TAPiO Management Advisory joins the Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s Strategic Mission to Berlin
Last week marked a significant milestone for TAPiO Management Advisory, as our Chairman, Bernhard Schutte, and COO, Heng Siang Tan, joined the esteemed Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, on an official visit to Berlin, Germany. This journey wasn’t just a trip; it was a profound opportunity to fortify the bridges of trade and innovation between Malaysia and its largest trading partner among the European Union member countries.
The delegation was greeted with warmth and anticipation, underscoring the importance of this visit to both nations. The Prime Minister’s schedule was packed with pivotal meetings, starting with a tour of Siemens Energy, followed by insightful discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and a courtesy call on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The conversations spanned economic cooperation, education, environmental sustainability, and pressing regional and international issues, reflecting a mutual desire to deepen Malaysia-Germany relations.
In Berlin, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, alongside Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Foreign Minister, and Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, engaged with industry leaders and potential investors. This included influential figures such as Siemens AG Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. Roland Busch, B. Braun GmbH Chief Executive Officer Anna Braun, Melexis Chief Executive Officer Marc Biron, and Wolfgang Speck, the CEO of Knaus Tabbert, one of the largest RV manufacturers. Also present were Airbus Asia Pacific President Anand Stanley, Volkswagen Group Malaysia Managing Director Dr. Susanne Lehmann, and Infineon Technologies AG Chief Operations Officer Dr. Rutger Wijburg, highlighting the dynamic potential for collaboration in sectors pivotal to Malaysia’s growth and innovation.
Our Chairman and COO participating in discussions that echoed TAPiO’s commitment to facilitating meaningful investments and fostering sustainable growth. Notably, the round table with German captains of industry, moderated by Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul, was a testament to the promising future of Malaysia-German trade ties. The dialogue was rich with ambition, focusing on green technology, renewable energies, investor facilitation, and the significant role of education in upskilling the workforce.
The visit was further enriched by engagements at the Körber Foundation and the SME Future Day 2024 hosted by the German Association of Small and Medium-sized Businesses. These platforms allowed for deep dives into social, political, and economic discourses, with Malaysia’s stance on pivotal issues like the situation in Palestine and Ukraine being highlighted.
Germany’s commitment to Malaysia was palpable, reflected in the eagerness to reinitiate EU-MY free trade agreement negotiations and the shared enthusiasm for making Malaysia a strategic investment hub in Southeast Asia. The discussions underscored the vital importance of education, skilled labour, and the seamless movement of foreign labour to achieve these goals.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by not only high-ranking officials but also by the unwavering support of Datin Paduka Dr. Adina Kamarudin, Malaysian Ambassador to Germany, and Dr. Peter Blomeyer, Ambassador of Germany to Malaysia. Their continuous assistance has been invaluable in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.
As we reflect on this journey, we at TAPiO Management Advisory are filled with pride and optimism. Being part of this delegation was not just an honour; it was a reaffirmation of our role in shaping a prosperous future for Malaysia and its partners. The visit to Berlin has set a new benchmark for international collaboration, promising a brighter, more innovative tomorrow for Malaysia and Germany alike.
We look forward to the ripple effects of this trip, as we continue to support Malaysia in its quest for growth, sustainability, and innovation on the global stage.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Ignites Transformative Economic Talks with Top 35 Business Titans in Germany
More than 35 captains of industry and businesses joined a roundtable meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Among the attendees were Siemens AG Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Roland Busch, B. Braun GmbH CEO Anna Braun, and TAPiO Management Advisory Chairman Bernhard Schutte. Other noteworthy participants included Knaus Tabbert CEO Wolfgang Speck, Airbus Asia Pacific president Anand Stanley, Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Dr Susanne Lehmann, and Infineon Technologies AG chief operations officer Dr Rutger Wijburg.
