ScandAsia Singapore July 2013

JUL 2013

Singapore

Jan B. Djerf Promoting Swedish businesses ScandAsia.dk

ScandAsia.fi

ScandAsia.no

JulyScandAsia.se 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 1

I like to check on my patients and help them get better. Every week our dress-up corner is set up for something new. It’s so much fun, maybe one day I’ll be a real doctor!

Stamford is a world class school for students from 2 years old through High School. The Nursery Program combines play, culture and the roots of structured learning and features a daily Mandarin and Spanish Foreign Language Program.

+65 6602 7247

www.sais.edu.sg

Stamford American International School CPE Registration Number: 200823594D Period of Registration: August 10, 2010 to August 9, 2014

Coming Events Innovation in Art Series President’s Young Talents Date: Now until 15 September 2013 Location: Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road The art exhibition features artworks from Singapore’s promising artists. Six Singaporean visual artists were selected for the strength and promise in their practice and for possessing the potential for credibility and recognition in the international arts scene: Boo Junfeng, Liao Jiekai, Zaki Razak, Grace Tan, Ryf Zaini and Robert Zhao Renhui.

Until the end of the exhibition in September, two of these acclaimed artists will be presented in each issue of the Singapore Art Gallery Guide, starting with Boo Junfeng and Liao Jiekai.

For more information, visit www.singaporeartmuseum.sg

The Phantom of the Opera Date: 16 July – 15 August 2013 Location: The Grand Theatre Marina Bay Sands Here is good news for musical lovers! The world renowned musical from Broadway “The Phantom of the Opera” will perform at the Grand Theatre Marina Bay Sands in Singapore during July and August.

“The Phantom of the Opera” tells the story of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano – Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, The Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealously, madness and passions collide.

Tickets can be purchased at www.sistic.com.sg

Food & Electronic Bazaar 2013 Date: 19 – 21 July 2013, 11.00am – 9.00pm Location: Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 6A The three-day event will feature an array of gadgets and electronics items such as digital cameras, laptops, and LED TVs on big discounts. Visitors can also enjoy themselves at the food bazzar, offering a variety of local gourmet delights, comfort food and international cuisine. Admission is free. The event is organised by Sphere Exhibits Pte, Ltd. For more information, contact +65 6319-4020

Stereophonics to rock Singapore Date: 25 July 2013 Location: The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel – Resorts World Sentosa The Welsh alternative rock band “Stereophonics” will perform live in Singapore on July 25. The band is praised for its brilliant live performance, and said to be one of the best live bands performing classic rock.

Formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in Cynon Valley in Wales, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Kelly Jones, bassist and backing vocalist Richard Jones, drummer Jamie Morrison, guitarist and backing vocalist, Adam Zindani and touring member Tony Kirkham (keyboards). Stereophonics have released eight studio albums. The latest one “Graffiti on the train” was released in March this year.

For more information, visit www.stereophonics.com

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2013 Date: 31 July – 4 August 2013 Location: DBS Arts Centre - Home of SRT Presented by The Substation, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2013 is one of the world’s largest comedy festivals, offering a selection of Australian, international and special guests.

Following the success from last year’s Roadshow where comedians performed to enthusiastic crowds in 60 regional centres and capitals across Australia and also in Singapore and Hong Kong, this year’s Roadshow plans to connect with even more comedy fans and share the kind of humour that’s had Melbourne weeping with laughter.

Interested people are suggested to book early as tickets will sell out. No admission for people under 16 years old. Tickets start from $46.

For bookings, contact Sistic on +65 6348 5555 or visit www.sistic.com.sg For more information on the cast, visit http://www.substation.org/event/comedy2013 July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 3

Opinion

Skip the beach and go on an adventure with the ScandAsia Test Team

W 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

hy not go on a holiday filled with adventure far from your everyday experiences? How about taking a trip in a hot air balloon in Laos, riding an elephant in Thailand or maybe go rock climbing in Vietnam? Far from the crowded tourist spots of Southeast Asia there are unique activities and sceneries to be explored.

ScandAsia would like you to go on an adventure with us - and share your experience with other readers.

The ScandAsia Test Team is our new travel initiative. The idea is - in cooperation with our readers - to bring you the best of activities and experiences from not only Thailand, but all of Southeast. The idea is simple.

Firstly, we need to see that you can write a proper travel article and have an average command of a camera.

After that we equip you with a letter of authority saying that you are a part of the ScandAsia Test Team and that in return for an article with photos, we ask for a complimentary trip. ”It has been a positive experience and the organizers are very friendly and interested when we show them the letter and say that we would like to do a review for ScandAsia. If they say yes it also means that they have a great product that they really want to promote,” said Sebastian. Sebastian and his girlfriend Ida have been around quite a bit using the Test Team letter, and with great success.

So far the couple has gone air ballooning, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing for piranhas and much more.

“Ziplining with Flight of the Gibbon was amazing. It was quite expensive and our budget wouldn’t have allowed if we hadn’t done it for the Test Team. The hot air balloon in Laos was great as well because it was so quirky and different.”

While Sebastian and Ida have many action-packed activities on the resume, you don’t have to be a regular Indiana Jones to be part of the team. Sebastian’s favorite trip was a simple and mellow fishing trip.

“My best experience is very subtle. Piranha fishing in Pai was in the middle of nowhere and we had few expectations but it turned out to be great.”

The next activities for the adventurous couple is getting a diver’s certificate on Koh Tao, climbing and white water rafting in Krabi and a trip to Universal Studios in Singapore.

The everyday life for most of us is filled with repeats and routines. But why have a holiday filled with repeats? Have an adventure with ScandAsia – join the Test Team.

Read their articles here: www.scandasia.com/author/testteam

Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com Assistant Editor: Wachiraporn Janrut wachiraporn@scandmedia.com Advertising : Frank Leong frank@scandmedia.com 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.

Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com

Sebastian Buur, 30, studies photo journalism at the Danish School of Journalism.

Ida Holt, 22, is a freelance writer for an advertising company in Denmark.

Past Events

Morten Lassen’s “Invisible” art exhibition opening

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anish Artist Morten Lassen’s solo exhibition “Invisible” was officially opened on 6 June 2013 by her Excellency Berit Basse, the Danish Ambassador to Singapore. The exhibition was held on 4 – 14 June at Australasian Arts Projects on Tanglin road.

Presented by Art Equity in a stunning black and white exhibiting space, furnished with Danish design, classic Lassen’s moving abstractions were well received to an almost sell out success.

The sponsors of the event were Carlsberg, Benchmark Wines, Embassy of Denmark in Singapore, Ege carpets and The Danish Design Company.

Among those attending were Anna Layard - Executive Director Art Equity Singapore, Ralph Hobbs- Art Director Singapore, Morten Lassen – Artist, John Gordon - Editor of The Finder, Frits Groenwegen – ANZ and Peter Mostyn – ANZ.

Swedish Gamefest 2013 Photos by Hema Selva

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he Singapore gaming community gathered at E2max (LAN Facility) on 14 – 15 June 2013 to participate in the ’Swedish Gamefest’ hosted by the Embassy of Sweden together with Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA).

With the aim to highlight Sweden’s success in the growing gaming industry and create a platform for Swedish games in Singapore, the LAN party showcased three of the finest games to come out of Sweden to 200 representatives from the Singaporean gaming community.

A Battlefield 3 tournament was held with enthusiastic participants from “professional” gaming teams.

The Embassy also collaborated with the Swedish game developer Simbin to introduce to the gaming community the soon to be launched RaceRoom Racing Experience. The best racing times of the day were awarded with Simbin Virtual Currency. The gamers also had a chance to play Minecraft, one of Sweden’s biggest gaming successes, and prizes were given out every hour to the most creative submission.

The two-day event concluded with Ambassador Dolfe giving out the prizes to the winning Battlefield teams, with Team BF NUT securing the first prize.

The prizes included, among other things, tickets to DreamHack 2013, the largest digital festival in the world hosted in Sweden each year.

Ranked as one of the top computer game exporters, Sweden has proved to be nurturing highly creative and innovative game developers, who also have the business mind-sets to commercialise the games on the international market.

The event was also in collaboration with Dice, EA Games, Mojang, DreamHack and Illuminary.

6 ScandAsia.Singapore • July 2013

1. Battlefield Tournament 2. Ambassador Dofe with Gamefest Partners 3. Winning team with Ambassador Dolfe

Past Events

Danish Constitution Day celebrated at Seamen’s Church

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n Seamen’s Church in Singapore, Dannebrog had been put up on 5 June 2013, gathering some 50 happy guests for dinner buffet, constitution speech and a great time together. The speech was made by the Danish Ambassador to Singapore, Berit Basse.

After the speech, the chairman of the church committee, Tom Hansen, on behalf of the church, proudly accepted a cheque of 11.313 SGD. The cheque was given by Andreas Justesen and Oliver Andersen, who brought TV2 to perform in Singapore on 6 April. The concert was a success with over 520 participants, resulting in a profit which the two gave to the church on 5 June. The church was very grateful for this amazing support.

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From left: Oliver Andersen (With Jacob on his arm) with Andreas Justesen and Tom Hansen From left: Tom Hansen, Oliver Andersen, Andreas Justesen and Kirsten Eistrup

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Velkommen, välkommen, tervetuloa, welcome...

Nordea opens International Private Banking branch in Singapore With the opening of its new private banking branch in Singapore, clients resident in Asia can benefit from Nordea’s wealth management expertise, global market access and Nordic approach to doing business, while maintaining their account in the Asian financial centre of Singapore. Address: Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch, 3 Anson Road, #20-01 Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909 Visit us at www.nordeaprivatebanking.com, call +65 65 97 10 81or email nordea@nordea.sg for more information or to set up a personal meeting.

Making it possible Nordea Bank S.A, Singapore Branch is part of Nordea Group, the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Some products and services may, due to local regulations, not be available to individuals resident in certain countries and their availability may depend, among other things, on the investment risk profile of persons in receipt of this publication or on any legislation to which they are subject. Nothing in this publication should be construed as an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to purchase, subscribe to or sell any investment or product, or to engage in any other transaction or provide any kind of financial or banking service in any jurisdiction where Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch or any of its affiliates do not have the necessary licence. Published by Nordea Bank S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14.157 on behalf of Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch, 3 Anson Rd #20-01, Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909. www.nordeaprivatebanking.com subject to the supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (www.mas.gov.sg).

AD_Scandasia_Opening_eng.indd 1

19/06/2013 14:307 July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore

News Brief

Oslo named most expensive city for travellers - Singapore second in Asia

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ripAdvisor, the world’s popular travel website, on 11 June 2013 unveiled TripIndex Cities 2013 – the third annual cost comparison of an evening out and overnight stay for two people in popular cities around the world.

TripIndex Cities is based on the combined costs for two of one night in a four-star hotel, cocktails, a two-course dinner with a bottle of wine, and return taxi transportation (two journeys of approximately 3.2 kilometres each). Costs listed are accurate for the period of 1 June to 31 August 2013.

Sofia, Bulgaria offers the most affordable evening out and an overnight stay for Indonesian travelers with a total TripIndex cost of $158.42, while Hanoi, Vietnam takes second place with $176.14. Bangkok, Thailand is the second most affordable city in Asia with $201.15.

At nearly four times the cost of Sofia, Oslo, Norway tops the list as most expensive with a TripIndex cost of $581.08, closely followed

by Zurich, Switzerland which totals $523.41 and Stockholm, Sweden with $521.68.

Copenhagen, Denmark was ranked as eighth most expensive this year with $443.58 while Helsinki, Finland ranked 13thwith $401.70.

Tokyo, Japan is most expensive city in Asia with a figure of $402.76, followed by Singapore at $400.96.

Singapore street food event with a Nordic flavor

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anish food entrepreneur, co-creator of Noma and founding father of the New Nordic Cuisine movement, Claus Meyer, served up comfort food the Danish way at the first World Street Food Congress Singapore 2013 held on 31 May - 9 June.

Both Singapore and Copenhagen have gained a strong reputation as gastronomic cities, and now they meet – first in Singapore, and then in August in Copenhagen during the food festival Copenhagen Cooking.

Claus Meyer was a key note speaker at the World Street Food Congress Singapore 2013. Based on his experience from Noma and the New Nordic cuisine movement, he shared his reflections on food as an instrument to improve lives in mature and emerging economies.

At the public event Jamboree at World Street Food Congress, street food masters from around the world served up street food. Claus’ Meyer’s Kitchen represented Denmark with comfort food, serving the famous “Roast Pork Sandwich”. Claus Meyer was in action on 4 June at 6.30pm at Danish Stall 1*, F1 Pit Building & Paddock. The Ambassador of Denmark to Singapore, Berit Basse, addressed editors and visitors at the Danish Stall, followed by Claus Meyer.

8 ScandAsia.Singapore • July 2013

Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Singapore

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he Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, visited Singapore and attended the 12th International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue 2013).

He called on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam on 1 June 2013.

Minister Shanmugam and Minister Bildt reaffirmed the warm relationship between Singapore and Sweden, which is underpinned by excellent cooperation in the political, economic and defense sectors.

Minister Shanmugam thanked Minister Bildt for Sweden’s strong support for Singapore’s successful application for observer status in the Arctic Council. Both Ministers looked forward to the approval and ratification of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which will further enhance the robust economic linkages between Singapore, Sweden and Europe. They also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Minister Bildt also had bilateral meetings with Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, and United States Secretary of Defence, Chuck Hagel.

On Sunday evening June 2, Ambassador Ingemar Dolfe hosted a dinner for Minister Bildt where he met with members of the Swedish business community in Singapore.

News Brief

Singaporean ship management company Thome expands to Copenhagen

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home Group, Singapore’s first independent ship management company, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year while continuing to expand its global footprint.

As part of this expansion, Thome is opening a new ship management office in Copenhagen, Denmark.

With the establishment of Thome Ship Management Denmark in Copenhagen, Thome reaffirms its longterm commitment to actively support the Danish Maritime Cluster growth strategy as a future European maritime hub, says a press release.

The new Copenhagen office will formally start operations next month (June 2013) and is expected to give Thome an opportunity to provide ship management services under the DIS flag. This is in addition to the 20 other flags which the Thome Group of companies presently manages its vessels under.

The Danish office will report to the Singapore main office as well as take its back office support from Thome’s strong and well established Asian operations, allowing a lean setup and competitive service provision.

Spearheading the Thome Denmark Copenhagen operations will be Stig Holm, who joins from a wellestablished leading Danish ship owner with whom he served as a Director, Fleet Management.

Thome Group Chairman Mr. Olav Eek Thorstensen said: “With the opening of our brand new European office, we position ourselves optimally and in close proximity to many of our existing Scandinavian customers. I am confident that with the skill sets and well-developed networks available within the Danish Maritime cluster; we will be able to further elevate an already well recognized service offering for our existing and potential partners.”

SAS and Singapore Airlines expand partnership

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s a result of the joint-venture of SAS and Singapore Airlines, the code share agreement is now increasing from 5 routes to 29.

As of 21 May 2013 there are now Singapore codeshare an additional 19 flights. 14 flights from Copenhagen to a large number of airports in Scandinavia, Poland, Germany, Finland and the Baltic countries plus five routes from London Heathrow.

The 14 routes from Copenhagen are some of SAS’ most important feeder flights to Copenhagen.

The five flights from London Heathrow are Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Stavanger and Gothenburg.

Recently there have been a large number of discontinued partnerships between SAS and other airlines. Earlier this month SAS and Lufthansa ended their 18-year-long joint venture.

July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 9

News Brief

Norwegian software company expands to Singapore

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orwegian browser software company Opera has opened a regional head office in Singapore today as it seeks to extend its reach in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on developing its advertising business.

Opera already has a presence in Asia — with offices in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan — but the new Singapore office will be home to its operator and advertising business, technical support, and marketing activities across the region.

Citing the increasing amount of time people spend online via their mobile phones, and given the large number of mobileonly consumers in Southeast Asian countries (such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam), Opera says the mandate of the new base is working with operators and advertisers to help them reach more mobile Internet users.

Fabrizio Caruso, Opera’s Senior Vice President for Asia will head up the Singapore presence, and he explains: “We plan to use our Singapore office as a hub to fuel the mobile Internet and advertising economy in APAC.” The company says it has already partnered with 17 mobile operators in Asia to roll out co-branded Opera Mini browsers coupled with data plans, in a bid to bring more people online through their mobile phones.

With the opening of the Singapore office, Opera now has a total of 17 offices around the world, which house more than 900 employees.

Swedish supercar introduced in Singapore

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wedish made Koenigsegg, one of the fastest and most exclusive cars, was unveiled to 200 VIPs and guests at a private launch event at the Ritz Carlton Millenia hotel in Singapore on 14 June.

Hand-crafted by skilled artisans in Sweden, the Agera S model is the first Koenigsegg to zoom into Singapore. It was introduced to the global market in 2012.

The hypercar was unveiled by Motorway Group of Companies, a pre-owned luxury specialist and rental car company. Motorway also announced its appointment as the official distributor of Koenigsegg brand of hypercars during the unveiling of the Agera.

In a statement to the media, Motorway revealed that the Agera S, designed with enhanced aerodynamics, has an incredible top speed of over 400 km/h. It runs on regular petrol and comes with a newly developed 1,040 horse power twin turbo engine.

Present to grace the event was the founder of Koenigsegg Automotive AB, Christian von Koenigsegg.

Michael Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Motorway, said: “We are deeply honored to be the first in Singapore to present the Koenigsegg to the market. It was not an easy task to secure the production and transportation of the car. It took us more than a year to do so. Being appointed by Koenigsegg to represent them in Singapore is a perfect gift for Motorway as we celebrate our 21st year of establishment this month.”

Christian von Koenigsegg said: “It is with great pleasure that we launch the first Koenigsegg in Singapore today. Today’s launch means a lot to us as Koenigsegg has evolved from being a small and unknown car developer, to becoming a household name, revered for excellence and performance – competing head to head with the strongest brands in the industry.”

Singaporean and Swedish universities work together on cancer treatment

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cientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Lund University in Sweden have bio-engineered a molecule which can kill 40 different types of tumor cells.

The molecule is based on a natural protein present in human breast milk.

The molecule, known as HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactabumin Made Lethal to Tumour cells), has been found to attack tumor cells such as brain tumors and bladder cancer, leaving healthy cells intact.

Researchers found that laboratory mice, genetically modified to develop colon cancer, were protected to a large extent when fed HAMLET-laced water.

Clinical trials on human skin papillomas and human urinary bladder cancer conducted in Sweden have also shown promising results.

There are plans to conduct human trials in Singapore.

After completing various trials, scientists hope to develop a commercially-available product for cancer treatment in the next five to ten years.

10 ScandAsia.Singapore • July 2013

News Brief

Singaporean EMAS wins million dollar contracts in Norway

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ingaporean EMAS enters several projects throughout the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Winning contracts totaling several hundred millions of dollars, EMAS will be collaborating with both Statoil and Det norske oljeselskap ASA. Major projects like Aasta Hansteen, Ivar Aasen and Smørbukk South Extension make up the contract portfolio.

By a multitude of contract winnings this spring, EMAS continuously enhances its status as a subsea player in the North Sea region. Established in 1992, their initial presence in the Asia Pacific has gradually

led them to becoming a global contracting group in offshore and maritime services – now knocking on northern doors.

Following the major oil findings in the Ivar Aasen field, EMAS will provide engineering, procurement, construction and installation of three 10 km rigid pipelines in the Norwegian Sea for Det norske oljeselskap ASA. Worth more than US$165 million, the contract also includes options for continued work on the region, supplying subsea power cables connecting the nearby Edvard Grieg platform to Ivar Aasen. “This win is a further result of our continued efforts and commitment to strengthen relationships with some of the key oil and gas players in the North Sea region”, says CEO of EMAS AMC, C. J. D’Cort.

Additionally, Statoil has awarded the company with two major contracts. Firstly, they will provide transport and installation of subsea templates – two 4-slot and one single-slot – for the deepest offshore project in the region, the Aasta Hansteen field development.

All projects will be executed by the EMAS AMC division, established after the acquisition of Aker Marine Contractors AS (former subsidiary of OSX-listed Aker Solutions ASA).

THE WORLD IS OUR STAGE

THAT’S CIS.

An IB World School

Providing a 21st Century Education for the Global Child With programmes grounded in our values of collaboration, respect, integrity, commitment and responsibility, we aim to engage students with a unique community committed to the ideals of inclusion and global citizenship.

Essential life skills are developed as students from over 65 nations participate in enlightening service opportunities and expeditions, inspiring them to be vibrant participants in a diverse and global society.

With a strong focus on academic excellence, technology, sports and the arts, we endeavour to develop a passion for learning and to prepare students for the 21st century.

Come and explore our campuses to find out how we bring learning to life. The CIS educational experience will be dynamic, memorable and life defining.

We offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme to students 3 to 18 years of age.

Lakeside Campus (ECE to Grade 12) 7 Jurong West Street 41 T: 6467 1732 E: admissions@cis.edu.sg Tanjong Katong Campus (ECE to Grade 8) 371 Tanjong Katong Road T: 6345 1573 E: admissionstk@cis.edu.sg

www.cis.edu.sg Canadian International School Pte. Ltd. | CPE Registration Number: 199002243H | Period of Registration: 8 June 2011 to 7 June 2015

July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 11

Jan B. Djerf

Promoting Swedish busi The President of SBAS, Jan B. Djerf, shares his plans to promote Swedish businesses in Singapore and ASEAN through SBAS’s various activities and seminars.

By Ika Forssell

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an B. Djerf is the President of Swedish Business Association of Singapore (SBAS) since 2007.

He has tirelessly been working together with the rest of the Board members to promote Swedish business interests in Singapore and the ASEAN Region, and does not seem to lose steam any time soon. In 2012, SBAS celebrated 30 years of existence, a milestone which was marked by an extravagant Midwinter Ball event. Swedish popular artist Måns Zelmerlöw was invited as the night’s entertainer.

SBAS has around 100 Corporate Members, out of a total of 250 Swedish companies established in Singapore. In addition to that, there are 30 Individual Members.

Activities organized by SBAS Activities on SBAS’ agenda include seminars with expert speakers on business themes that are relevant to the Swedish business community in Singapore. Some seminars have a more local angle, while others cover broader Asian or Scandinavian related topics. The seminars are held at least once a month, usually over breakfast or lunch in order to make it a somewhat social event at the same time.

The participants are always given ample opportunity to network, which helps them find new business opportunities. It also provides the chance to share experiences and benefit from advice.

SBAS also organizes visits to places and organizations in Singapore which may be of interests to its members such as URA (the Urban Redevelopment Authority), the Singapore Harbor and the Singapore Stock Exchange, SGX. Together with the Swedish Embassy, SBAS arranges Business Delegation trips to countries in the region. This gives participating members a chance to meet with different government linked organizations, trade organizations and the local business community. So far trips have been arranged to Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

A number of business deals and contacts have been established during these trips.

Subgroups of SBAS Within SBAS, there are also three Sub Groups which cater for specific needs and interests of its members: The Young Professionals (YP), with the 12 ScandAsia.Singapore • July 2013

clear intention to attract younger members under the age of 35 and with its own program including a number of networking events. The Human Resource Group (HRG) which was established primarily for non-Swedish HR Managers to better understand Swedish company culture and organization. Nowadays these gatherings also attract Scandinavian participants.

Networking and seminars for accompanying spouses with a professional background in Sweden is part of SBAS offering. The Professional Partner Group, PPG, meets on a regular basis and has had

All the extra duties that come with the positions of President of SBAS and Vice President of EuroCham are exciting additions to Jan B. Djerf’s ordinary job as Handelsbanken’s Head of South Asia Pacific and General Manager of the Singapore Branch.

informative meetings of for example; “How to establish a company in Singapore” and “the benefits and pitfalls of networking”. There have also been Swedish female entrepreneurs attending, sharing their experiences of doing business in Singapore.

Social activities as well The first Thursday every month, SBAS calls upon its members to come down to the so called ScandBizBar. Mr. Djerf explains that this initiative was originally called SwedBizBar but in order to include friends from the other Scandinavian countries the

name was changed. SBAS takes turn with its Nordic counterparts to organize this on a yearly basis and this year the Norwegians are in charge. It is an evening of casual after work drinks and networking.

Another co-sharing arrangement that SBAS takes turn to organize is the Nordic Golf Tournament which this year will be arranged by SBAS. This is an appreciated opportunity for the members to invite business partners for some competitive golf as well as to meet other Scandinavians.

Two big, traditional events that are organized yearly are the Mid-Winter Ball and the Midsummer dinner. They both attract many Swedish and Singaporean party loving guests and the ball often involves entertainment by popular artists from Sweden.

EuroCham As an exciting addition to his work with SBAS, Mr. Djerf mentions EuroCham which is the EU: s Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

The Board of EuroCham consists of the Presidents from the National Business Groups of the EU countries and a number of European companies. Mr. Djerf has been a Board member since 2007, and two years ago he was appointed Vice President and member of the Executive Committee. Today, there are some 8,500 European companies established in Singapore and Eurocham plays an active role promoting European business interests in Singapore and in the region.

Business the greatest interest To Mr. Djerf personally all the extra duties that come with the positions of President of SBAS and Vice President of EuroCham are exciting additions to his ordinary job as Handelsbanken’s Head of South Asia Pacific and General Manager of the Singapore Branch. His passion stems from a great interest in business, people and multi-cultural relations. Although unpaid, he tirelessly and proudly continues promoting Swedish business interests in Singapore through SBAS and EuroCham.

Mr Djerf is very fond of his family, with pictures of his wife and teenage sons in his office, which has a spectacular view over Singapore River from the 21st floor. When asked about his spare time, he says: “Well, I am one of the few who don’t play golf – there is no time for it”.

sinesses

July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

Spotify launch Swedish music streaming service ‘Spotify’ has expanded in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

By Maria Rita Skog

Mr. Sriram Krishnan Spotify’s Head of New Markets, APAC

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potify is today known as a commercial music streamer, where users can get good quality music instantly for free of charge.

Spotify was established in Sweden in 2006. Since April 2013, the music service is geographically available almost all around the world.

Malaysian born Sriram Krishnan turned his Spotify passion into his dream job, after studying at Kungliga Tekniska Høgskolan, KTH, in Stockholm, Sweden. On his return to Asia, Krishnan told his friends how great it was to have this ‘Swedish music streamer account for free’.

Krishnan is today Spotify’s Head of New Markets, APAC. Spotify Asia opened in April this year, launching in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong: “The funniest thing about this is that myself and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek might think sometimes we are just running a little start-up. Reality shows that that little start-up has taken over the world as the leading music sharer. The amount of our newly created accounts, come in numbers of millions. It is insanely fun!” says Krishnan.

According to Krishnan, Spotify is experiencing an immediate shift of music sharing. The Malaysian, Singapore and Hong Kong co-hubs of countries have been their most successful launch ever, globally.

“It just proves that there are so much demand for quality music and free music. Remember, we have been very fortunate that our brand has been a tremendous success in US and in Europe, Australia and New Zealand and that fans have been patiently waiting for us, now in HK, to the point where we immediately adopted as soon as we launched. I am happy to announce that the Malaysia been the most successful co-hub ever, across the world” says Krishnan.

Like many other users, Krishnan got an account in 2007. Little did the former KTH student know that six years later he was going to be appointed as the Head of New Markets for Asia-Pacific: “I got my hands on Spotify early 2007. I have been using Spotify since then; it is amazing, it is free and it is mind blowing. When I came back to Asia I promoted Spotify unofficially like a fan, and now I am promoting it as an employee. I used to do that for free and fun, and now I am getting paid to do it and it is awesome.”

Expanding in Asia & Piracy Launching Spotify in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong occurred at the same time in April this year: “Piracy is very high, it is rampant. Daniel Ek, Our Ceo, founder of Spotify lived in the hope of addressing piracy so that is one of the biggest considerations that we have. Music is merely social, what is the point of having a music service for one self? Know what other people are listening to, and this is the biggest and mostly dominant aspect of them. Facebook is also very dominating here in Singapore and Hong Kong. We know people who are highly social and they have to have a healthy 14 ScandAsia.Singapore • July 2013

ches in Asia music scene, with lots of contents. It made sense to launch in Malaysia and Singapore and use these countries as a building stone for an expansion in Asia,” says Krishnan.

User-growth “Globally we have got 24 million active subscribers, out of which 6 million are paying subscribers. That gives us the conversion of 20-25%, which is great and those are the conversions we are seeing here in Singapore and Hong Kong. It is very consistent.

The second thing is the fact that for Asia we have simplified the product a bit. You might be customer to the product we have in Europe where there is a free version, unlimited version and the premium version.

In Asia, we are having the free version and the premium version only, as it is very obvious because; a) we needed to simplify the product, and b) mobile usage is a bit more prominent in this part of the world. Mobile is something that people cannot overlook: when you pay for product you make it mobile. If you don’t pay, the standard product is still given to you for free.

The reason why we are so popular is because of our free service. We are the only ones free in

the market and there are many more services in the free month-on-month market. No frequency capping and no audio capping, it is completely free, and there is no one out there with this type of practice,” says Krishnan.

Spotify says that music is meant to be shared and that is the reason artists and bands create music, for people to listen to it, it is an inherently social.

“Malaysia and Singapore and Hong Kong are very social places, given that most of the users are on Facebook. We see tremendous amount of sharing music via Spotify in these countries. We don’t have the exact stats here because it is early dates but we have seen tremendous amount of sharing whether that is by artist, by DJ, by fan, by our brand partner, and we have seen that it happens very quickly.

Think about it, the smart phone penetration is very high here in Singapore, so intra-penetration is very high. All the signs show our points towards a very successful launch of Spotify as well as a very successful popular sharer of music” Krishnan adds.

Spotify aims to expand in more markets in Asia.

“You have to remember that we are still a fiveyear-old company since our launch in 2008. We

are still a start-up, we are still very small. Despite this, we have given back 1 billion US dollars to the music industry coming to the end of the year.

1 billion USD for a five-year old company live in 28 markets. Now this is money. Our main charge is piracy and we address piracy. We aim to get money from a bunch of users who would never pay for music, and get them to stop to pay for music, for S$120 a month. These are people who would never pay for music and they will never pay for music again, it is a great variety of service so they actually want us to launch everywhere. But we do not launch until we get the right catalogue, the most comprehensive music vision and local music and that is time consuming. We ensure that we have the perfect product before we launch.

Singapore has lots of consumption of localmusic and regional music, which is great because we are able to provide that experience and consumers are able to listen to their local and regional favorite hits. The second thing is that lots of people doubted the access log to remember we are all about access versus ownership. We believe that if you have access to the world of music why do you have to order illegal music? That is our mantra,” says Krishnan.

July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

Children of the Forest from bamboo classrooms to a brighter future

For many years, Karen and Mon people have looked to Thailand for a shot at a better life, only to find themselves and their kids facing hardship, cut off from the privileges of the Thai system.

In Sangklaburi, near the Myanmar border, a dedicated project is aiming to change this.

By Anders Holm Nielsen

Children of the Forest is a registered Thai foundation providing protection, education and health care for abandoned, abused and orphaned Karen and Mon children living in the Thai / Burmese border zone, Sangkhlaburi,Thailand.

The project relies heavily on contributions Thai Dansk Venskabsforening, Nederman S.E.A Co. Ltd, Danish Women’s Network and Henrik Friis Family & Friends donated a brand new tractor to help expand the farming program and improve food security. Recently, the Danish Women’s Network helped put in a new floor at the Child Protection Program for girls.

I

n small bamboo classrooms at Children of the Forest, kids that otherwise would have been left uneducated are studying their way into Thai society and a brighter future.

“For many it is a life drifting from plantation to plantation. The whole concept is to educate as many children as possible to change this for the better. There are no fees for transportation, uniforms or lunch.

They just turn up and we give them an education.”

The explanation comes from Tom Hopson whose son Daniel started Children of the Forest eight years ago. After working at an or-

16 ScandAsia.Singapore • July 2013

phanage in the area, Daniel saw the need for an extensive project helping the Mon and Karen children. What started as a small school program has now developed into a major project with 270 kids at the school and 120 at the childrens home.

From Manchester to Sangklaburi Two years ago, founder Daniel Hopson was joined by his parents Tom and Lynda. When they both retired they sold the house in Manchester, where Tom was a kitchen designer and Lynda a counselor and moved to Sangklaburi to work at

Children of the Forest.

Back in Manchester, Tom and Lynda had for many years worked with the project as trustees, helping to raise money for the many kids.

Today, Tom works at the at the school and helps out with fundraising, Lynda works with the medical program and Daniel manages the children’s home and anything that has to do with the children’s welfare, while he is also the football coach.

Unforced learning Most of the kids at Children of the Forest have never been to school before and many does not speak Thai

and for that reason all the teachers are either Karen or Mon. “In our preparation classes we teach them Thai to a level, where they can learn the Thai curriculum and join our 1st grade. When they graduate from our 3rd grade they go to the local government school.”

The kindergartens operate on the Steiner Waldorf principle of unforced learning. Tom explains that a big part of the first year is to make the kids feel safe and happy, making sure that they actually enjoy coming to school.

For that reason the same teacher takes the children from 1st grade all the way through 3rd grade, teaching them everything from Thai and math to history.

Maintaining the Mon and Karen cultures Children of the Forest was given status as an official school four years ago, which means that children leave with education certificates that allow them to enter the Thai educational system, which is a vital step so secure their future.

Many children were born in Thailand but because their parents don’t have papers or status, neither do their children. They can’t receive subsidized medical care or subsidized education and don’t enjoy any of the Thai privileges.”

With one foot in the system, the school starts registering the kids from day one. It is a long way for them to get Thai ID cards which takes years, but by entering Children of the For-

est at least they have some rights and some status.

Though the goal is to educate the children so they can integrate and enjoy the same rights as the Thais, the project makes an effort to also educate the kids about their Mon and Karen heritage.

“We want the kids to be part of the Thai community but we also make sure that they maintain their cultural identity. We have various events with music, plays and stories where we teach them about their Karen and Mon cultures. We encourage them to be proud of that and celebrate their heritage.”

Skipping school for work Many migrant parents have the mind-set of day to day survival.

Education as an investment in their children’s future is hard for them to contemplate as they themselves have no sense of a future.

“We try to educate the parents of how important the school is, but these families don’t have the forward thinking of sending their kids to school for years and years.”

Most of the families support themselves through agriculture and it is not unusual that the children are pulled out of school in harvest seasons to help out. When the child does not attend school, the teacher goes to see the family and makes a report.

“What we have to understand is that they are looking ahead for maybe a week or a month to put food on the table. It is important to

understand that and put yourself in their shoes so you can explain to them just how important it is to send the kids to school.”

When the teacher sees that a child is missing school to work with the parents, Children of the Forest will step in and support the family by offering rice for a period of time so there is room for sending the child back to school.

“It’s a good way of supporting that family and understanding the problem and not be judgmental. For them it is just to put more food on the table..”

As a consequence of the persistency and follow up visits, the school has what they themselves call a very low dropout rate, despite the challenges.

From bamboo huts to uni In the eight years that the project has existed, the school has been successful in giving the kids a chance and some have even moved from the bamboo classrooms to college and university.

“We have one girl at the moment who is studying at the Kanchanaburi University to become a teacher. The kids can go all the way depending on the circumstances. If we can get them educated up to 6th grade or maybe get them into the local high school program it is a big bonus.”

Though some go all the way, Children of the Forest has no ambition of fostering a generation of Karen or Mon doctors and lawyers. The

program is in fact mainly geared towards creating job opportunities for the children to sustain themselves in the future. Though some go on to college and university, the program is also very hands on so the children learn about agriculture, bike repair, construction and so on.

“We work with local businesses that we trust to help the children who are not academically gifted. They can learn about computers and maybe find a job in hotels, and we have motorbike repair programs. A lot of the older boys will help out with some construction work which equips them with the skills to get a job.”

Here is home In order to secure job opportunities, the continued support after the children leave the school is important. They are not left on their own or sent away once they graduate or come of age. The financial and moral support continues when the children go to the local school.

“We still support them when they leave because they still have to buy uniforms and they remain part of the program,” Tom explains, emphasizing that especially for the kids at the children’s home, Children of the Forest is not just a temporary station, but a home.

“When you grow up you move out and start at the university but you always go back to your parents.

It’s the same here. They leave to work or study somewhere else but they always come back. This is their home.”

July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

Medium

Apple trifle

By Anders Holm Nielsen

Ingredients (Serves 4) • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs • ½ cup white sugar • ½ cup hazelnuts • 1 pound cooking apples • 1 lemon • 3 tablespoons honey • 3 tablespoons caster sugar • 1 egg white

Evil

Preparation

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.

Name:

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

• Place breadcrumbs and white sugar in a non-stick pan on low heat.

• Cook gently for about 4 minutes while constantly stirring until it’s dark golden.

• Transfer into a bowl.

• Chop the hazelnuts and toast them.

• Put the hazelnuts into the separate bowl and set aside.

• Peel, core and slice the apples.

• Grate the lemon rind and juice the lemon.

• Mix the apples, honey and lemon juice.

• Transfer the mixture into frying pan and cook for 10 minutes on low heat.

• Break up the apples with a spoon, until they are soft and pulpy.

• Beat the apple mixture into a thick puree with a wooden spoon, and set aside to cool down.

• Stir in castor sugar and egg white until stiff, and fold into the cooled down apple puree.

• Spoon half the apple mixture into four glass bowls.

• Top with the breadcrumb mixture, and repeat the layers.

• Finish with a layer of breadcrumbs and nuts.

• You can add brandy or any type of liqueur into the apple mixture if you wish

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

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.

July 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

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So instead of piecing your journey together on your own, choose KLM and we’ll take you straight there. Visit klm.sg for more information.