GTCC Executive Director's activities aboard

BOI EVENT IN DÜSSELDORF

On 27 June 2025, GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein was a speaker at a panel discussing “Expanding German Business in Thailand: Insight, Challenges & Best Practices”. The panel was organised by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), with opening remarks by Nattapong Lathapipat, Consul-General of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Frankfurt. Dr. Wein also delivered closing remarks for the event. The panel featured: Christian Carius, Minister a. D./Member of Mubea Directors Committee (MDC) Head of Corporate Development & Governmental Affairs, Muhr und Bender KG; Dr. Laurent Wattebled, Senior Vice President (SVP) and Head of Product Line Tire & Oral Care, Evonik Industries AG; and Michael Lorenz, Founding Partner of Lorenz & Partners Co. Ltd (Thailand).

HAMBURG FOREIGEN TRADE DAY 2025

On 2 July 2025, GTCC Executive Director participated in the Hamburg Foreign Trade Day 2025, hosted by IHK Hamburg. The event was opened by Stephan Schnabel, Vice President of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce (IHK Hamburg), and Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Innovation.

The keynote address, “Disruption in foreign trade” was delivered by Dr. Josef Braml, US expert and European Director of the Trilateral Commission think tank. He discussed current challenges and future opportunities in international trade, competitiveness beyond the rules-based order, disruptive business models from the US and China, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in foreign trade.

MEETING WITH THE ROYAL THAI HONORARY CONSUL IN HAMBURG

GTCC Executive Director continued his mission in Germany with a meeting with Stefan K. Krohn, the Royal Thai Honorary Consul in Hamburg on 1 July 2025. He also had a meeting with Gregor Wolf, Director General of the Wholesale and Foreign Association Hamburg (WGA). The WGA, founded in 1916, is an umbrella organisation based in Hamburg that supports trade associations and their member companies in their day-to-day work in international trade. More than 1,000 companies worldwide currently benefit from this strong association. The portfolio of the companies covers all kinds of products, particularly raw materials for the food, pharmaceutical and/or chemical industries, ship supplies, investment goods, and the tea, cocoa, and beer trade.

MEETING WITH THE AMBASSADOR OF THAILAND TO GERMANY IN BERLIN

On 17 July 2025, GTCC Executive Director had a meeting with H.E. Chittipat Tongprasroeth, Ambassador of Thailand to Germany, at the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin. They discussed collaboration at the upcoming CPF Executive Summit, which will be organised in Ingelheim by GTCC member Boehringer Ingelheim in October 2025.

16TH ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS FORUM BAYERN IN NUREMBERG

On 17 July, 2025, GTCC Executive Director moderated a session entitled “Shifting Gears: Unlocking Thailand’s Potential in the Global Automotive Tech Revolution” at the 16th Asia-Pacific Forum 2025, hosted by IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken. The forum served as a platform for dialogue on Asia’s dynamic growth potential and facilitated connections with over 30 exhibitors, showcasing current industrial developments and future business opportunities in Asia.

ASEAN INSIGHTS IN FRANKFURT AM MAIN

GTCC Executive Director discussed the economic situations of Thailand as one of the panelists of “ASEAN Compact: Classification and Economic Perspectives”. The panel discussion was part of “ASEAN Insights: Business Opportunities in Booming Southeast Asia,” organised on 19 September at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Frankfurt am Main.

MEETING OF THE SGC DIGITALISATION AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE IN SINGAPORE

GTCC Executive Director joined the meeting of the Digitalisation and Innovation Committee of the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC), in which new Co-Chair of the Committee, Dr. Lovneesh Chanana, presented “AI in a Fragmented World: Rewiring Strategy in the Age of Geopolitical Shifts”. After the committee meeting, he had a discussion with SGC Executive Director Dr. Tim Philippi on AI, digitalisation in chamber work as well as office-in-office, and hosting of representative offices.

ASEAN DAY “MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ON THE MOVE: STRATEGIC LOCATION IMPULSES COMPACT” IN FRANKFURT AM MAIN

GTCC Executive Director provided insights into Thailand’s business landscape and strategic impulses for German mechanical engineering companies, along with the key representatives from AHKs in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, who shared information on their respective country at the ASEAN Day "Mechanical engineering on the move: Strategic location impulses compact”. It was organised by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) on 22 September 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, for VDMA members who plan to enter the ASEAN market and sharpen their ASEAN strategy.

“DOING BUSINESS IN ASEAN” ECONOMIC DAY IN MAGDEBURG

The "Doing Business in ASEAN" Economic Day was held on 23 September 2025 as part of the IHK Magdeburg's "Fit für den Export" programme at the IHK Magdeburg Conference Center. It focused on Southeast Asia as one of the world's fastest-growing economic regions and highlighted its increasing importance as both a market and production hub amid global supply chain changes.

GTCC Executive Director was one of the speakers along with representatives from Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), and German Chambers of Commerce (AHK) Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam providing firsthand insights about the Southeast Asian region and their respective country. They covered topics such as supply chain diversification and the implementation of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.

H2UPPP SEA Conference on Green Hydrogen & power to X

On 21 July 2025, the GTCC in cooperation with GIZ through the International Hydrogen Ramp-up programme (H2Uppp) organised the H2Uppp Southeast Asia Conference on Green Hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) at the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok.

This conference serves as a platform for public and private stakeholders – particularly in the energy, petrochemical, cement, aviation, other hard-to-abate sectors, and various visionary leaders – to exchange insights, provide policy updates from both Southeast Asia and Europe, and explore opportunities and challenges in scaling up green hydrogen and PtX technologies across the region. The initiative builds upon the H2Uppp programme, which has been advancing green hydrogen cooperation since 2022, reinforcing Thailand’s commitment to sustainable energy transition and international collaboration to another level.

The conference started with welcoming speeches given by the GTCC Executive Director and Regine Dietz, Cluster Coordinator from GIZ Germany. Likki-Lee Pitzen, First Secretary at the German Embassy Bangkok, and Dr. Karnnalin Theerarattananoon, Representative from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, delivered the opening remarks.

The conference featured a series of expert-led sessions, including “Thailand Policy Update on Hydrogen and Derivatives’”, “Global Hydrogen Market Trends and Strategic Insights”, and the ‘Southeast Asia Outlook on Hydrogen and PtX’. Panelists from EGS-Plan, Indefol Solar, HDF Energy – Asia-Pacific, and Enapter GmbH shared their perspectives on accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen and PtX technologies.

Additional sessions included “Germany’s Hydrogen Policy Update” by Dr. Christian Storost, Head of Division, Funding Instruments and Hydrogen Initiatives, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), as well as “Financing Hydrogen Projects” by experts from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Kasikorn Research Center, and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO).

In the afternoon, four breakout sessions explored sector-specific applications of hydrogen and PtX technologies, focusing on Power-to-X for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen for shipping applications, hydrogen for industrial applications, and hydrogen for remote electrification.

Dr. Christian Storost concluded the conference, emphasising the importance of publicprivate partnerships in accelerating green hydrogen market development across Southeast Asia. Delegates and participants from both the public and private sectors then joined a networking reception, fostering collaboration and enhancing partnerships in the energy industry.

GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Bangkok Hospital

GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing on "Boost Your Brain, Boost Your Life: Stay Sharp through Every Stage of Life" held on 9 July at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel, welcomed around 45 participants. Speakers Dr. Chanjira Satukijchai, a neurologist at Bangkok Hospital, and Akanitha Seeboonruang, a clinical neuropsychologist, shared insights into the brain fog caused by high workload and chronic stress – especially among executives and top management – and raised awareness about dementia and Alzheimer's disease, with longevity secrets to boost brain power and prevent cognitive decline. The session also provided an interactive brain gym workshop aimed at challenging minds, exercising the brain, and preventing further brain damage.

GTCC AFTERWORK Networking

After the briefing session on 9 July, the networking started. Organised by GTCC in collaboration with Bangkok Hospital and supported by Luther, the event was packed with executives and businesspeople from across industries. We are happy to share moments from this enjoyable and memorable night of fostering meaningful connections within the German-Thai business community

Thank you Flow Inter Co. Ltd. for their kind support as beverage partner, providing a fantastic selection of imported beers, especially Arcobräu. We would also like to thank Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit for their kind support as venue partner, with delicious catering and drinks, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all guests for joining us at this event.

GTCC participation at the 2025 Global Membership & Events Summit

Jantarath Korbuakesorn, Head of the Membership, Events, and Communications Department at the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), participated in the 2025 Global Membership & Events Summit hosted by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) from 31 July to 3 August 2025. The summit convened representatives from German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) from Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin and Central America, North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to update insights and exchange best practices in membership development, event management, and communications.

The inaugural session commenced with regional breakout meetings addressing core competencies in membership, events, and communications. The Asia-Pacific regional meeting brought together 12 participants representing 10 countries within the AHK network to exchange experiences and perspectives on regional opportunities, operational challenges, potential collaborative initiatives, pilot project development, and preliminary planning for the 2026 APAC regional conference.

Subsequent sessions featured presentations on AHK network cooperation models from AHK Finland and the Baltic States (Estonia), followed by strategic discussions examining the balance between organizational inclusivity and institutional identity in

member acquisition strategies. The day concluded with an update on the German pilot initiative "The Urban Tech Republic: Innovation Through Collaboration," presented by Pia Sophie Laube of Tegel Projekt GmbH. This transformative project aims to convert the former Tegel Airport into a cutting-edge research and industrial park specializing in urban technologies and the Schumacher Quartier development.

The second day opened with keynote remarks by Dr. Helena Melnikov, Chief Executive Officer of DIHK, followed by comprehensive updates from Berlin headquarters and key organizational briefings delivered by Kateryna Kovpak, Director of AHK-Membership. The program featured intensive workshops focusing on membership transformation strategies, innovative engagement concepts, and digital platform integration, including the newly implemented member portal utilizing Ibexa DXP technology.

Distinguished presentations were delivered by representatives from AHK France, AHK Malaysia, and Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland e.V.—Germany's premier association of young business leaders and entrepreneurs. These sessions underscored DIHK's strategic vision to integrate digitalized and innovative approaches to membership services while fostering next-generation

leadership development across the AHK network through enhanced engagement with young business professionals.

The final day featured specialised presentations on corporate sponsorship strategies by Ms. Elena Androshchuk, Head of Communications at HENKEL Ukraine, artificial intelligence implementation strategies, and organizational transformation methodologies presented by Mimi Poon from the Hong Kong AHK delegation. These presentations were complemented by structured peer consulting sessions addressing critical operational areas including membership benefits optimization, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, event management protocols, and member retention strategies. These collaborative sessions were facilitated by experienced AHK professionals from diverse regional backgrounds and specialized AHK Digital teams.

The summit concluded with comprehensive discussions on enhancing member experience and engagement while exploring operational efficiency improvements through artificial intelligence adoption and comprehensive digitalization strategies. The three-day intensive program established a robust foundation for sustained regional collaboration and knowledge sharing that extends beyond the summit's formal agenda.

GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with Deutsche Bank

On 21 July, the GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with Deutsche Bank, entitled on "Macro Guide to Complex Geoeconomics" ’, was held at The Sukhothai Bangkok with the participation of over 60 professionals. Speakers Juliana Lee, Managing Director and Chief Economist for Asia, and Charlene Chen, Managing Director, Co-Head of Risk Management Solutions, APAC, both shared valuable insights on complex geoeconomics, covering risk management in the Asian market, macroeconomic trends, foreign exchange (FX) risks, and geopolitical dynamics. The GTCC extends its sincere gratitude to all guests for their participation in this engaging and informative session.

GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with L&P

GTCC Executive Breakfast Talk with L&P on “Strategic Planning for M&A Transactions: Key Considerations and Best Practices" by Till Morstadt, Managing Partner, Lorenz & Partner Co. Ltd (L&P), took place on 27 August2025, at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. The talk facilitated interactive discussions filled with regulation updates, proven strategies, best practices, and key legal and tax aspects of M&A transactions in Thailand, as well as meaningful networking.

Welcoming new Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy Bangkok

On 28 August 2025, GTCC warmly welcomed Ebba Sabine Elisabeth Scholl, the successor of HansUlrich Südbeck, as the new Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy in Bangkok. The topics of discussion that day covered the GTCC’s activities, including services, membership, key events, and further cooperation between GTCC and the German Embassy. Also discussed was the GTDEE project in cooperation with partners who are German firms and educational institutions in Thailand.

GTCC Young Professionals: Meet the CEOs

The GTCC signature Young Professionals Networking evening returned with "Meet the CEOs" held at the Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok on August 28, 2025 – which welcomed 125 guests for an inspiring evening with four visionary industry leaders.

Distinguished speakers included: Alexander Donau, Regional Head Asia Pacific at Leschaco (Thailand) Ltd; Dr. Rick Hilchner, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies (Thailand); Jeffrey Chan, Co-Founder of Skydive Thailand; and Pimolpa Simaroj, Managing Director/Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank, Bangkok Branch. Dennis Keller, Chief Business Officer at Siam Seaplane and CEO of Seaplane Asia, moderated the session, taking audiences through challenges and opportunities while providing actionable insights for emerging leaders.

The GTCC extends sincere thanks to venue partner Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok for their support with catering and drinks, beverage partner Flow Inter Co. Ltd. for providing imported beers, especially Arcobräu, and lucky draw sponsor Siam Scenic and Sindhorn Midtown Hotel for exclusive prizes. In addition, special gratitude goes out to all the young professionals who brought their passion, insights, and forward-thinking spirit; making the event another tremendous success filled with energy and engagement.

GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing with Lufthansa

GTCC AFTERWORK Briefing on 11 September 2025, featured an engaging and interactive workshop at the Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok hotel, where speaker Anlee Do, General Manager of Lufthansa Group for Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Mekong region, dived into the unique ways different generations view the world and travel. About 40 participants shared their experiences and learned from the speaker about the future of travel in our interconnected world, with a focus on generational contexts: Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z.

GTCC AFTERWORK Networking

Following the briefing, GTCC welcomed about 120 guests to a networking session. The event served as a platform for meeting, establishing new contacts, and socialising with GTCC members and partners, while delighting in a relaxing ambiance with tasty food choices and beverages. We highly appreciate the great support of event partners Lufthansa and Miskawaan Health Group, and venue partner Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.

Welcome delegation on renewable energy from Germany

Between 14 and 19 September 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin facilitated an expert delegation visit to Thailand, led by H.E. Chittapat Tongprasroeth, Ambassador of Thailand to Germany. The delegation included representatives from the German Biogas Association, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy in Germany (aireg), and the German Energy Storage Systems Association. German agencies based in Thailand also participated, including the German Embassy Bangkok, GIZ Thailand, Agora Energiewende, and GTCC.

On September 15, the delegation was welcomed by Sompop Pattanariyankool, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Energy, and Sarat Prakobchart, Deputy Director-General of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) and Dr. Yaowateera Achawangkul, Chief of the Alternative Energy Monitoring and Evaluation of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. The program included visits to the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) and Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) for discussions on innovation policy and strategic collaboration. The day concluded at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), where Dr. Narin Phoawanich, Deputy Governor – Fuel and Acting Governor of EGAT, received the delegation.

On September 16, the delegation participated in a workshop hosted by the Renewable Energy Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), bringing together stakeholders from Thailand's renewable energy sector including various trade associations. The afternoon featured a visit to Bangchak Group's Phra Khanong Refinery, where they were received by Gloyta Nathalang, Senior Executive Vice President for Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications, along with Bangchak Group's executive team. Discussions covered energy transition, carbon markets, and sustainable aviation fuel industry development. In the evening, Ambassador H.E. Chittapat Tongprasroeth hosted a dinner at Baan Suriyasai,

with the participation of GTCC Executive Director Dr. Roland Wein, and Ebba Scholl, Deputy Chief of Mission, German Embassy Bangkok.

On September 17, the delegation traveled to Saraburi Province to visit the Saraburi Sandbox initiative, aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. They were welcomed at SCG by Charoenchai Chaliewkriengkrai, Chairman of the Saraburi Federation of Industries. The visit included SCG's biochar pilot plant, Chulalongkorn University's Center of Biomass Fuel and Energy, and Chememan Public Company Limited, where Adisak Lowjun, CEO, presented the company's decarbonization roadmap.

The visit provided a platform for constructive dialogue with Thai public agencies and institutions on advancing sustainable energy development through Thai-German bilateral cooperation.

GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC briefing with Forvis Mazars

GTCC organised the second Multi-Chamber EEC event in Pattaya for 2025 at the Avani Pattaya Resort on 19 September2025. It started with a briefing with Forvis Mazars called "Tax Seminar 2025" led by Martin Liebenow, Tax Director of Forvis Mazars Thailand, and Vachirawit Kaew-udom, Senior Tax Manager at Forvis Mazars (Thailand) Ltd.

The intensive one-hour seminar, addressing critical tax developments affecting both corporate entities and individual taxpayers in Thailand, drew a diverse audience of executives, business owners, and tax professionals, all eager to stay current with the rapidly evolving Thai tax landscape.

GTCC Multi-Chamber EEC networking

GTCC brought together business professionals from across Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) for an exclusive networking event at the prestigious Avani Pattaya Resort, creating valuable connections among diverse industries and nationalities. The Multi-Chamber EEC networking event, organised in collaboration with nine bilateral chambers of commerce in Thailand, provided an ideal platform for professionals to expand their business networks in the lively atmosphere of Dicey Reilly's venue by the sea.

The GTCC would like to express our sincere gratitude to event partners Dachser, Forvis Mazars, Jungheinrich, and Schaeffler for their wonderful support. Thanks also to beverage partner SM Retail / Royal Group Thailand for supporting with Schneider Weisse beer, and venue partner Avani Pattaya Resort for supporting with their lively venue and food arrangements.

Thai-German Conference “Water is Life”

The Thai-German Conference on “Water is Life” held on 23 September 2025 brought together around 100 participants to exchange ideas and innovations on sustainable water solutions in Thailand and Germany.

The conference was organised by the GTCC in cooperation with German Water Partnership (GWP) under the support of German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). We would like to thank Thai government agencies and our local partners for their supports: Thai Waterworks Association (TWWA), Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), Solid Waste Management Association Thailand (SWAT), and the Water and Environment Institute for Sustainability (WEIS).

The event started off with opening remarks by Marius Mehner, GTCC Deputy Executive Director and Head of Corporate Services Department, followed by welcoming remarks from Johannes Kerner, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at German Embassy Bangkok. The keynote address was delivered by Nithit Thongsa-ard, Deputy Governor of PWA and First Vice President of the TWWA. Fabian Fischer from GWP introduced the organisation and shared insights into market dynamics in Germany.

Participants have gained valuable insights into the innovations from German experts, as eight German companies presented their

solutions: Aliaxis Deutschland GmbH, Binder GmbH, HAVER & BOECKER OHG, IMPREG GmbH, Megger Germany GmbH / SebaKMT, Rädlinger primus line GmbH, Tholander Ablufttechnik GmbH, and VEGA Grieshaber KG.

The company presentations were followed by a panel discussion on “Driving sustainable economic growth through integrated water and waste policy” which joined by esteemed panelists: Patcharawee Suwannik, Deputy Secretary General at ONWR, Nisapas Wongpat, Deputy Governor at MWA, Dr. Apipong Lamsam, Advisor to the Executive Committee at SWAT; and Chuchat Saitin, Vice Chairman at WEIS.

The event was moderated by Thatsit Sakulpong, Division Director of the International Cooperation at MWA. Thanks again to all speakers, panelists, company representatives, and partners for their valuable insights and contributions.

GTCC Business Women Networking “Women in Charge – Big Data”

The second GTCC Business Women Networking event of 2025 successfully took place on 24 September at The Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. Under the theme ‘Women in Charge –Big Data’, the event featured a keynote session by Dr. Tiranee Achalakul, President and CEO of the Big Data Institute (BDI), who shared her expertise and insights on the transformative role of big data in driving innovation and empowering business women across industries. Thanks to Dr. Tiranee for her inspiring contribution and to all participants for making this session an engaging platform for knowledge-sharing and networking among women in business. We are also grateful to beverage partner Serenity Wines Asia and venue partner The Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok for their incredible support.

GTCC Executive Luncheon: DAX 40 and MDAX

GTCC organised the first “GTCC Executive Luncheon: DAX 40 and MDAX” with the participation of 26 representatives of GTCC members who are major German blue-chip companies with an international reputation for quality, reliability and innovation.

The luncheon served as a platform to get to know each other better and strengthen the cooperation between the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the valued members, also discussing common challenges and exploring potential collaborations. The event was held on 30 September 2025 at the Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.