ScandAsia Singapore June 2013

JUN 2013

Singapore

Miraculous Mera

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JuneScandAsia.se 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 1

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Coming Events

The Kidz Academy 2013 Date: 14 – 16 June 2013, 11.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Location: Singapore Expo Hall 6A The longest running and leading children’s exhibition in Singapore, The Kidz Academy is celebrating its 5th birthday with a big birthday party presenting big names in the enrichment industry such as Adam Khoo Learning Centre, Eduplus Language School, Character Montessori and various entertainments for families.

Children will be entertained as they may find their favourite cartoon characters coming to live. Among the highlights at the event this year include Happy Birthday Photo Contest, 300sqm of bouncy castles and race tracks, free Swensen’s ice-cream, free manicures, free popcorn and free goodie bags, lucky draws will be conducted every two hours in the afternoons.

For more information, visit www.thekidzacademy.com.sg/2013

Múm, Wavves, Shelves in Singapore Date: 15 June 2013 Location: Zouk Club Three Indie bands “múm, Wavves, Shelves” will perform three diverse acts and styles live on stage. Singapore’s very own pop-rock band Shelves will open the stage with their powerful pop tracks with soaring guitars and uplifting melodies. Californian band Waves will then rock the clubbers with their punk style.

And a Scandinavian band Múm from Iceland will close the concert with their haunting compositions featuring both acoustic and electronic instrumentation that recalls the lushness of Sigur Rós.

For more information, visit www.zoukclub.com

Malaysia & Myanmar: A Collection Resurrected art exhibition Date: 20 – 24 June 2013, 10 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.

Location: Goodman Arts Centre, Gallery, Block B, #01-08, 90 Goodman Road Presented by Artink, from landscape to impressionist abstract, the exhibition showcases a range of subject matter and media, reflecting Southeast Asia’s culture and history with wide aesthetic appeal. This collection emphasizes nature and the complexities of human experience.

The exhibition is curated and organised by Saira Kanchwala, a Pakistani – Singaporean who holds a strong dedication to Asian Culture. All works in this exhibition have been carefully selected from personal artist relations, representing true originality and authenticity. The works have been collected over a period of fifteen years on extensive regional travels and will be available for viewing and purchase. The opening reception will be held on June 20 at 6.00 p.m.

For more information, visitError! Hyperlink reference not valid. or www.artink.asia

Singapore interior and furniture 2013 Date: 22 – 30 June 2013, 12.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.

Location: Singapore Expo Hall 5 Organised by Richfield Exhibition Services, Singapore interior and furniture 2013 will showcase top quality interior and furniture. It’s a must-visit event for anyone interested in interior design and decoration.

Admission is free of charge.

For more information, visit www.singaporeexpo.com.sg

The Real Estate Show Asia 2013 Date: 26 – 27 June 2013 Location: Marina Bay Sands Singapore The two-day event focuses on the access of new markets for the partners of the green developments, direct investment opportunities and different strategies related with the sector. It is a place for land owners to meet property dealers, and for investors to get details about their lands and their opportunities. The show is also a good platform for the exhibitors to attract prospective customers. There will be exhibition, conference, and seminars at the event.

For more information, visit www.biztradeshows.com June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 3

Opinion

The demographic timebomb

C Your FREE ScandAsia Magazine in Singapore ScandAsia is the only magazine that covers all the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish residents in Singapore.

We also publish a ScandAsia magazine in China, Thailand, and the rest of South East Asia.

Please sign up for your own FREE copy: www.scandasia.com Publisher : 211 Soi Prasert Manukitch 29 Prasert Manukitch Road Chorakae Bua, Lad Prao Bangkok 10230, Thailand Tel. +66 2 943 7166-8, Fax: +66 2 943 7169 E-mail: news@scandasia.com Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com Assistant Editor: Wachiraporn Janrut wachiraporn@scandmedia.com Advertising : Frank Leong frank@scandmedia.com

ountry by country all over the world, we move closer to the point when the number of people entering the workforce are less than the number of people exiting the workforce. In some countries, like Japan, this point has already been reached.

This is not just an old world scenario – it is also happening in our part of the world. Official data from China shows that the working-age population defined as people 15-59 years old fell almost 4 million people in 2012. It is the first time in 50 years that the labour pool has declined in China.

Even though the contraction in 2012 appears to be small relative to China’s more than a billion people, the cumulative effects will accelerate over the next decades.

A Chinese government think-tank has reported that the number of people between 15 and 64 will drop by around 40 million people the next 15 years. The proportion of over-65-year-olds will double over the next 25-26 years, a feat which took United States 69 years to complete. China’s one-child policy imposed over 40 years now suddenly threatens to impact the country’s future growth.

Forecasters predict that in Japan the labor force will over then next 30-40 years decrease from 68 million down to 46 million, Italy’s from 23 to 14 million and in Germany the labor market goes from 41 million to 28 million.

Thailand will face the dilemma in 2025, just 12 years from now, according to research. However, looking at the prediction in the research, we now see that the time where more people leave the labour force than entering (i.e. contracting) is coming earlier than expected.

Fewer young people in the labour market means an increasing aging population and a shortage of workers to support that aging population. Which will again affect economic productivity and also strain the social security and pension systems.

For companies, it means attracting good staff will be increasingly difficult. Strong brand names like Apple, Google, Starbucks and another 50 global brands may not feel this but for the average company that does not enjoy such strong name recognition they have to do something.

As a starting point, you must develop an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) which clearly describes real needs and clarify job expectations. Here are just a few of the many questions that will help you on the way. They must be answered before you start any sourcing of new staff. And let me warn you, there is no way you can develop the EVP between coffee breaks.

• Why would someone who is good at this type of work want this particular job?

• Why should anyone come and work for you?

• What does this job offer that is unique or makes it most attractive to a potential candidate?

• Why is doing this job at your company better than doing the same job at a competitor?

• Why do people come to work at your company and why do they stay? Is it leading edge technology?

Fast growth? Industry reputation? Work/life balance? How does it differentiate you from your primary competitors?

• What is your competitive compensation and benefits plan? 12 or 13 months guaranteed pay, sign-on bonus, performance incentive, company car, medical cover, provident fund, for employee or for family too? Flex time, free parking at the office building?

• Remember that applicants or candidates are a perishable commodity. It is the only “product” I know that can speak. They can say no to being “sold” to your organization. The better ones are quickly turned off by unresponsiveness which is interpreted as a lack of initiative or seriousness.

If you are not prepared with an intelligent EVP when meeting future employees the contraction in the labour force will hit you hard and before your competitor.

Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Piyanan Kalikanon piyanan@scandmedia.com Nattapat Maesang nattapat@scandmedia.com Graphic Designer : Supphathada Numamnuay supphathada@scandmedia.com Distribution : Wanvisa Rattanaburi wanvisa@scandmedia.com Printing : Advance Printing Services Co., Ltd.

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Tom Sorensen is a Partner in Grant Thornton which he joined in 2003 as head of Executive Recruitment. He is a prominent figure in the Scandinavian community, having been among others Chairman of Scandinavian Society Siam and for five consecutive years President of the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce. His column “From the Headhunter’s Desk” is a popular feature in the English speaking media in Thailand.

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Past Events

Norwegian Day celebrated in Singapore

By Maria Rita Skog

N

orwegian patriots living in Singapore know how to make the most out of Norway’s historical and important day that marked the country’s independence from Denmark in 1814.

On 17 May 2013, Norway’s Ambassador to Singapore His Excellency Mr. Tormod Cappelen Endresen held a reception at his residence. After the choir ‘Kor I all verden’ (Where in the World)’s performance, he held a speech.

We would like to highlight Mr. Endresen’s own words of living overseas, together with the meaning of ‘Furet, værbitt’ (Rugged, weathered) and what it means to be a typical Norwegian: “I had to come up along the Norwegian coast in a small boat, before I then realized what it (17th May) really meant. Because, when I first saw islets, next to a coastal town, I saw it rising forth, above the water, rugged and weathered.

That is the beautiful Norway we come from and that we always miss. We want a ski trip. Imagine a clear autumn day and the smell of spring. But today is not primarily the Norwegian nature we think about. We celebrate something else, something more abstract, ideas that we today are governed by.

Another thing, a typical Norwegian enjoys learning new things. Grieg, Bjørnson and Ibsen, all lived many years overseas.

Strikingly many of them whom created the land of Norway did the same. Such thoughts send many of us abroad, also here to Singapore. It is precisely the maritime skills that turn over our success in areas as offshore, oil and gas. As Norwegians in Singapore we are also in a great tradition, and at the same time, we represent the modern Norway.”

After the reception, Norwegian families and expatriates spent the National Day in Fort Canning Park. And about 90 Norwegian expatriates spent the evening at Oso Ristorante, followed up with the annual May 17th Party at Screening Room’s Rooftop Bar.

6 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

Past Events

Green Space exhibition in Singapore showcases Denmark’s sustainable practices

H

eld on 23 April, the closing party for the 2013 Green Space exhibition at Space Asia Hub in Singapore concluded a successful two-week-long showcase of Denmark’s sustainable practices.

Organized by SPACE in collaboration with Cubes Indesign, this year’s Green Space exhibition explored Denmark’s ecological efforts and how they can be applied to Singapore.

The Ambassador, staff from the Trade Department and a group of Danish business professionals attended the reception of the 2013 Green Space exhibition.

Five local design and architecture companies made presentations of how Danish practices can be re-contextualised into everyday life in Singapore.

Space Furniture launched the initiative ‘Green Space’ in 2011 to raise awareness of the environmental impact of furniture manufacturing, and to develop public awareness on three areas that form Space’s philosophy in sustainability – namely quality of materials, standards of manufacture and durability of design.

The organizers wrote about the event: Global warming has become an increasingly important issue and a real concern for cities worldwide. No country is more aware of this than Denmark. Be it at the leadership or individual level, the Danes are at the forefront when it comes to both the practice and promotion of sustainable living.

The event was supported by the Royal Danish Embassy, Carlsberg, and Bang & Olufsen.

For more information about the expo, visit http://www.indesignlive.asia/parties/Danish-Green-Ways-of-Life

June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7

News Brief

Norwegian University strengthens ties with Singapore

T

he Singapore-based non-profit company IPI and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 April, making NTNU IPI’s first Network Partner in the Nordic region.

The alliance also gives NTNU, which is Norway’s main technological university, premier access to Singapore industries that could commercialize the university’s innovative research.

NTNU is Norway’s second largest university and the only university in Norway with a technological main profile. In a recent European ranking, NTNU was ranked as the 4th best university in the world when it comes to collaboration with industry (based on the frequency and totality of joint publications).

The partners chose to sign their two-year agreement on World Intellectual Property Day, to underscore the importance of intellectual property to the MOU and to the two organizations. They also signed the agreement “virtually,” via live feeds and Smart Boards for the actual signing.

NTNU’s Pro-Rector for Innovation, Dr Johan E. Hustad, said he also has high hopes for NTNU’s col-

laboration with IPI. “We will use the collaboration with IPI as a platform to revitalize and strengthen ties to Norwegian companies with a strong presence in Singapore, in the short term in particular companies involved in shipping or

other maritime areas,” Dr. Hustad said.

“We feel confident that such future efforts will be actively supported by the relevant public authorities in Norway, such as the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and Innovation Norway”.

IPI is a non-profit company es-

tablished by Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry under the Research, Innovation & Enterprise 2015 Plan (RIE2015) to help Singapore-based enterprises source, acquire and adopt enabling technology and know-how.

Norwegian Multiconsult ventures into Southeast Asia

M

ulticonsult is one of Norway’s leading consulting companies with more than 25 offices in Norway and abroad. The company offers consulting and engineering services to public and private clients nationwide and overseas. Now the company is expanding its international profile by establishing a subsidiary in Singapore. Multiconsult Asia will make Multiconsult the first Norwegian consulting engineering company with a permanent base in Southeast Asia.

“Setting up a permanent base in Singapore was no coincidence. We have had a number of major projects in Singapore the past seven years and we see increasing potential for market growth around Southeast Asia, especially within the Oil & Gas and renewable energy sectors,” says Christian Nørgaard Madsen, Managing Director of Multiconsult.

Going under- ground in Singapore is faced with significant challenges at ground level, but the city is discovering the immense potential of underground surface area. A Norwegian-Singapore consortium, consisting of Multiconsult, SINTEF and the local company Tritech, has been deeply involved in the process of discovering the opportunities in underground installations.

“We know the importance of having a local presence. We were able to establish a good reputation in the region through the work we have done so far providing world-class expertise and Norwegian-style project management.

Our work is really being noticed around Singapore and we want to build further on that,” says Finn Fagervik, General Manager of Multiconsult Asia.

“We have already been participating in a number of offshore constructions projects in Singapore, but we see unexploited potential for Multiconsult in this area,” Fagervik added.

8 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

News Brief

H&M opens 3 new stores in Singapore

S Finnish football bosses sentenced for Singapore money laundering

T

wo former top officials of Finnish club Tampere United were recently found guilty of money laundering after accepting funds from a Singaporean company that had obtained the money through match fixing.

The court of appeals of Turku, Finland, handed former managing director Deniz Bavautdin and former board chairman Harri Pyhalto six-month suspended sentences.

Three-times champions Tampere United were expelled from the Finnish league in 2011 for receiving funds from Singaporean firm Exclusive Sport Pte Ltd in exchange for giving certain players places on the team.

The court said the men should have known that around 300,000 euros ($389,900) the team received from Exclusive Sport as part of partnership deal in 2010-2011 was obtained through crime.

Exclusive Sport representative Wilson Raj Perumal, who was given a two-year jail sentence by a Finnish court in 2011 for bribing players and referees to fix matches, has said the money came from match fixing.

The court said in its verdict that Perumal had also approached other Finnish teams to offer money in exchange for accepting some players.

The former head of the Finnish football association, Kimmo J. Lipponen, told the court he had warned Bavautdin the Singaporean company might seek to influence match results through the players it sent in.

Norwegian embassy to aid Norwegian start-ups in Singapore

wedish H&M is expanding in Singapore, with three new stores to open within the next few months. The Swedish fashion chain already has two stores in the Orchard Road area.

The first opening will be on May 29 at the newly built Jem shopping centre in Jurong, followed by another opening in one of Singapore’s largest shopping centres, VivoCity, on June 20. VivoCity also won the Best Shopping Centre award in the 2013 People’s Choice Awards. The third store at Suntec City will be opening in June.

While the flagship store in Orchard Building still remains the largest at 30,000 square feet, the three new stores will be full concept stores, carrying various concepts for women, men, teenagers, children and babies.

The 17,000 square feet store at Jem boasts three levels, while the Suntec City and Vivocity stores will occupy one floor, at 20,000 square feet and 15,000 square feet respectively.

Opening hours for the three stores are from 10am to 10pm daily.

The new stores are located at: Jem, #01-01, #02-01, and #03-01, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549 Suntec City Mall, #01-1002, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983 VivoCity, #01-18, 1 Harbourfront Walk Singapore, 098585

T

hrough several decades, Norway has been heavily integrated in the Singaporean business community through our maritime industry.

However, though renowned for its capacities as a trading nation, Singapore is also one of the most entrepreneurial-friendly places. Some call it the Silicon Valley of Asia. In cooperation with incubator Expara, the Norwegian Embassy therefore seeks to highlight start-up opportunities available here to Norwegian business ideas.

Being highly influential in maritime markets, Singapore has always been of great interest to Norway. This has resulted in a major presence of Norwegian companies in the city-state, and in extensive cooperation in business, education and research.

The Norwegian Embassy in Singapore will therefore attempt to assist and encourage Norwegian start-ups in Singapore. In this pursuit, it has engaged in preliminary talks with incubator Expara.

Being one of the earliest in Singapore, Expara has been investing in, teaching, training and mentoring entrepreneurs since 2000. From their efforts and expertise, Expara has received a number of recognitions and appointments under various governmental schemes for driving innovation. Additionally, they also operate S$20 million dollar early-stage venture fund.

Concurrent with these efforts is the next SeedForum investor conference and the arrival of students from the Norwegian School of Entrepreneurship in June.

June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 9

News Brief

Danish parliament ready to support double citizenship

D Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore ready with new website

T

he Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore has been giving their website a makeover and the result is now ready. The new website reflects the beautiful location of the church better and the electronic newsletter also has a new format.

You can visit the new website at www.dkchurch.com and read about the many different activities and services the church offers. Here you can also sign up for the electronic newsletter. In May, the newsletter presented a summer party, a screening of the Danish movie “Kapringen” followed by a debate, annual general meeting and the Danish Constitution Day. The church is open Monday to Thursday plus on Sundays and at special occasions and holidays.

10 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

anes abroad rejoice as a political majority now seems to be in place to permit them to hold dual citizenship. A change in the law will make it possible for Danes outside of Denmark to adopt the nationality of their new home country without having to cancel their Danish citizenship.

The political party “Venstre” announced on May 18 that they were now ready to change side in the Danish parliament to support a change of the law that will allow Danes to adopt the citizenship of their new country without having to renounce their current Danish citizenship.

“It has been a bit of a journey for us to reach this standpoint,” admitted party spokesman Jan E. Jorgensen.

Secretary General of the association “Danes Worldwide,” Anne Marie Dalgaard is very pleased with the prospect.

“It is important for Danes living abroad that they can integrate completely in their new home country without having to give up their identity as Danes.”

“A citizenship is so important part of your identity that having to choose is like having to choose between your father and your mother – or choosing between your two children,” she adds.

Anne Marie Dalgaard believes the new policy will help Danes overcome this obstacle in integrating abroad and will eventually be a benefit for Denmark and the Danish economy.

“Danes worldwide contribute also to the growth in Denmark with their knowledge, network and skills which they often bring back with them to Denmark. That is valuable for business in Denmark and the Danish business associations so it is very positive that there are now more members in the parliament who support double citizenship,” she says.

The change of law will not be implemented any time soon, though. It means a change in the Danish constitution and a working group in the Ministry of Justice will first have to work out the exact words of the paragraph in the constitution after a change and scrutinize all legal implications. But it is expected that the proposal will be ready to be tabled in parliament this autumn and then be implemented shortly after it has passed the vote.

What if...

ExPloRE WhAt if

new students Imogen and Ryohei relax at ‘home’ on UWCSEA East

…yoUR ChIld fElT AT homE fRom dAy onE? Would feeling secure and supported make learning easier?

That’s the finding by leading education specialists, and it’s certainly the experience of students at UWCSEA. Take Imogen and Ryohei, new students who had a friend from day one through the school’s Buddy Programme.

Because their buddies accompanied them throughout the day and introduced them to other students, Ryohei and Imogen felt they belonged from the start. This feeling followed them from playground to classroom, giving them the confidence to do anything from making friends to learning new mathematics concepts.

This is just part of the school’s Personal and Social Education (PSE) programme, a key element of the learning experience. Through PSE, students explore their identity and place in the world. With the support of their teachers and each other, students are prepared to take their seat at school and beyond, with confidence.

What if your child joins UWCSEA? Visit www.uwcsea.edu.sg to find out more.

UWCSEA dover is registered by the CPE CPE Registration no. 197000825h Registration Period 18 July 2011–17 July 2017 UWCSEA East is registered by the CPE CPE Registration no. 200801795n Registration Period 10 march 2010–9 march 2017

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Miraculous Norwegian Fashionista Merete ‘Mera’ Mei-Jin Noer has done quite a few things beyond an average lady at her age. After being on Malaysian TV, modeling, being in the band, she is now Marketing Director of the luxurious brand ZARDOUSE, a DJ and has recently launched an iPhone application.

By Maria Rita Skog Fashion photos: ZARDOUSE

12 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

M

era is not like any other 24-yearold: this young businesswoman has experiences in fashion, music and entertainment businesses. She is an ex-TV figure, ex-model, DJ, artist, marketing director and a business developer.

After working for five years in Singapore, the Norwegian born - half Malay – has recently made a big step in the fashion and music industries where she is part of the team managing the luxurious ZARDOUSE Diamond Dress worth 452,000 Singapore Dollar –an estimated 2,075,000 million Norwegian Krones.

The former FHM Model is now working full time at the ZARDOUSE Boutique as Marketing Director for exclusive gowns and dresses. She also DJs at Singapore’s known bars and lounges.

The Appartment Mera first appeared on TV in the reality TV show ‘THE APPARTMENT’ that broadcasted in Singapore and Malaysia from August to December 2012.

“I joined the show with a friend from KL where eight couples competed to win The Ultimate Dream Home in Malaysia. We had to renovate a room weekly of a five-story penthouse.

Every week there were different themes and eliminations. I was eliminated in the first round, but came back on the show after five episodes as a surprise” she says.

The interior TV production aired on StarWorld is now showing all over Asia. It was one of the high-

est rated shows on StarWorld for the season, featuring Australia’s Jamie Durie, the well-known interior and garden designer and author of nine best-selling books. Another known TV figure of the show was Britain’s favorite designer and home renovation host, Laurence Liewelly Bowen. With a mentor as Durie and a lead judge as Bowen, Mera participated in an international TV Show and received recognitions both in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

“I have been recognized a couple of times but not on a daily basis. The interesting thing was that during the show I met this fashion designer from New York who used to design for Michael Kors.

I hired him a month ago as our creative director, and he got more recognition than me. Those who recognize me in Singapore tend to be families and housewives. Also, they include modern people who like interior shows,” she says.

The Fashionista As Mera studied Bachelor of Design Communications at LASALLE, she got a job with Alcovia, an advertising agency under GREYD CAPITAL, doing designs.

“When this fashion label ZARDOUSE started, I was very lucky to be part of the whole startup and I realized how much I like doing marketing and events – I have always liked planning things and that is how I got into it” she says.

ZARDOUSE is a new Fashion label founded in 2012 under GREYD CAPITAL, with an in-house international design team of luxury gowns, dresses

Mera and corporate outfits.

“I basically handle public Relations, loans, media relations, journalists and I also do the design for them. I help out with the graphic design, the social media marketing and I do event management as we have a lot of events now that we just launched in Kuala Lumpur and in Indonesia,” she says.

With a price range of SGD 120-500, ZARDOUSE also features more exclusive creations of dresses for those who enjoy indulging themselves. Mera tells ScandAsia that they currently have “Helen”, a diamond dress inspired by Helen of Troy in Greek Mythology.

Made in Paris, the dress has 500 diamonds – a total of 130 carats. Each diamond is between 0.28 and 0.30 carat. Mera reveals that the dress uses the fabrics from one of world’s most respected fabric houses: Janssens and Janssens, which also supplies fabrics to Royal Families all over the world.

Besides handling diamond dress creations as Helen, all the dresses are designed in the Singapore Office design room.

“We have four main designers who are from China, Vietnam, New York and Singapore. All the designers are here but our clothes are made in India, as Indians are very good with hand embellishment, which is our brand’s specialty. We do everything handmade because the kind of patterns we have can only be handcrafted,” she says.

ZARDOUSE is available at Robinsons, Marina Bay Sands and Centrepoint targeting fashionable trendsetters and people who like to put on ‘that

something amazing’ for functions and everyday clothes for work. As the Marketing Director, Mera says that her team aims to get the brand recognized globally within five years.

Modeling After moving to Singapore, Mera met a lot of people through events including the writers for FHM Asia. And she decided to join a few competitions.

“I won this Bikini Babe Search competition, and was featured on the front cover of FHM and also a spread in the media. I have also modeled to brand Olette Lingerie,” she says.

However, she says she is no longer modeling as it was just something she did for fun on the side.

Her true passion is music and fashion.

Passion for music While other Norwegian students were busy studying in Singapore, Mera managed to find time to explore more than the Fashion industry: the Music Community.

“I was in a six-piece rock band called ‘Close Apart’, performing at places like Esplanade and Blue Jazz,” she says.

After recording their album and having fun as a lead singer in the rock band, Mera realised she didn’t actually want to sing in the rock genre.

“The band broke up after a year and I started singing as a solo artist. I also started a new Funk Band called Meracle, doing Hip-hop/R&B covers.

The love of music helps balance my life and work

stress. Every time I DJ or sing, I am really happy,” she says.

Dj Mera started her spins in 2011 at Lucky 13, the newly opened club at the time. After six months of training, she became the resident Dj spinning records five days a week. She now plays a mix of classic hits and contemporary music on a weekend basis at Avalon, Club 83 in Club Street, the W Hotel and fashion events.

Launching iPhone application With a Design Communication background, she has joined her friend Sherizan Sheikh on the development of a social media application.

“I am working on this application called Qlubber where I do the marketing tasks. Sherizan Sheikh is former user and experienced designer at Yahoo, and he started this company together with the programmer and then brought me on,” she says.

To officially launch in June this year, Qlubber is an iPhone app designed to inform users about events in Singapore. The app is tied in with Google maps and Four Square, allowing users to see who check in at different locations.

“If you are at one place and not knowing where to go next, you can go to nearest event. You can also see what is happening the week ahead and the following,” she says.

Mera and Sherizan Sheikh will showcase their applications and meet investors at Asia’s Tech Industry exhibition for startups, ECHELON 2013 in Singapore.

To follow Mera, visit www.meretenoer.blogspot.sg June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

ASEAN Secretar speaks out on tourism Le Luong Minh, the new ASEAN Secretary-General took office in January. His five-year tenure will include the birth of the ASEAN Economic Community. In this interview he gives a progress report on tourism integration in Southeast Asia

For further information, visit www.asean-tourism.com ASEAN Tourism Marketing Working Group: atmcwg@gmail.com ASEAN Secretariat: contact: eddy@asean.org

1. How important is the role of tourism in ASEAN’s development plans?

From 2004 to 2010, ASEAN has been working to achieve the goal of comprehensive regional integration where tourism has been identified as one of the twelve priority sectors. ASEAN Tourism, guided by the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2011-2015, has significant potential to become a major socio-economic driver for growth and a tool for development in the ASEAN region. In 2012, ASEAN received over 87 million international visitors, with intra-ASEAN travel as the major source market for ASEAN tourism with a share of 46%. With this promising outlook, tourism plays an important role as an instrument for the alleviation of poverty, improvement of people’s quality of life and contributing greatly to economic and social development in ASEAN. 2. ASEAN is making progress on cross-border road transport cooperation. What would you like to see happen to further improve cross-border road transport within ASEAN? The ASEAN Leaders adopted the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity in 2010 aimed at bringing about a comprehensive enhancement of physical infrastructure, institutional connectivity and people-to-people connectivity. Cross-border road transport is one of the key components of land transport. ASEAN is developing an ASEAN Framework Agreement on Cross Border Transport of Passengers (CBTP). The intention of this agreement is to facilitate cross border road transport of people between and among ASEAN member states through the simplification and harmonisation of such transport procedures and requirements.

With the conclusion of the agreement, we would 14 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

expect much more seamless land travel, which, at the end, will further develop tourism in the region.

To further complete the ASEAN experience through land travel, the quality of roads within the region is important. ASEAN is currently completing the missing sections and improving road quality of the ASEAN Highway Network (AHN).

3. How important it is for each ASEAN country to promote simplified visa procedures to facilitate travel by non-ASEAN visitors?

Recognising that a single tourist visa could substantially benefit travel facilitation and tourism industry in the region, ASEAN member states continue to promote an ASEAN common visa. Significant progress was made by Thailand and Cambodia when they agreed to implement a single visa agreement. Since December 2012 non-ASEAN visitors just need to obtain one visa to visit both countries.

Within the context of ACMECS, which is a subregional arrangement comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, the idea of a common tourist visa is also enjoying broad support.

ASEAN is working on easing visa requirements for ASEAN nationals and foreign tourists through the full implementation of the 2006 ASEAN Framework Agreement for Visa Exemption. A study on an ASEAN common visa for non-ASEAN nationals is being carried out and a Joint Working Group on the ASEAN Common Visa is being established to identify challenges and opportunities and provide recommendations.

4. How confident are you that the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals will start to deliver results?

The signing of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition

Arrangement (MRA) on Tourism Professionals by Thailand on 9 November 2012 in Bangkok is an excellent indication on how we would progress the implementation of MRA on Tourism Professionals. It is one of the key ASEAN tourism initiatives to support the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 that will facilitate the mobility of tourism professionals, and at the same time, improve the quality of services. The progress that has been achieved is encouraging.

This is shown by the completion of the development of Toolboxes, the successful convening of the Training of ASEAN Master Trainers and Master Assessors for Housekeeping Division. With the readiness of MRA supporting components and the completion of the necessary infrastructure, the pilot implementation for the hotel housekeeping division would begin by next year.

In addition to those achievements in infrastructure preparation, the ASEAN Tourism Ministers supported the recommendation to establish a Regional Secretariat for ASEAN Tourism Professionals, and agreed to select Indonesia as the host of the Secretariat. All of these developments show that ASEAN is committed to completing these initiatives.

5. To ensure the quality of tourism in ASEAN, what policies and initiatives are ASEAN implementing?

ASEAN has achieved significant progress in developing initiatives on enhancing the quality of tourism services, facilities and human resources in the region. Guided by ATSP, a set of ASEAN Tourism Standards for ASEAN Green Hotels, Spa Services, Homestays, Clean Tourist Cities and ASEAN Public Toilets, all with a certification process, have been developed since 2011. We’re

ary-General

ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh

seeking completion and implementation by 2015.

To promote the sustainability of the tourism industry, ASEAN Green Hotel Awards are granted bi-annually to hotels and resorts. For consideration are various energy conservation measures based upon a set of criteria agreed by ASEAN member states. These include environmental policies and actions for hotel operations, use of green products, and collaboration with the local community including human resource development, air quality management, solid waste management, and energy and water efficiency.

6. ASEAN countries are making regulations on green hotels, spa services, homestays, even public toilets. Is it ASEAN’s initiatives or national governments’?

Sustainability is an essential element of the ASEAN tourism planning and development processes. As stated in the ATSP 2011-2015, ASEAN is developing Standards for Green Hotels, Spa Services, Public Toilets and Homestays to enhance the quality of these tourism establishments. These standards are ASEAN initiatives.

7. What measures are being taken to ensure visitors’ safety and security within ASEAN? An initiative on ASEAN Tourism Safety and Security to empower the ASEAN tourism sector in its endeavour to create and maintain a secure and safe environment is currently in place. An online resource centre, which provides guidelines, best practice examples and background papers is being completed. It is expected to be launched next year.

8. Are there any regulatory, investment or policy changes you would like to see to enhance air con-

nectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and other regions?

To facilitate and enhance air services as well as complement transport facilitation, ASEAN ‘open skies’ agreements and protocols are in place. These agreements and protocols would allow airlines of a member state to provide air services from any city with international airports in its territory to any city with international airports in the territories of the other member states and vice-versa with full third (3rd), fourth (4th), and fifth (5th) freedom traffic rights. These initiatives will definitely enhance air connectivity within the region. We look forward to the ratification by all ASEAN member states of these agreements and protocols. Engagements with other countries, particularly with ASEAN dialogue partners, such as China, India and Korea, have started. This has been ASEAN’s commitment stipulated under the implementation framework of the ASEAN Single Aviation Framework. With China, the main agreement and its ‘Protocol 1’ have been signed and are now in force. I would hope that these engagements with dialogue partners could be concluded within the stipulated timeline, 2015.

9. When you look at realising tourism potential in ASEAN, how much has been done, and how much can the region achieve?

The implementation of ATSP 2011-2015, the ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy 2012-2015 and the MRA on Tourism Professionals has recorded significant progress. Numerous joint activities, which focus on tourism marketing promotions, enhancing the quality of tourism, capacity building and identifying tourism products and experiences have been implemented

in a timely fashion. In terms of realising tourism potential in ASEAN, one of the key ASEAN tourism initiatives to support the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 is the full implementation of the MRA on Tourism Professionals. This will facilitate the free movement and employment of qualified and certified tourism personnel between and among ASEAN member states.

10. What kind of tourism product does ASEAN need to develop more?

ASEAN is endowed with ample tourism resources.

They would need to be tapped for the benefit of the ASEAN people. Therefore, there is a need to further develop tourism products that would involve and benefit the local community. Homestay is one of the good examples on how tourism could provide trickling down effects to the community using experience and daily life as a main attraction.

I believe that this could spread out to many areas in ASEAN Member States.

11. Apart from Viet Nam, what memorable travelling and dining experiences have you had in ASEAN? Having served my home country as a diplomat for decades and now being the Secretary General of ASEAN, I have had the luxury of visiting all member states of the Association often. The experiences give me even more comfort when I remember that ASEAN is endowed with ample tourism resources -- human, natural, historical and cultural. On dining, I have observed just how much foreign tourists enjoy local food in ASEAN countries. I admit, however, that wherever I go, Vietnamese food always follows me.

June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

EXPLORE

the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc island Take time out for a five days trip in South Vietnam. We start with a boat trip on the Mekong river delta and end up with a beach vacation on Phu Quoc island. Ask Indius Pedersen for details at travel@scandasia.com.

T

his four nights adventure starts at 7.30 in the morning, when you are picked up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. We are going to My Tho on the banks of the Mekong from where we board a wooden motor boat. The trip is quiet and relaxing, passing by natural creeks, quiet villages with houses on stilts where fishermen go about their work.

We are sailing around on the small waterways that criss-cross the Mekong delta with interesting stops along the way. One stop is at a large orchard with many different types of tasty tropical fruits and at another stop we change to a small row boat to see an interesting transportation modes that local people use to move around.

We’ll also take you to a bee farm where you can taset authentic honey tea while listening to the folk music that is typical to only the people in Southern Vietnam.

After a few more stops, it is time to return to My Tho and continue by bus to Can Tho where we will stay over the first night.

Next day after breakfast, we are continuing the exploration of the delta’s wonders by boat for a few hours including a quick lunch. Eventually 16 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

we leave for the airport to catch the flight for Phu Quoc at 13.05.

When we arrive Duong Dong airport in Phu Quoc island a car will send you to your hotel for the night.

Next day it is time to explore Phu Quoc. We visit the North to discover the primitive forest then visit the black peppers plantation at Khu Tuong, sightseeing at Phu Quoc national park. Enjoy swimming at the Dai beach. Lunch. Return to your resort. Free at leisure in the afternoon.

On the fourth morning of the trip, we will drive to An Thoi port to visit the Australian pearl farm on the way to the Southern island. In An Thoi port we embark a fishing boat to go out to the Thoi archipelago where we drop anchor in a quite bay. Angling equipment is at hand to cacth a few Garrupas, snappers... Back in the port we drive to the Sao beach for your relaxion on the hammocks. Visit the Ham Ninh fishing village on the way back to the hotel.

This is your last evening on this interesting island. The next morning after breakfast the car waits to take you to the airport for boarding your plane back to to Ho Chi Minh City after a memorable five days of adventure.

Imagine ...

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June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

Medium

Smoked Bacon with Apples and Onions

Evil

By Anders Holm Nielsen

This traditional recipe from Denmark makes a hearty lunch or a tasty Sunday evening dinner.

Ingredients (Serves 4) • 4 tablespoons butter • 1 pound sliced back bacon (Canadian bacon) • 2 large onions •3 medium apples cut in wedges • Black pepper • Preparation Melt 2 tablespoons butter.

Add bacon and fry until lightly browned.

Remove bacon and drain on paper towel.

Add remaining butter and fry onions until soft and transparent.

Add apples; cover pan and simmer 7 to 10 minutes.

When apples are cooked, put bacon back in and simmer about 5 minutes.

Grind pepper over top.

Are you done?

W

hen you have completed the above puzzles, please send your solution by fax to +66 2 943 7169 or scan and email to puzzles@ scandasia.com. We will make a lucky draw among the correct answers. Five lucky winners will receive a ScandAsia polo shirt.

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Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 July 2013 18 ScandAsia.Singapore • June 2013

June 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

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