On the 25th and 26th of May, more than 10,000 visitors immersed into Germany for one weekend at Mabuhay Germany™ 2019, held at Bonifacio High Street Central, BGC and organized by the GermanPhilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GPCCI).
“The theme NEW HEIGHTS! introduces the German Maibaum (Maypole) summer tradition to Filipinos, while Filipinos celebrate Flores De Mayo. At the same time, the theme is a wonderful metaphor for our thriving business relations: In 2018, we reached another record-high in our trade volume of around 7.3 bn US Dollar.”, GPCCI President Tristan Arwen “Bobbit” Loveres stated during the Grand Opening of the event.
Also delivering her keynote speech at the Opening Brunch of Mabuhay Germany™ 2019 was Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba. She highlighted that many observers have been saying that the Philippines is currently experiencing a manufacturing resurgence with an impressive growth rate of more than 7 percent. She also emphasized the want to grow and develop a competitive and innovative industry. With her recent trip to Germany, Undersecretary Aldaba sees a lot of cooperation opportunities for the two countries, especially in the field of Industry 4.0”
Now, on its 9th time, the trade fest featured around 40 exhibitors, concessionaires and partners in an outdoor setting. Mabuhay Germany™ is the most comprehensive display of German goods, services, innovation, tradition and culture in the Philippines.
Children and adults alike enjoyed a variety of interactive games set by a range of exhibitors in their individual booths. Car enthusiasts appreciated the haptic and visual presentation of German made cars by Volkswagen. “Jump Start!”, a startup pitching contest organized by Impact Hub Manila, German Embassy Manila and GPCCI, showcased the ideas of 6 entrepreneurs. MachiBox, inc. came out on top with their innovative robotics kits for schools. They brought home the Siemens cash prize as travel allowance for the Start.up! Germany tour in 2019 sponsored by Siemens.
The weekend’s program was further enriched by BASF, BDO and G Data AV Lab Inc. What is Germany without football? Richard de Dios and Sheryl Galarido of Bayer secured the championship of this year’s table soccer tournament. The “Tanznacht” (dance night) on Saturday and Acoustic sounds on Sunday offered music by local entertainers in an Oktoberfest ambience with German beer and sausages.
Mabuhay Germany™ is the signature event of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) that continues to show bilateral relations have gone far and beyond business connections. Since the foundation in 2008, GPCCI upholds its mission to promote and foster bilateral trade. GPCCI is 1) a membership organization with 300 members consisting of German and Philippine companies, 2) represents officially the German economy as strongest trade partner from Europe and 3) supports German and Philippine companies when entering the market.
See related story:
NEW HEIGHTS: Latest technology, innovation + food at ‘Mabuhay Germany’ in BGC, May 25-26
https://thephilbiznews.com/2019/05/22/latest-technology-innovation-food-at-mabuhay-germany-in-bgc-may-25-26/
