Tag Archive for: Frankfurt

The first official event of the German Australian Business Council for 2016, the “Australia Day Lunch in Frankfurt” took place on Monday, 18 January 2016 at the Kameha Suite in Frankfurt with around 50 GABC members and friends in attendance.

The guests of honour at the lunch were H.E. Mr. David Ritchie AO, the Australian Ambassador to Germany, and Mr. Volkmar Klein, Member of the Bundestag and Chair of the Germany-Australia New Zealand Parliamentary Group. We were also delighted to have in attendance Mr. John Atkins, the Western Australian Government’s Agent General to Europe.

Mr Ritchie and Mr Klein were both members of the Australia-Germany Advisory Group and they presented an overview of the Advisory Group’s report “Collaboration, Innovation and Opportunity” which was delivered to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chancellor Angela Merkel in November 2015.

The Advisory Group’s report details 59 recommendations to broaden, strengthen and deepen the relationship between Australia and Germany, covering the following five themes:

–       Increase trade and investment

–       Improve strategic dialogue and collaboration

–       Strengthen cooperation on science and education

–       Exchange on diversity, migration, integration and refugees

–       Enhance cultural and sporting links, and cooperation on wine making.

Following the presentations, Sabine Pittrof, the Chair of the German Australian Business Council, moderated a Q&A session which allowed a number of the attendees to seek further insights about the Advisory Group’s report from Mr Ritchie and Mr Klein.

Those in attendance were also treated to a wonderful performance by Louise Fenbury, a Frankfurt-based Mezzo-Soprano, who sang the Australian and German national anthems and Strauss’ Zueignung.

Despite the extremely warm weather in Frankfurt on Thursday 2^nd July 2015, the German Australian Business Council was very pleased to host a reception for the Deputy Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier of Queensland, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade.

Ms Trad was accompanied by the Queensland Agent General and Trade and Investment Commissioner to London, Mr Ken Smith.

Ms Trad and her colleagues were visiting Frankfurt following their attendance the previous day at a meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Bonn. The group was buoyed by the Committee’s decision not to declare Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as “in danger”, a decision that both the Queensland and Federal Governments claim is a direct result of the action taken on behalf of both governments aimed at protecting the reef.

Ms Trad also met with the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure in Bonn, the Minister for Construction, Housing, Urban Development and Transport in NRW and Siemens in Düsseldorf, as well as key financial institutions in Frankfurt, with a view to attracting investment interest in Queensland’s extensive transport, infrastructure and urban development projects.

Ms Trad pointed out that with a GDP of over USD265 million, Queensland, Australia’s second largest and third most populous state has an economy comparable to that of Finland and larger than those of Ireland, Portugal and Greece.

Ms Trad also acknowledged the historical links between Queensland and Germany, which are continually evident to her given that the Brisbane German Club lies in her electorate of South Brisbane.

The Deputy Premier also noted the opportunities that existed for Queensland business in the German market as well as the economic opportunities for German businesses in Queensland.

In proposing a vote of thanks, German Australian Business Council Deputy Chair, André Haermeyer, pointed out the complementarity of commercial and economic interests between Australia and Germany, in particular how German “Mittelstand” businesses could use Australia as a safe springboard into the Asian market and as a vehicle to accelerate their own innovation, whilst Australia could learn a great deal from German in terms of how a developed country can be a competitive manufacturer of goods.

With the formal part of the evening over, Ms Trad spent more time networking with German Australian Business Council members, many of whom had travelled to Frankfurt specifically to heat her views and strengthen their business contacts in Australia. Later a smaller group ventured out into the balm Frankfurt night to soak up the atmosphere at the Opernplatzfest and try some famous Frankfurt Apfelwein.

On May 27 2015, we kicked off our leadership series in Frankfurt with Phil Douglas, Australian entrepreneur, CEO and founder of the German company, 2e Systems.

Following a welcome speech from Catherine Stephen from the German Australian Business Council, Phil launched into an entertaining and insightful look into the growth of his business. From his humble beginnings as a freelance Lufthansa consultant to founding his own company and becoming an industry leader in online and mobile technologies for the global aviation industry, the company can now boast 75 employees spread over 5 international offices today. 2e Systems’ success story was interwoven with Phil’s humorous and at times surprisingly honest anecdotes, earning him an extremely captivated audience. As 2e Systems continues to grow and face new challenges Phil gave us all a positive perspective on leadership in a dynamic and demanding market.

Following Phil’s speech, there was networking amongst members with a delicious buffet, Australian wines and beer. Special thanks to our Corporate Member, King &Wood Mallesons, for hosting this event at their offices.

The Annual General Meeting of the German Australian Business Council e.V. was held at the offices of King & Wood Mallesons on Monday 13^th April. The mild weather allowed us to start the evening with light refreshments on the balcony with views over the Alte Oper and An der Welle.

The Chair of the Board, Sabine Pittrof gave an overview of 2014 and an outlook of what is to come in 2015. The presentation focused on the rebranding from Australian Business in Europe (Germany) to the German Australian Business Council, the changes in the office administrators and events. Sabine thanked Susanne Schnack for her contribution to setting up the office and wished her well in her new employment. Eleanor Stephen is currently holding the seat in the office. Sabine also provided an overview of the global organisation and upcoming events for the combined “ABIE’s”.

Eberhard Goihl, Treasurer of the German Australian Business Council, outlined the current financial status and highlighted some of the challenges we have been facing with invoicing, event payments and the data base. There has been improvement over the past twelve months due to the work of the office administrator. Eberhard also thanked Werner Waldner for his time in checking the books and approving the work completed over the past 12 months.

Discussion did take place regarding invoicing and payment methods, the ongoing ties between the parent group Australian Business in Europe and the German Australian Business Council, Event funding and payments and the use of social media to grow and promote the organisation.

The evening concluded with networking over drinks and refreshments.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to King & Wood Mallesons for providing an excellent venue for the event and their warm and generous welcome and hospitality.