More than 750 delegates from 25 countries attended the 13th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) held in Gurgaon, Delhi from November 1st to November 3rd, 2012. The Conference was addressed by German and Indian Ministers, the former Prime Minister of Korea, as well as CEOs and Members of Boards of not only some of the largest German companies but also SMEs. The APK was held under the aegis of "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities" and prior to the conference, the delegates visited the Indo-German Urban Mela held in Delhi at the same time.
Apart from aspects of the Asian, European and the world economy, the panel discussions of the APK covered topics related to sustainable, innovative and futuristic technologies and solutions, and a diplomatic perspective of security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia is one of the most dynamic regions of the world with excellent growth perspectives for the German industry. Within the framework of the conference’s theme "Partnership, Innovation and Sustainability – Towards Sustainable Growth", the conference was successful in identifying future business opportunities for German companies not only in the traditional engineering and manufacturing sector – which formed a sizeable 36 per cent of the participants – but also in other areas with high growth potential like health care, infrastructure, logistics, financial and other branches of the services sector. Business with the ASEAN was rendered special focus and to facilitate German companies active in this region, a German-ASEAN Chamber Network (GACN) was founded in the presence of the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Dr. Philipp Rösler. Further, the Bertelsmann Foundation participated in the Conference and organised a ‘Young Leaders’ Forum’.
The main organizers of the Asia-Pacific Conference, which is organised bi-annually in different Asian countries, are the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) as well as the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) of Germany. The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce managed the operational organisation in Gurgaon and was the local host. The conference was chaired by Peter Löscher, Chairman of the APA and Dr. Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Germany.
The schedule for the Conference was as followed:
November 1, 2012
Inauguration of the German-ASEAN Chamber Network (GACN)
On the occasion of the 13th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2012), five German Chambers (AHKs) in the ASEAN region (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) founded the German-ASEAN Chamber Network (GACN) in the presence of the Federal Minister of Economy and Technology, Dr. Philipp Rösler. Around 60 people attended the event, which started with a keynote address by Dr. Philipp Rösler. Other people who addressed the audience were Dr. Martin Wansleben, the CEO of DIHK; Dr. Axel Stepken, ASEAN Spokesperson of the APA and CEO, TÜV SÜD AG, Jan Rönfeld, AHK Indonesian; Alexander Stedtfeld, AHK Malaysien; Dr. Tim Philippi, AHK Singapur; Jörg Buck, AHK Thailand and Marko Walde, AHK Vietnam.
Opening Reception at the Indo-German Urban Mela New Delhi
On the evening of November 1st, 2012, a visit to the Indo-German Urban Mela held at the Indraprastha "Millennium" Park in New Delhi was organised for the APK delegates. A VIP tour of the various pavilions was also organised for Dr. Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Germany and other dignitaries along with a short introduction at each pavilion by a partner representative.
Further, participation certificates were also handed over to the IGUM partners by Minister Rösler. This was followed by a welcome reception hosted by the official partners of "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite opportunities" for the VIPs and APK delegates.
November 2, 2012
Opening Panel I: “Asia, Europe and the World Economy – International Markets and the Euro”
The highlights were:
- Euro stability not endangered
- Open markets remain vital
- Structural reforms necessary in Asia and Europe
Opening Panel II: “Global Shift of Powers – Consequences for Asian and European Industry”
The highlights were:
- The roots of power shift
- Innovation in the light of power shift
- Open markets for more cooperation
Forum: “Energy Efficiency and Clean Technologies”
The highlights were:
- A brand name is a promise
- Rules are made to be followed
- All business is local or lost
Forum: “Urban Mobility”
The highlights were:
- Development of urban mobility is evolutionary
- E-mobility as a future solution
- Urban mobility in 2030
Forum: “Science and Innovation”
The highlights were:
- The global R&D landscape is changing
- Rethinking innovation strategies
- Winning and retaining talents
Forum: “Raw Materials: Availability, Recycling and Substitution”
The highlights were:
- Resource realities have changed
- Measures to secure availability of resources
- Potential for cooperation
November 3, 2012
Forum: “Security and Stability in Asia-Pacific – The Diplomatic Perspective”
The highlights were:
- Change of global balance of powers and perception
- Partnership Asia-Europe
Forum: “Sourcing and Logistics: Quality Management and Supply Chain Security”
The highlights were:
- Asia is the most important region for sourcing
- Quality is a factor that counts
- Relevance of Social and Quality Standards is increasing
Forum: “Water and Industries”
The highlights were:
- Innovative solutions for increasing water challenges
- Sustainable implementation of water supply solutions
- Adaptation to regional demands
Forum: “Ageing Society and Health Care”
The highlights were:
- Adaptation of products, adaptation of strategies
- Regulation is needed – to a certain extent
- Competition for human resources and quality of life
Forum: “Financing”
The highlights were:
- Localization of financing follows localization of production
- Fair competition must be secured
- Opening of financial markets continues
