SwedCham Newsletter | June 2024

Dear reader,

After 200 years of non-alignment, Sweden officially joined NATO as its 32nd member on 7 March this year. The?war in Ukraine was the driving factor for Sweden to end its military neutrality and take this bold step, which only some years ago would have been looked at as quite unthinkable.

With all four Nordic countries now part of NATO, the alliance's security architecture in the Nordic, Arctic, and Baltic regions is nearly complete. This development will intensify military collaboration both within the Nordic countries and with other NATO members, significantly impacting the Swedish defense industry. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated:

"Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions. [...] Sweden brings with it capable armed forces and a first-class defence industry.?Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole Alliance more secure."

For the first time as a NATO member, Sweden was represented by Minister of Defence P?l Jonsson at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit, held in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June. Saab, a major player in Sweden's defence industry with a presence in Singapore since the 1980s, also participated in the summit. Chun-Chau Chew, Country Head of Saab Singapore, shares his insights on the event below:

"This year's Shangri-la Dialogue saw the participation of world leaders, defence ministers, military chiefs, academics and businessmen from 42 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and America. The war in Ukraine, conflict in Gaza, security tension in South China Sea and East Asia as well as US-China rivalry took the centre stage at the 3-day summit. Views and debates around the topic of international rules-based order and rule of law were discussed. The highlight of the summit was the appearance of President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. In his speech, he stressed how the support from countries around the world has helped Ukraine fight against aggressive attacks by Russia and urge countries to participate in the peace summit in Switzerland to show solidarity and commitment to peace. As a Singaporean, it was indeed?an honour to play host to such an important and independent forum, contributing to peace and security."

Please find below the latest news from our business community.

Your dedicated SwedCham team,?

Lisa & Anna

New SwedCham Member

moving2singapore:?moving2singapore is a personal relocation service provider offering customised concierge services to assist when relocating to Singapore.?

Chief Representative:?Louise Agartson, CEO & Founder.

2024 Swedish Company of the Year

2024 Swede of the Year

It is time to nominate exceptional companies and individuals for the 2024 Swedish Company of the Year and Swede of the Year Awards.

Take this opportunity to recognise a Swedish company and/or a Swedish individual who has made a remarkable footprint during the past year.?Who do you think deserves extra credit for their work in Singapore and the region?

The winners will be announced and celebrated during the SwedCham Midwinter Ball at Sofitel Sentosa on 9 November this year.?

The nomination criteria for the "Swedish Company of the Year" Award:?

This award has a broad scope - it highlights extraordinary accomplishments that can come in many forms. The winner can be a company with a great impact, social or financial, in the region. It can also be an innovative fast mover with huge growth potential and a great advocate for the Swedish brand or a mix of many factors.

The nomination criteria for the "Swede of the Year" Award:?

This is an important acknowledgement of an outstanding person from the Swedish community who has created a positive impact, either in Singapore or the region, through his or her work and dedication.?

The deadline for nominations is Friday 16 August 2024.

Click HERE to nominate.

Workshop on strategic foresight

Predicting the future in today's dynamic business landscape is challenging, but incorporating 'strategic foresight' can help integrate various scenarios into your decision-making process. This 90-minute workshop, organised by SwedCham's People & Culture committee and hosted by?Hyper Island, will enhance your futurist capabilities with tools and techniques to navigate uncertainty and make better-informed decisions. Understand the business value of strategic foresight, cultivate a "futures mindset," and learn to seize disruptive innovation opportunities. Don't miss this chance to empower your team and shape your desired future.

Register for this free event?here. Exclusively for SwedCham Members.

Member news

Alfa Laval moving to new offices

Alfa Laval celebrated 50 years in Singapore by moving to brand new offices at The Metropolis!?The new offices were inaugurated on 15 April this year?in the presence of the Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore, H.E. Anders Sj?berg; Trade Commissioner Emil Akander and South East Asia & Oceania Cluster President Jennie Borgstr?m and her team.

For you who would like to pay a visit to The Metropolis, look no further: Our next SwedCham Connect on 12 September will be hosted by Alfa Laval. Sign up now via this link to avoid disappointment - we will certainly have a full house.

New SwedCham member providing relocation services

Hej Louise Agartson, you are new SwedCham member with your newly launched company moving2singapore. Tell us about your business!?Moving2Singapore is a concierge relocation company, dedicated to personalised service. We believe in customisation, not a one-size-fits-all approach, to help people relocate stress-free (as much as possible!).?I advocate for a single point of contact for the client to ensure nothing?slips through the cracks.?Having relocated to Singapore myself, I know the do’s and don’t’s and I am happy to assist others in their journey!

How long have you lived in Singapore, and what was your biggest challenge when you moved here??My young daughters, husband and I moved to Singapore from Sweden five years ago. Our challenges included everything from choosing schools for our daughters who didn't speak English, to find accommodation that ticked our boxes, and finding the perfect fit in a domestic helper.?

How can moving house and country become easier do you think??Moving countries is a big step, whether it's your first or tenth time. A new country means new rules, customs and everyday life. Having a dedicated person who knows how to navigate this transition can make all the difference. Letting her take overall responsibility for your relocation checklist - including everything from accommodation and school searches to finding a domestic helper and introducing you to social networks -?is the closest thing to an insurance policy for a smooth transition. Not to mention saving you time and money!

You are a brand new SwedCham Member. Why are international chambers important in Singapore???The Chambers first and foremost facilitate essential networking and relationship-building. I am also looking forward to great market insights, seminars and for newcomers enhancing of cultural understanding.?

To read the full newsletter, click here.?

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