Together with the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria (Industrie- und Handelskammer für München und Oberbayern (IHK)), the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany organised a German-Philippines economic conference for the presentation of business opportunities in the Philippines.

Entitled “The Philippines – Germany’s Business Partner in Asia and the Pacific,” the conference was held at the Conference Center of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Munich last 19 October 2011.  Dr. Peter Witterauf, CEO of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, led the welcome remarks to the well-attended conference, followed by Mr. Johannes Huber, Director, International Economic Affairs, IHK Munich/Upper Bavaria; H.E. Ms. Maria Cleofe Natividad, Ambassador, Philippine Embassy, Berlin; and, Eckbert von Bohlen und Halbach Honorary Consul, Philippine Honorary Consulate, Munich.

Interesting presentations on investment promotion and business opportunities in the Philippines were given by the main speakers: Dr. Lilia de Lima, Director General, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on “Opportunities for Foreign Investors in Philippine Economic Zones;” Mr. Klaus Preschle, Founder, Professionals Asia, “Die Outsourcing Industrie der Philippinen – Strategien für den Mittelstand;“ (“The Outsourcing Industry of the Philippines – Strategy for the Middle Class”) Mr. Marcel Rüdiger, President, Datronicsoft Inc., “Offshore Software Entwicklung auf den Philippinen - Erfahrungen eines mittelständischen Unternehmens;“ (“Offshore Software Development in the Philippines – Experiences of a Medium-sized Enterprise”) and, Mr. Gerd Hauer, Senior Sales Manager, Bosch Communications Center Magdeburg GmbH, “ Why has the Bosch Communication Center the Philippines chosen as the first location in Asia.”