Philippine Ambassador giving an “Overview of the ASEAN Economic Community.”
Stuttgart. The OAV (Ostasiatischer Verein e.V.) or the German Asia-Pacific Business Association, a network of German companies doing business in the Asia-Pacific region, invited Ambassador Melita S. Sta. Maria-Thomeczek to be one of the keynote speakers at the OAV Young Leaders Annual Conference 2016 which was held on 23 September 2016 at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.
Since its foundation in 1900, the OAV has become a leading network of German companies with interests and activities in the Asia-Pacific region. A privately-held, non-profit organization, the OAV has approximately 500 member companies, both large and small. The OAV provides its member companies individual and tailored consultancy, in-depth research and publications on specific markets.
The OAV Young Leaders network functions within the larger OAV network, as an additional service for its member companies. Open to anyone up to the age of 40, the OAV Young Leaders is aimed at emerging leaders and experts interested in the Asia-Pacific region. The highlight of the year is the annual OAV Young Leaders Conference which features speeches of senior business managers as well as political representatives, and is characterized by workshops and panel discussions. Around 100 participants attended the annual conference.
Timo Prekop, Executive Member of the OAV Board, Ambassador Melita S. Sta. Maria-Thomeczek and Dr. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board, Porsche AG
The 2016 event opened with keynote speeches from Dr. Oliver Blume, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. and the Philippine Ambassador.
In addressing the young business leaders, Ambassador Sta. Maria – Thomeczek described the economic powerhouse that was ASEAN and the good market prospects of the region with its 628 million population. She described the ASEAN community’s three pillars (political-security, economic and socio-cultural), with emphasis on the economic community and its roadmap.
Young Leaders at the Stuttgart Museum for the 2016 OAV Young Leaders Conference. Photo Credits: OAV, Camli.
In closing, the Ambassador remarked that “more than just presenting you these data and information, I invite all of you to visit any of the ASEAN countries – including the Philippines. See for yourselves how its people and lifestyle go, what common values we have and how business can be made easier because there is better understanding and appreciation.” – END
