IABC: Cooperation for Business Consulting in Thailand, India and ASEAN

“Entrepreneurs know their business better than any consultant. Thus, as a consultant, you learn from your customers every day. Conversely, a reputable management consultancy in Asia is familiar with the local peculiarities of business culture, markets and law”. 

Linking the two was the basic idea of Mike Batra, an Asian consultant from Dr. Wamser und Batra (India), and Dr. Gunter Denk (Sanet Asian Advisors), to involve active entrepreneurs and a renowned business association (OAV) in a hands-on cooperation.

No sooner said than done! In March 2025, the INDIA ASEAN BUSINESS CIRCLE (IABC), along with the OAV and LEG Thüringen invited a small group of initially 14 owners and managers of mostly “Hidden Champions” from Germany to the first meeting. The result lived up to all expectations.

After Kimora Klug, OAV's regional manager for South Asia, had presented the new IABC platform and provided basic information about the economic regions of Asia, Anita Spiegler, LEG Thüringen's project manager for South and Southeast Asia, took over the moderation.

The entrepreneurs began by briefly presenting their companies and their Asian activities. Even during this initial exchange, a lively discussion arose. The managers quickly got down to business and discussed tariffs, free trade, problems with authorities, and sensitive topics such as experiences with corruption and non-tariff barriers.

Dr. Gunter Denk, with over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur in Asia, and Mike Batra, co-founder of the Indian offices of Dr. Wamser + Batra, were always available to answer any questions and share their knowledge of local markets.

Martin Knoss, the personable manager of Bosch Automotive in Bangkok, also offered his advice to those interested in the Thai market in particular. He confirmed the reliable support of the Thailand Board of Investment.

So it became an entertaining exchange of experiences. The initiators of the IABC, Sanet and W+B India, agreed to take up the ideas from the conversation for the next meeting, which is expected to take place in June 2025. The circle of participants should only be expanded after very careful evaluation and only include managers of manufacturing companies.

“The process of initiating an informal exchange between entrepreneurs and consultants builds trust among each other and ultimately serves the success of all involved,” stated Mike Batra and Gunter Denk, summing up their idea for a new format.