“These are shared priorities where German businesses are eager to contribute, through sustainable investments, technical cooperation, and long-term partnerships that support a more competitive and climate-resilient Philippines,” said GPCCI president Marie Antoniette Mariano in a press statement.

“These priorities strongly align with the values and long-term commitments of the German business community in the Philippines. They reflect areas where we are not only invested, but where we are also eager to do more: through innovation, technology, and strategic partnerships that deliver meaningful and inclusive impact.

“As we deepen our engagement, we also emphasize the importance of transparency and good governance in fostering a stable and attractive investment climate,” she added.

Record-high trade and investments

Philippine government data show that in 2023, Germany ranked as the country’s 11th largest trading partner, with trade volumes exceeding $2 billion in both directions. Philippine exports to Germany reached $2.46 billion in 2024, while imports from Germany stood at around $2.13 billion.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) from Germany soared to a historic high of $149.89 million in 2023—the largest annual figure since 2005. German investments approved in the Philippines during the first nine months of 2023 totaled ₱393.9 billion (approximately $7 billion), making Germany the top foreign source of approved investments for that period.

Business missions in key growth sectors

Following successful delegations in the Energy and MedTech sectors earlier this year, the Chamber is preparing to welcome a high-level delegation in Water Technologies later in 2025. These missions aim to facilitate partnerships that address critical challenges while opening opportunities in innovation and sustainability.

In addition, the Chamber is working closely with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to co-certify technical training programs. This initiative aims to boost the skills of the Filipino workforce, particularly in fields related to digital transformation and emerging technologies.

German companies in the country offer the Philippines a valuable springboard for inclusive growth. Among them are Siemens, Deutsche Bank, Bayer, Bosch, and Lufthansa. Siemens, in particular, is leading efforts to modernize Philippine manufacturing with Industry 4.0 technologies, including robotics and augmented reality.

Partnership for a future-ready, climate-smart economy

With the Philippines prioritizing green energy and a circular economy, GPCCI reiterated its readiness to support the country’s climate goals while promoting sustainable job creation. “Germany brings proven strengths in infrastructure, digitalization, and vocational training, all of which are vital to inclusive growth,” the Chamber said in the same press statement.

The Chamber also underscored the role of technical and vocational education in bridging workforce gaps and aligning with the needs of modern industry. Ongoing cooperation between TESDA and Germany’s Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training enhances workforce readiness in digital and green sectors.

GPCCI is the official representative of German businesses in the Philippines. As part of the global AHK network with 150 offices in 93 countries, GPCCI connects around 300 member companies and supports market entry, business development, and strategic partnerships across the country.

This initiative builds on the momentum from last year’s joint investment mission with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), led by Director General Theo Panga.

As a leading tax expert and advocacy partner of the Philippine government, ACG plays a vital role in ensuring that foreign investors experience the promised “red carpet, not red tape.”

During the Berlin roadshow, ACG reaffirmed its commitment to providing transparent, efficient, and corruption-free tax advisory services for both new investors and existing locators in the country.

Under the CREATE MORE Act, two key reforms were highlighted, directly shaped by ACG’s ongoing dialogue with foreign stakeholders:

1. Establishment of the Registered Business Enterprise (RBE) Taxpayer Service to enhance investor support and ensure full tax compliance.

2. Creation of a VAT Refund Center and the adoption of an electronic refund system, streamlining processes for low-risk taxpayers and eliminating unnecessary audits.

ACG’s Berlin visit also strengthened its collaboration with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), led by Special Trade Representative Nic Bautista, in supporting German businesses interested in Philippine opportunities.

Looking ahead, ACG is excited to collaborate with the German Asia-Pacific Business Association and the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) to further advance investment partnerships between Germany and the Philippines.

The Asian Consulting Group is a premier tax advisory firm in the Philippines, dedicated to fostering a business-friendly tax environment through expert advice, regulatory compliance, and advocacy.

Got questions about taxes? CONSULT ACG! Email at consult@acg.ph or visit http://www.acg.ph. Mon Abrea

This growing interest was highlighted during the German-Philippine Conference on Medical Technology and Digital Health, held on 06 May 2025 at Shangri-La Makati, organized by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) in collaboration with several key healthcare associations.

“Digital health and medical technology are powerful enablers for healthcare transformation,” said Charlotte Bandelow, Deputy Executive Director of GPCCI. “We are proud to provide a platform where German innovation and Philippine healthcare priorities can meet. We arranged around 50 B2B meetings to initiate concrete cooperation.”

The conference formed part of a broader German business mission aimed at fostering collaboration in the fields of medical devices, diagnostics, health IT, and digital health innovation. Around 70 stakeholders, including industry leaders, regulatory experts, and public sector representatives, participated in panel discussions, market briefings, and targeted business matchmaking sessions.

Dr. Luis Ramon Rodriguez, President of the Medical Device Association of the Philippines, delivered a keynote address discussing the current landscape of the medical device industry in the country. He noted emerging opportunities in digital health, AI integration, and local manufacturing, particularly in original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and assembly.

Among the participating companies were:

• 3di GmbH, which specializes in custom-made cranial implants using PEEK, BIOVERIT® II, and titanium, ensuring precision and digital surgeon collaboration.
• Bavarian Institute for Age- and Dementia-sensitive Architecture (BIfadA), which develops inclusive designs for elderly and cognitively impaired individuals, offering consulting and workshops to improve healthcare and senior care design.
• Clinaris GmbH, providing a digital hygiene and maintenance platform for medical devices and hospital rooms to optimize workflows and resource usage.
• fracto GERDES GBR, offering digital platforms for MedTech training, e-learning, and compliance support.
• INOSOLVE GmbH, which provides consulting and validation services for GxP, MDR, and quality assurance in MedTech and pharmaceuticals.
• kimetec GmbH, known for manufacturing premium breast pumps and tourniquets for clinical and home use.
• Oehm und Rehbein GmbH (OR Technology), which supplies portable digital X-ray systems and AI-powered imaging software for hospitals and mobile diagnostics.
• VISUS Health IT GmbH, specializing in medical data management software, including PACS and healthcare content management solutions tailored for radiology.

“We see tremendous potential for German companies to contribute to the Philippine healthcare system, particularly in diagnostics, telehealth, and hospital technology,” said Marie Antoniette Mariano, President of GPCCI. “This mission reflects Germany’s commitment to building lasting partnerships in sectors with real impact.”

The event drew key representatives from local hospitals, healthcare distributors, government agencies, and technology providers, reinforcing the mutual interest in driving healthcare innovation and improving accessibility.

This conference is part of a week-long business delegation to the Philippines from 05 to 09 May 2025, involving German SMEs in medical technology and digital health. The project was implemented by GPCCI in cooperation with the German Health Alliance under the Market Access Program for SMEs, supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), representing German businesses in the Philippines, continues to play a crucial role in supporting market entry and fostering business development for German firms across the country.

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.

This commitment was underscored during the Sustainability Forum 2025: The Green Economies of Tomorrow, hosted by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) in collaboration with the German Embassy in Manila on January 31, 2025.

“Germany is a reliable and long-term partner of climate action in the Philippines. Through our global International Climate Initiative (IKI), a wide range of projects have been implemented in the Philippines since IKI was launched in 2008. Currently, ongoing bilateral projects amount to €53.4 million,” said German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke in his welcome remarks.

“Our commitment not only underscores our dedication to environmental and climate protection but also highlights our ambition to create a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous society for all,” he added.

The forum gathered leaders from government, business, and civil society to discuss the future of green economies, focusing on three key objectives:

• Evaluate the Philippines’ progress in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement
• Promote sustainable infrastructure and business solutions
• Strengthen the workforce by equipping workers with skills for green jobs

The event featured a keynote address from the Climate Change Commission, which presented the Philippines’ progress toward its climate targets.

A panel on Climate Action, featuring representatives from the Climate Change Commission, Planet 2050, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Asian Development Bank, tackled climate resilience and sustainability policies across different sectors.

The Green Infrastructure and Business Solutions panel, with speakers from the Department of Energy, Palafox Associates, the Philippine Green Building Council, BASF Philippines, and Siemens Inc., discussed best practices in energy-efficient designs, sustainable urban development, and corporate sustainability initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Green Jobs panel brought together ASSIST, the Department of Labor and Employment-Institute of Labor Studies, PV2 Energie Philippines, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and Humble Sustainability. Discussions centered on how businesses can drive sustainability through workforce development and the expansion of green job opportunities.

“The strength of the Philippine economy lies in its people, and green jobs are key to securing a sustainable future,” said GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano. “By equipping our workforce with the right skills and fostering business-led sustainability initiatives, we can drive economic growth while advancing climate action.”

The Sustainability Forum 2025 urged businesses, policymakers, and civil society groups to take decisive steps in implementing impactful sustainability initiatives. Veronica Uy

Happening on the 25th to the 26th of May at Bonifacio High Street Central, Mabuhay Germany™ 2019 will feature the most comprehensive display of German goods, services, innovation, tradition and culture.

Kids and adults alike can enjoy a variety of activities set by a range of exhibitors in their individual booths. Car enthusiasts will surely appreciate the display of German made cars from several automobile partners. A new segment of the event is the Reverse Trade Fair wherein companies may display materials they intend to procure.

A wide range of activities from talks to company and institution presentations to fun activities will be taking place during the fair. We expect more than 10,000 visitors comprising of business executives, families, students and the general public.

Mabuhay Germany™ is an event organized by the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) every other year that features German brands to the Filipino community. Since their foundation in 2008, GPCCI has promoted bilateral trade by supporting the market entry of German companies and represent Germany as a strong economic partner from Europe. GPCCI strongly believes in upholding our mission to serve as a working platform for the German business community and promote German companies, products, and services.