Stuttgart, 15 March 2019 – Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia undertook a 2-day visit to Stuttgart from 11 to 12 March 2019 to meet with leaders of the Filipino community and business chamber representatives. Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, one of seven states under the consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt.
Approximately 20 leaders of the Filipino-German community attended the dinner hosted by Consul General Austria-Garcia upon her arrival. Joining the group was Dr. Axel Neuhmar, Philippine Consul a.h. to Baden-Württemberg, and Consular Assistant, Ms. Rhodaliza Capuno-Steegmaier. The gathering was an opportunity for the Consul General to enumerate the Consulate’s planned activities for 2019 and listen to the concerns of community members.
Consul General Austria-Garcia (2nd from right) and Dr. Neuhmar (seated 2nd from left) meet with leaders of the Filipino-German community in Baden-Württemberg.
On March 12, Dr. Neuhmar welcomed the Consul General and her team to the Honorary Consulate, where they were apprised of the office’s consular work, the make-up of the Filipino community in Baden-Württemberg, and possible avenues for the further promotion of Philippine interests in the state. An accomplished attorney specializing in commercial and corporate law, Dr. Neuhmar was appointed to the position in 2017. He is ably assisted by Ms. Steegmaier.
Dr. Neuhmar, Consul a.h. (center), briefs officials of the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt, led by Consul General Garcia of the work of the Honorary Consulate and its activities in Baden-Württemberg.
Consul General Austria-Garcia also met with Messrs. Tassilo Zywietz and Julio Neto of the Foreign Trade Department of the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). Discussions took place concerning the Philippine Government’s economic programs and the Consulate’s trade and investment promotion efforts this year.
Above photo shows (l-r) Mr. Julio Neto, IHK-Stuttgart Foreign Trade Department Deputy Head, Dr. Neumahr, Consul a.h., Consul General Austria-Garcia, Mr. Tassilo Zywietz, IHK-Stuttgart Foreign Trade Department Head, and Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez.
Later in the evening, Consul General Garcia attended a reception at the city’s Neues Schloss hosted by the Minister President of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Hon. Winfried Kretschmann, for members of the Consular Corps. In his remarks, Minister President Kretschmann underscored the important role of foreign consuls in bridging differences and fostering understanding among peoples.
Baden-Württemberg is Germany’s third-largest state, with an area of 13,800 square miles and 11 million inhabitants. Regional statistics indicate the presence of approximately 3,700 Filipino residents in Baden-Württemberg. The state is among the country’s most progressive, with small-and-medium enterprises dominating its economy. It is also home to the headquarters of large business conglomerates such as Daimler, Porsche, Bosch and SAP.