17 October 2014 – In time with the official visit of President Aquino to Germany, the foundation of the accreditation of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) was laid down through the symbolic exchange of drafts between Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Uwe Beckmeyer, Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Economics Ministry. The formal exchange will take place in Manila.

The accreditation of the GPCCI will make it eligible for funding from the German Federal Government, which is expected to improve the GPCCI’s institutional capacity and its ability to promote German businesses in the Philippines.

Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe R. Natividad remarked that “the future accreditation of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) with the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) is an important sign that the Philippines and Germany are moving forward and consolidating our economic relationship.”

She added, “the Philippine government will continue to extend its utmost support to the GPCCI and we expect that the GPCCI will serve as the fulcrum for facilitating new trade and investments, especially among the German Mittelstand (SMEs).”

The accreditation of the GPCCI will also allow it to leverage the extensive network of 130 AHK offices across 80 countries, and more importantly, explore partnerships with the 80 Chambers of Commerce and industry located in Germany.

The GPCCI will also play an important role in the “K-12 Plus” pilot project on vocational training and education in the Philippines. There is a strong expectation that the GPCCI will assume a greater role in promoting vocational training arrangements among German companies based in the Philippines, thereby reducing youth unemployment and helping to assure a steady flow of qualified and motivated workers in the Philippine market. END