CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

GTCC Phuket Activation Lunch

GTCC Phuket Activation Lunch with members and friends made its debut on 29 June 2023 at the Double Tree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort, GTCCmember since November 2022.

GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein and Head of Membership, Events & Communications Department, Ms. Jantarath Korbuakesorn connected and learned from the community about their current activities. They discussed potential collaboration together.

Celebrating 10 years of German-Thai co-operation in vocational education and training

On 4 July 2023, GTCC celebrated the 10year anniversary of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education (GTDEE) project at the SO/Bangkok with GTDEE partners which include companies and colleges as well as the German Embassy in Bangkok represented by Ms. Regina Kimpel, Second Secretary of the Economic and Commercial Section.

The GTDEE project was launched in 2013 by the GTCC and German International Cooperation (GIZ), in co-operation with founding companies B. Grimm, BMW Thailand Company Limited and Robert Bosch Thailand. The main objective was to introduce practices from Germany's vocational education system and to produce skilled workforce with flexible qualifications.

GTCC would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all the partners who have contributed to GTDEE's success. Also, a round of applause is given to Mr. Markus Hoffmann, GTDEE Project Director, and Dr. Kamonsak Suradom, GTDEE Senior Manager, for their dedication and commitment.

All participants also bid farewell to Mr. Markus Hoffman, who will return to Germany in September. GTCC Executive Director Dr. Wein expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Hoffmann for his dedication and commitment to GTDEE and GTCC, and wished him all the best and success in his future endeavours.

GTCC AFTERWORK with Mazars in Thailand

A GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Mazars in Thailand at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit on 13 July 2023 welcomed about 50 participants who received “Updates on Tax and BOI Matters” presented by Mazars in Thailand Director, Taxation Practice, Martin Liebenow, and Legal Director, Kodchakorn Kum-iem. GTCC is thankful to our speakers for the very useful insights and all the guests for joining us!

GTCC AFTERWORK Networking July

The Briefing was followed by GTCC AFTERWORK, which attracted about 90 guests including GTCC members, partners and friends, making it a wonderful gathering again.

GTCC sincerely appreciates the generous support from Event Partner Mazars in Thailand, Beverage Partner Paulaner by Flow Inter and Venue Partner Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit for making it another wonderful networking night.

GTCC Executive Director’s mission to Germany

ASIEN-PAZIFIK-FORUM BAYERN 2023

GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein participated in the 15th Asien-Pazifik-Forum Bayern on 26 July 2023 with a live interview on “Insight Asia – What moves German companies in Asia”, together with President and CEO of AHK Korea, Dr. Martin Henkelmann, and Delegate and Chief Representative of AHK Hongkong Mr. Hannes Farlock. The event took place in Nürnberg, Germany.

Asien-Pazifik-Forum Bayern is a conference for exchanging information on sales, sourcing, investment and innovation in Asia, which is especially important for diversification of supply chains and acts as a compass in a dynamic growth of the economy. Topics of discussion on business and investment in ASEAN this year include “Thailand: New production hubs – opportunities for German suppliers” by Sanlaya Aksharamat, Consul (Investment) and Director of Thailand Board of Investment, Frankfurt.

VISIT TO THE THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL IN MUNICH

The GTCC Executive Director had a meeting with Consul-General Prapenpim Prachonpachanuk at her residence in the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Munich on 27 July 2023.

MEETING WITH IHK MUNICH AND UPPER BAVARIA MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

On the same day, the GTCC Executive Director met with Mr. Christoph Angerbauer, Member of the Executive Board International, Industry, Innovation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria.

GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Lufthansa

About 44 guests enjoyed the exchanges at GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Lufthansa on 10 August 2023. They gained more insights into "sustainability in aviation" for a greener future, how the Lufthansa Group connects people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way, and how they can support green aviation.

We are grateful to Ms. Anlee Do, Lufthansa General Manager for Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, and her team for the fun yet informative briefing on "Future Sustainability in Aviation".

GTCC AFTERWORK August

Following the Briefing with Lufthansa, GTCC AFTERWORK in August 2023 took place at the Panorama Restaurant on the 23rd floor of the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park. It was another fantastic network evening for our members, partners and friends.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Event Partner Lufthansa as well as Venue Partner, Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park for supporting us and for contributing to the success of the event. A special “thank you” is also given to our guests for joining and always supporting us.

Meeting the Governor of Bangkok

GTCC Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Marius Mehner together with Managing Director of Keidel DrainStar GmbH, Mr. Rolf Keidel had the privilege of meeting Governor of Bangkok Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt and the management officials from the Drainage and Sewerage Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on 4 August 2023.

The purpose of the meeting was to introduce and discuss the innovative Siphonic Surface Drainage Technology — a groundbreaking solution for effectively mitigating the persistent flooding issues that particularly have an impact on metropolitan areas. They also explored the possibility of initiating a pilot project specifically designed for Bangkok's distinct environment and weather conditions.

Global Sustainability & Productivity Network (GSPN) Dialogue 2023

The Global Sustainability and Productivity Network (GSPN) Dialogue 2023 took place on 9 August 2023 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission foe Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok. The focus was on the importance of productivity in driving economic growth, innovation and sustainable development in Thailand, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and beyond.

The GTCC Executive Director attended the event as a panelist on "Collaborative Approaches to Achieving SDGs: Case Studies and Lessons from Bilateral & Multilateral” together with: Ambassador of Italy to Thailand, H.E. Paolo Dionisi; Senior Austrade Representative of the Australian Embassy, Mr. Michael Helleman; Executive Vice-President, Industry and Community Engagement of NSTDA, Dr. Janekrishna Kanatharana; and Group CEO and President of Bangchak Corporation, Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach.

The Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand, H.E. Dato’ Jojie Samuel, and Executive Director of Thailand Productive Institute, Mr. Suwanchai Lohawatanakul gave welcoming and opening remarks, respectively. The remarks were followed by an introduction on “Diplomacy meets Business” by Head of the Mission Diplomatic Council CLMTV Dato, Steve Cheah. There were two keynote presentations on “SDG in Thailand, and AI and Robotics for Precision Agriculture” by the President of TDRI Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich and "AI and Robotics for Precision Agriculture: Increasing Productivity and Sustainable Food Production" by CEO of TUSStar Malaysia and APAC Director Ms. Ravenna Chen.

Promoting green hydrogen at SETA 2023 and Solar+Storage Asia 2023

GTCC and GIZ Thailand teams promoted the Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) for green hydrogen development and applications in Thailand at SETA 2023 and Solar+Storage Asia 2023 on 17-18 August 2023. At the H2Uppp booth, the team broadened the network and connected with key Thai utility and industrial players and acquired valuable insights into potential hydrogen collaboration across sectors.

On the second day of SETA 2023 (18 August), Dr. Pramote Puengjinda, Energy Advisor of GIZ Thailand, joined as a speaker in the panel discussion "How to scale up the hydrogen market and build up value chain players based on the opportunities and challenges". The discussion focused on addressing opportunities and challenges in increasing hydrogen market growth and establishing a sustainable hydrogen market.

Thai-German Energy Dialogue

GTCC organised a business roundtable on "Industry Decarbonisation" within the framework of the Thai-German Energy Dialogue Programme initiated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The event took place on 24 August 2023 at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai.

It started with opening remarks by Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the German Embassy Bangkok, Mr. Johannes Kerner, and moderated by H2Uppp Programme Manager, Mr. Tim Nees, together with GTCC Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Marius Mehner. The remarks were followed by a presentation on carbon neutrality and net zero emissions from Mr. Natee Sithiprasasana, Vice-Chairman of the Renewable Energy Industry Club, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Highlights included presentations on challenges, solutions and a case study of decarbonisation from the following German companies: BayWa r.e. (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; Bosch Rexroth Thailand; Enapter AG; Siemens Co., Ltd.; and BMW Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

The business roundtable also featured a productive panel discussion on "The Way Forward for Thai Industry Decarbonisation", with participation by: Mr. Chanchai Amornvipas from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC); Ms. Massalin Suksai from Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT); Mr. Pathom Chaiyapruksaton from the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO); and Dr. Chana Poomee from the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA).

Falling Wall Labs Thailand 2023

GTCC supported the Falling Walls Lab Thailand 2023 and joined the event together with GTCC Premium Partner Schaeffler Manufacturing and GTCC members Robert Bosch and VNU Asia-Pacific, on Saturday, 26 August 2023. GTCC President, Mr. Michael Welser, also participated in the event as a jury.

Congratulations to the winner and the first runner-up of the 5th Falling Walls Lab Thailand! We wish them further success at the Falling Walls Finale in Berlin to be organised during 7-9 November 2023.

The Falling Walls Lab brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals, and strengthens contacts and co-operation between Germany and Thailand in science and innovation.

AHK Finance Workshop in Bangkok

GTCC proudly hosted the AHK Finance Workshop at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, Bangkok during 30-31 August 2023, at the gathering of finance professionals from the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) in various countries, to exchange updates and comprehensive insights into financial topics as well as training in financial planning tools, including audits and budgeting.

We were also very pleased to welcome the workshop participants at our office on the first day. The visit was followed by a welcome dinner at the Peninsula Bangkok.

“German Day” at ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2023

On 31 August 2023, the German Day was held at the German Pavilion in the ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2023 organised at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The German Embassy Bangkok hosted the reception at the pavilion with welcoming remarks by Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the German Embassy, Mr. Hans-Ulrich Südbeck. The event brought together experts and key players from the German-Thai energy sector, fostering closer co-operation and the exchange of ideas on green energy transition.

A highlight of the German Day was the introduction of the H2Uppp project by GTCC Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Marius Mehner and H2Uppp Programme Manager, Mr. Tim Nees. The presentations also provided an update on the project’s progress.

GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein also joined the reception and visited the booths of GTCC member companies and German companies participating in the ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week.

Designated German Ambassador to Thailand Dr. Reichel and spouse visit GTCC Office

GTCC had the honour of welcoming designated German Ambassador to Thailand Dr. Ernst Reichel and his spouse, Madam Anne Louise Marie Decrue Reichel on the occasion of their courtesy visit to GTCC on 13 September 2023.

We look forward to further enhancing the close co-operation with the German Embassy Bangkok under Dr. Reichel’s leadership and strengthening the German-Thai business community.

GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with VitalLife

A very informative and useful briefing on "Sustainable Work-Life Balance for Longevity" was organised as part of GTCC AFTERWORK at Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside on 14 September 2023.

We are thankful to our speaker, Dr. Wanviput Sanphasitvong, Preventive Medicine and Anti-Aging Medicine Specialist at VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center for sharing her insights. Thanks are also due to all the guests for their attendance.

GTCC AFTERWORK September

Following the briefing, GTCC AFTERWORK networking was held in the ambiance of Bangkok’s luminated cityscape by the beautiful Chao Phraya River. After delivering a welcoming speech, Mr. Martin Liebenow, Mazars in Thailand Director - Taxation Practice, and GTCC Honorary Treasurer, thanked Event Partner, LUTHER, and Venue Partner, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside for their great support for this event.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Briefing “Updates on tax & BOI matters”

GTCC in cooperation with 8 foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand organised a briefing and networking on 22 September 2023 at the Avani Pattaya Resort. At the briefing session, Mazars in Thailand DirectorTaxation Practice Mr. Martin Liebenow and Director - Legal Ms. Kodchakorn Kum-iem provided participants with essential tax insights on Merger & Acquisition (M&A) processes. Topics of discussion included Tax updates for 2023, new BOI promotions and new tax incentives for "non – BOI" companies.

GTCC Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking

The briefing was followed by a networking session where more than 150 guests enjoyed a relaxing ambiance of networking in Pattaya with GTCC members, partners, friends as well as members of the participating foreign chambers of commerce and new friends.

Mr. Enrico Sielaff, GTCC Board member, delivered welcoming remarks. He thanked Event Partners DACHSER, Mazars in Thailand and Schaeffler Manufacturing for the support of the event; Beverage Partner Paulaner by Flow Inter for the various choices of tasty beers; and Venue Partner Avani Pattaya for the support with this great venue and food & beverages arrangements.