BERLIN, Germany – The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (DTI-PTIC), hosted the German-Philippine Business Forum in Berlin, Germany on 12 March 2024. This landmark event, graced by the presence of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marked a significant milestone in the strengthening of international business relations between Germany and the Philippines.
“As the biggest economy in the EU, both in GDP and population, and a global force in technology and innovation, Germany is certainly one of the countries where we look forward to further fostering strong business partnerships and collaborations between our two countries.” Said President Marcos Jr. in his keynote speech “We are grateful for the interest of German companies to support the Philippines’ commitment to sustainability and climate resiliency.”
The forum was highlighted by the keynote address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who shared invaluable insights into the promising partnership between the two nations. This significant forum coincides with the 70th anniversary of Philippine-German diplomatic relations. President Marcos highlighted the importance of Germany as a key partner in the European Union and outlined policy reforms and key legislations aimed at making the Philippines a more attractive destination for foreign investors. His address underscored the Philippines' commitment to being a reliable partner in fostering strong business partnerships and collaboration.
Notably, this event saw the participation of distinguished guests from the German side such as APA Chairman Dr. Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens AG, and Parliamentary State Secretary Stefan Wenzel of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), both of whom emphasized the commitment to deepening bilateral trade relations.
A highlight of the forum was the signing of eight strategic agreements between the Philippines and leading German companies. These agreements, encompassing three Letters of Intent (LOI), two Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), and three Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) aims to revolutionize Philippine sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and digital technology.
The forum culminated in a panel discussion led by GPCCI President Stefan Schmitz, Ayala Group AC Motors CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, and Bosch Southeast Asia President Vijay Ratnaparkhe. The panel explored topics on Philippine investment climate, ease of doing business, discussion of key sectors, the EU-Philippine Free Trade Agreement, among others.
“We are thrilled to observe the dynamic trade and investment connections that have been reinforced between Germany and the Philippines through this significant visit.” says GPCCI President Stefan Schmitz “Representing the interests of the German-Philippine business community, we are honored to support this historic event and eagerly anticipate welcoming potential German investors to the Philippines.”
In 2022, Germany ranked as the Philippines' 12th largest trading partner, 10th export market, and 15th import supplier. Moreover, in 2023, the DTI-Board of Investments (BOI) reported Germany as a top source of foreign investment, with commitments amounting to PHP 393.28 billion, further solidifying its status as the Philippines' top trading partner in the European Union.
