ScandAsia Singapore December 2013

DEC 2013

Singapore

Christmas Bazaar at the Danish Church ScandAsia.dk

ScandAsia.fi

2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore ScandAsia.no DecemberScandAsia.se

1

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068ADV-1314 December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 3

Opinion

Buy a piece of Paradise

R

ecently there was an advertisement in an English-Language Magazine: ‘Invest in Paradise, prices start from 12.2 million Baht…..….’ I imagine The Land Developer and Saint Peter himself sitting there, at Heaven’s gate, issuing eternal Title Deeds to the hopefuls - all of them dressed in white, fresh from the earthly struggle for fortune and fame.

Maybe His Darkness, the Devil, will also be in attendance, ready to help those of us who cannot pay 12.2 million Baht. He will then guide us on the voyage deep downstairs to an even warmer location.

Well, well, just marketing words of course but this ad made me think of real and false development.

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St. Matthew’s gospel 13.12 says: “For the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away”. Maybe the Land Developer knew this text and just looked at it face value, ‘let’s sell Paradise then’ but that is meanwhile not within his reach and I suppose the church can come up with an interpretation, showing the silliness of the developers misuse of words.

One of my theological friends gave the following interpretation: ‘The one who will listen and learn [to the teaching of Our Lord] will experience lots of fruits thereof, but the one who let himself be deceived by greed, will lose it all’.

My friend added that his interpretation was maybe a bit ‘rough and ready’, but in accordance.

And as it shows so often, the Christian message is well in line with the Buddhist teaching; in this case the teaching of ‘The Middle path’, where we are told “to stay neutral, upright and centered.

Meaning to investigate and penetrate the core of life………with an unbiased attitude” [Teaching in Chinese Buddhism 1996].

Behind both teachings are of course that if our intellectual compass is biased and for example geared solemnly towards money matters or sexual pleasures we cannot think in a true analytical way, we then become mental slaves. Then we maybe will fall into the trap and believe that a piece of paradise can be bought!

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

Andrew Carnegie (1835 – 1919) was an American business magnate who owned the biggest steel empire in the US. He became meanwhile, and quite early in life, a bit untraditional and decided to give away his billions. He declared: “There is no idol more debasing than the worship of money” – or: “There is nothing lower than money worshipping” [Wikipedia]. He then founded more than1.200 public libraries both in the USA and in Europe, he built Carnegie Hall; MellonCarnegie University etc. etc. and he was left with only a few millions when he died.

Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com

What he saw and what we all have to see is that money is without soul and if we worship them they will freeze our mind and make us senseless addicts.

Assistant Editor: Wachiraporn Janrut wachiraporn@scandmedia.com

Happy Christmas and May your God be with you.

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

Flemming Winther Nielsen is Senior Lecturer (retired) DSH. DK. M.Sc.soc. (Aalborg University).

The author has working and research experience from the Sudan, Zambia, Portugal and Thailand.

Coming Events U Care Back to School Fair When: Venue:

14 & 15 December 2013 National Library Building, The Plaza 100 Victoria Street, 01 National Library Building, Singapore 188064

If you have kids, there are lots of interesting stuff to find at the annual U Care Back to School Fair organized by NTUC. Other than enjoying the great deals on a wide range of school related merchandise, you can also look forward to many fun-filled activities as well as educational talks and workshops. Sign up as a member on arrival and enjoy some extra benefits.

For Flea Sake: Twelfth Flea When: Venue:

Dec 21, 2013 - Dec 22, 2013 Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Dr, Singapore 138639

Feeling panicky? Last minute Christmas Shopping? Fear not. Twelfth Flea is the place and has everything for you this Christmas! We promise not to burn a hole in your pocket because everything is priced below $20! Free Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream with a minimum spending of $20 in a single receipt.

This flea market is the last in 2013. But there are more to come in 2014. Fleamarket lovers, check it out: http://forfleasake.com/flea-markets/

New Year Party at Marina Bay Sands Skypark When: Dec 31, 2013 - Jan 01, 2014 Venue: Marina Bay Sands, Sands SkyPark, 10 Bayfront Avenue 57, Singapore 018956 Ticket price: S$138.00 - S$1,888.00 Count to the New Year with spectacular views and fireworks at Sands SkyPark on level 57.

Enjoy live entertainment with Cats In E Cradle, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, keepsake souvenir photo and party favours to add to your New Year’s festivities.

Each table, fitted for eight, will also be extended a premium bottle of 1.5L Grey Goose, a variety of mixers and bottles of Fiji water. For each VIP A Table, they will too receive 3 x 750ml of Piper Champagne exclusively.

Get your ticket details here: www.marinabaysands.com

New Year’s Eve Party at OverEasy When: Dec 31, 2013 Venue: OverEasy, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213 Ticket price: FREE Catch the first fireworks of 2013 in its full spectrum of glory at Overeasy. The place has one of the best views in town, and it gets awfully pretty come midnight on New Year’s Eve. Mere info: www.overeasy.com.sg

Splashing in 2014 at this New Year’s Eve beach party When: Dec 31, 2013 Venue: Siloso Beach, Sentosa Ticket prices from $45.00 to $95 Siloso Beach on Sentosa is a wild place to celebrate New Years Eve together with around 20.000 other partying people.

That’s a lot! Separate party arenas playing trance, house and electro tunes, and food and drink stands providing much-needed fuel to keep you dancing, it’s no wonder this soiree is a must-attend on every party animal’s calendar. This year, the organisers are adding the fun of being able to splash colours on your friends and other partygoers – of course washable! - on top of the regular features of 5 distinct party zones, a giant foam pool and a sandy dance floor.

Watch the last sunset of the year, party hard and watch the first sunrise of 2014.

What better way to spend New Year’s Eve? December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 5

Past Events

Denmark gets 3rd place in Singapore Ambassadors Cup Race 2013

O

n 2 November the 14th Ambassadors Cup Race took place in Singapore. Denmark’s strong team consisting of Captain Esben Poulsen with his crew Justin and Ambassador Berit Basse on his boat ‘Petit Bateau’ took an impressive third place, the embassy wrote on its Facebook-page.

This year’s event saw the Ambassadors’ Cup running into its 14th edition. The event presided by the Brazilian Ambassador, His Excellency, Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra, the President of the Ambassadors’ Cup. His Excellency Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra took over the helm from H.E. Johannes Jansin, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands last year.

Known to be the biggest informal social event in Singapore’s diplomatic circle, it is certain to draw the attention of many Embassies in Singapore. Last year, the event drew participation from 29 Embassies and involved 42 boats.

Magical Christmas in the Norwegian Church

A

s always was the annual Christmas bazaar in the Norwegian Church in Singapore is a popular event. This year, it was held on November 9-10 and around 660 people visited the church to enjoy the smell from the fresh Christmas bakeries.

“It is about 100 less than last year, but it didn’t affect the sale. The raise of money was exactly the same,” said Oystein Tonnesen and added: “It means that the guests spent even more money this year, so the bottom line looks excellent. We are very satisfied with the result.”

The bazaar had all what it takes to get in the right Christmas mood. Besides from the traditional food, it had of course the famous market with scores of home made Christmas stuff and decorations.

“The home made Christmas items are actually the main attraction. It is very very popular and all the things are very unique,” told Øystein Tønnesen.

The items are produced by a group of volunteering women who work every Thursday all year around. To get done in time for next year’s bazaar, they already started up the production again, told Oystein.

Neither on the entertainment side, did anyone miss out on anything.

“We had a brass band playing, a big lottery and other different happenings,” told Oystien Tonnesen.

“All in all was it a very successful bazaar. The atmosphere was wonderful, and with so many volunteers working to make everything happen, it was just magical.”

6 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

Past Events

Swedish business delegation to Vietnam Photos by Hema Selva

A

Swedish Business Delegation comprising high-level representatives from eleven companies, largely based in Singapore, visited Hanoi on 17-19 November 2013.

The event was organised by the Embassies of Sweden in Hanoi and Singapore in close cooperation with the Swedish Business Association of Singapore. The Business Delegation was led by the Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore, Mr. Hakan Jevrell together with Camilla Mellander Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam.

Breakfast Meeting

People’s Committee

Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Hai

Briefing with EU Ambassador

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7

Past Events

DABS visit to United Plantations

D

anish Business Association Singapore, DABS, visited on November 8-9, 2013 United Plantations in Malaysia. The palm plantation is a role model for oil palm production in Malaysia and has won several awards bestowed by the government. It is run by the two Danish BekNielsen brothers, sons of the founder.

8 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

News Brief

Finland, Singapore work on next-gen factories tech

S

ingapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) have joined forces to develop technological capabilities that will advance competencies and address challenges of manufacturing enterprises in Singapore and Finland.vtt Given the current economic climate, it is essential to keep Singapore’s manufacturing base strong so that it is globally competitive. In areas such as Western Europe and Finland, many companies engaged in mass production are moving their activities to China and India. R&D is an essential tool to mitigate the migration of such high value manufacturing coupled with product design activities.

To advance collaborative research capabilities and technologies that will enable sustainable, intelligent and highperformance manufacturing, R&D projects in four research areas have been identified: sustainability, Internet of Things (IoT), additive manufacturing and virtual instruction tools.

“The collaboration provides a synergistic pathway to strengthen the technology base of the local manufacturing industry to sustain its future relevance and global competitiveness so as to anchor high-value complex manufacturing in Singapore. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, well-known for its multi-technological applied research providing high-end technology solutions and innovations, is an ideal partner to forge technological capabilities for Singapore’s manufacturing industry to be future-ready,” said SIMTech Executive Director Dr. Lim Ser Yong.

In related news, the Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine acknowledged A*STAR as one of two Singapore institutions that implement the best strategies for maximising the value of the intellectual property they own. Public research institutes file about 15 per cent of all patent applications in Singapore every year. A*STAR accounts for about 70 per cent with an average of more than 270 patents filed and 140 licences generated annually.

Singapore Airlines, SAS extend codeshare

S

ingapore Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have agreed to extend their codeshare arrangement.starallian The increased codeshare will apply to SAS flights from Copenhagen to Berlin and Hamburg in Germany, Palanga and Vilnius in Lithuania, and Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw in Poland.

The two Star Alliance members already operate a joint venture between Singapore and Scandinavia which led to Singapore Airlines increasing flights on the Singapore-Copenhagen route from three to five services per week from March 31 this year.

Singapore Airlines and SAS have been codesharing for three years and the agreement was extended in August to cover more destinations in Europe, south-east Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Source: EET Asia

Swedish envoy presents credentials in Singapore

O

n 30 October, the Ambassador of Sweden HE Mr Håkan Jevrell presented his letter of credentials to the President of Singapore Dr Tony Tan in a ceremony held at the Istana.

Mr Jevrell is now officially recognised as the new Swedish Ambassador to Singapore.

Photo Credit: MCI 10 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

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Christmas Bazaar

at the Danish Church

12 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

The beautiful colonial style building, that comprises the Danish church in Singapore, is the perfect setting for a grand event like the yearly Christmas bazaar. With parked cars lined up a long way down the hill of Pender Road, the event was buzzing with Christmas shoppers, lunch guests munching on Danish smørrebrød, and playing children.

It is with great pride that the Chairman of the church, Tom Hansen, shows me around the premises and tells me the storyof the highly appreciated event. Over a nice cup of coffee and the most delicious rice dessert with cherry sauce, Tom expresses his gratitude for the great effort that members of the Danish community put into the bazaar and its preparations. Over 70 people are involved in making the event a success, and according to Tom, this is oneof the most important things that makes the whole venture such a satisfying experience.

Extended Opening Hours Since two years, the Christmas bazaar is a two day affair. Before that, it used to be just one day – a crowded and hectic day for everybody involved. With the extension of an additional day, the whole event has become a much more enjoyable experience for both organizers and guests. As the Danish community in Singapore is an estimated 1600 people, and nearly all are expected to visit the bazaar, it makes very good sense to spread out the opening hours over a two day weekend. After the second day was over, the church reported a total of 1760 visitors during the two days – a 20% increase from the year before. An important factor in the success of the event is the marketing effort that is put in to spread the word.

Tasty Smørrebrød and Beer Fundraising for Tyfoon Victims Visitors were asked to pay an entrance fee of one dollar at the door. This has traditionally been the very clever way of counting how many guests visit each day. This year, the church in cooperation with other Danish organizations in Singapore, took the opportunity to turn the entrance fee into a fundraising drive for Haiyantyfoon victims in the Philippines. Visitors could make a donation of any size and receive a lucky draw number, which could bring luck at the end of that bazaar day.

After the second day of the bazaar, the facebook page of the church announced the total amount that was raised by generous guests – a whopping 13,360 Singapore dollars! Together with donations from other corporate sponsors, the Danish contribution from Singapore to the victims of the catastrophe amounts to nearly 20,000 dollars.

Many Happy Volunteers Several smiling Danish volunteers greeted all bazaar goers as they were swarming in. A festive feeling filled every corner of the building and its garden. Plenty of Christmas items crowded all shelves and tables in the room, many of which were hand made goods by Danish volunteers.

An important part of the Christmas bazaar is the serving of Danish food. Most importantly, the world famous open sandwiches “smørrebrød” were served in six different kinds, along with Danish beer and aquavit. For dessert there was a selection of cakes as well as the traditional rice dessert, containing whipped cream and almonds.

As many as 40 volunteers have been involved in baking bread and cakes for the event. There was no shortage of goodies to enjoy during the whole afternoon. Tables with lunch guests munching away on these delicacies were placed on the porch, nicely shaded by marquees.

Christmas Goods from Denmark The Christmas items that are being sold at the bazaar are ordered from Denmark, and one of the tasks during the week long preparations leading up to the event weekend, is to unpack these.

There were candles, candle holders, tree decorations, angels, napkins, advent wreaths,santas and much more. In addition to the ready bought items, volunteers spend many weeks creating handmade decorations during get-togethers at the church throughout the year.

Another attraction is all the Christmas food items that are especially provided at the bazaar.

For many Danes, a visit at the church during the bazaar weekend is what will guarantee a truly Danish Christmas, complete with red cabbage and cherry sauce. Luckily, many food traditions are shared with the other Scandinavian countries, so even Swedes and Norwegians will have a chance to secure some of their fare here. I was happy to find the Danish liver pate, which is highly appreciated by my husband.

Christmas Fun for the Children Not only grown-ups had fun at the bazaar.

Plenty of fun activities were arranged for the children. They were able to make pretty Christmas decoration under supervision of cheerful volunteers, and there was a bouncy castle for all energetic kids to enjoy. Even Santa Claus paid a visit to the bazaar to all children’s delight.

Church Fundings Chairman Tom, who has been on his post for 8 years so far, explained how the funding for the church’s activities comes from three different sources: one third is subsidies from the Danish government, one third is sponsoring from their many corporate sponsors and donations, and one third is from membership fees and different activities by its members. In this last category, the yearly Christmas bazaar plays a significant role as a source for income. Once again, Tom expressed his great gratitude for all of those who help in different ways towards keeping this magnificent church running. A couple of years back, there was a bit of a scare, when they actually risked losing the tenant’s contract for the beautiful building that hosts the church, due to a decrease in subsidies from the Danish government. At this time, many members of the Danish community stepped up and showed their concern, which resulted in the opportunity to stay on Pender Road in one of Singapore’s most beautiful and unusual buildings.

Priest Kirsten Kirsten HougaardEistrup is the reverend at the church, who also has the responsibility of taking care of the spiritual needs of Danish seamen who arrive on Singaporean shores. She visits the port several times a week so that those with no time for immigration procedures also get a chance to see a priest after spending a long time at sea. Kirsten also tells me about co-operations with other entities, such as the seamen’s mission of other countries as well as other churches in Singapore. She has been on this post for three years so far, and feels very happy about all that it involves.

For the Sunday church service, the Swedish/ Norwegian choir “Koriallverden” was invited to sing, as a nice mood setting prelude to a successful second day of the Christmas bazaar.

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

Finland’s Vacon exten of Singapore regiona

By Joakim Persson

F

innish Vacon is a good example to showcase the important role Singapore plays as an international hub. With its prime location, this prosperous island nation is attracting multinationals to set up their corporate regional offices in droves. Once a critical mass has been reached, it becomes necessary – and advantageous – for other companies to follow suit.

Vacon, with support from FinPro, set up its regional center in 2012. It did so for good reasons.

Vacon is passionate about developing, manufacturing and selling the best AC drives (the device used to control the speed of an electrical motor) and inverters in the world - and to provide customers with efficient product lifecycle services.

A lot of their existing major customers, and also potential buyers, have made Singapore their regional hub, says Olli Tevä, Vacon’s Vice President for Middle East, India, SEA, Pacific. Singapore is at the heart of one of the world’s major growth areas.

The new centre will ensure that Vacon’s entire product portfolio and service network offering are available to customers in the region.

Vacon also plans to tap into Singapore’s rich supply of skilled and experienced workers, in order to continuously improve their customer service and build their presence in the region.

“We are looking also to staff Singapore centre with sales personnel, so that we can tap into potential customers out there, and also in other countries where we see good potentials to be in a better position to reach out to them.”

“As many of Vacon’s global customers have their regional offices in Singapore, it helps us to be able to get into seamless cooperation with them. This also reflects Vacon’s core values: putting customers and partners at the heart of Vacon’s operations,” Olli explained.

“I was involved in the decision to set up shop here, which was based on things I was able to observe from back in Finland, plus knowledge ac14 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

quired since I came here. Now I know more and was happy to find out only afterwards that, for example, one of our key customers on a global scale, KONE elevators, have their Middle East/South Asia/Asia Pacific head office here. So they are actually running their business from the exact same region from Singapore. And then a customer, like Rolls Royce, another big global account for us, has established their global marine centre here in Singapore, shifting people and the experts from the UK. For us, to be able to closely coordinate the business process with Rolls Royce, makes sense.”

For service and sales they currently use ten different partners.

“That’s our business model today, but increasingly - since our global customers are focusing on this area – we’ll need to start changing the way we work for some select customers so we can support those that require direct factory contact.”

However, they plan to continue with their partners and only take direct approach with certain customers.

Vacon also has an office in Bangkok, which looks after the Southeast Asian region, reporting to him.

“They have been doing a great job in establishing Vacon here in this region. But a lot of things happen in Singapore - and it’s far easier to manage all the relations and the projects that are going on across the borders from the place where our customers actually have their hub.”

For example Vacon is seeing a lot of projects coming to Southeast Asia from India and Olli is coordinating the cooperation between these areas.

“Southeast Asia is a potential market for their industrial system integrators and so forth. It really pays to synchronize the operations in these different locations so that if India is making sales as integrators, exporting the goods to this region, we need to make sure that the end users buying from them approves Vacon as a vendor. We need to work locally here with our partners and own staff to convince the end users that they will have to accept us so that the guys in India can get the deal.”

“It also goes in the opposite

ends its reach out nal HQ direction: there’s some system integrators in this region who export to India, so there’s a lot of cross-country cooperation that we need to do.

And today Australia is looking more to Asia as their strategic partner.”

“So more and more, we can coordinate joint efforts from our people to actually collaborate and get the deals done. That is a big part of the role that I want to do here. And a lot of the people who are working on this kind of cooperation are actually in other countries, so the work done here in Singapore is quite limited.”

Vacon’s plan is to establish certain expertise in the region. Olli is not yet sure whether those people will be based at the Regional Centre or in the respective countries.

“We want to establish our own local presence in the major countries here and be sure that we have our own network of people. Within the next year we will increase the number of people supporting the region.”

But one thing is certain: Olli wants to find people who are from this region.

“I would like to see people who are actually already well integrated

and understand the way business is conducted in this region.”

The Finn is humble about his role on the Asian market.

“For me it has been a learning experience to come here and it helps me to understand how things are done, but I cannot expect myself to know it as well as those who have always lived and worked here.

I can never reach that level.”

The other purpose is to be in charge of effective sharing of best practices, know-how and the professional personnel that the company already has in the same areas.

This will open up new opportunities for Vacon to gain market share and increase volumes in this region, which is home to huge number of people and great market potentials.

“Vacon operations have centres of excellence; in some countries we are very good in marine and offshore, in others we are good in pulp and paper, in others building automation and so forth. To further grow, we really need to ensure that in every country we reach the full potential of all these segments. And to me the fastest way of actually accessing

a particular segment in a country, where you are not active today, is to learn from your colleagues in the neighbouring country, who are already successful in that business. We want to be one of the top players in every segment that we are in.”

“The most unique thing about Vacon is that we are by far the biggest player in the drivers market that is doing only drives. All our main competitors are known for multiple products and industries, whereas we make only one product but we want to be present in every industry that is using AC drives.”

Saving energy is key for all customers: “I’d say the biggest common denominator for all our customers is the energy-saving feature. Energy cost is high and availability in some locations, like in India, scarce. About 30 per cent of the global electrical energy consumption is consumed by electrical motors. A big part of that 30 per cent can be saved if AC drives and high-efficiency motors are used.”

Vacon’s products are also used for generating power feeding to the national grids from renewable sources. The main role of AC drives

in these applications is to secure power quality and compliance to safety regulations.

“Wind turbines, for example, are connected to the national grids, but the output voltage and generator frequency do not match the national grids so with our product, you actually purify and comply to the strict requirements.”

Future differentiation will be about the software.

“We feel that the future development of the products will increasingly be software-oriented; how you can customise the product to become more efficient and easier to use and adapt to different customer processes, and address even smaller companies with a dedicated type of product for them. That has been one of the strongpoints of Vacon that we have had a programmable logic inside the drive,” Olli said.

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December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

Smoked Salmon

Swedish style expands in Asean Karl-Erik Ågren is the sailor who started to smoke salmon in his backyard in Phuket. Today he runs an operation with a turnover of 100 million baht - and is bringing his smoked salmon to the Thai people.

By Michael Töpffer

16 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

I

n the eastern suburbs of Bangkok, the production is moving ahead at high speed. A newly delivered shipping container with 22 tons of frozen Norwegian salmon is being carried in to the factory quickly - to avoid the tropical heat.

Scandinavian salmon that used to be a luxury food, is now becoming a staple in Thailand - much thanks to Swede Karl-Erik Ågren, 44, from Hudiksvall, along the northern Swedish coast.

With his company, KS Seastar, where K stands for Karl-Erik and S for Stig, the other co-founder, Scandinavian style salmon is about to conquer the Thai market.

It should be 20 degrees in the smokehouse and the salmon needs to be there for 10 hours, Karl-Erik Ågren explains as he shows ScandAsia around his factory.

In one room, some 10 staff are busy cutting and slicing salmon, in another room staff are busy packaging it for delivery.

The road to becoming a major player on the food market in Thailand goes from his family business in Sweden, to the life as a sailor on the seven seas, and finally to the restaurant business in Thailand.

When I first came to Thailand in the mid-90s, I noticed that the smoked salmon that was sold here was expensive and of low quality, he explains.

At that time, Karl-Erik Ågren had left his life as a sailor and started to work as a chef in Phuket.

The high price of imported smoked salmon in Thailand is due to high import taxes, up to 60 percent, on ready-made food as well as VAT. I was sitting at home thinking and I saw an opportunity, Karl-Erik Ågren explains.

If the salmon is imported raw, only five percent

import tax is levied, and no VAT. I realised that if I import raw salmon and smoke it here, it could be sold much cheaper, he says.

Through a local importer in Phuket, Karl-Erik Ågren bought some raw salmon. He then built a small smoke in his backyard and started to experiment.

Karl-Erik Ågren has fishing in his family. His stepmother’s father was a fisherman. As a young man, Karl-Erik Ågren helped him fish along the Swedish coastline. They also smoked and fermented various kinds of fish.

I learned the art of smoking fish, he says.

One challenge for Karl-Erik Ågren in Phuket was to find good sawdust to use for the smoking.

In Sweden, sawdust from juniper and alder is used, none of which is widely available in Thailand.

Karl-Erik Ågren started by visiting sawmills around Phuket and asked for sawdust from different trees to try for his smoking.

He soon settled for ton son, a Thai tree whose sawdust gives a good enough smoke.

Since then, production has increased at an enormous pace.

Every year for the last 10 years, production has doubled.

The first year one ton of smoked salmon was sold every month. Today, 90 tons are sold.

During this expansion, Karl-Erik Ågren has moved to Bangkok and opened a proper factory. He now has 50 staff in Thailand and another 10 at the newly opened factory in Cambodia.

The salmon is delivered from Norway, with a new container coming every week.

I recently hired a new CEO, Anders Jacob

Andersen, 55, from Roskilde in Denmark, to help oversee the production.

Last year, the turnover for KS Seastar was around 100 million baht. This year it will reach 200 million baht and for 2014, they aim at 400 million baht.

It’s an explosive growth We don’t have capacity to grow any faster, says Karl-Erik Ågren.

Recently KS Seastar won a contract to deliver salmon steaks to Chester’s Grill, one of Thailand’s largest fast food operators.

The demand was so huge that the staff at KS Seastar needed to work 24 hours a day. Recently, a new slicing machine was acquired for six million baht to increase capacity.

Karl-Erik Ågren explains the popularity of salmon in Thailand with a growing middle-class, and that the fish is relatively cheap and easy to prepare.

And as the salmon is farmed, there is a regular delivery. This can not be guaranteed with fish that is caught.

Among his many customers, KS Seastar prides itself for having some of Bangkok’s most swanky hotels, including The Peninsula, Sheraton and The Meridien. The Swedish Embassy is also a client.

Right now, Karl-Erik Ågren and KS Seastar are looking for more space for the factory. They have reached the capacity limit in the factory and need to expand.

We keep on growing. I don’t see a limit to how much salmon we can deliver to the Thai people, says Karl-Erik Ågren.

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

Risky Burma Dreams Veteran Foreign Correspondent Bertil Lintner warns foreign businessmen of bitter lessons to be learned in Burma.

By Gregers Moller

B

ertil Lintner, award winning Swedish Foreign Correspondent based in Thailand, is highly critical of the majority of corporations moving in to do business in Burma since the country has opened up and international sanctions against the regime has been lifted.

“I am much more critical of the so-called transition process in Burma than most other foreign observers, and foreign investors don’t want to hear that,” Bertil Lintner says.

“They seem to prefer glossy, more upbeat interpretations of recent developments in Burma.

But most of my Burmese friends share my views.

They know as well as I do that the military is still in charge of all important decision making, and 18 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

that the military even controls the country’s most powerful business conglomerates, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and the Myanmar Economic Corporation.”

“I would argue that most foreign businessmen, business consultants and risk analysts are out of touch with reality. There are a few exceptions, though, but the general trend is to look at things through rose-tinted glasses,” Bertil Lintner adds.

“It’s not just that the military remains in power, there are many other obstacles as well which are the legacy of decades of brutal military rule: rampant corruption on all levels, military meddling in private businesses, a fragile legal system – yes, the military is acting with impunity even when

it comes to businesses - and an acute shortage of educated and skilled people. Hundreds of thousands of educated people have left the country because of military rule; at home, universities and even high schools have been closed off and on ever since the military seized power in 1962.”

“Many new Western investors are talking about “ethical” and “socially responsible” investment, but they have to remember that their competition comes from Chinese, Indian, Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian and Korean businessmen who do not have such considerations when it comes to investing in Burma.”

“It is my impression that most foreign investors are very naive when it comes to Burma and its supposed economic potential. They should be

Most foreign investors are very naive when it comes to Burma and its supposed economic potential. They should be prepared for some bitter lessons to be learned, but most of them are not.

prepared for some bitter lessons to be learned, but most of them are not,” he warns.

The ethnic wars Bertil Lintner agrees with the observers who are concerned with the brutal war that the central Burmese rule is waging against states with different ethnic majority.

“There is hardly going to become any peace in the ethnic areas because there are two fundamentally different, incompatible views of what kind of country Burma should be,” he explains.

“The ethnic groups, whether armed or not such as political parties and civil society organisations - are demanding the same thing: a federal system with autonomy for ethnic areas. The military wants to maintain a highly centralised state structure. The military believes that federalism would be the first step toward disintegration of Burma.”

“Although peace talks are being held and ceasefire agreements agreed upon, the military keeps attacking Kachin and Shan rebels in the north. In the south, we are seeing a heavy militarisation of Karen and Mon areas.”

First visit in 23 years Bertil Lintner is one of many foreign correspondents who have been blacklisted and not been allowed to enter Burma for many years. Only in his case, he has been on the list since 1985. The previous Burmese government body, the State Peace and Development Council, said his reports on Burma were groundless and based on wishful thinking. Ironically, Lintner was the first foreign journalist to learn about Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest in 1995.

In October 2012, Bertil Lintner legally visited Burma for the first time in 23 years. He wrote about this in a report in the German magazine Du: “While walking down the streets of Rangoon for the first time in 23 years, I remembered how it all began in March 1988.”

“It was March 12, a Saturday, and Win Myint, his namesake Win Myint and Kyaw San Win – three young students from the prestigious Ran-

goon Institute of Technology, RIT- strolled down to a small teashop opposite their campus on Insein Road. It was a simple, country-style bamboo structure with an earthen floor, not fancy but popular with locals as well as RIT students. A brawl broke out between them and some locals over what kind of music should be played on the teashop’s tape recorder: their favourite, Sai Hti Hseng, a singer from the Shan national minority whose songs resembled Bob Dylan’s, but set in a Burmese context - or Kaizar, a Burmese crooner who sang only love songs.”

“The police intervened, but mishandled the situation. A 23-year old RIT student, Maung Phone Maw was shot and killed by the police, the first victim of the turbulent events of 1988. From then on, resentment with the authorities grew and, in August 1988, erupted into a nationwide uprising. Burma would never be the same again.”

“I have no idea where Win Myint, Win Myint and Kyaw San Win are today, and they could never have imagined the avalanche of events they were about to precipitate when they strolled down to that nondescript teashop a Saturday evening 24 years ago.”

Suu Kyi and the 2015 election During this visit, Bertil Lintner also met with Aung San Suu Kyi. About this visit he wrote: “It was evident from my discussions with her that she has her own agenda and refuses to be a pawn. But it is also clear that the government has gained an enormous amount of goodwill by releasing her from house arrest, and letting her travel to Europe and the United States to promote “the new Burma” - without having to give up an inch of its power.”

“There is still an open question, what will happen at the next general election, scheduled for 2015? Judging from statements by several ethnic leaders and spokespersons, the NLD may already have lost “the ethnic vote” by being vague on issues relating to the civil war and the refugees.

Moreover, Aung San Suu Kyi seemed very frail when I met her - and three years from now, she

will have turned 7o. Her NLD is also not nearly as well organised - and well funded – as the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party, USDP.” “There is no doubt that Aung San Suu Kyi will have her place in Burma’s history - and the world’s - but then perhaps more as a beacon of hope during the dark years of military rule and, in the words of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in 1991, her “struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression.”

“As an elected politician, however, she has a long way to go before she becomes a national leader assuming any high office within the state. If indeed she ever gets there.”

Swedish immigrant – stays in Thailand Bertil Lintner was born in Sweden, but his father was Austrian, so he only became Swedish citizen when he was three years old. His surname, Lintner, is south-German/Austrian, not Swedish.

“My father came to Sweden as a refugee from Nazi Germany, which at that time had occupied Austria, and he and my grandfather had both been incarcerated in concentration camps in Germany. So you can see that my background is not exactly that of an “ordinary” Swede,” he explains.

He left Sweden in 1975, when he was 22 to travel in Asia and worked in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Japan before returning to Thailand in December 1979 with the intention of staying here for good.

“I have lived here since then, apart from two years in the wilds of northern Burma in 1985-1987.

I feel much more at home in this part of the world Thailand, Burma, India and so on - than in Sweden.”

He has no intention ever of moving permanently back Sweden.

“When I am in Sweden, which happens about once a year, I feel like an outsider, can’t relate to what’s going on and what people are talking about. Chiang Mai, where I now live, is my home and I am not going to move anywhere.”

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

Vietnam with its motivated and youthful workforce is

a businessman’s paradise

By Indius Pedersen

I

t is too easy to attribute Sigmund Stromme’s success to finding himself in the right place at the right time. The Norwegian shipping executive has over the past 20 years had his share of tough challenges and setbacks, doing business in Vietnam.

Stromme has plenty of expert insights to share from his vantage point as an active participant in the transformation of Vietnam since the opening up of the Southeast Asian company’s economy to the world in the mid-1980s to the country today being one of the rising stars among the world’s developing countries.

The way Stromme sees it, the key to any business success is the ability to make full use of the opportunities that presents themselves which is exactly what he has done since he arrived in Vietnam in 1993. Stromme has built up Thoresen Vinama Group to become a leading shipping and logistics operator/fertilizer producer. The 2008 20 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

Thoresen Vinama’s takeover of Baconco fertiliser was the crown jewel of his achievements.

“I have always wanted a life in which excitement and speed are key elements of my work, and so it will be,” said the sprightly 57-year-old Norwegian. “But I cannot do this without a good Vietnamese staff. They have done excellent job providing me with crucial support that I need.”

From the start in 2008, with expansion in production facilities and growing workforce, Thoresen Vinama Group has now moved its head office to Petroland Building in HCMC. “I still remember on Day One the fertilizer manufacturing company was running in the red. There were red figures everywhere. Today, the company registered profit after tax of over USD7 million this year.

Stromme arrived in Vietnam in 1993. He was put in charge of the construction of the Freight Terminal in Halong Bay. Thoresen entered into a

joint venture with Vinamarine and set up a representative office. The company grew slowly but surely. They established hadquarters in HCMC and in 2008 the company bought – together with others shareholders – Baconco. The fertilizer manufacturer had earlier built warehouses that they used and rent out excess spaces to other companies.

“I wear a lot of hats. But they all fit me,” Stromme said.

“I like my work pace to be fast and intense.

And I work seven days a week. When I’m off duty and have my valued spare time, I switch to being the chairman for NordCham in HCMC.” “The NordCham will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year, so I have a lot to do in my spare time. Viking Party, Charity and Christmas dinner for all the members,” said Stromme.

“What’s important for me and the future of our company and ultimately the future of Viet-

nam, is the young people,” Stromme said.

“I enjoy working with young people who bring with them lots of enthusiasm. They are so eager to learn about business and practice foreign languages.”

Vietnam is different from some other developing countries in for instance Africa, he says.

“I was in Africa during most of the 1980s, then I came to Vietnam. Later I went back to Africa for a visit.. Nothing seems to have happened in Africa over the period of 10 years!”, he said.

“If you come back to Vietnam after a period of absence, you’ll notice that a lot of things happened. Everything has moved forward. And it still is making progress.”

“When I first arrived in Vietnam, we had to sail up the Mekong to do business. Today we have highways, bridges and modern infrastructure. ”

“In my opinion, Vietnam is simply one of the best places to do business. A businessman’s paradise, if ever there was such a thing. Things keep moving. Vietnamese may do their job differently, but as soon they realize that their way is not the best in the world, they want to change and adopt new ideas.”

“In many major Chinese cities, you see rapid development, but they have serious recession in the countryside. In comparison, Vietnam has got it just right. There is development in big cities as well as in the countryside. And that is an important difference. The Vietnamese government has not forgotten the farmers.”

Vietnam is a country which has great potential for development in whatever way it chooses.

In the beginning, the country relied on assistance through foreign aids, he said. But now they continue in the same speed with little help from other countries.

“It may well be true that Vietnam still has many state enterprises, which have yet to be reformed and modernized. But that inefficient system, a relic of the past, will change sooner or later,” Stromme said.

After two decades in Vietnam, Sigmund Stromme said he could not emphasize enough the desirable character traits that have made Vietnamese workers the best people to work with.

“In Europe they hold a lot of meetings basically about nothing. In Vietnam you talk briefly and the job will get done right away. In Europe, the members of the staff go home on an agreed time everyday. In Vietnam, the workers keep working until they finish their jobs. It will be very difficult for me to go back to Europe, where complicated work process is the name of the game.

I will probably stay in Vietnam for the rest of my life.”

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 21

Swedes lead the way in global sustainable entrepreneurship pioneering event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

By Andrea Hessmo

24 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

E

radicating poverty and creating a better, greener world with sustainable entrepreneurship was the main topic for discussion at the Club Terra Viva event at the World Marketing Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 28-30 September.

Club Terra Viva is a group of pioneering entrepreneurs, key influencers, scientists and NGO:s that convened under the umbrella of the World Marketing Summit in Kuala Lumpur to find solutions for sustainable entrepreneurship. The meeting was initiated by Swedish-born entrepreneur and business connector Camilla Hall, who is based in Singapore.

The aim of the Club Terra initiative is to raise seed capital for sustainable entrepreneurship projects.

The Club is led by Dr Ashok Khosla, world renowned environmentalist who spoke at the event. Dr Khosla is former president of IUCN and founder of Development Alternatives in Delhi.

Present were also representatives from France, SeaOrbiter, a groundbreaking underwater vessel, Waste2Wear, a Dutch-owned environmentally friendly clothing company in Shanghai as well as other entrepreneurs and scientists.

“Camilla has the ability to bring key people together and create meaningful relationships,” said Dr.Khosla.

“We now need to influence global decision makers to realise the gravity of the world’s problems,” he said.

Swedes making a global environmental difference One of the speakers at the event was Anna-Sofia Winroth, a Swedish entrepreneur and founder of Gefle Chocolaterie. Winroth’s mission is to continue creating high-end, ecofriendly and ethical chocolate that does not destroy the environment and that creates fair working conditions. She owns two plantations of cacao in the Dominican Republic where she has started a knowledge project to improve the transformation of the cacao bean in a natural way.

“My ambition is to create a positive and visible change in the cacaobelt,” Winroth said. I want to show that quality is equally important as ethical and environmental aspects.

The greatest challenge for me now is to make this vision scalable and globally acknowledged.”

Another Swede making an impact on the African continent is the legendary zoologist Annie Olivecrona. Passionate about animal welfare since childhood, Olivecrona has worked for 40 years in East Africa to preserve the chimpanzees who are very near destruction. A large part

of the market for the illegal hunt of these animals is in Asia.

“I don’t think people are aware of what is happening worldwide, the illegal hunt of animals, the rainforests being burnt down, and how that affects the wild life,” Olivecrona said.

“You cannot re-grow a tropical rainforest again and we can’t afford to lose it. It’s not just about the

trees disappearing but also medicine plants that are so important for the future. We are so badly informed about it, but the indigenous people living there, they know this. And we can’t afford to lose all these animals living in the rain forest because everything is connected.”

Olivecrona cooperates with a number of organisations and indi-

viduals worldwide to prevent the destruction of the African apes. She and Dr Khosla had a long debate at the summit on how to influence key global decision-makers.

“We can no longer say that we will do this tomorrow, or the next generation will do this, or we need to save humans now,” Olivecrona said. “There is no point in saving humans if you’re not saving nature and animals at the same time, because if your saving humans but not nature, then we’ll all die in the end. If we destroy the forests and the oceans we won’t be able to breathe,” she said.

Further down on the African continent, in South Africa, Zaiga and Thomas Magnusson from Falsterbo, Sweden, have created and developed a programme called Star for Life to help and combat the HIV epidemic.

The programme is financed by Swedish entrepreneur Dan Olofsson.

When he realised that his 5-star safari lodge was located in the middle of the greatest HIV area in the world where 40% of the population was infected, he wanted to make a difference.

He asked the Magnusson couple for help to create an education programme which started in 2005.

The couple has 25 years of experience in competence and leadership development for clients such as McDonalds and Toshiba.

“When we got to the first school there were 38 girls aged 12-16 who were pregnant. It was a challenge to understand how we could help,” Magnusson said.

The couple created an education programme with a concept of a “dream-book” where students write down their dreams. It is about changing mindsets and building selfconfidence, especially with girls.

“If youths don’t have their own dreams they will follow the dreams of someone else. That’s how it works, “ Magnusson said.

The couple has worked with 100 000 students in South Africa to encourage these simple and positive values. The performance of the students who received the Star for Life programme increased dramatically compared to the ones that didn’t receive it. It was all about education and changing the mindset.

“If you have only 1 dollar to live on, hope is what is most important,” Magnusson said. “We have brought hope to these schools and I think hope is the greatest thing you can give another human being.”

Zaiga and Thomas Magnusson want to continue to make a difference and expand their programme to Asia. They are convinced that the programme will work very well in Asia too.

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 25

Stay stylish across the strait “Live Life To Discover” is the slogan of Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel which offers a gem of a location in Johor Bahru, just across the Strait in Malaysia.

Johor Bahru is a gateway to vibrant shopping, sumptuous fare and thrilling entertainment at the same time, a centre of commerce and industry seated within key infrastructures and highways. It is also the home to many golf courses of international standards.

Here, Strategically located in Permas Jaya close to the Johor Bahru city centre and the key industrial and port facility in Pasir Gudang, you find the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel which prides itself to be the epitome of hospitality living in this southern hub of economic activity.

Legoland Malaysia, which just opened last year, is only a 30-minute drive away from the Renaissance. Legoland Malaysia recently opened its brand new waterpark that promises more fun and entertainment for the whole family.

Gourmet Renaissance

Whether your visit is for a conference or vacation, the Renaissance’s superb location in Johor Bahru where all the prime areas and landmarks are within a close proximity, definitely offers an ideal accommodation for both businessmen and tourists.

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel No. 2, Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya Johor Bahru, 81750 Malaysia

26 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

The art of dining is wholeheartedly embraced in Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel. As Café BLD (acronym for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner), you can expect to relish in delectable spreads at breakfast, tuck into a hearty lunch or indulge in a gratifying dinner. Show kitchens and live cooking demonstrations are set to amaze and to tantalize with aromas from the variety of international and local cuisines.

For exquisite and contemporary Cantonese cuisine, head over to Wan Li Restaurant and have your breath taken away by the original creations of Chef Loong, whose culinary experience has taken him around the world. Be it an intimate family dim-sum brunch or a lavish buiness dinner, Wan Li restaurant is ideal for all occassions.

For those with a penchant for breads, pastries and cakes that are hot from the oven, The Chocolate Cake Company is an open-concept bakery offering a tempting array to takeaway or to savor on-site. The proof is in the pudding when you watch the pastry Chefs in action.

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in Asia 2013 Romhild’s Bangkok Christmas 2013

E

lizabeth and Peter Romhild are frequent participants in events in the Bangkok community and a very charismatic couple. Together the couple has one daughter and one son who are both studying abroad.

Elizabeth and Peter met in Iran, where Elizabeth was born by a Danish mother and Armenian father. In 1979, they had to leave the country when the revolution started. Since then, they have lived in several countries and in 1988 they arrived in Bangkok and have no plans on leave.

Elizabeth has made herself a name as an artist, known for her sensual paintings and impressive sculptures. Her paintings are as colourful as she is; a warm hearted woman with a great smile. Peter is a tall guy with wild white hair, active board member in different companies and President of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

Asking Elizabeth what she and her family’s plans are for Christmas, she replied quickly, “We will celebrate a traditional Gammel Jul (Christmas) in our Bangkok home, with a big Julebord (Christmas table) and all the typical Danish dishes, and of course Gingerbread and Glögg (hot spiced red wine).

“Our son will be home from New York and our daughter from Denmark. When the kids lived at home, they used to help me with the Christmas preparations, but this year I have to do it by myself as they arrive just in time for the holiday.”

When asked if she has a special Christmas memory, she answered, “When I was a child, I once received some Marionette dolls and I got so deeply attached to them and I still am.”

Trying to get her to spill the beans about Peter’s secret wish for Christmas, Elizabeth paused and with a smile she said, “Well, a sleigh-ride through a snowy landscape, that’s what he would enjoy I think. The closest he will get will be a boat ride through the klongs, I suppose.”

At last Elizabeth was asked what her big wish for her children would be. “I wish for them to live their lives and fulfill their dreams, to stay honest to themselves, appreciate the good life they have and be healthy and happy”.

What more could one ask for? Merry Christmas!

Øystein Tønnessen Singapore Christmas 2013

28 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

Ø

ystein Tønnessen, Head of Music & Information at the Norwegian Seamen`s Mission, will celebrate Christmas in Singapore together with his family.– Christmas Eve we have a great Scandinavian celebration with 200 people at the Norwegian Seamen`s Mission. On Christmas Day we will have a private family celebration together with my mother who is visiting us from Norway. We are looking forward to have lots of time together, eat great food, travel a bit and just relax. Our daughter Ella will meet Santa for the first time, wonder how that meeting will go:)

M

Katja Nordgaard, Norways Ambassador to Thailand

eeting the blond, good looking Norwegian ambassador to Thailand is a great pleasure.

When she smiles, the whole world smiles.

Katja Nordgaard has been an ambassador for Norway located in Bangkok since three years and three months. She loves her job and enjoys meeting interesting people.

Katja was also responsible for Myanmar until October 28th this year, when an Embassy was opened and a new Ambassador arrived. During her many trips to Myanmar she learned to love that country and its people. She enjoyed seeing how the country developed and opened up.

Katja has not been back to Norway for Christmas holidays in three years. “This is the best part of the year in Thailand” she says “so why leave?”

She is looking forward having her 2 eldest daughters, 21 and 19 years old, coming home to Bangkok for the Christmas celebration. They both study in England, while the youngest daughter, who is fourteen, goes to school at NIST Bangkok and sees her mummy daily.

Katja comes from a family who cares a lot about traditions. There will be a Christmas table with Norwegian dishes like “Ribbe”, which is similar to

Spare ribs, but more meatier and you serve it with cabbage and “lingon” Cranberry which is heavy food, so you have to take a small Aquavit to digest, she explains ”.

Her mom and brother with family will arrive in time for the festivities and her home will be full but before that, the four women will take a needed rest and be visiting a Yoga resort in south of Thailand, a pre-Christmas gift.

Asking Katja if she has a special Christmas memory she replies: “Yes, in 2001 we were located in South Africa and the kids were young. We spent Christmas Eve on a beach, sitting on a rug, listening to the Norwegian Choir “Sölvguttene” who were singing on the car radio, we shared the Christmas gifts and enjoyed the sea and calmness around us, that is a very dear memory to me.”

Unfortunately Katja will move back to Norway 2014, in time for her youngest daughter to begin the gymnasium (high school).

“We still have time here and we do have much more to experience she finishes before we say good-bye and Merry Christmas to an amazing Thailand!

Hanna Holtinen’s Beijing Christmas 2013

A

s a nonbeliever Christmas has not had any particular meaning to me for years.

Despite the tacky Santas at local malls and on restaurant windows, it has been rather easy to forget about the whole Christmas frenzy that occupies most people’s minds for weeks before the actual celebration back home. No pre-Xmas parties, company Christmas dinners or panicky last minute Christmas shopping and most importantly, no akward attemps to start a conversation with that one distant relative who has been coming around for Christmas all your life but whom you never really bothered to get to know better.

Last time I recall celebrating Christmas was almost ten years ago when I had just moved to China. I shared a flat with two other students and we invited a few friends over. Living on a very limited student budget our Christmas dinner wasn’t much to brag about, but we had rice porridge, hot glögg and good company and I have to say that was the best Christmas I’ve had since childhood.

This year Christmas might not just be another day in the grey. My Chinese husband and I had a baby this autumn and since she seems to appreciate all things glittery, we’ve been thinking about decorating the house. No worries about overdoing it, I am sure she will love even the ugliest Santa as long as it has a little shiny wreath wrapped around its neck and belly.

Whilst going to Christmas church is not on our list, we will listen to some Finnish Christmas carrols, exchange gifts and eat Ikea ginger bread. Maybe I will manage to make rice porridge and I think there is some glögg ingredients buried somewhere at the back of the kitchen cupboard. Also, let’s not forget family time wearing matching red thermal underwear, an age-old tradition in my Finnish family.

Det bästa från Sveriges Television för dig som semestrar, arbetar eller bor utomlands. Enda sättet att se flera av SVT:s mest populära program utanför Sverige.

I vinter sänds nya säsonger av program som På Spåret, Äkta människor och Stjärnorna på Slottet och i vår börjar bland annat Melodifestivalen, Mästarnas mästare och Antikrundan.

Visste du att även hotell kan abonnera? Fråga efter SVT World på ditt hotell och fyll i enkäten på vår hemsida - som tack får du en naturbok!

Läs mer på svt.se/svtworld och följ oss på facebook.com/svtworld Abonnemang tecknas på www.connova.se eller +46 (0) 141-20 39

December 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 29

Medium

Icelandic layercake Ingredients: 3 cups of cream Evil

The sponge: • 4 egg whites • 140 grams icing sugar • 140 grams shredded coconut Chocolate crème: • 4 egg yolks • 60 grams icing sugar • 100 grams melted cooled butter • 100 grams melted chocolate

Procedure: Whisk the egg whites very stiff and mix with icing sugar and shredded coconut. Spread the mass in a butter greased cake tin. Bake the sponge in 50-60 minutes at 175 degrees in the lower drill in the oven.

Crème: Whisk egg yolks with icing sugar, the melted but cool butter and mix it with the melted chocolate.

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:

___________________________________________________

Age: ________________________

Mobile:

___________________

Address:

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Email:

__________________________________________________

Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 January 2014 30 ScandAsia.Singapore • December 2013

Take the finished sponge out of the cake tin and place it on a round platter. Spread the chocolate crème on the sponge and decorate with whipped cream on the top.

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