

GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk “The new Thai PDPA, the EU GDPR and their implications on businesses in Thailand”

The new Thai Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and their implications on businesses in Thailand were discussed by Ms. Arunrat Rattanaarun, Mr. Sebastian Blasius and Mr. Fabian Lorenz from Luther at the GTCC Exclusive Breakfast Talk on 19 July 2022, at the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park.

The attendees gained insights into key aspects in preparing their businesses for the PDPA and GDPR accordingly and had lively exchanges of their views with the speakers while enjoying the wide selection of delicious breakfast dishes. The GTCC would like to thank the speakers and the attendees for joining in the event.

The ITAP Voice of the Market: Thailand Digital Roadshow

The ITAP Voice of the Market: Thailand Digital Roadshow took place on 19 July 2022. The roadshow was designed to highlight the latest trends and development in Thailand's automation industry. Key discussions focused on the realization of the BCG model, and the necessity for breakthroughs in innovation, manufacturing techniques, automation and robotics. Its aim was to also encourage Thailand’s manufacturing ecosystem and its stakeholders to adopt Industry 4.0 and ultimately spur their interest and participation at ITAP2022.

GTCC Business Women Networking 2/2022

Another successful GTCC Business Women Networking session was held on 20 July 2022 with a well-rounded discussion on "Embracing your vulnerability in women's leadership" About 50 participants attended the event.

The GTCC is grateful to the moderator, Cristy Aphimonthol, Managing Director of Coachology and Pink Lotus Foundation and the two panelists Jessica Doehring, CFO at Siemens Mobility Limited Thailand and Julia Panchkowry, founder and CEO of The Banana Warrior and International Life and Business Coach, for sharing their experiences and insights into the vulnerability in women's leadership. A big thank you also goes to Venue Partner Maitria Mode, Sukhumvit 15, Bangkok, and Beverage Partners Haus of the Sober and Serenity Wines Asia Co. Ltd. as well as all the ladies who joined the event.

GTCC Open Forum

GTCC members gathered online on 16 August 2022 at the GTCC Open Forum moderated by GTCC Board member Mr. Jan Wittenstein, Head of Automotive Technologies, Sales and Business Development, Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Mr. Wittenstein led the discussion on "Thailand EV Roadmap" with his presentation on the fact that 50 per cent of car production in South-East Asia will be with electrification by 2030, while Thailand will remain the region’s largest automotive market in the long term.

Before speed networking, a polling on the GTCC Open Forum was conducted, and results showed that the GTCC Open Forum met the expectations of most participants. The participating members also gave some suggestions such as meeting face-to-face or using another online meeting tool for future Open Forums.

GTCC Members Exclusive Site Visit to TÜV SÜD (Thailand) Limited

On 19 August 2022, GTCC members explored the TÜV SÜD Battery and Automotive Components Testing Centre in Chonburi, which was officially opened in July 2022.

Thanks go to Ms. Silvia Imran, Vice-President Strategic Account Management and Sales Excellence, Mr. Kuldhaj Bunbongkarn, General Manager, Mr. Hadi Sanjaya Sim, Program Manager, Product Service – Transportation, and the team of TÜV SÜD (Thailand) Limited, for providing an overview and valuable insights into the centre as well as their a warm welcome to the GTCC members.

GTCC connects – Welcome Back

A relaxing business networking event, “GTCC connects”, held by the spectacular Chao Phraya River was organised on 25 August 2022 with participation by GTCC members, partners, guests and friends. The event started with welcoming remarks by GTCC Board members Mr. Martin Liebenow, Mr. Jan Wittenstein and Mr. Enrico Sielaff.

This event would not have been possible without the generous support from our partners. GTCC thanks Event Partners Le Meridien Bangkok, Mazars in Thailand and Luther. Thanks also go to Venue Partner Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside for providing the wonderful venue and delicious food.

GTCC Executive Director in Berlin

OAV GERMAN ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: LÄNDERAUSSCHUTZSITZUNG THAILAND

GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein discussed the current situation and economic developments in Thailand at the Country Committee Meeting organised on 5 September 2022 by OAV, together with German Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Georg Schmidt, and Chairman of the Country Committee Stefan Messer, CEO of Messer SE & CO. KgaA.

The OAV German Asia-Pacific Business Association offers experienced Asian companies and newcomers the ideal platform for a crossindustry exchange of experience and availability of a comprehensive range of services.

MEETING WITH ASEAN PARLIAMENTARIAN GROUP

GTCC Executive Director and other Executive Directors and Chief Representatives of the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) in ASEAN had a meeting at the German Federal Parliament in Berlin on 6 September 2022 with ASEAN Parliamentarian Group led by Chair of the Group Executive Committee Mrs. Gabriele Katzmarek.

ASEAN INSIGHTS 2022

With a population of 625 million, the ASEAN region offers a huge market that is becoming increasingly interesting as an "alternative market" to China. The region’s potential, current trends and key challenges were addressed at "ASEAN Insights 2022" on 7 September 2022 through panel discussions by Executive Directors and Chief Representatives of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) in the ASEAN region: Dr. Roland Wein from AHK Thailand / GTCC; Mr. Daniel Bernbeck, AHK Malaysia; Dr. Martin Krummeck, AHK Myanmar; Mr. Christopher Zimmer, AHK Philippines; Dr. Tim Philippi, AHK Singapore; and Mr. Marko Walde, AHK Vietnam.

The event, held at the IHK Düsseldorf, was opened by Mr. Ralf Schlindwein. The topics of the workshop ranged from sourcing in ASEAN and production development in the region, to free trade agreements.

GTCC Young Professional Network Evening

The third GTCC Young Professionals Network evening of 2022 was organised on 8 September 2022. The GTCC would like to express its sincere gratitude to the guests and to the speakers: Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.’s Mr. Micah Shepard – Schaeffler Regional CEO, Southeast Asia/Pacific, Mr. Harry Vuylsteke – Director Automotive Aftermarket, Southeast Asia, and Mr. Jan Wittenstein – Head of Business Group Automotive Technologies, Southeast Asia for sharing their expertise on the topic of "Resilience during transformation". GTCC also thanks Venue Partner SO/Bangkok for providing such a stylish venue as well as delicious food and drinks.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Executive Briefing and Networking: “Restructuring into a foreign-owned business”

What foreign investors should know if they plan to take full control of a business in Thailand was shared on 15 September 2022 at the GTCC Multi-Chamber Executive Briefing and Networking: "Restructuring into a foreign owned entity – opportunities to gain 100% control over your company in Thailand", held at the Le Meridien Bangkok. Thanks go to Mr. Till Morstadt, Managing Partner of Lorenz & Partners (L&P) for providing the useful insights and for the 22 guests for joining the event organised in co-operation with Advantage Austria. The networking session was also excellent.