SwedCham Newsletter | November 2024

Dear reader,

Drottningholm Palace, located on an island in Lake M?laren just outside Stockholm, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the private residence of the King and Queen of Sweden. Originally built in the late 16th century, it became the royal residence for much of the 18th century. Today, it remains both a private home for the Swedish royal family and a popular tourist destination.

The palace is renowned for its stunning gardens and parklands, which have been developed in stages since its construction, showcasing various garden styles. Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, Drottningholm also features a beautifully preserved 18th-century theatre and a charming Chinese Pavilion.

In just a few days, we will have the honour of welcoming Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Sweden, to Singapore for their first-ever State Visit, at the invitation of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Accompanying them will be a business delegation of 50 Swedish companies, government agencies, universities, and other organisations, led by Business Sweden. The delegation aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Sweden and Singapore, with a focus on digitalisation, green transition, and innovation. For more details, you can read the full press release, including a list of the companies participating,?here.

We are thrilled to welcome Their Majesties to Singapore and look forward to showcasing all that our island has to offer. While a world away from Drottningholm Palace, Singapore is a vibrant and dynamic destination, rich in opportunities for exploration. With excellent political relations between Sweden and Singapore, we are confident that this State Visit will further strengthen Sweden’s position as a trusted, long-term partner in sustainability and innovation. We are excited for the opportunities this visit will bring to deepen our two countries' collaboration across various sectors.

Please find below the latest news from our business community.

Your dedicated SwedCham team,?

Lisa & Anna

New SwedCham Members

SwedCham welcomes the following new members to its business community:

Olofsson & Company: Founded by Roger Olofsson in 2017, Olofsson & Company has earned its place as Asia’s leading tech and start-up executive search firm. The company works with fast growth firms to help find and secure the best talent in the marketplace and goes on to help build world-class high-performing teams. Whether through executive search, interim leadership, or project-based consultants, Olofsson is committed to support companies' long-term success.

Chief Representative:?Roger Olofsson, Managing Director.

The Scale Factory:?The Scale Factory is Asia’s premier platform for scaling tech companies, specialising in helping disruptive tech brands expand across the region. From executing targeted strategic initiatives to acting as clients' outsourced commercial organization in Asia, the company provides comprehensive support to drive growth and success in this dynamic market.

Chief Representative:?Pierre M?rtensson, Founder & Managing Partner.

Malmudden:?Malmudden offers executive advisory and consultancy services in property development and management, delivering high-level strategic guidance across multiple sectors. With a strong focus on innovation, the company is dedicated to reshaping and transforming the property management landscape.

Chief Representative: Nils Bengtsberg, Founder & CEO.

SwedCham Awards 2024

SwedCham's Annual Awards were presented by H.E.?Anders Sj?berg, Sweden's Ambassador to Singapore, at our Midwinter Ball last Saturday at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa. For many years, SwedCham has been honouring outstanding Swedish individuals and companies who have made a remarkable footprint in Singapore, and we are honoured to present to you this year's winners.

Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners:

2024 Swede of the Year: Bo Johansson

2024 Swedish Company of the Year: AstraZeneca Singapore.

Left to right: H.E. Anders Sj?berg, Sweden's Ambassador to Singapore; Bo Johansson, Owner & Senior Managing Partner, Viking Engineering; Lisa Ferraton, General Manager, SwedCham.

Left to right: H.E. Anders Sj?berg, Sweden's Ambassador to Singapore;?Suyeon Kim, Country President, AstraZeneca Singapore; Lisa Ferraton, General Manager, SwedCham.

The jury's motivation:

??Bo Johansson

Bo Johansson embodies the spirit of innovation and dedication that defines the Swedish community in Singapore. Since arriving in the mid 1970s, he has significantly influenced the marine turbine industry, bringing cutting-edge Swedish technology to the region through his leadership at?Viking Engineering, which he founded together with partner Sune Andersson in 1977. Under their stewardship, Viking has become a key player in servicing the marine industry not only in the region but globally, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence and technical expertise.

Bo's extensive knowledge and hands-on experience have allowed him to tackle challenges worldwide. His efforts have not only ensured the operational success of numerous marine vessels but also facilitated the entry of new Swedish technologies and companies into Singapore, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Bo's leadership extends beyond business; he has mentored countless engineers, nurturing local talent and promoting a culture of support and knowledge sharing. His contributions have enriched the maritime sector and solidified the strong ties between Sweden and Singapore. He was also instrumental in launching the Swedish Business Association in Singapore in the 1980s – which then became SwedCham. For these reasons and more, we proudly recognize Bo Johansson as Swede of the Year, celebrating his remarkable legacy and enduring impact over half a century.

??AstraZeneca Singapore

AstraZeneca?has been honoured as the Swedish Company of the Year in Singapore for 2024 due to its exceptional contributions to public health, sustainability, and employee well-being. As the top pharmaceutical company in Singapore in 2024 in terms of sales, AstraZeneca actively engages in initiatives like the “War on Diabetes” and partnerships with local organizations to drive healthcare innovation.

During the pandemic, AstraZeneca played a vital role by supplying essential treatments, underscoring its commitment to public health. The company's $1.5 billion investment in a manufacturing facility highlights its long-term dedication to Singapore’s economy.

AstraZeneca’s sustainability efforts, including collaborations with the Waterways Watch Society and its Cancer Can Give movement, empower cancer survivors through volunteerism. Additionally, its employee-focused programs promote mental health and foster an inclusive workplace culture. These initiatives position AstraZeneca as a responsible corporate citizen, showcasing the best of Swedish and international innovation both when it comes to business excellence and people development, making it a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Previous winners include:?

2023 Swedish Company of the Year:?Anticimex

2023 Swede of the Year:?Swedish Supplementary Education School Singapore

2022 Swedish Company of the Year:?Getinge

2022 Swede of the Year:?Carolina Rodriguez, Founder & Director, Dilucidar

2019 Swedish Company of the Year:?Scania

2019 Swede of the Year:?Janek Schergen, Artistic Director, Singapore Ballet

2018 Swedish Company of the Year:?Atlas Copco

2018 Swede of the Year:?Annelie Nikou

2017 Swedish Company of the Year:?IKEA

2017 Swede of the Year:?Catharina Jevrell

2016 Swedish Company of the Year:?N?jdhs Underwater Technology?

2016 Swede of the Year: Professor?Bertil Andersson, President Emeritus, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

2015?Swedish Company of the Year:?Envac

2015 Swede of the Year:?Together for Charity

2014?Swede of the Year:?Mikael Hartman, Associate Professor, NUS, and Head of General Surgery, NUHS

2013?Swede of the Year:?Gunilla Daintry

2012?Swede of the Year:?Mike Kannberg

Midwinter Ball 2024

A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors and guests who joined us for the unforgettable 2024 Midwinter Ball at stunning Sofitel Sentosa. It was an evening filled with joy, friendship, and celebration of our vibrant business community, as well as the long-standing heritage of Swedish-Singaporean business ties. With ABBA tunes playing well into the night, we can all agree that the Midwinter Ball is a tradition worth preserving.

A special shout-out to Roger Jansson and Annelie Olsson, who marked their 21st Midwinter Ball in a row this year - an impressive milestone that we believe will remain unmatched for years to come.

We look forward to welcoming you again next year!

Market Outlook: Indonesia

One more Market Outlook is coming your way before we break for Christmas. We are excited to welcome H.E. Daniel Blockert, Sweden’s Ambassador to Indonesia, and Erik Odar, Sweden’s Trade Commissioner to Indonesia, who will be joining us in Singapore to share their insights on Indonesia in the wake of the recent election.

The discussion will explore current market opportunities and challenges, while highlighting Indonesia’s growing importance as a priority market within the Swedish government’s Trade to Aid strategy. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable perspectives on one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic economies.

Our Market Outlook sessions are held in collaboration with Business Sweden to provide in-depth insights into the latest developments and trends within key markets in the region.

Register for this in-person event here.?

SwedCham Connect Christmas Special

We warmly invite all corporate and individual members to our final SwedCham Connect before the holidays, hosted by Electrolux. This festive evening will take place at Electrolux Singapore's showroom, where guests will enjoy a culinary adventure featuring gourmet snacks prepared by a skilled chef using Electrolux home equipment. The experience will be complemented by a selection of premium wines from Electrolux’s Vintec cellar. With 40 guests already registered, be sure to secure your ticket before we sell out. Don’t miss this opportunity to network and celebrate the season in style.

Register for this event here.?

To read the full newsletter, click here

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