BERLIN 10 September 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Berlin teamed up with the German Global Trade Forum Berlin and International Club Berlin to promote bilateral and regional trade and investment ties with Germany. The back-to-back events, entitled “The Philippines meets Germany in Berlin,” and “Germany meets ASEAN in Berlin,” took place at the International Club Berlin.

The events form part of the Embassy’s efforts to promote stronger bilateral economic relations and foster greater dialogue between German business and the Philippines, in keeping with the Philippines’ role as ASEAN Chair this year and Germany’s elevation as ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partner last July

In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Teresa T. Almojuela highlighted that, as Chair of ASEAN in 2026, the Philippines is leading the bloc’s agenda on integration, connectivity, resilience, and sustainability, and in ensuring that it remains on track to deliver on its vision of a cohesive and competitive economic community.

“The Philippines meets Germany in Berlin,” held on 27 August, brought together 20 representatives from the government and private sectors for in-depth discussions on the Philippines as an investment destination.

At the Business Breakfast “Philippines meets Germany in Berlin” on 27 August 2026 at the International Club Berlin

 

At the event, Ambassador Almojuela highlighted the anticipated conclusion of the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement, and the excellent political momentum between the Philippines and Germany, driven by shared values.

She flagged new opportunities in relation to the Philippines and Germany’s participation in the Pax Silica initiative, with the Philippines hosting a 4,000-acre industrial hub for artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related activities in New Clark City (Pampanga, Philippines) in the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The Ambassador also emphasized the Philippines’ demographic advantages, sound economic fundamentals, upper-middle-income status, further citing new reforms directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to position the Philippines strongly as a global economic action in the 21st century.

Mr. Nicanor Bautista, Senior Trade Representative and Head of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Berlin made a compelling pitch for the Philippines as Germany’s economic partner and gateway to the ASEAN market, offering competitive incentives, mineral reserves and a talent pool unmatched in the region.

The second event, “Germany meets ASEAN in Berlin” Forum held on 2 September 2026 drew over 70 participants from German government, business, diplomatic, academic and other sectors with keen interest in Southeast Asia.

At the “Germany meets ASEAN in Berlin” Forum held on 2 September 2026 at the International Club Berlin

 

Ambassador Almojuela and Ambassadors and senior officials of the Berlin ASEAN Committee, currently chaired by the Ambassador of Malaysia, presented opportunities in the dynamic economies and nearly 700 million market of ASEAN. They pitched for scaled up partnerships across sectors such as energy security, digital infrastructure, transport, and other sectors where Germany offers technology systems.

Dr. Rolf Schulze, former Ambassador of Germany to Vietnam and Thailand and President of the German-Vietnamese Society, underscored ASEAN’s importance as a vital, rules-based partner for Germany and the European Union. Representatives of German business pointed out the timeliness of this engagement given Germany’s renewed interest in exploring new economic complementarities with the region. END