ScandAsia Singapore - February 2014

FEB 2014

Singapore

Leading the way at

Volvo

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Using the iLEarn’s video conferencing, we can learn from guest speakers from anywhere in the world. I’ve gotten to speak to famous authors, scientists and even a student activist in America and ask them questions just as if they were in the room!

Stamford is a world class school with a brand new campus featuring state-of-the-art academic and athletic resources. Stamford offers daily Mandarin and Spanish and the rigorous IB Program enhanced by American standards.

Open House on Friday, February 7th Register at www.sais.edu.sg

+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

What if...

explore what if

Student liam catches a glimpse of his hero Miguel in the library

…yoUr CHild WAlked AMonG HeroeS? Would they learn that they also have the power to improve the world? That’s one of the inspiring ideas in a UWCSeA education.

Take the day Grade 6 student liam met Grade 12 student Miguel. Miguel had survived living in hiding in the jungle during the war in Timor leste. He came to share his story with liam’s class when they were studying the effects of conflict on communities.

With this meeting, liam learned the reality of war and that among his schoolmates is a real-life survivor and hero. He saw that attitude triumphs over adversity, and is now more inspired to help others in any way he can. liam’s met another hero at UWCSeA—himself. what if your child joins UwCSEa? Visit www.uwcsea.edu.sg to find out more.

Miguel explained he is now on scholarship at UWCSeA and hopes that in the future, he will return home with his education to help the people in his country.

UWCSeA dover is registered by the Cpe Cpe registration no. 197000825H registration period 18 July 2011–17 July 2017 UWCSeA east is registered by the Cpe Cpe registration no. 200801795n registration period 10 March 2011–9 March 2017

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Coming Events

SWEA: Fokus Arbetsliv February 11, 2014 @ 19:00 – 23:30 Latteria Mozzarella Bar, 40 Duxton Hill – Singapore This is the first meeting this year for Swea members concerning working life issues. It is also open for other members interested in getting to know and network with working Sweor.

Sign up with sweafokusarbetsliv@live.com before 4 February 2014 Contact: Fokus Arbetsliv, Lottis Petersen (mobil 9888 6990) Details on www.zabaigolf.com

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

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

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

DABS: Meet the Danish Ambassador to Myanmar February 20, 2014 @ 19:00 – 21:00 Venue: Check website HE Mikael H. Winther is currently the Danish Ambassador to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. Recently, it has been decided to open a new Danish embassy in Yangon, but at time of press it was still unknown who will be the new Ambassador.

Scandinavian Families Sports Games Day Saturday 1 March 2014 @ 9.00-15.00 Where: Jurong West Stadium, Singapore Scandinavian sports games day is a must-join-event for the whole family. Individuals of all ages and their families will compete against each other and the other Nordic nationalities in a range of disciplines. This day is a must regardless of your physical shape – it’s the participation and the atmosphere that counts! Want to help? Send a mail to Ann Haugan ann.haugan@online.no

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

NBAS: Taxation for Norwegians abroad March 5, 2014 @ 18:30 – 21:30 The American Club, 10 Claymore Hill, Singapore 229573 Norwegian tax rules for citizens settling or working abroad.

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

Ingrid Bjørnov to Singapore Thursday 6 March 2014, evening Venue: Tanglin Club Ingrid Bjørnov to Singapore Norwegian pianist, singer and entertainer Ingrid Bjørnov visits Singapore in March 2014 and will give a concert at the Tanglin Club on 6 March 2014. The concert is a privately organised initiative brought to Singapore by Rolv Stokkmo and friends.

Past Events

DABS invited to law night

D

anish Business Association Singapore, DABS, hosted its first event of the year on Monday January 13.

The topic for the event was “Crime and Punishment in Singapore”.

Though many people may have the impression that Singapore is a peaceful place, where people are expected to behave and follow the law, it is far from the truth. And that was what criminal defense lawyer Josephus Tan talked to the crowd about. More than 30 people came to hear Mr. Josephus Tan and Consulate and Deputy Head of Mission Mrs. Hanne-Rie Madsen.

There was a lively discussion throughout the evening, and it is sure to say that the event was a success.

SWA members attended the Hindu festival Thaipusam

O

n Friday January 17 the Scandinavian Women’s Association in Singapore attended the Hindu festival Thaipusam, which is held during the full moon of the 10th Tamil month.

The Hindu festival is celebrated each year within the Tamil community in Singapore. On this day, devotees seek blessings and offer their thanks by carrying milk pots and wooden Kavadis along a 5 km walk.

Some devotees pierce their tongues with skewers while others pull a Kavadi on wheels attached by hooks to their upper back skin. They leave one after the other the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to go on the 5km walk to join Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road.

SWEA annual golf tournament in white and glitterish

O

n December 11 SWEA Singapore held their annual golf tournament after the rules of Texas-Scramble, which means playing in teams.

The tournament took place at Keppel Golf Course and for the participants the dress code was set to be “white and glitterish”.

After the lunch the women had lunch together.

The golfing Sweor followed the dress codee of “white and glitterisch”

February 2014 • ScandAsia.Singapore 5

News Brief

Neptune Software hosts SAP seminar in Singapore

N

eptune Software, represented in Singapore by Mikritho Business Solutions, held a seminar to explain their next generation SAP solutions to potential partners on 14 January 2014.

Neptune Software was founded by Norwegians who all have extensive experience in SAP. Together they have combined forces to create Norwegian solutions to a global challenges in the IT realm. Their software solution for SAP customers offers new, userfriendly interfaces and makes SAP accessible on the gadgets we have all become so attached to, the smart phones and tablets.

On the website of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Neptune is welcomed among the growing number of Norwegian companies active in Singapore.

“Over 200 Norwegian companies are now established here and with around 2000 Norwegians resident here, Singapore is now a very big red dot on the map for Norwegians,” the embassy writes.

The Norwegian Embassy was represented at the seminar by Chargé d’affaires a.i., Ms Thea M. Ottmann. Ms Ottmann said Norwegian businesses within IT was showing a tremendous growth in Singapore, the so-called ‘Asian Silicon Valley’.

Neptune Software’s products were presented by Mr Njål Stabell, the Chief Technology Officer and one of the co-founders of the company. Mikritho Business Solutions which provides a partnership service to companies wishing to access the Singaporean market, was represented by its three founders, Mikael Larsen, Kristoffer Schram and Thor Hansen.

Scania celebrated 10 years in Singapore

T

he celebration of Scania’s 10 years in Singapore was highlighted with at dinner for invited guests.

Ambassador Håkan Jevrell and his wife participated in the event. In his speech, the Ambassador highlighted Scania’s presence in Singapore over the years and pointed out that Scania is a good example of the successful Swedish vehicle industry. Mr Jevrell also stressed the strengths of Swedish companies especially in innovation, technology, quality and durability as well as the fruitful bilateral relations between Sweden and Singapore.

Scania is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications with a sales and service organisation in more than 100 countries including the region Scania Southeast Asia.

During the event the company launched their new truck series called Scania Streamline, optimized for low fuel consumption. So far the Streamline series have been a great success.

In photo, James Armstrong, Managing Director Scania South East Asia Photo: Håkan Jevrell

Maija Meriläinen new FBC Coordinator

T Lund University co-hosted alumni reception

T

he Swedsh Embassy in Singapore together with Lund University recently hosted a reception at the Swedish Residence for their Alumni friends in Singapore.

The reception was held in conjunction with the visit to Singapore by the ViceChancellor of Lund University, Per Eriksson.

During the reception, the students shared their positive experiences about studying in Sweden.

6 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

he new Coordinator for Finnish Business Council in Singapore (FBC) & Editor-in-Chief for FBC’s magazine Finnlink is Ms. Maija Meriläinen.

In a message to the members, FBC says that “Maija is enthusiastic to meet and work with all of you, FBC members and stakeholders.” The assignment will start from January 2014 and onwards.

Ms. Maija is a project management professional, who has previously worked in Recruitment and Market Research industries.

News Brief

CBS and SMU to strengthen maritime leader program

SmarpShare is coming to Singapore

C

openhagen Business School (CBS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate with Singapore Management University (SMU) on the development of their respective maritime programs to groom the next generation of industry talent.

Under the partnership, students from both schools will participate in an exchange program in which they will spend a full term at the partner university. The objective of these programs is to develop skilled maritime talent through co-development with the private sector, as well as experiential learning through industry engagements, overseas study missions and international exchanges.

SMU’s School of Economics and International Trading Institute launched the Maritime Economic Concentration (MEC) in Academic Year 2013, which began in August last year with 24 students.

T

he Finnish company Smarp, creator of the SmarpShare program, will expand to Singapore and Dubai based on 225.000 euros in funding which the Finnish company Frontier helped it raise.

The SmarpShare solution allows companies to motivate and reward their employees for spreading company related content and messages such as open positions, blogs, and upcoming events to their personal networks on social media.

Corporations such as Metso, Caverion, and DreamBroker have already signed up to use the platform.

“We are expecting fast growth from the Singapore and Dubai markets as both of them have a high professional social media penetration,” says Smarp CEO Roope Heinilä.

“This will especially help big companies to cost-effectively build their employer and corporate brand,” says Frontier’s Chairman of the Board and Partner Mikko Silventola.

Pekka Koskinen, founder of Snoobi, and Joose Viljanen ,co-founder of Appelsiini, participated in the funding.

February 2014 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7

Singapore the private banking hub of choice for international investors

By Sine Neuchs Thomsen

S

ingapore is fast moving up the ladder as one of the world’s most attractive venues for private banking, according to Fredrik Lager, General Manager, Private Banking, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken S.A. “Switzerland continues to hold on to the number one spot as the world’s largest private banking hub, but Singapore is catching up quickly,” he says.

“Over the past 5-10 years, we have seen a massive shift of private banking business from the more traditional centres such as Geneva, Zurich, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein,” he continues.

The rapid growth in wealth among Asian investors, both local and foreign, has created the need for an enhanced and local private banking offering.

The 158-year old, tradition-bound Swedish bank was the first Nordic bank to obtain a fully fledged private banking licence in Singapore in order to better serve its clients in the Asia-Pacific region. “SEB realised early on that SouthEast Asia would become an extremely important market and with its strategically important location, Singapore was the obvious choice for establishment,” Fredrik Lager says.

Strict regulation and transparency “In Singapore the regulations and the laws are well suited for private banking.

It is considered a safe place to have your money,” he said, adding that when so much wealth is moving towards Asia, the regulatory authorities in Singapore are of course keen on making sure that money, which comes to Singapore, is money which is declared in the clients’ home countries.

“Singapore introduced in July 2013 a new law whereby tax evasion is considered a money laundering offence. So if a bank finds out that a client is not compliant with the new law, the bank has a duty to directly report that client to the financial authorities,” he said.

Benefits of living in Thailand SEB Private Banking in Singapore covers the entire Asia Pacific region, from China and South Korea in the north to Australia in the south, and from Japan 8 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

Fredrik Lager General Manager, Private Banking, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken S.A. in the east to India in the west. In the midst of this vast geographical area lies Thailand, which has always been one of SEB’s core markets.

“Thailand has a very specific tax regime insofar as you don’t pay tax on the gains from foreign capital income and investments if you manage those assets outside Thailand,” he explained and continued: “If you remit the profit to Thailand within the same year as the profit arises, you will have to pay tax but if you wait until the next year you can remit the profit tax-free, thus making it attractive to structure your investments in a country like Singapore.”

Choose the right bank Historically speaking, private banking is the oldest form of banking. It dates back to medieval times when the need for wealthy families to have someone look after and invest their fortunes started to pick up pace. Private banking is all about trust where the relationship between the private banker and the client is the foundation for successful wealth management.

“Before entrusting the management of your wealth to a particular private bank I think it is important to consider factors such as regulation and location.

It is also a benefit if you and your private banker speak the same language in order to avoid linguistic misunderstandings. From an international perspective it is also a clear advantage if your private bank offers wealth structuring services to optimise the management of your assets from a tax point of view,” Fredrik Lager concludes.

SilkAir

getting attractive The regional carrier of Singapore Airlines is in fast forward mode as it enters its 25th year of operation.

New destinations, new services and new flights are added.

By Gregers Moller

S

ilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, celebrates its Silver anniversary this year. The airline has warmed up for this jubilee for a couple of month with a stream of new services and route expansions.

Since November, all passengers have been upgraded to bring on 10 kg more baggage than previously. Free baggage went up to 40kg in Business Class and 30kg in Economy class, respectively. The same privilege was offered passengers on Sinagpore Airlines.

WiFi entertainment on board Then in December, SilkAir launched a wireless inflight entertainment system on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft. Initially the launch was a trial enabling the customers on the aircraft to stream a wide variety of multimedia content such as movies, TV programmes and music directly onto their personal laptops, Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod or Android tablets and smartphones while onboard their flight.

“Upon successful trial, we look forward to introducing this system across our aircraft fleet by next year, providing customers with the complete SilkAir experience,” said Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng.

New destinations In November, SilkAir started flying on Yogyakarta in Indonesia as a new destination. Yogyakarta was the 45th destination in SilkAir’s network, extending the airline’s reach to 12 destinations in Indonesia.

Yogyakarta is where you fly to explore the famous Borobudur Buddhist Temple and Prambanan Hindu Temple in Central Java – both Unesco World Heritage sites - and the second most visited Indonesian destination after Bali.

Two days into the jubilee year, the airline announced two new destinations to be added to the network, Kalibo in the Philippines and Mandalay in Myanmar.

Kalibo is the capital of Aklan province and gateway to the idyllic Boracay island, which is located off the northwestern tip of Panay. The island is known for its stunning white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and the centre of culture and religion in the country. The city is home to the magnificent royal palace as well as many other attractions built during the Konbuang Dynasty. Bagan, long considered one of the world’s greatest archeological sights, is also accessible through Mandalay.

Starting from 30 March, the frequency of flights to almost all destinations will also increase.

The Phuket route will go up from 30 flights to 35 flights per week, the Darwin route will go up to 5 flights per week In Indonesia, services to Palembang will be increased to five times weekly and subject to slots approval, services to Balikpapan will also increase from the current six times a week to daily flights.

Thanks to the staff Commenting on the anniversary celebrations, SilkAir Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said: “It is a tremendously exciting time for the airline, and I am honoured and humbled to be part of such a milestone celebration. I would like to pay a special tribute to our 1,500 employees

who have been with us on our incredible 25 year journey. Without their unwavering support, dedication and heart, we would not be here today.”

SilkAir took to the skies in February 1989 as Tradewinds the Airline, before evolving into SilkAir in 1992. In its early days, the airline catered to passengers holidaying in exotic destinations in the region, including Phuket and Tioman. As the carrier developed, regional business destinations such as Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur were added.

New fleet of Boeing 737s To cap it all off, SilkAir will in early February be taking delivery of the first aircraft in its new fleet of 54 Boeing 737s. A total of eight planes are expected this year, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered by the end of this decade.

The first aircraft is planned to enter service from 20 February 2014, flying to destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan while the arrival of the second plane will allow the addition of other routes for the new aircraft including Siem Reap, Danang, Davao, Cebu and Kochi from 17 March 2014.

To involve consumers in SilkAir’s historic Boeing delivery, the airline will bring fans and aviation lovers together to virtually deliver the new aircraft to Singapore. Tracking the actual delivery route, from the Boeing Renton factory in Seattle to Singapore’s Changi Airport via Honolulu, Majuro and Guam. ‘Bringing Boeing Home with SilkAir’ is Asia’s first 25-hour flight simulator event that will allow up to 150 selected members of the public to fly a simulator SilkAir Boeing 737-800 plane into Singapore.

SilkAir travellers will also be rewarded through special promotional deals where 250,000 tickets will be made available at special rates for consumers in Singapore and across the region.

“Our new Boeing fleet will enable us to put the passenger at the centre of our focus, with the objective to deliver a higher level of quality and experience,” Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said.

For more details on SilkAir, visit silkair.com or http://www.facebook.com/SilkAir 10 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

Pioneering Orchestra Program in Singapore Essential Learning for All Students from 6 years old Holistic learning opportunities are a fundamental strength of GEMS World Academy (Singapore). Our dynamic music program provides all students with the opportunity to explore and excel their creative abilities.

Highlights: Pioneering in Singapore, all students Grades 1-5 are involved in the instrumental string program, being provided with either a violin or cello.

GWA students have the opportunity to have 1-to-1 music lessons during the school day in our soundproof studios in the Symphony Hall.

Multiple orchestral groups and bands are offered through our extensive After School Activity Program.

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Leading the way at

Volvo • Business Leader • Wife • Mother • Mentor • Linguist • Runner Meet Elisabeth Larsson

By Anne Pinto-Rodrigues

12 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

E

lisabeth Larsson is a multi-faceted woman. It’s hard to do justice to her incredible personality in a few words. As the Vice President of Vehicle Sales and Marketing at Volvo Asia Oceania, she is the perfect role model, especially as a woman professional in a predominantly male bastion.

The thorough professional As a young woman growing up in Sweden, Elisabeth felt very strongly about Volvo. After all, her father and brother had long and exciting careers there. An Economics major at university, she was recruited directly from campus and began her career at Volvo with a role in manufacturing. Volvo being a large and global company, additional responsibilities soon came her way. A stint with the Volvo market company in Paris from 1999 to 2001 provided her with an extremely challenging yet enriching experience. She cherished the opportunity to be closer to the customer.

A few years later, she was offered the role of VP of Vehicle Sales and Marketing based out of the Asia Oceania regional headquarters in Beijing.

She gladly accepted.

Elisabeth’s move to Beijing in 2008 brought with it great possibilities. Asia-Pacific being in growth mode, there was nowhere else she would rather be. She quotes Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian ice hockey great who once said “I do not focus on where the puck is, but where it’s going to be.” The move to Beijing gave her the chance to be closer to where all the action lay.

Once in Beijing, Elisabeth’s love for languages prompted her to learn Mandarin. She took Mandarin lessons twice a week for 2 years and has great respect for the complexity and depth of the language. Her knowledge of Mandarin, though basic, helped in her daily interactions during her 4 year stay in Beijing.

When the decision to move the Volvo’s Regional Headquarters to Singapore was made, Elisabeth welcomed the prospect of living and working in a new city. For the past 1.5 years, she calls Singapore home and appreciates the safety, the cleanliness and the high quality of life that Singapore provides. She does miss the Nordic seasons sometimes but Singapore’s sunny weather more than makes up for it.

Leading Women at Volvo Elisabeth started work at Volvo in the mid-90s and the apparent lack of women co-workers didn’t faze her. Two of her three siblings are boys.

So Elisabeth was already comfortable in a primarily male set-up.

Volvo provided her with a nurturing environment that propelled her professional growth.

“There is great respect for the individual at Volvo”, she states. She also credits her mentors at Volvo who supported her every time she felt discouraged or disillusioned.

The mere mention of ‘women in the workplace’ and Elisabeth’s eyes light up. She’s extremely passionate about the subject and her enthusiasm is evident.

As one of the senior-most woman officers in the company, she is regularly invited to speak at various internal and external forums on gender issues prevalent in the corporate world. She is also one of the initiators of the FAB (Females in Asia at their Best) network at Volvo and dedicates a lot of her time towards coaching future female managers.

Lessons learnt from Elisabeth’s own experience along with the advice she has received over the years from well-wishers, puts her in the perfect position to mentor young women professionals.

Firstly, she says “Don’t play the victim card.

Take ownership of your career.”

She also advises against women behaving like men to stay competitive in the workplace.

“Women come with their unique perspective and it is highly beneficial to the work environment to have diversified opinions”, she adds.

She continues saying “Women should stay positive and believe that things will get better.

Nobody likes a whiner.” She emphasizes on the importance of having a sense of humour especially when things don’t go as planned.

The person Elisabeth is proud mother to 3 boys aged 12, 9 and 7. Between her work and family responsibilities, she is constantly battling for some down time. She is very thankful to her husband Mikael (entrepreneur and founder of Mikritho Business Solutions) who in Singapore, works from home most of the time. “Mikael’s presence at home is invaluable. It enables me to concentrate on my work, when I am there.” she gushes.

Her move to Singapore created some interesting changes in her lifestyle. “Everyone here is so health conscious and fit. It has inspired us to eat better and focus on our health.”

Before she knew it, Singapore’s running bug had bitten Elisabeth and she was training for her very first run. She completed the 10K at the Great Eastern Women’s Run 2013 and is very proud of her accomplishment. “I usually hit a wall around 5K. The other runners from the Volvo team egged me on and that helped me compete the race” she adds.

The times ahead Elisabeth is looking forward to being in Asia for the next few years. Having been away from home for so long, she is fully aware that re-assimilating into life back in Sweden is not going to be easy.

But that’s something she doesn’t need to worry about for some time.

For the moment, she is leading the launch of Volvo’s new product range in Asia. And like a true professional, she hurries along to prepare for it.

February 2014 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

National Danish Performance Team hits Asia on world tour 2014 Gymnastics athletes from Denmark visit Asia this year to share the concept of living an active and healthy life. Ahead of the tour, the list of things to be planned is long.

W

hen the National Danish Performance Team in October 2014 begins its world tour there will be few things left to chance in the itinerary. That is how it has to be when 33 people travel together for nearly 10 months, told Assistant Manager Thomas Dahl.

These days he is travelling Singapore and Malaysia to meet partners and set up venues for the team’s performances and appointments with schools and universities.

14 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

“We move the world” is the slogan of the National Danish Performance team, consisting of 28 Danish gymnastics athletes and five team leaders. And they are literally travelling around in effort to move the world, explained Thomas Dahl.

“What’s unique about us is that we create a room for sport from the opportunities and partnerships we have in the city we come to. In that way we try to spread our understanding of what sport, healthy living and movement is. And that is a very popular issue almost everywhere at the moment,” he added.

Next years world tour starts in South Korea and continues to Taiwan afterwards. It is already planned that The National Danish Performance Team is going to contribute on a special occasion in Taiwan.

“We found that we share some ambitions with our partners in Taiwan, which means that we are going to be there around the World Diabetes Day in November 2014,” Thomas Dahl said.

Except spreading the concept of healthy living and the idea of moving every day, the Danish Performance team has another important message to spread about enjoying sport in groups.

“In Denmark we have a unique culture in the local societies with local gymnastics and sports association where a large number of volunteers work many hours in effort to make the spirit of the gymnastics culture live on” Thomas Dahl said and added: “And that is what we want to share and spread out on our world tour. We make workshops and create events with different sport activities in schools and universities to teach them how our understanding of moving and being together in a sport team is in Denmark.”

That is also the reason why Thomas Dahl is working hard to make his co-partners understand, that the National Danish Performance Team does not want to be considered as a professional sports team who stays at a 5-starred hotel with

own private chef.

“We have a huge interest in getting to know the culture of where we are. We visit refugee camps and stay with private families, which gives us just as big an experience as we hope to give the people we meet all over the world.” he said.

The National Danish Performance Team travel around the world for 10 months every second year, where they end up performing their big show to the National Gymnastics Rally in Denmark. The “break” year is spent on planning the trip and recruiting the athletes, who must go through a difficult selection procedure, before they can join the team.

“They are of course tested physically, because they need to be able to do our big performance show more than 100 times during the tour. But we also look at each person to consider if they have what it takes to participate in and arrange sports workshops for people all over the world,” said Thomas Dahl.

On the 2014 World Tour will The National Danish Performance Team visit six countries in Southeast Asia. After South Korea and Taiwan they continue to Japan, before they head to Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Thomas Dahl is not going to join the trip himself; he already travelled with the team a couple of times some years back. Now he is planning the trip, and that is a job he finds quite interesting.

“Especially here in Asia I have experienced another way of getting in touch with people. We don’t just meet and make an agreement or appointment.

We often go out a few times and wait to see if we can work it out as partners,” he explained.

See the highlights from this year’s performance by The National Danish Performance Team at the National Gymnastics Rally in Denmark, by following this link. http://www.ndpt.dk/tour_shows.aspx

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The Swedish Volvo Experience John K. Lindgren visits the Volvo car plant and takes the new Volvo V60 Sport wagon for a spin in Sweden, the nordic kingdom that gave us “Dancing Queen”

by ABBA, the flat pack IKEA furniture concept and the coveted Nobel prize.

By John K. Lindgren

Torslanda Factory tour and road testing the New V60 Sports wagon Gothenburg – Stockholm

C

ity of Gothenburg is located on the windy west coast of Sweden.

“Göteborg” in Swedish, the kingdoms 2nd largest city sits on the banks near the mouth of Göta river.

Here Volvo cars and trucks are seen everywhere: four door S60 sedans, V60 utilitarian station wagons, diesel powered Volvo taxi cabs and tall tenwheel trailer trucks.

Our Volvo experience starts on a autumn day with clear blue skies. First stop the Volvo Museum near the old Arendal shipyard. This museum is a must see for any auto aficionado. On display is a large collection of Volvo’s most important historical vehicles and the evolution of the brand including construction equipment, industrial and marine engines. Nearby, at the original brick built factory the first Volvo named ÖV4 was rolled out the 14th of April in 1927.

Next Volvo Cars Torslanda visitor center and 16 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

the factory tour, the so called Blue Train. This dinky train is also popular among overseas customers arriving at Gothenburg for the Overseas Delivery Service (ODS), where they pick up their their brand new Volvos at the Torslanda factory.

On the tour we follow the birth of a Volvo car, from a roll of gleaming sheet metal to the finished product. A first-hand impression of how a Volvo passenger car is built “Please keep your hands inside at all times.

And no cameras, please”, says our guide as the tour starts. Outside the factory we see massive rolls of sheet metal that have just arrived. Inside the factory hall the heavy duty press shop. Here doors, hoods, floors and panels are pressed with precision and speed. At the next corner sparks fly all over as hundreds of bright yellow robot work the line sans fatigue. This is called the “robodance”, performed by the robots. Further down the assembly line male and female teams of specialized

workers fit the electronics and wires into doors and dashboards. Next area, the marriage point!

This is where the power pack (the engine) joins with the body. As we approach the next of corner of the aircraft hangar size factory there’s a bright canteen with a sign: HIGHWAY CAFE, “that’s the factory workers cafeteria”, says tour guide.

Moments later the wheels are attached, followed by battery of sophisticated diagnostics and tests. The assembly line ends here and the new Volvos are rolled out. First off the line a bright shining, white V60 followed by a black XC 90 and a metallic silver S60. All brand new Volvo cars ready for delivery to customers round the globe.

Torslanda factory manufactures 165,000 passenger cars per year. Or 800 units per day.

Apart of the Blue Train tour of the plant, Volvo Cars Visitor Center offers a visit to the Volvo Cars Brand Experience Center. Here a permanent core value exhibition focuses on safety & en-

vironment research, on-site accident investigation and crash laboratory research. Remember the Volvo advertising tagline “VOLVO FOR LIFE”.

The aim for 2020 is that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car.

But, what is a premium car brand plant without test track? Volvo Torslanda boasts of a 2.5 kilometer long circuit in a realistic Swedish country road setting with real traffic signs; the moose crossing and speed limit warning signs, tight turns and a long straight. Waiting for us outside the visitor center is a collection of new Volvos with several different engine alternatives. The latest Volvo S, V and XC models; or the sedans, the station wagons and the SUV’s. All lined up outside the paddock just like at the Le Mans race track. We have the whole circuit, all for our selves. What a treat. This track is not for the fast and furious. But it is part of the Volvo Torslanda factory experience for customers, journalists and visitors. A unique chance to drive all the different Volvo models on the road in a secluded, clean and safe environment with pine trees and shrub as a backdrop.

Volvo Design Inside the vast Torslanda Volvo plant there is a top secret department, the design center. Here classic values of Scandinavian design such as simplicity, functionality and durability have been cornerstones of Volvo cars exterior and interior

styling for many decades. We meet Volvos Senior Design Advisor, Jose Diaz de la Vega, a Mexican who graduated in industrial design and later received his degree in vehicle design from Royal College of Art, London regarded as the world’s leading center for vehicle design education and research. “RCA was my ‘Ticket To Ride” says, Mr Diaz de la Vega who has worked 23 years with Volvo. Jose de la Vega presents us with Powerpoint images of Volvos design concepts. Here the materials and colours are often inspired by the Sweden’s beautiful nature. And contemporary Scandinavian art, fashion and music are other sources of inspiration. “Modern Swedish, Scandinavian design is cool not cold!”, says Mr Diaz de la Vega and shows an image of the spectacular Norwegian Opera and Ballet building in Oslo.

The V60 Finally the time for the extended test drive has ar-

rived. Parked outside the visitor center is a bright ice white station wagon that does not look like a station wagon, or estate, (shooting brake if you like). The new Volvo V60 looks more like a sleek stylish, sporty coupe. Gone are the straight lines and severe angles, the “soccer mom” vehicle” styling and in come curves, low-set air intakes, racy exhausts and in front a smaller grille.

The badge reads V60, V for “versatility” and 60 is the model number. AWD, All Wheel Drive or traction in each corner, each wheel pair. I have seen many stationwagons and driven many European, Japanese and US made. But hands down this is the best looking of them all. And it’s Volvo!

The Swedes are practical and versatile people that’s why the “combi” as the Swedes call the stationwagon is the most sold Volvo passenger car in Sweden. “Combi” vehicle customers include the Swedish police. Volvo’s “V” line up consists of three variants: the baby V40, the midsize V60 and the big brother V70.

Our demo unit is the top-of-the-line V60 T6 AWD. Fully loaded with a powerful straight six cylinder petrol engine under the hood. The powerful turbo charged T6 petrol pumps out 304 hp and 440 Nm of torque. Inside it’s all luxury off-black, stitched leather, brushed aluminum accents and a floating centre console, the sweep of the dash is cool and classy and the materials are nice to touch. It’s rationality, simplicity,

vehicles in the offset rear blind spot on both sides of the car. A yellow warning lamp beside the relevant door mirror comes on to alert the driver to the danger.

clarity and functionality at its best. Including a 40/20/40-split rear seat and the fold-flat front passenger seat make it possible to combine passengers and cargo. Perfect for the big IKEA week-end shopping spree.

There’s also an amazing array of bells and whistles like ergonomic leather power memory seats, sat-nav, premium sound system, parking sensors, self-leveling headlights and dualzone climate controls plus all the safety gear you could ever wish for. Including; Driver Alert Control (DAC). A unique technology to alert tired and distracted drivers. This function monitors the car’s progress between the lane markers and warns the driver if his or her driving pattern changes in a random or uncontrolled way. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) alerts the driver if the car runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps detect

Volvo V60 T6 AWD

The Drive On our 1000 kilometer run from Gothenburg to central Sweden, Stockholm and south to Malmoe and back to Gothenburg, Torslanda plant the Volvo V60, lifestyle wagon passed the test with flying colours. The roads were perfect. Half of the distance on motorways with maximum speed 110 kph. Along the journey at the Shell pumps many large Seven-11 stores with free Wi-Fi!and clean restrooms, shelves stocked with groceries, Red Bull and freshly brewed coffee & delicious cinnamon rolls.

What a drive and what a stationwagon. No! A sportwagon called V60 V for versatility (or could it be V for Volvo). The colour? Ice white, of course. “Swede dreams are made of these...”

PS When driving in Sweden do not forget the 30, 50, 70 kph speed limits. There are many speed cameras. Suddenly you’re slightly blinded by an instant flash. It’s not the reflexion from the sun. It’s the speed camera! That’s when you’re caught on film. We were doing 80 kph in a 70 speed limit area. Fine 1,500 SEK (7,300) THB. No excuses! Road safety is taken seriously in the Nordic Volvo country.

Engine: 3.0 liter petrol engine Max power: 304 horsepower Torque: 440 Nm Top speed: 200 kph Fuel consumption: combined 10 kpl Price: 420,000 SEK www.volvocars.com

Nota Bene Since the V60 T6 AWD model is not available in the Thai Volvo showrooms we recommend you testdrive the V60 T4 F (Flexifuel) model.

Same overall spcifications, same safety package and same cool ice white color but powered by a smaller and more fuel efficient 1.6 liter engine.

Volvo V60 more sportwagon – than a stationwagon.

Price: 2.29 million THB. www.volvocars.com/th February 2014 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

‘From here to Eternity’ About growing old gracefully

By Flemming Winther Nielsen

The photo shows the author, Flemming Winther Nielsen, as a young, self-confident academic with his old father, Hermann Johannes Winther Nielsen, who died in 1984. Flemming Winther Nielsen died on 21 January this year.

I

t is one of Fate’s cruel jokes that young people cannot comprehend the life lived by us, the older generation. They cannot understand our inner life, our conditions, even if they take an interest and try; the ‘generation gap’ it is often called. This is the joke and the condition. Apparently a sort of invisible ring is cast around us; we are inside, fundamentally alone. We are left to our own personal struggle, hope and fear. Furthermore, what we learnt in life, our experiences, are of no value in this so-called nuclear society where everything changes with tremendous speed.

You may say that your children and grandchildren love you, yes, rightly so, but it is still my claim that they don’t have a chance to understand what is going on inside us. Our fear is not their fear; they are in the bloom of their life, not nearing the end of the road.

The first consequence of this fact is maybe grief and maybe isolation if we don’t act and react. We have to get used to standing alone and defend our own positions from there. We can never allow family and next of kin to try to diminish us as old fools who can neither see nor hear, that is the direct route to dementia. But now, let me give a few examples of what is on OUR mind, our invariable peculiarities you might call them with a little glint in the eye.

Our peculiarities • For many of us not a day passes by without grappling with the thoughts of our death. For us this comes naturally, but it would not be natural for a person in the bloom of his life. Meanwhile, these thoughts are solemnly between us and His 18 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

Brightness – or His Darkness.

• We get acutely aware of our bodily functions, alarmed and consulting the doctor on even minor signs of dysfunctions. We know that the final blow will commonly be related to an illness and we fear that. Our relatives will often regard this behavior as hypochondria.

• Many of us get a little obsessed with our dress and our smell, not a spot, no odor, the young can dress as bums, we can absolutely not, and for good reasons we prefer dark trousers.

• We try to hide our physical shortcomings, but we prefer an upright dining table chair for the low and deep ‘comfy’ chair offered. We walk slowly and tell our companion that it is because we want to look around, at flowers, birds and bees.

• One very sensitive issue is the decline of our sexual capacity. In the blue hours, talking with friends about this, we find the grief and the sorrow. It is difficult to cope with this loss and of course we deeply envy the young couples we meet on our way. Then many of us chose Viagra as a way out, but that is a personal choice and solution of course.

• Many of us experience that our possessions lose their value and our appreciation, furniture, even books, the maintenance of the house, we are letting it decline with us. It is a strange to observe that the elegant crystal carafe given to you by a dear friend is now more or less without value. I will give it away.

Will to win – born to lose Today we all exercise, young and old, most useful

thing to do. The risk comes if you believe your current level of fitness will last; that you can maintain your handicap; still win the matches, in tennis, still score high. The decline will come, like a thief in the night, slowly and almost invisible; we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be surprised by this fact.

A friend of mine and of my age, exercised early every morning with four friends. Then he suddenly found out that he couldn’t follow suit. Then he simply dropped out disillusioned –or a victim of his own illusion, that things will last – they never do.

It took him quite a while to get back on his feet.

To stand upright, centered and unbiased If we don’t want to surrender ourselves to the greasy hands of the public welfare system and the nursing home, but will continue as long as possible as freedom fighters, we have to learn. Already the ancient Greeks and old Buddhism deal with the eternal human problem: How to survive with dignity in times of trouble. The Greek philosopher Zenon was the father of stoicism. From this practical teaching we can learn a lot. Almost interwoven we then have the Buddhist teaching.

In the writing about ‘The Middle Path’ we are told to stay neutral, upright and centered.

Meaning to investigate and penetrate the core of life with an unbiased attitude (From Teaching in Chinese Buddhism 1996). It becomes a question of whether or not we want to acknowledge and give up our prejudices and false norms.

In my next article I will deal in more details with these two remedies for a better understanding and acceptance of our situation, late in life.

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16/12/2013 10:04:43 AM

Selling sex work for a comfortable living Staffan Nordstrand blames anti-human trafficking NGO’s for selling shocking stories about the victims of the sex industry first of all to cover their own salaries.

By Joakim Persson

20 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

S

wedish author Staffan Nordstrand, whose book, ‘River trilogy’, sheds light on the evil of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, has started an awareness campaign to channel donations directly to organisations that are doing a good job in a cost-effective manner battling the modern-day slave trade. International agencies need not apply. To Nordstrand, they are just a bunch of bloated bureaucracies only interested in lining their own pockets.

Because the main focus of his books is on human trafficking, he has often been invited to speak publicly on the topic. Staffan said he was approached by several international aid agencies in Sweden to speak.

In one case, they wanted him to

educate members of their staff and share his insights – so they could sell (read: raise funds) better. That caused him to look at it from a totally different perspective and to see their real intentions. Staffan turned away from them in disgust when he got to see how they operate and spend the money, donated by ordinary people, on swanky offices at fancy addresses and chauffeured around in fleets of expensive cars.

“They want funding to cover their own expenses, that is their number one priority. It’s not to collect money for those in need – forget it!,” said Staffan.

“I said to myself ‘I should try to connect donors directly to recipients instead of helping them maintain expensive offices in Stockholm!”

rkers stories It all came together towards the end of, ‘The Last Journey’, the last book in his River trilogy launched last year, where some of the characters in the book decide to initiate an action campaign: Bee with us (Bee as in the name of one of the characters in his book).

With first-hand experience in trafficking they decide they should do something to tell the truth to the world. In so doing they speak for the author.

Staffan Nordstrand initially came in touch with this world when he started to take an interest in the stories related to him from workers under his supervision as a developer of residential homes in Phuket.

A number of years travelling and research gathering followed which has resulted in three documentary novels.

And now Staffan brings fiction into the real world with this new international aid initiative - without middlemen.

The website Beewithus.com does two main things. First, spreads information on trafficking of children and young people within the sex

industry and manufacturing in Asia.

Second, it links donors with qualityassured recipients in South-east Asia, without any middlemen involved who just waste large parts of the funds. Donations will go directly and in whole to the particular operation being supported by people.

“Actually, there are many competent organisations out there doing an excellent job. They need support, but the donors don’t know of their existence,” he elaborates.

Bee with us will also reach out through holding lectures and other kinds of advocacy work. At the Göteborg Book Fair (Gothenburg, Sweden) held in September Staffan had his booth designed to reflect the slum in Bangkok and also attended a symposium on trafficking as speaker.

His trilogy has sold well. During the book fair alone, Staffan signed over 500 books. The first book has sold around 30,000 copies and is about to be translated into English and other languages.

The books and Bee with us constitute various part of the same effort to counteract human trafficking

and prostitution with exploitation of those poor and vulnerable.

“More organisations should inform about human trafficking. We know that at present this is the largest form of slavery ever on earth.

And still most people believe that slavery is something we abolished globally a long time ago. The truth is that the sex trade and sex slavery has not been stopped, so we need to start a new war to stop it,” states Bee with us.

“Child sex trade, young girls and boys, kidnappings… that’s where we should work hard to fight it. I think it’s very important that people come to understand that tourism plays an important part. On Bangla road in Phuket, for instance, the main sex customers are Asian tourists. Up towards 90 per cent of the customers in the brothels are locals.

On top of that you have the tourists coming here and using the sex trade, which they do,” Staffan explains his view.

Tourists seeing something involving other tourists, what can they do?

“Confront them and report

to the authorities,” replies Staffan.

“And don’t sanction places like Bangla road by taking your family there to look around at what is forbidden back home but somehow acceptable just because being on holiday!”

You can also become active with beewithus.com.

“Forget governments and go down to field-level and try to connect locally with the police etc. Build small cells that work together and get joined later in a central part.

Top-down control won’t work.”

Being an ambassador for this cause is what Staffans intends to be.

“It is very important that more persons. It’s the children we must reach out to: they are the future, so they must go home to their families and say that trafficking is bad and illegal.”

International Baccalaureate

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Contact us for more information about the programme and the boarding school.

Deadline for applications: 15th of March

Nyborg Gymnasium & Kostskole Skolebakken 13, DK-5800 Nyborg, tlf +45 65 31 02 17 post@nyborg-gym.dk, www.nyborg-gym.dk

February 2014 • ScandAsia.Singapore 21

Medium

Swedish

Semlor (fastelavnsboller)

Evil

Makes about 18 buns • 700g plain flour • 140g caster sugar • A pinch of salt • 350ml milk • 2 teaspoons of freshly ground cardamom • 2 x 7g sachets of dried yeast • 150g salted butter, softened • 1 large free range egg Almond paste: • 250g of skinless, blanched almonds • 225g caster sugar • A few tablespoons of milk • A little icing sugar to dust • 750ml double cream, whipped

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 March 2014 22 ScandAsia.Singapore • February 2014

•

•

•

•

•

•

Melt the butter in a large saucepan and pour the milk in, heat until lukewarm. Mix in the yeast.

In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, salt, and the cardamom.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and mix in the wet ones along with the egg. Bring a dough together and knead on a clean floured work surface for 4 minutes. Place back in the bowl and cling film and a tea towel and leave to prove in a warm, dark place for 45-60 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface, divide the dough into 18 pieces (80g each) and roll each into a ball. Put the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush the buns with a little beaten egg or milk and bake in the centre of the oven for about 10 minutes. Leave to cool on a wire wrack.

Prepare the almond paste by blitzing the almonds and caster sugar in a food processor. Then add a few drops of milk until you have thick smooth paste. Place in the fridge to firm up and become solid.

Cut a triangle out of the top of each bun and scoop out some of the insides, to make a small hole for the filling. Save the breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl.

Grate the almond paste into the breadcrumbs and bring together a creamy paste using a few tablespoons of milk. Fill the buns with tablespoons of the filling and then pipe whipped cream on top.

Place the the tops back on, dust the buns with icing sugar and serve.

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