"Korea-Germany Partnership Stronger Than Ever... Core Values Continue to Be Shared"

KGCCI and BJFEZ Host Economic Outlook Event
Strengthening Korea-Germany Economic Cooperation and Discussing Industry Prospects
Over 120 Attendees: "Korea-Germany Partnership Is Essential"
Momentum for Cooperation Expected to Grow with APK in October
Donation Delivered to Busan Soyang Rainbow Hill

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) announced on January 16 that it co-hosted the "2026 Economic Outlook" event with the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority (BJFEZ) at Signiel Busan on January 15.

Charlie Ray, Chief Economist at Commerzbank; Katarina Viklenko, Korea Representative of Germany Trade and Invest; Marie Antonia von Schonburg, Representative of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Jinseong Jung, Honorary Consul of Germany in Korea; Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea; and Jaehyung Lee, Head of Investment at Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, are taking a commemorative photo at the "2026 KGCCI Economic Outlook." Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry

This event was organized to discuss ways to advance business relations between Korea and Germany, as well as to review the outlook for the Korean economy and major industries. The first part of the forum was attended by more than 50 figures from the political and business sectors, while over 120 people participated in the second part, a special dinner. The event began with welcoming remarks from Marie Antonia von Schonburg, Representative of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Park Sungho, Commissioner of the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, followed by speeches from Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea; Katarina Viklenko, Korea Representative of Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI); and Charlie Ray, Chief Economist at Commerzbank.

Marie Antonia von Schonburg stated, "Amid growing global economic uncertainty, the partnership between our two countries is demonstrating a stronger bond than ever before. Our cooperation goes beyond simple trade to share core values such as innovation, sustainability, and mutual growth. The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to serve as a bridge connecting the two economies, leading the way for close communication between businesses and policymakers and the realization of innovative ideas."

Ambassador Georg Schmidt emphasized, "Cooperation between value-sharing partners like Korea and Germany is not a choice but a necessity to address the major challenges ahead of us." He added, "The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), to be held in Seoul this October, is the largest event for German business in the Asia-Pacific region. I expect this event to serve as an important opportunity to further strengthen the ties between our two countries." The APK is a large-scale event attended by about 800 political and economic leaders from Germany and the Asia-Pacific region, and high-level German political and business figures are also expected to visit Korea.

At the forum, Chief Economist Charlie Ray, who presented the macroeconomic outlook, predicted, "After last year's sluggish performance, the Korean economy will enter a recovery phase this year, posting a growth rate in the 2 percent range." However, he analyzed that "while the global economic outlook is relatively optimistic due to growth in the United States and Germany, geopolitical risks and the reorganization of the international order remain threats that require continued attention."

Katarina Viklenko, Korea Representative of GTAI, stated, "Increased government spending and rising demand for semiconductors and ICT devices driven by the global AI boom will drive Korea's growth in 2026." However, she also pointed out that "the weak won, the economy's heavy reliance on the IT industry, and ongoing global trade conflicts remain persistent challenges."

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its member companies also fulfilled their corporate social responsibility by donating 6 million won to Busan Soyang Rainbow Hill (formerly Soyang Orphanage). The donation will be used for facility repairs and to create a more comfortable living environment for children and adolescents.