Networking at eye level
One of the central pillars of the OAV is the networking concept, which is emphasized with exclusive events and meetings throughout Germany. After all, the best conditions for sustainable business relationships in and with the Asia-Pacific region can only be created through constant personal exchange between OAV members and cooperation partners.
Your benefits from the OAV network
Know-how, trends and developments for all countries in the Asia-Pacific region, whether industrialized, developing or emerging countries with high growth dynamics, but also with a clear focus on less developed markets in the region.
First-hand exchange of experience, country committee meetings with the German ambassadors in the region, country experts and entrepreneurs.
Working groups on topics such as vocational training, recruiting skilled workers and the healthcare industry.
Regular online and face-to-face events in cooperation with experts, OAV members and partner organizations.
Open dialog with experienced entrepreneurs on the political and economic situation in Asia.
Exclusive events such as round-table discussions, luncheons with ambassadors and ministers.
Delegation trips to the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on individual countries or sectors.
Exchange through networks, working groups and events
Ostasiatisches Liebesmahl
Every year in spring, the "Ostasiatische Liebesmahl" is the highlight of the OAV calendar and, with over 300 high-ranking guests, the most important Asia event for German business in the whole of Germany. Important personalities from business, politics and diplomacy meet in Hamburg to exchange experiences and expand contacts. The Ostasiatische Liebesmahl is accompanied by various thematically appropriate events with the German ambassadors.
Talent Pool Asia
The Talent Pool Asia was conceived as part of the East Asian Love Feast for German companies with a strategic interest in Asian markets, which are increasingly operating globally. Based on a member initiative, the OAV addresses the global skills shortage with this biennial conference. It offers a constructive, solution-oriented networking platform, which also focuses on the creation of education and training structures that open up intergenerational opportunities and prospects on the labor market.
The target group are German and Asian CEOs, especially female executives, HR and diversity managers. In addition to the conference, we have been offering a regular Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) working group with our partner iMOVE since 2021.
OAV Working Group TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training)
The network platform of the TVET Working Group, which has been working together with iMOVE - Training - Made in Germany serves to secure and promote a sustainable, practice-oriented supply of skilled workers in cooperation with relevant political decision-makers and business representatives. A particular focus is on raising awareness of and networking initiatives already successfully implemented by German companies, chambers and associations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ambassadors in Dialogue
Asian ambassadors come on delegation visits to various federal states to gain first-hand insights into local companies. The aim is to make Germany's federal structure tangible and to show the ambassadors the complexity of the Federal Republic in the areas of business, politics and culture. Meetings with politicians, scientists and cultural activities contribute to an understanding of the diverse regional diversity throughout Germany. Participants from companies, institutions and organizations benefit from face-to-face meetings to discuss business opportunities or work together to solve problems.
Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA)
The APA is a joint initiative of the five supporting associations BDI, DIHK, OAV, BGA and the German Bankers Association. As the mouthpiece of the German Asian economy for politics in Germany and in Asian partner countries, it is also a body for the formulation and discussion of economic policy interests. Specific goals are
Measures to promote and intensify reciprocal trade and investment relations
Organizing high-profile events with German and Asian decision-makers from business and politics, such as bilateral business forums and the biennial Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK)
Formulating positions on opening up new business areas and removing barriers for German companies
Support for trips to the region by high-ranking representatives of the German government
OAV national committees
For the following countries / regions: Australia-New Zealand-South Pacific, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (Dem. PR), Korea (Rep.), Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. The country committees usually meet in the presence of the respective German ambassador and, if applicable, the managing director of the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad and offer participants the opportunity for an open exchange under Chatham House Rules with entrepreneurs experienced in the country.
OAV Working Group Health
Working group for German companies from the pharmaceutical industry, medical technology, diagnostics and healthcare services with business interests in Asia. Partner is the German Health Alliance (GHA) of the Federation of German Industries with an international focus with more than 100 leading German players with healthcare expertise from various sectors (including business, industry, civil society, NGOs, science, research).
OAV Textile Round Table
Working group to identify and discuss current and future opportunities and challenges for European companies in Asia's textile industry. The participating OAV members from the industry are supported in networking with Asian decision-makers, for example through working sessions and round tables on various key topics such as markets, standards, digitalization, infrastructure, etc.
Chamber and association partnership Sri Lanka
Chamber and association partnership Sri Lanka
From November 2023 to October 2026, the OAV is the German project executing agency for a chamber and association partnership (KVP) with the Northern Chamber of Industries (NCI) in Jaffna and the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The KVP is being implemented as part of the BMZ Partners in Transformation program (Link: https://www.bmz.de/de/themen/privatwirtschaft) coordinated by sequa gGmbH.
Project objective and initial situation
German development cooperation with Sri Lanka promotes political stability and national reconciliation. The economy is unevenly developed regionally, with a focus on Colombo. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are mainly active in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the food, rubber and textile sectors.
The KVP aims to improve the economic framework conditions for SMEs in the north of Sri Lanka - especially for founders, managers and entrepreneurs.
Project measures
The project focuses on three areas:
Organizational development of the partner chambers
Development of customized services for members
Professional representation of interests
Workshops are held on topics such as membership development, financial and business planning and representation of interests. These are conducted by OAV employees as well as German, international and local experts.
Contact point Mongolia
In 2015, the OAV was commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) to establish a contact point for the German-Mongolian Economic Committee (DMWA) in Germany. The Economic Committee and the government working group with the Parliamentary State Secretary meet annually, alternating between Germany and Ulaanbaatar, to strengthen current projects and bilateral relations. As part of this project, webinars, country consultation days and committee meetings are offered for interested companies and institutions. In addition, market studies are prepared and delegation trips to Mongolia are organized on a regular basis.
