New Year Message from the Ambassador of Switzerland

I AM PLEASED TO SHARE THAT I HAVE ADJUSTED WELL TO MY POSTING IN SINGAPORE, NOT LEAST THANKS TO THE SWISS CLUB AND ITS COMMUNITY.

Frank Grütter has been Switzerland’s Ambassador to Singapore since August 2022. He has over 24 years of experience in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), having worked at the Swiss embassies in London and Madrid, and at the Swiss Mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York. Prior to Singapore, he was responsible for Switzerland’s policy in international security matters and cybersecurity. He then became UN and international organisations director, leading Switzerland’s successful campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Ambassador Grütter holds degrees in economics and law from the University of St. Gallen and studied international relations at the Spanish School of Diplomacy in Madrid. Dear Readers of the Swiss Club Magazine,

I hope you had a wonderful festive season and were able to enjoy peaceful days with your families and friends. It is a great pleasure for me to address you for the first time in the Swiss Club Magazine as the Swiss Ambassador in Singapore.

The past year has been an eventful one. On the one hand, we saw a very positive development with the lifting of COVID-19 measures. It is wonderful to finally enjoy all the good sides of life again – such as dinners and luncheons with business partners and friends, cultural and sporting events, and the resumption of social activities at the Swiss Club and much more. On the other hand, we had to witness the outbreak of a devastating war in Europe that has cost tens of thousands of lives. The ripple effects of the war in Ukraine are severe and felt around the world in the forms of food and energy crises, mass migration, military armaments and political polarisation. We can only hope that this war as the many other armed conflicts around the globe will soon come to an end.

On a personal level, I am pleased to share that I have adjusted well to my posting in Singapore, not least thanks to the Swiss Club and its community. Since our arrival in August 2022, my family and I have settled in with ease, quickly familiarising ourselves with the Lion City. From day one we felt very welcome and supported. We have made new friends and feel at home. I wish to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us in our transition to a new country, a new school, and a new job.

The embassy has also been busy throughout the year. Some of the highlights were our participation in the Francophonie Festival in March as well as the Swiss Weeks from March to April 2022. In summer, we unveiled the +Pavilion, a temporary design installation at Marina Barrage, showcasing sustainability in design and construction. In the autumn, we organised several Swiss pavilions at international trade fairs in areas such as medical technology, aircraft maintenance and cosmetics. A special highlight was the Fintech Festival in November where the Swiss pavilion presented 20 cutting-edge Swiss enterprises. Together with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), we also organised the ‘Point Zero Forum Night’ to discuss how digitalisation can advance sustainability in the financial sector. The event took place in the beautiful setting of the newly renovated Pavilion of the Swiss Club, which undoubtedly added to its success.

The upcoming year promises to be as exciting as the last, as we are expecting several high-level visitors in Singapore. In cooperation with the MAS, we will again assist in the organisation of the ‘Point Zero Forum’, a new international fintech festival in Zurich taking place for the second time next June. Here in Singapore, we will continue with our campaign to promote Switzerland as a tourist destination. Have you seen any of the four public buses that showcase the beauty of Switzerland with its four seasons? You can still catch them until the end of February. For more ‘Swissness’, don’t miss out on watching the Swiss Team racing at the Sail GP from 14 to 15 January, and do join us for the Francophonie Festival in March! In April, we will be screening a Swiss film as part of the European Union Film Festival. If you wish to stay updated on our events and activities, please follow us on our Facebook page (@SwissEmbassySingapore) or on my twitter account (@SwissAmbSGP).

On behalf of my team, I wish you a Happy New Year filled with peace, harmony and prosperity.

With warm greetings,

F. Grütter

Frank Grütter Ambassador of Switzerland