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Following the positive feedback on the ASEAN Dialogue in April 2016, this year, the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and Hannover Messe decided to expand the initiative by organizing the ASEAN Forum. Held on the sidelines of the Hannover Messe on 26 April 2017, the Forum was meant to provide a platform for interaction between German and ASEAN businesses and policy makers on issues concerning economic ties.

The Forum was opened with a keynote by the Honourable Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who was in Hannover as part of his working visit in Germany. Dato’ Seri Ong’s keynote touched on the growth of ASEAN as a region for trade and investment, as well as how ASEAN-EU economic relations have developed over the years. He also spoke on the various bilateral and regional free trade agreements that have been and are in the process of being finalized, and how those agreements seek to link ASEAN and other parts of the world.

The Minister’s keynote was followed by a panel discussion during which discussed ASEAN’s growth and its potentials from the business point of view. Speaking at the panel were Ambassador of the Philippines H.E. Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, Executive Director of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr. Daniel Bernbeck, Director for Government & External Affairs Asia BMW Mr. Jan Ahlen, International Sales Director of TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH Dr. Gang Yang and Member of the Management TÜV NORD Dr. Ralf Jung.