On the 11th of April 2024, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its Annual General Meeting of Members, celebrating its new board of directors for the year 2024-2026.
Held in Raffles Fairmont Makati, the Annual General Meeting lifted its curtains with the warm welcoming message From the German Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke.
Ms. Charlotte Bandelow, Deputy Executive Director and Head of Trade Promotion to the GPCCI also followed suit with acknowledgments to AllianzPNB Life Insurance, Continental, Inosolve GmbH, MHE Demag, Raffles and Fairmont, and TUV Rheinland Philippines as sponsors who helped support the awaited event.
GPCCI President Mr. Stefan Schmitz and GPCCI Executive Director Mr. Christopher Zimmer delivered the President and Executive Director’s reports respectively, highlighting gratitude and appreciation for all the support the Chamber has received in the last year as it celebrated its 15th anniversary last 2023. From longstanding partners to newly built friendships, both looked forward to reaching new milestones in promoting German-Philippine business relations.
Mr. Kumar Joseph Gross followed with the Treasurer's report calling attention to the strong and vibrant membership base of the Chamber. In this, he thanked the loyal and committed sponsors and partners that helped the Chamber achieve its successful outcome last 2023. Mr. Gross closes on the Chamber's promise to foster its close relations with German businesses as it positions the Philippines as a promising investment for German companies.
As the program ends, the results of the election of board members are declared, assigning Mr. Kumar Joseph Gross, Mr. Tore Henriksen, Mr. Tristan Arwen “Bobbit” Loveres, Mr. Marian Norbert Majer, Ms. Marie Antoniette “Maan” Mariano, Ms. Ma. Ligaya Menguito, Mr. Peter Rankl, Mr. Tobias Rast, Dr. Christian Scheld, and Mr. Stefan Schmitz to a term of two (2) years in accordance with the New By-Laws and until successors are duly elected. A token of appreciation was also expressed to Atty. Noel Laman, who has been the Chamber’s corporate secretary since its incorporation.
The program's culmination led attendees to be ushered to the Raffles rooftop deck, at Mistral wherein they can enjoy AGM After Dark. The evening socials allowed for memorable opportunities to collaborate and establish new connections after dark.
Highlights of the after-dark included awarding special tokens from longstanding to individual members to show appreciation for all the support and dedication they have given throughout the years. GPCCI also honored its outgoing president, Mr. Stefan Schmitz, with a noble plaque as gratitude for all his contributions as director to the chamber. Outgoing board of director, Mr. Constantin Robertz, was also acknowledged and given utmost gratitude for his hard work and involvement with the Chamber. Finally, the event highlighted members who have been with the chamber for five (5), ten (10), fifteen (15), and sixteen (16) years by awarding their respective certificates as tokens of appreciation.
On the night of the celebration, the event came to its successful close as GPCCI announced the appointment of Ms. Marie Antoniette Mariano as its new president. Under new leadership comes exciting new prospects that will further the chamber's mission of promoting trade and collaboration between German-Philippine businesses and relations.
