In an increasingly complex global landscape, the 300-strong German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) in 2025 aims to strengthen its role as a strategic partner for businesses in the two countries with focus on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing.
During its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on April 15, 2025, at Raffles and Fairmont Makati, GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer said the Chamber is committed to helping its members anticipate and adapt to global changes.
“We aim to be more than a platform—we want to be a strategic partner that helps our members access meaningful opportunities,” Zimmer said.
As part of its 2025 plans, GPCCI will launch high-impact initiatives including the Delegation on Medtech and Digital Health, which will bring German medical technology leaders to the Philippines for collaborative exchanges.
Building on its momentum from 2024, GPCCI will also host the Mabuhay Germany™ event this November, themed “In High Spirits!” This cultural and trade showcase, set to take place in Bonifacio Global City, will highlight the strength of German-Philippine relations with business exhibitions, cultural performances, and community engagement.
Reflecting on 2024, GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano reviewed the Chamber’s impactful achievements, citing its active participation in international forums such as the NRW-ASEAN Summit in Germany and the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in New Delhi.
The NRW-ASEAN Summit brought together representatives from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to explore and strengthen economic cooperation.
“We remain committed to providing meaningful platforms for networking, knowledge exchange, and policy discussions,” Mariano said.
Locally, GPCCI made significant strides in supporting the Philippines’ green transition, co-hosting the Sustainability Forum with the German Embassy. Additionally, the release of the Doing Business in the Philippines Guidebook further solidified the Chamber’s efforts to assist German investors entering the local market.
The Chamber also noted its continued success in advocating for German business interests through platforms like the German-Philippine Business Action Portal (GPBAP), which has maintained a 100% resolution rate for business concerns related to government processes.
German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke praised the Chamber’s role in strengthening bilateral economic ties. “I am confident that Germany will remain a trusted partner to the Philippines, continuing our high-level dialogues and exchanges,” he said.
Looking ahead, GPCCI’s continues to focus on fostering innovation, strengthening ties in key sectors such as healthcare and sustainability, and providing platforms for collaboration. These highlight its strategic importance in shaping the future of German-Philippine business relations.
Germany is the Philippines’ top EU trade partner and the 12th largest trade partner globally. It remains a critical market for Philippine electronics (integrated circuits are the dominant export, valued at $2 billion in 2023), machinery, and select agricultural goods.