"Beyond Transformation: Intelligence, Innovation and Impact" – under this motto, the 29th Arab-German Business Forum convened at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Berlin from 17 to 19 June 2026. This year's forum was defined by a special milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with Qatar serving as partner country. Olaf Hoffmann, Chairman of Dorsch Global and President of the Ghorfa, opened the forum not as a distant observer of the Arab world but as the representative of a company that has been active there since 1956.
Hoffmann held meetings with numerous high-ranking figures from business and politics throughout the event. Among them were Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy (keynote speaker at the opening), Dr Thomas Bach (keynote speaker at the evening reception and Honorary President of the Ghorfa), and H.E. Dr Ahmad Bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs.
For Dorsch, the Arab world has been part of the company's DNA since its earliest international steps in the 1950s. "The Arab world is not a market we discovered. It is a region we have been part of for more than seventy years. Our first international contracts took us to Iraq in 1956. That history is what makes our involvement in the Ghorfa so natural, and so meaningful", says Olaf Hoffmann.
"This year's forum holds a special meaning, as it marks a historic milestone. The 50th anniversary of the Ghorfa. For half a century, our chamber has been the proud bridge connecting our regions, and today, we celebrate five decades of trust, partnership, and shared economic success," said Hoffmann in his opening remarks. "Having the honorary Ghorfa Presidents Dr. Thomas Bach and Dr. Peter Ramsauer with us underlines the great spirit of Ghorfa in its continuous pursuit to bridge our regions as a trusted team, with continuity and a long-term vision. Thank you so much for your outstanding support and dedication for the Ghorfa family!"
Arab-German trade relations are at a record high: bilateral trade between Germany and the Arab world reached a historic peak of €62.3 billion in 2025. For Hoffmann, this is an unambiguous signal: "This impressive trajectory serves as powerful evidence that, despite regional challenges, our exchange has great potential. Fifty years ago, when the Ghorfa was founded, the Arab world seemed very far away. Today, it is our direct neighbour, just across the Mediterranean."
Reflecting on global geopolitical shifts, Hoffmann stressed the need for economic resilience and new partnerships: "We find ourselves at a time of transformation, both globally and regionally. We are readjusting our business relations with America and China, regionally we face conflicts which are asking for increased resilience, leading again to a readjustment of business models and robust value chains. This makes the Arab-German dialogue more important than ever."
The event was attended by more than 450 participants and featured over 85 speakers, including numerous ambassadors, presidents of chambers of commerce, and other distinguished guests.
The Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded 50 years ago and serves as the central platform for bilateral economic cooperation between Germany and the Arab world. It promotes trade, investment dialogue, and entrepreneurial exchange between both regions. The annual Arab-German Business Forum is the most important gathering of its kind, bringing together senior representatives from business, politics, and diplomacy. The Honorary Presidents of the Ghorfa include Dr Thomas Bach and Dr Peter Ramsauer. Olaf Hoffmann, Chairman of Dorsch Global, currently serves as President of the chamber.
