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

Mr. Grundke of Knauf and Ms. Laibachs and Mr. Helsper of DEG (1st row, L-R) sign
the agreement in the presence of Ambassador Thomeczek and the PTIC-Berlin team.

Knauf Gips KG, a leading German manufacturer of building systems and equipment, and the German Investment and Development Corporation (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, or DEG), signed a partnership agreement to set up Knauf Gypsum Philippines Inc. in Bataan, Philippines. The agreement was signed at the Philippine Embassy in the presence of Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek and her economic team, including Economic Officer Catherine Torres and Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio. The two companies will invest EUR40 million in the joint venture project.

The plasterboard production facility is projected to be completed by early 2018, and is expected to create 100 direct jobs, with a production capacity of 16 million m² of plasterboard per annum.

Mr. Manfred Grundke, Knauf CEO, signed for his company, while Management Board Member Ms. Christian Laibach and Director for Corporates Germany Mr. Klaus Helsper signed for DEG.

Knauf had been considering investing in the Philippines since early 2014, and was one of six German businesses that met with then President Benigno S. Aquino III when he visited Germany in September 2014. In August 2015, Mr. Grundke met with Ambassador Thomeczek and her economic team to firm up Knauf’s plans to invest in the Philippines.

Earlier this year, the proposed investment was granted pioneer status by the Board of Investments with the help of the Embassy and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Berlin. Pioneer status would mean that the income tax holiday can be granted to the company for a maximum period of six years. “Non-pioneer” status would only grant a maximum income tax holiday incentive of four years.

Aside from generating jobs, Knauf Gypsum Philippines Inc. will help the Philippines meet its plasterboard requirements. The country currently relies on exports for its booming construction industry. Plasterboard has become a popular building material due to its quicker and easier installation, fire resistance, and versatility. (end)

The Berlin ASEAN Committee with guests of honor Dr. Thomas Gambke of the German Parliament (fourth from right, back) and Ms. Sabine Sparwasser (fourth from right, front)

In commemoration of the foundation anniversary of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967, the Berlin ASEAN Committee (BAC) hosted the 49^th ASEAN Day Reception at the Singapore Embassy on 8 September 2016.

H.E. Daw Yin Yin Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar and current Chair of the BAC addressed a crowd of 300 guests and provided an overview on ASEAN and the opportunities for German businesses with the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a major milestone in the regional economic integration agenda of ASEAN.

Cultural Attaché Mylah Rubio and Jose Mari Rubio sang “The ASEAN Way,” the regional grouping´s anthem, which expresses unity and strengthened sense of an ASEAN identity and belongingness among the peoples of the region.

Dr. Thomas Gambke, Chairman of the ASEAN Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag and Ms. Sabine Sparwasser, Director-General for Political Affairs (Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near and Middle East) from the German Federal Foreign Office were in attendance and delivered their respective remarks as Guests of Honor.

While congratulating the ASEAN BAC, Dr. Gambke said that recent world political developments could be looked at as a challenge and Brexit was one.  He also noted the value of consensus among ASEAN.  As an MP for the Green Party, he highlighted the importance of German-ASEAN cooperation in the fields of Electro Mobility (E-mobility) and renewable energy.

Consul Rona Beth Goce (fifth from left) with colleagues from the BAC Technical Working Group.

In her remarks, Ms. Sparwasser said, “We in Germany believe in multilateralism, we believe in a rules-based system of international cooperation, we believe in regionalism.  We are believers in ASEAN.”   Ms. Sparwasser also said that the EU Foreign Ministers have tasked Germany with taking the EU-ASEAN partnership to a higher level – a strategic partnership with a focus on trade, non-traditional security threats and on connectivity. She ended her speech with a toast for a continued European- ASEAN friendship.

Guests got to taste Ukoy (Crispy Squash Fritters), Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Springroll), Kuchinta (Steamed Rice Cake topped with coconut shavings), Buko Pandan (shaved young coconut with Pandan-flavored gelatin and tapioca in sweet milk)

Attendees were offered a variety of ASEAN cuisines from the ten Embassies and presented with traditional dances from Thailand (Serng Kratip Khoa), Indonesia (Renggong Manis), Myanmar (Ta Bin Taing) and Malaysia (Samazau).

Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek (third from right, front) and Second Secretary and Consul Rona Beth Goce (leftmost) with the German Arnis Association (DAV) headed by its chairman, Tino Heidner (second from right)

The Philippine Embassy meanwhile organized a demonstration of Modern Arnis, the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport, by the Berlin-based members of the German Arnis Association or the Deutsche Arnis Verband (DAV).  Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima, is originally known as Arnis de Mano or “harness of the hand.” DAV is the largest Arnis association in Germany with over 6,000 members across the country.

The DAV demonstrating Filipino Martial Arts, Modern Arnis.

Business leaders, members of parliament and government officials were also offered Filipino mango rum and calamansi liqueur during the reception along with Filipino dishes.  The Philippine Embassy is the incoming ASEAN BAC Chair and will hold the position for the first six months of 2017.  END

Officers and Staff of the Philippine Embassy Berlin clad intraditional Filipiniana attire