15 01 adb feb mar15

Feb/Mar 2015

Association of Dutch Businesspeople in Singapore

www.adb.org.sg

MITA 373/03/2001

Event Kerstborrel

Business

Interview with Bas Muller of MediaMonks

Column

Kristel Zweers about Singapore

PROLOGUE

Board Members

ADB’s 25th Anniversary

Jan Benes Vice President Business Development Director Philips Healthcare APAC Kuan Yoe The Honorary Secretary Business Development Manager Intertrust Singapore Tom Smeenk Honorary Treasurer Business Development Manager LNG Asia Royal Vopak Pleun Brevet Chief Editor Freelance technical writer Nico Derksen Member Director International Tax Management Nynke Kinderman Member Market Development & Innovation Exploring opportunities Ay Wen Lie Member Senior Manager Transaction Services PricewaterhouseCoopers Job van Dijk Member Director and Founder SIB Asia, Executive Search

Secretariat Zsuzsika Oostinjen - Belovics Consultant Marketing, Communication & Projects

Of course we never suspected that sending Mark Leenders back to Switzerland would yield such interesting results for us EURO-Singaporeans. Ever since the Swiss decided to scrap their three-year-old cap on the franc against the euro, the exchange rate SGD-EUR has continued to drop towards the $1.5 mark. And while I feel sorry for all of you who are based here on EURO-expatriate contracts, there are those who have been building up piles of money in Singapore and are now probably heavily debating when to wire their potof-gold back home.

As ADB we had a great closure of 2014. In the beginning of December, Michael Gazeley and Jan van Leersum explained to us in great detail why we should care about how we interact with CyberSpace. I felt especially unsettled when Michael indicated he never uses online banking: “How secure is my pot-of-gold…?”. However, I decided not to be deterred and made sure to join many of you during our annual Christmas Drinks, followed by the New Year’s Drinks reception at the residence of the Ambassador. Interestingly enough the first was predominantly attended by the younger generation, while the latter was frequented by those who have been around for a while.

Being in a festive mood I would like to highlight that this year ADB will celebrate its 25th anniversary. As this coincides with the 50th anniversary of Singapore, we thought it would be interesting to put a theme in place that encapsulates both: “How Dutch Businesspeople have and still are shaping Singapore and its region”. To commemorate successful fellow country-people, we thought it would be nice to organize several dedicated events involving them. To begin with: in May we will present you with a Lustrum CEO panel and later, in September, we will bring all of you together for a special Lustrum Gala.

But there is more: to celebrate an anniversary, food is of the essence. Therefore we will kick-off 2015 Singaporestyle by visiting one of the country’s biggest (Dutch) Fish Farms: Barramundi ASIA. The farm is located off the cost of Pulau Samakau, one of the best fish rearing areas close to Singapore with strong currents bringing a constant supply of pristine, oxygen-rich sea water. This event will be followed by our AGM in March which, as it happens, coincides with the visit of a Mystery Guest. One could think this is on purpose…

All in all an exciting year ahead of us and I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

“The ADB provides opportunities for Dutch business people to meet, interact and share knowledge by means of company visits, lectures, networking events and membership communications.”

Jan Benes

1

Contents

Vol. 25 / No. 1 / Feb-Mar 2015

Prologue 1

By Jan Benes, ADB Vice President

Events 3 We’re under attack - Cyber Security seminar

4 ADB’s Kerstborrel 2014

6 ADB New Year’s drinks

9 World Press Photo back in Singapore Business 10 A Digital Monk moving to Singapore

12 Negotiating in Asia – Part 4

Extra 17 Spouses in Singapore

Know Your Tax 18 Withholding taxes: the case of the unfortunate service provider

Singapore 20 The best apps for Singapore

21 SG50: Marina Bay ADB News 22 Announcements, member info and more

26 Meet your Editors

Embassy News 28 Latest news by the Dutch Embassy

Dutchcham News 30 Business Awards 2015 Column 32 Sweet Cover photo: Herman Verhoeven

P3

P21

P26

You think you are digitally safe?

You are probably wrong, read more about safety and internet and how you can protect yourself. Or can you..?

Singapore has existed for 50 years this year and a lot has changed over those 50 years. In our new column we will be exploring some of the most significant changes.

We want to know everything about you, but who are we? Meet the new editors of the ADB Magazine so you know who to look for at one of the ADB Events if you would like to share something with the other ADB members.

2

Events

We’re under attack Cyber Security seminar. December 3, 2014.

By Pleun Brevet

Photo Arthur Claringbould

Michael Gazeley, Managing Director and Co-founder of Network Box, presented the truth to the ADB members attending his seminar: we are all under attack daily from cybercriminals. Cybercrime is big business and even cyber warfare has become a reality.

If you think that your firewall will protect you against attacks, you are wrong unfortunately. We are dealing with Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), extortion, infected web applications, stalking, theft of data from the cloud and DDoS attacks (traffic blasts to shut down a website). Even Phishing emails have become so sophisticated that they are quite easy to fall for.

“The main reason for hacking is that there is money in it. A hacker is out to ‘own’ you, once he gets in your computer or phone, he can find all the information he needs to change your passwords and take control over your bank account. All a hacker needs to know is your birthdate and the answers to your ‘safety’ questions - most of which can be found on the internet - and changing a password is very easy.” Michael illustrated the different types of hacking and attacking by using lots of examples and anecdotes. And slowly it sank in: we are all potential victims of cybercrime.

So, how to avoid it? Unfortunately there is no guaranteed safety from cyber-attacks, but there are a few things you can do to make yourself less vulnerable: - Disconnect all machines that don’t need to be online from your Wi-Fi. You can keep them on your local network (if you have it), but if you don’t use the online options from your fridge, copying machine or baby monitor, just disconnect it. Recently they discovered DDoS attacks done by fridges.

- Change your login name and password immediately after buying a new phone, tablet etc. It is estimated that 30% of the people don’t personalize their login and password, making it very easy for a hacker to get in.

- Use different passwords for different applications; although the Apple security is relatively good, hackers get in your cloud for instance by stealing one of your passwords and apply that to your other accounts.

- Don’t use online banking; it’s not as safe as we’d like to think (none of the cyber safety experts in the room use it!). But on a positive note Singapore online banking seems safer than Hong Kong.

- Keep up to date with the latest firmware and security patches.

- Put in a firewall, just to ward off some of the attacks.

But don’t think for a minute you are safe: the exponential growth of zero-day attacks (new viruses)

from 50.000 to 250.000 yearly in three years proves that the firewall and virus scan suppliers are always behind.

- Use encryption for your communication.

- Find out how to run your data through a VPN connection, it’s safer but you’re still not a 100% safe.

And just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does! People with implanted pacemakers that are being monitored through Wi-Fi might just be the next thing.

“When you plug into the world, it’s very easy to forget that the world is also plugged into you.” Michael is right of course.

At the drinks afterwards tips and tricks were exchanged about how to handle security. And when I came home I unplugged internet, just in case…

3

Events

ADB’s Kerstborrel 2014

By Pleun Brevet

Photos Kuan Yoe The

On December 18, 2014 the annual ADB Kerstborrel took place at the Hollandse Club. Christmas carols playing on the speaker, beer sponsored by United Dutch Breweries and about a hundred ADB members in more or less red gathered to wish each other happy holidays.

Jan Benes, ADB vice-president, thanked everyone for coming and in his speech he gave a very small glimpse of what’s in store for next year. In 2015 the ADB will celebrate its 25th anniversary, while Singapore will have existed for 50 years. In short: there will be a lot to celebrate and commemorate.

Jan also gave a big thank you to Martijn Schouten; Martijn was the ADB treasurer and is leaving Singapore for Thailand. He then introduced Tom Smeenk, Martijn’s successor at Vopak, who happily agreed to step up as our new treasurer. Jan also said a last farewell to Frank Kuysters, Chief Editor of this magazine for the last nine years, thanking him for his hard work and wishing him well in his new endeavors.

And then we went back to borrelen, bitterballen and good conversation.

Luc Dings, Saadiah Kamis, Paul de Bruijn, Iwan Marks

Wilfired Steeman, Johannita van Beuningen, Eric Meijboom

Wouter Muis, Eva Klein Ovink, Casper van de Minkelis, Amanda Fetter

Frank Kuijsters, Jan Benes, Martijn Schouten

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Events

Zsuzsika van Oostinjen-Belovics, Peter Swart

Ard Romers, Frank Debets

Lonneke Kroes, Klaas van de Poppe

Tom Smeenk, Willem Jan Peters

Daan Prince, Jan van Schaik

Karin Wisse, Dave Wisse

Gosse de Vries, Bart Doorenbosch

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Events

ADB New Year’s Drinks

By Lisette Davis

Photos ADB & DutchCham

This year the traditional ADB New Year’s reception was held at the residence of the ambassador, Jacques Werner and his wife, Mrs Soraya Werner. The reception is a popular event with limited capacity due to the location. The New Year’s reception is held in combination with the Dutchcham and therefore is a great opportunity to enrich our shared goal of networking. Members of both organizations were warmly welcomed at the residence with a glass of champagne accompanied by traditional Dutch snacks like “bitterballen” and “oliebollen”.

In his speech the ambassador looked back at 2014 and mentioned some important moments, like the MH17 plane crash and the MH370 missing flight, which will have an impact on (Dutch) people living in Asia and doing business in the region. For 2015 the ambassador is planning to organize a visit from one of the Dutch ministers. Who this will be is yet to be confirmed. He also mentioned SG50 and the intention of the embassy to make a contribution to this milestone of Singapore.

The vice president of the ADB, Jan Benes, mentioned a few important activities the members can look forward to: the rebranding of the ADB by introducing a new website and magazine, several old and new events and a special event for the ADB 25th anniversary. And last but not least, he asked for a big applause for the Dutch companies who sponsor this traditional event: Heineken, Randstad & Vopak.

Although the reception was planned from 6-8 pm most visitors left much later. An indication that the reception was successful and highly valued. Upon leaving everybody received a “goodie bag”; the DutchCham directory and an envelope with a mysterious opportunity to achieve what could be one’s good intention for 2015: to contribute personally to the Singaporean community.

6

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Events

World Press Photo back in Singapore

By Claudia Artz

After the successful 2013 World Press Photo exhibition in March 2014, the 2014 exhibition was on show from 10 January through to 1 February, 2015 at Raffles Hotel.

On 18 January a group of some thirty enthusiastic ADB members visited the exhibition for a guided tour.

The 2015 and 2016 exhibitions will be coming to Singapore as well. The Straits Times has taken over the role of organizer and signed a three year contract with World Press Photo Foundation. Last year’s organizer Claudia Artz has been helping The Straits Times with preparations for the 2014 exhibition with support of the local Board of Advisors – Barbara Voskamp (Voskamp Lawyers), Burt Choo (Prudential), Christina Cheang (Weber Shandwick), Jacques Werner (Kingdom of The Netherlands), Marcel van Doremaele (Rabobank), and Patrick Daniel (SPH). Former ADB President Mark Leenders was founding member of the local board.

As part of the outreach program for the 2014 exhibition, guided tours were offered to schools with the help of a pool of former teachers of Friends of the Museums. Singapore’s prestigious Raffles Institution supported the visit of award winner Robin Hammond whom, together with Claudia Artz, also conducted two workshops for twenty teachers and thirty six students.

As well as Robin Hammond, Julius Schrank, Bill Frakes and How Hwee Young also visited Singapore for the occasion and together they provided a total of seven talks and workshops. How Hwee Young is on the 2015 Sports Jury, being the second Singaporean to be a judge on the World Press Photo jury.

Two groups of Raffles Institution being prepared for a guided tour as part of the outreach program.

By Claudia Artz

World Press Photo of the Year 2013, John Stanmeyer, USA, VII, National Geographic

Robin Hammond tells the story behind his award winning photos on mental health in Africa to Zaqy Mohamad (MP), Patrick Daniel (SPH), Marcel van Doremaele (Rabobank), Jacques Werner (Kingdom of The Netherlands).

By Desmond Wee, The Straits Times

As part of the World Press Photo Award Winners Series four visiting award winning photographers discussing the role of photography in contemporary reporting.

By Claudia Artz

9

Business

A Digital Monk moving to Singapore

By Claire Mutsaerts

Photo Bas Muller

Bas Muller is Executive Producer at one of the biggest creative digital production agencies in the world: MediaMonks. “I came to Singapore a year ago to head up the Singapore office. Previously I worked for a couple of big advertising agencies in the Netherlands, like TWBA and Tribal DDB. I have been working for MediaMonks for 1.5 years now, after working with them for more than 9 years in my previous positions.”

What does MediaMonks do?

MediaMonks is a digital production agency; we only work for advertising agencies, not directly with clients, and we craft amazing digital work for major brands and campaigns.

We have about 250+ so-called “Monks” spread all over the world, from our headquarters in Hilversum to LA, New York, London and Singapore. We make websites, banners, and basically everything related to digital. At MediaMonks we help out agencies in three different ways: we can translate their ideas into digital treatments, we help agencies to produce their digital projects or we help them out when they have difficulties with their deadline.

We’ve been lucky enough to work on a lot of award winning work for our agency clients, with the Cannes festival (the world’s biggest annual awards show and festival for professionals in the creative communications industry) being a highlight with 23 wins in 2014. As a production company we’re not looking for the spotlight, but awards are a nice reflection of the passion and pixel pushing we do everyday of the week to make sure our work is as good as it can possibly be.

Can you tell us more about the office in Singapore specifically?

Currently we work in Singapore with a core team of 4 Monks, and project teams that are here for specific projects. We also work with Accelerasia; a Dutch focused company that helps businesses accelerate in Asia, they are part of our business team and help us expand in the wider region.

Why Singapore?

We believe this region is going to be the main growth area for digital for years to come, and Singapore is a great port to start from. There is a lot of support for companies of our type, and the European and US influences make it an “Asia for beginners”.

As a western company our focus was mostly on desktop development, but here the focus is on “mobile first” work; it’s great to see how fast the market here is evolving, with more and more agencies coming in, and pushing for great digital. We’re happy we have a head start.

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What are your experiences so far working in Singapore?

It’s been great, we had to check some of our Dutch-ness at the door, as we have a tendency to want to move everything quickly. But we’ve grown accustomed to projects having a longer gestation period. The good news is that there is a lot of hunger to do great digital work, and we can bring some of our experience form Europe and the US to local projects.

What distinguishes MediaMonks from its competitors?

I’d say it’s the combination of scale and quality. We’ve delivered a lot of great digital work across a wide range of disciplines, from Google Nightwalk for 72andsunny, and Adidas Nitrocharge for DDB&Tribal Amsterdam, to the BIC Universal Typeface experiment for DDB Dusseldorf. We also have some very specific production philosophies that make us quite different from many of our competitors. All our work is done in-house, no freelancers and no outsourcing, and our company does not run on timesheets. We focus on quality and deadlines, and deliver our work against a fixed fee. All elements that I think make us the best value for money option on the market. We might not always be the cheapest option, but offer the best combination across price, quality and stability.

Do you have any advice for newcomers to Singapore?

Enjoy it, and remember that it takes time to get your footing. Don’t expect to sign a deal immediately, you’ll need to build your network and show that you’re here to stay. We see some of our competitors send over representatives every few months or so, but clients need people on the ground in Singapore. Also, make sure you’re spending enough time with clients, you can never have too many tea parties, after work drinks or presentations.

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Business

NEGOTIATING IN ASIA – PART 4

By Frank Kuijsters

This is the last article in a series of articles about negotiating in Asia. In the previous magazines we highlighted Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines and Thailand, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. In this issue we focus on negotiating in China, Hong Kong and, Japan.

CHINA Relationship The culture is group-oriented. Saving face is very essential.

Harmony, modesty and emotional restraint must always be maintained. Lasting and trusting personal relationships, called Guanxi, are critically important. Guanxi is based on very strong commitments and mutual obligations. It can open doors and solve a lot of problems.

Communication Important languages are Mandarin and Cantonese. While most business people speak some English, their command of the language may be limited. Chinese businesspeople usually speak in quiet, gentle tones, and conversations may include periods of silence, though at times they appear emotional.

Communication is very indirect. Gestures and body language are very subtle in China. Eye contact infrequent.

Initial Contact Conduct negotiations with a team. Given strong emphasis on hierarchy in the business culture, a senior executive should lead. Punctuality expectations largely depend on the meeting participants’ status and rank. The Chinese are careful not to waste a senior person’s time. Meetings with lower-level managers are typically more flexible and may not even have a set start time.

Chinese names are in the order of family name then first name. Some Chinese people use assumed western first names. Furthermore, the Chinese are very status-conscious e.g. title or doctorate.

12

The exchange of business cards is an essential step when meeting someone for the first time. Preferably have one side in Chinese. Present and receive business cards with two hands. Don’t stuff the card into a pocket or write on it.

The purpose of the first meeting is to get to know each other, start building relationships, and gather information about the other side. Most Chinese are comfortable with a high degree of initial vagueness. The Chinese counterpart may also ask you at the end of the first meeting to sign a Letter of Intent. The role of this document is to confirm the seriousness of your intentions, not to serve as a legal contract.

Attitudes Chinese negotiators may at times appear highly competitive or adversarial, fiercely bargaining for small gains. However, they ultimately maintain a long-term perspective and can compromise for the sake of the relationship. In extreme situations, leverage your local relationships (Guanxi) to influence your negotiation counterpart’s decisions, or use a mediator.

Sharing information Information is rarely shared freely, since the Chinese believe that privileged information creates bargaining advantages.

In China, people may consider all information available to them a property they are entitled to use to their best interest.

Pace Expect negotiations to be slow and protracted.

Bargaining Most Chinese businesspeople are shrewd negotiators who should not be underestimated. Bargaining and haggling are aspects of everyday life, and people may use a wide array of negotiation techniques competently. Deceptive techniques

Business Pace While the implementation of agreements will be fast and swift, negotiations can be slow and protracted, with extensive attention paid to small details.

are frequently employed, and Chinese negotiators may expect you to use some of them as well.

Corruption and bribery are quite common in China’s public and private sectors.

HONG KONG Relationship Culture, like in China, is group-oriented. Building lasting and trusting personal relationships is very important. ‘Saving face’ is also critical.

Communication Hong Kong’s official languages are Chinese and English.

Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect here.

Many businesspeople speak English, often quite well.

Communication is very indirect and people in Hong Kong usually speak in quiet, gentle tones, with extended periods of silence.

Initial Contact Having a local contact can be an advantage but is usually not necessary. Conduct negotiations with a team. Given strong emphasis on hierarchy in the business culture, a senior executive should lead. People are always punctual.

Chinese names are in the order of family name then first name. Some Chinese people use assumed western first names.

The exchange of business cards is an essential step.

Preferably have one side in Chinese. Present and receive business cards with two hand. Don’t stuff the card into a pocket or write on it.

The purpose of the first meeting is to get to know each other, start building relationships, and gather information about the other side. Most Chinese are comfortable with a high degree of initial vagueness.

Bargaining Many Hong Kong businesspeople are shrewd negotiators who should not be underestimated. Although tactics may not be as extreme as those of their mainland neighbors, bargaining and haggling are aspects of everyday life in Hong Kong and its people are often skilled in using a wide array of negotiation techniques. Deceptive techniques are frequent, and Hong Kong negotiators may expect you to use some of them as well. Hong Kong negotiators avoid most aggressive or adversarial techniques since they affect face.

Corruption and bribery are rare in Hong Kong.

Decision-making Companies tend to be very hierarchical. While decision making can be a consensus oriented group process as is usually the case in mainland China, there are also many western-style entrepreneurs who act as the sole decision makers within their companies.

The Hong Kong Chinese are more likely to take risks than their mainland siblings.

Agreements Capturing and exchanging meeting summaries can be an effective way to verify understanding and commitments.

Although interim agreements are usually kept, do not consider them final. The Hong Kong Chinese are influenced by two very different views of the roles of agreements

Attitudes In Hong Kong, they expect long-term commitments from their business partners and will focus on long-term benefits.

Although the primary negotiation style is competitive, the culture promotes a win-win approach since this is the best way for everyone to save face throughout a negotiation.

In extreme situations, a mediator may help move the negotiation forward.

Sharing information Information is shared more openly than in China as Hong Kong’s businesspeople believe in the value of give-andtake. Keep in mind that humility is a virtue in Hong Kong’s business culture. If you make exaggerated claims, they will investigate your claims before responding.

13

Business accompanied by bowing, following a complicated ritual which foreigners are not expected to know or comply with.

The exchange of business cards is an essential step when meeting someone for the first time. Preferably have one side in Japanese. Present and receive business cards with two hands. Don’t stuff the card into a pocket or write on it.

Business cards are symbols of ‘personal identity.’ Treat them with respect.

The highest-ranking person in a Japanese group may be difficult to pick out. It could be the one who says the least. In addition, the person with most authority enjoys the middle position at the table.

and contracts. The traditional Chinese position is that agreements are just snapshots in time. The British influence dictates that contracts be taken seriously and followed to the letter. Your legal rights are usually enforceable. Contracts are usually reliable, and the agreed terms are viewed as binding. Nevertheless, businesspeople may continue to press for a better deal even after a contract has been signed.

JAPAN Relationship Strongly group-oriented, building lasting and trusting personal relationships is therefore critically important. Since people are generally suspicious of foreigners, gaining their trust is going to take time. Business relationships in Japan may exist both at the individual and at the company level.

In Japan, the concept of face is possibly even more important than in other Asian societies. Reputation and social standing strongly depend on a person’s ability to control emotions and preserve group harmony. It is polite to apologize often.

Communication The country’s official language is Japanese. Most local business people, do not speak and understand English well.

The understanding of written text is better than that of spoken English, so it is always a good idea to bring written proposals and confirm key points of oral communications in writing.

Because the concept of face is pivotal in this culture, communication is generally extremely indirect, even more so than in other Asian countries. They are masters of subtlety.

Initial Contact Before initiating business negotiations in Japan, identify a highly respected local person with whom you have or can establish a good relationship.

Given the strong emphasis on hierarchy, a senior executive should attend the initial meeting for your company. There will not be an expectation that the executive attends future meetings.

The Japanese do not like surprises. So provide details on meetings and an agenda, then be very punctual. They will expect to discuss many details, so come well prepared.

Names are usually given in the order of first name, family name. However, it is more respectful to address a male Japanese person in the traditional way, with the family name followed by ‘-san.’ Japanese-style introductions are

14

Attitudes To the Japanese, negotiating is usually a joint problemsolving process. The buyer clearly has a dominant role and the seller carries a stronger burden to support that buyer than in most other societies.

Should a dispute arise at any stage of a negotiation, resolving it may require the help of an external mediator.

Sharing information The time spent gathering information and discussing various details before the bargaining stage of a negotiation can begin is usually extensive. They rarely share information, since the Japanese view is that having privileged information creates bargaining advantages. However, it is unwise to surprise the Japanese.

Keep in mind that the Japanese are very detail-oriented.

If you make exaggerated claims in an effort to impress the other side or to obtain concessions, they will likely investigate your claims before responding.

Pace Expect negotiations to be slow and protracted.

Bargaining The Japanese negotiation style is very formal and tolerates only a restricted set of negotiation tactics. Many techniques that may be accepted or even admired elsewhere could jeopardize the success of a negotiation in this country.

The Japanese are used to bargaining but often frown upon haggling.

Japanese negotiators avoid aggressive or adversarial techniques since these again affect face. Unlike in other strongly relationship-oriented cultures, Japanese negotiators rarely use emotional techniques. They believe that emotions have no place in business negotiations.

It can be effective to introduce written terms and conditions as a negotiation tactic. However, be careful and continue to show flexibility if needed to allow the Japanese side to save face.

Decision making Most of Japan’s companies tend to be very hierarchical.

The Japanese are often very reluctant to take risks or make changes.

Agreements Written meeting protocols are frequently used. They may get signed by both sides to indicate agreement.

Signed contracts will be honoured. However, both sides are expected to remain flexible.

The Executive Homes Black and White tour 18th March 2015.

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All proceeds will be donated by Executive Homes to the Netherlands Charity Association (NCA).

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Extra

Spouses in Singapore

By Pleun Brevet

Photo Pleun Brevet

When a couple decides to move house for the breadwinner’s job, there is always a spouse trying to figure out what to do with his/her time. For inspiration, and to prove that spouses do a lot more than shopping and hanging out at ‘the Club’, we have introduced a new column: Spouses in Singapore.

Meet this issue’s spouse who wants to share her activities with the rest of the world: Lonneke Kroes.

Before being an expat spouse, what did you do?

After studying Business Management at the TU in Enschede, I worked for the British American Tobacco company (BAT). I started as a Production Planning Manager in the Netherlands and then worked in the UK as the Inventory Planning Manager at the BAT European regional supply chain hub. I became more and more specialized in inventory management.

How long have you been expatting?

We became expats in 2010 when we moved to Switzerland for my husband’s job. I could have kept working for BAT, but only as a self-employed consultant. I then started IPREM; which stands for Inventory Planning and Replenishment Models.

How long have you been in Singapore?

We arrived almost 2 years ago. After living in Switzerland where our second child was born - we lived in Argentina for one year. In Singapore our third child was born.

What is it that you do now?

While being in Singapore I found out that the model I developed for BAT in Europe was rolled out globally. I then re-launched IPREM to be able to train the BAT Singapore team on how to use it. I am now looking to extend my network and to apply my knowledge in other companies.

I am still searching for a term that describes my qualities,

because the terminology is a little different here. Someone used the term Inventory Reduction Guru, and I guess that describes it pretty precisely.

Inventory Reduction, what does that mean?

The less inventory you keep, the cheaper the production process is. But if you don’t keep enough, it becomes more expensive because you cannot deliver what the customer wants and you lose sales and possibly even customers. My expertise is inventory management in relation to service level, which basically comes down to how much inventory is necessary to keep your customers happy.

I map the whole supply chain - every step in the process for manufacturing a product: from getting the resources to production to delivery - and then discuss with my client what service level his customers should expect, for instance delivery of an order within one day or within a week. Based on that information, I use models to work out several scenarios and the corresponding risks; what can go wrong if you keep this much in inventory at each step of the supply chain. The client can then decide what balance is best to achieve the company’s goals.

Is working in Singapore different?

Singaporeans are very task oriented; they get hired to do one thing and that’s what they do. They don’t worry about what role their work plays in the whole chain. Sharing knowledge between people or departments is not optimal, which can make an organization very inflexible. Also since labor is cheap here, employers don’t see any reason to make the production process less labor intensive, like moving articles from one assembly line to the next. But things are changing, for instance finding cheap labor is becoming more difficult. Employers are starting to realize they can run their companies with less cost and that one way to do it is inventory management.

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know your tax

Withholding Taxes: the case of the unfortunate Service Provider

By Yvette Gorter-Leeuwerik In our previous article for ADB, we quoted Henry Ford: ‘The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing’.

As a sequence and as it is indeed cheaper to learn from mistakes made by others (we remain Dutch in this respect), we would like to share a case in which a service provider was unpleasantly surprised by the imposition of withholding taxes. Very simply put: the issue of withholding taxes generally arises when certain services and payments therefor cross the border and involve two (or more) countries. Even though this service provider is generally tax savvy and well aware of the risk of withholding taxes being imposed, this has not prevented him from overlooking withholding taxes in this particular case.

Read and learn. As we say in Dutch “een gewaarschuwd mens telt voor twee” - loosely translated to “forewarned is forearmed”.

The unfortunate service provider was engaged in the sale of software and ancillary services to customers in the Asia Pacific region. Often these services are rendered on the premises of the customer. As the service provider has been contracting in the Asia Pacific region for numerous years, it was aware that when business crosses the border withholding taxes can be due on the payments made for the use of software and certain (ancillary) services rendered abroad. However, being tax savvy, the service provider thought to easily avoid the cross border element that would trigger withholding taxes by incorporating companies in both Singapore and Malaysia and to ensure that the Malaysian company only concluded contracts with Malaysian customers and the Singapore company with Singapore customers. So far so good.

However, in executing certain service contracts with local customers in Malaysia, the Malaysian company requested the assistance of specific employees of the Singapore company and as such these employees were sent to Malaysia to execute the service contracts at the premises of the customer. And with that a new cross border element kicked in. As intercompany transactions should be at an arm’s length basis, an intercompany charge was made in the books of the respective entities for the services provided by the Singapore company to its Malaysian group company. However, no formal intercompany agreement was put in place for the intercompany services provided and this was probably the reason for overlooking the Malaysian withholding taxes that were due on the fees payable by the Malaysian company for the (intercompany) services provided in Malaysia by the Singapore company.

When becoming aware of this omission, the Malaysian company had to file and pay the Malaysian withholding taxes due on the (intercompany) service fees. By doing so, the Malaysian company was typically able to deduct (from its Malaysian taxable profits) the service fees paid to its Singapore group company. Generally the Singapore

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company would have been able to offset the Malaysian withholding tax paid against the tax payable on its profits in Singapore (included the intercompany service fee received) and double taxation would have been avoided.

However in this particular case, the Singapore company was not in a tax paying position and as such the Singapore company could not effectively use the credit in Singapore.

As these tax credits are not available in future years, the Malaysian withholding taxes became an unforeseen cost for the service provider. Had the intercompany service been structured differently, this could possibly have been avoided.

The lesson that can be learnt from the above is that even in cross border intercompany situations – where there is no formal contract, only an intercompany charge in the books of the respective entities - withholding taxes can be due. So be aware that withholding taxes can be due in case of the following intercompany situations, amongst other: - Payments of royalties; - Technical assistance or service fees; - Management fees; - Interest payments; - Director’s remuneration; and - Rent or any payments for the use of moveable property.

As mentioned above “forewarned is forearmed”!

Yvette Gorter-Leeuwerik is tax partner with Voskamplawyers and specialised in international tax structuring. She has extensive experience in structuring foreign investments into Southeast Asia. VoskampLawyers is a boutique law firm specialized in international tax and legal advice on cross border transactions. If you would like to contact Yvette GorterLeeuwerik or learn more about the services of VoskampLawyers, please visit the website www.voskamplawyers.com.

Bottom line: 1We are connected!

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We work together to serve international clients in this region and Asian corporations that want to expand their operations in other parts of the world. We connect. www.ingcommercialbanking.com

Singapore

The best apps for Singapore

By Claire Mutsaerts

Getting lost in the enormous amounts of available apps?

We picked 5 apps that will help you do what you need to do or get you where you need to go in Singapore.

Meetup – Make community real By: Meetup “Meetup” Is a social networking app. It is a platform where people can create and attend different type of events, receive emails or visit the site to know what kind of meet-ups are taking place each week. The events evolve around any subject, which can be both business or leisure orientated. To name a few meet ups: Singapore Online Business Association, Art Galleries + museums, Movie Club, Expats singles events. Cannot find the meet-up you are looking for? Create one yourself and people will join your event.

This app is available for both Android and iPhone users.

Singlish! Singapore Slangs Translation Free By: AZENCE, LLC Would you like to learn Singlish? Can lah! This app is very straightforward in showing different Singlish expressions and words and their meaning. The app is free for basic access, but you will need to pay for more options. Example: “Holand” = “Deliberate mispronunciation of Holland. Of uncertain origin, the term is used to denote finding oneself in a far off place, or unexpected consequence, usually unpleasant”.

This app is only available for iPhone.

For Android, go to: Singlish! Free, by Bernard https:// play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.singlish

GrabTaxi: Book a Taxi By: MyTeksi Sdn Bhd GrabTaxi connects passengers directly to drivers from all taxi operators, and is therefore said to be the taxi app that

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gets you a taxi the fastest. The app provides estimated meter fares, details about and location of your driver. You can make a booking up to 7 days and also rate your driver.

GrabTaxi can be used to get taxis in five other countries.

Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

On iTunes, Grabtaxi is now number 25 in the list of most downloaded apps in Singapore, leaving ComfortdelGro at nr.66. On Android, Grabtaxi sits at number 59, but Comfortdelgro doesn’t even make it to top 100. (Source: appannie.com) This app is available for both Android and iPhone users.

Carousell - Snap to Sell, Chat to Buy By: Carousell Pte. Ltd. Carousell provides a platform where you can buy and sell stuff straight from your mobile phone. The app displays 18 different categories, and allows you to chat with sellers/ buyers within the app. You simply have to take a photo of the item you want to sell, and it will be placed in your personal mobile store which can be shared on Facebook Twitter and Instagram to reach more potential buyers. This app has by far surpassed Gumtree as the online market place in number of downloads, currently being in the top 20 of the Singapore appstores.

The app is available on both Android and iPhone users.

Gothere.sg By: gothere.sg Gothere.sg is the best way to find your way around Singapore. It will tell you how long it takes to reach your destination by bus, train or taxi and provide the transport fees. The directions are pretty elaborate and clear. You can also find useful amenities and businesses around your location. The original app was made for iphone users, but “Hema Develop” has developed an android version too.

The original app is made for iPhones.

Android users can go to: gothere.sg, by Hema Develope https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com. hema.gothere.sg

Singapore

SG50: Marina Bay

By Sabina Godri

Photograph by Herman Verhoeven

2015 is a very special year for Singapore as Singapore is celebrating its 50th birthday. On August 9, 1965 Singapore became an independent and sovereign democratic nation.

Since then, many things have changed in the country.

Singapore is a city just over 700 square kilometers in size and has one large problem: being small. To become one of the world’s most business friendly and comfortable cities, the state has had to dominate city planning, drawing, re-drawing and reclaiming land. Singapore’s land area has grown from approximately 582 km2 in the 1960s to more than 700 km2 today. Expectations are that the country may grow to 800 km2 by 2033.

Located at the Southern tip of Singapore, Marina Bay is one of the most often visited districts today. It is one of those areas which has been highly planned by the state.

Fifty years ago, this is how the Marina Bay area used to look, or Clifford Pier to be precise. Clifford Pier was a landing point for immigrants and other sea passengers.

The green building in the picture is the customs house.

It’s still around today and probably the only recognizable building in the area.

In the 1970s the state started with the development of Marina Bay to extend the country with 360ha from the existing Central Business District. It is unique for a city to increase its existing city center in this way, to build a good network of connectivity and to make sure that it is a beloved area where people like to live, work and relax in their spare time. Marina Bay is definitely Singapore’s playground, set amidst a dynamic landscape of lush greenery and waterfront promenade.

And when extending the edges of the island, it sometimes is necessary to move things around. For instance: the Merlion was situated at the mouth of the Singapore river for 30 years, and until the Esplanade bridge was built, it happily stared out over the sea. In 2002 the decision was made to move the Merlion to its current location at Marina Bay. So it now proudly spouts its water into the bay; a bay that did not exist 50 years ago.

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ADB News Question: Why did you come to Singapore, and why did you decide to join ADB?

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Name : Arno van den Bergh

Name : Hans de Vries

I moved to Singapore to work at the Deloitte consulting firm (South East Asia). I will support realizing the ambitious growth objectives for the local Human Capital practice. Alongside this I will be responsible for transformation projects in the area of Operating model, Organisation design, project and change management across multiple industries. I joined ADB to connect with other Dutch business people to share experiences.

My name is Hans de Vries. My wife Carla and I moved to Singapore late 2013. In the last 4 years we moved a lot and now we hope to settle down for some time in Singapore. I work for BW Offshore as Construction Manager. BW Offshore builds and operates floating production units (FPSO’s) for the Oil and gas industry.

I decided to join ADB to gain some more contacts, social and profesional.

Name : Suzan Grootscholten

Name : Laurens van den Oever

In January 2014 I moved to Singapore with my family and decided to make the most of life: ‘carpe diem’. In the Netherlands I used to work as a HR professional for different (multinational) companies. Moving to Singapore gave me the possibility to start my own coaching & training company “Body4Mind” reflecting my drive and exploration as a coach to help people balance their (working) lives by making the connection between the physical body and mental state of mind. ADB will give me the opportunity to meet other businesspeople and learn from their experiences.

Singapore is an exceptional place and I always dreamed about having a live & work experience here for a number of years. To do this together with the family is very inspiring and rewarding. I work for GfK, one of the leading market insights companies globally and I’m responsible for setting up our Travel & Hospitality services in the region to help companies increase their profitability. I consider ADB as a great network environment to meet and learn from fellow entrepreneurs, and to build strong relationships “on the ground”.

Name : Kees den Besten

Name : I.M. (Ilja) Rijnen

I have lived in Singapore since September 2014 with my wife coming from Belgium. I accepted the opportunity to become Global VP of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Hoya Surgical Optics. This division of the Japanese Hoya has its HQ in Singapore and produces intraocular lenses that resolve blindness due to cataracts. I joined ADB to build a professional and social network among the Dutch professionals in Singapore and to attend the interesting activities organized by ADB.

I have been working with Diageo for almost 7 years in the areas of HR, Capability, and Transformation & Performance. The last assignments have been in Latin America & the Caribbean, followed by Europe where our twin girls were born. Asia was number one on our list as a next career and family move, which has worked out perfectly well with the position that became available at our regional head-office in Singapore. ADB seems to be a great way to further build on my business network in Asia.

ADB News Question: Why did you come to Singapore, and why did you decide to join ADB?

Name : Michel Lebon

Name : Jeanine Hillen-Porck

In August 2014, I boarded for Singapore to join my wife and start a new adventure. So I left my job at KPN after 7 years and here we are. No regrets so far: we’re loving the city and all it has to offer, feeling at ease and settled.

I’ve joined the ADB to expand my personal and business network, it’s always great to connect with new people and hopefully it will prove helpful in my orientation of the job market and business opportunities in Singapore.

Just after I received my PhD in Management from Erasmus University, my husband and I moved to Singapore. My research focuses on collaboration within and between teams in organisations. After continuing research projects at Erasmus and a research visit to Michigan State University last year, I am currently a visiting fellow at NUS Business School. Working here not only allows us to travel Asia, but also to join ADB. I look forward to meeting you and hearing about your interests.

Name : Susanne Prins van Wijngaarden

Name : Eric Meijboom

A new country, a new challenge in my career. I will be living in Singapore for approximately the coming 3-5 years, enough time and energy to explore and contribute to the Singapore labour market. I’m an HR professional with experience in recruitment, fond of meeting new people and connecting the dots. Where will it leave me in this little red dot? Looking forward to meeting you!

One and a half years ago my wife moved to Singapore to explore job opportunities. After she secured a job, I decided to resign from my job at APG Asset Management and move to Singapore as well. I am currently looking for a new challenge in the alternative investments industry, meanwhile learning Mandarin and making new friends. I joined ADB to meet interesting people and extend my network.

Name : Mark van den Haak

Name : Wouter Muis

I moved from Sydney to Singapore in March 2013 with my wife Angela with my previous job at CBS interactive.

I recently started as the Sales Director ASEAN for the Oracle Marketing Cloud. At Oracle, we help Modern Marketers unify their customer & behavioural data (typically from email, social, mobile & display) into a marketing automation platform. Our software allows enterprise marketers to orchestrate highly relevant, multi-channel marketing campaigns at scale.

I am joining ADB for the networking opportunities and to attend fun & social events. I am a keen traveller and play tennis, squash and football in the Hollandse FC team.

A bigger business opportunity you cannot image, introducing chewing gum in Singapore. As the Brand Manager for Stimorol at Mondelēz (former Kraft Foods) in The Netherlands this would have been a great challenge, but I am glad that there are more opportunities in the booming Consumer Goods business in Asia. Therefore, it was an easy decision to give up my job and move to Singapore together with my girlfriend Eva Klein Ovink, who works here for ABN Amro. I joined the ADB to expand my professional and social network.

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ADB News

Job seeker / Internship Name : Tel. no. : Email : Age : Name : Conrad de Lange It’s a honor that the company OBO BETTERMANN offered me a position as CEO South East Asia. The whole family moved to Singapore January 3, 2015.

On September 18, 2014 we incorporated OBO BETTERMANN South East Asia Pte. Ltd. As a result we are able to be better, faster and closer to perform in the South East Asia electrical installation market.

First we are going to start up sales business units in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, so that’s one of the reasons why I want to join the ADB and share business experience in this area.

At the moment we live at Oxley Road and we enjoy the central place of the city Singapore.

It will be a pleasure and an experience for us to stay in Singapore and maybe for a longer time.

New members Annemarie Tanke, Mindshare Arno van den Bergh, Deloitte Consulting Bas Muller, MediaMonks Claire Mutsaerts, Pocket Media Conrad De Lange, OBO Bettermann South East Asia Pte. Ltd. Edward Tonino, Philips Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd Eric Meijboom Erik-Jan Raatgerink, Thales group Hanneke Naus, Philips Hans Akerboom, Netherlands Embassy Hans de Vries, BW Offshore Ilja Rijnen, Diageo Irene Elisabeth de Pater, NUS Business School Jeanine Hillen-Porck, National University of Singapore, Department of Management and Organisation Karin Wisse-van den Boom Kees Den Besten, Hoya Surgical Optics Laurens van den Oever, GFK Louk de Sevaux, DAY Marjoleine Havik, CultureConnect / MFHR Training Mark Van den Haak Marte van der Hoeven Michiel de Boer, Royal IHC Michel Lebon Peter Swart, Shell Sabina Godri Suzan Grootscholten, Own Business Susanne Prins van Wijngaarden

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Brenda Bos 0681777417 Brenda.bos@live.nl 16

Study: bilingual VWO (pre-university education in English) Specialization: Economics and math Working Experience: supermarket sales, swim trainer, cleaning lady Looking for: An internship for three weeks in the period of the 28th of April till the 16th of May, or in the period of the 6th of July till 3th of August. I expect no payment in any form and flight, residence, money etc. I will arrange myself. The purpose of the internship is to expand my horizons.

Next to that I am a Dutch student and I lead the debating team, I am head of the students council and I have done several exchanges.

Tom Smeenk, Royal Vopak Wiebe Helder, Cargobase Leaving members Arjen Nauta, PWN Technologies Arne Lambert, ABM Arthur Klatte, Coutts Bas van der Schaaf, Global Collect Camille Kleijn, Maersk Catharina van Bentum, Baker & McKenzie Debbie Middendorp, PWN Technologies Dominique de Beijer, Procter & Gamble Elmer van Loon, GM Hollandse Club Egon van der Hoeven, Exxon Mobil Fred Saarloos, Red Carpet Champagne Bar Godelieve Kroonenberg, Mercer Hans Kunen, Makino Asia Ivo Rutten, ABN AMRO Jeroen Kok Leonie Baartscheer, Beemster Matthijs de Jong, Europe Metals Norbert Kleijn, Kleijn Consultancy Paul de Bruijn, TransInsure Peter Heijnen, Consultancy Philia Lijdsman, Mammoet Renee Koopman, Baker & McKenzie Simone Driessen, NoLimits

ADB News

“A Fishy Business - How does your fish get on your plate” Date: Saturday 28th of February - afternoon Barramundi ASIA has invited us to visit their Fish Farm.

The farm is located off the coast of Pulau Samakau, one of the best fish rearing areas close to Singapore with strong currents bringing a constant supply of pristine, oxygen-rich sea water.

Ever wondered what it takes to run a fishery and/or how long it takes to grow a good-size Barramundi and/or what to look out for when it comes to fish?....

Then join us on a boat, which will take us to Barrammundi ASIA’s fish farm.

More details to follow closer to date.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Pleun Brevet, Chief Editor Claire Mutsaerts Jacinta Noonan Lisette Davis Sabina Godri

DESIGN Jennifer Phua

SECRETARIAT Zsuzsika Oostinjen – Belovics

This magazine is distributed free of charge to all members and relations of the ADB.

MAILING ADDRESS ADB Singapore c/o 22 Camden Park Singapore 299814 Email: magazine@adb.org.sg Telephone: +65 8189 8529 WEBSITE www.adb.org.sg

Membership fee is S$ 125 per calendar year. For registration, please see the website www.adb.org.sg

PRINTER Khoo Sun Printing Pte Ltd

Membership is renewed automatically, effective the first month of the new calendar year.

Make your cheque payable to “ADB Singapore” and send to ADB, c/o 22 Camden Park, Singapore 299814.

MITA 373/03/2001

We invite members to contribute to the next issue.

Cancellation of membership must be received by the ADB Secretariat in writing before 1 January. If there are any changes in your personal particulars, please update your profile in the Macoocoo-system.

The contents of this magazine are partly based on information received from third parties. The Committee does not take responsibility for the correctness of the articles.

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ADB News

Meet Your Editors

Pleun Brevet With a new Chief Editor come new Editors. Every two months we will try to inform, entertain, and inspire you with a new issue of the ADB magazine. Even though you will notice some changes in the magazine, the core of the magazine will stay the same: articles about business, Singapore, members and ADB news. But, since the articles will be written by a whole new staff, we would like to present to you the new Editorial Committee: Pleun Brevet • In Singapore since: September 2014 • Day job: volunteering for NCA and ADB. Previously self-employed as a Technical Writer.

• As editor interested in: venture capital, start-ups, anything ‘out of the box’.

• Favorites in Singapore: the parks.

• Favorite restaurant: Otto’s in the Red Dot Museum building, I just love Italian food and it’s very suitable for romantic dining.

• Motto: Work hard, play harder Lisette Davis • In Singapore since: December 2013 • Day job: Marketing Consultant, I help companies solve all kinds of marketing issues. Companies can hire me either to provide strategic advice or execute short term marketing projects. For instance: organizing fairs/ events, execute marketing campaigns or improve the ROI. • As editor interested in: meeting people, and hearing about the companies they work for: what is their strategy and what issues do they face?

• Favorites in Singapore: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Sungei Buloh Wetlands and Jurong Lake Park. Other

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Lisette Davis

Claire Mutsaerts

things I like: walk through Katong area, run through the Botanical garden, shop at a wet market and go out for food…

• Favorite restaurant: I don’t have a favorite restaurant; I love food too much! A few places I visit regularly are: Halia (Botanical Garden), Chop Suey (Dempsy), Lau Pa Sat (CBD area), Jumbo (Dempsey) and the Thai hawker at Sixth (Anamalai).

• Motto: Live life to the max!

Claire Mutsaerts • In Singapore since: May 2014.

• Day job: Sales manager for a mobile advertising agency • As editor interested in: The expat-experience from others living in Singapore: what brought them to Singapore, what are their struggles, must-knows about Singapore, and what kind of work do they do?

• Favorites in Singapore: I love the Sentosa beach, especially during the week when it is not overcrowded with people. On Fridays I usually go for drinks at Duxton road and Duxton Hill. My favorite areas to walk around and have a coffee are Tiong Bahru and Katong.

• Favorite restaurant: The Latteria at Duxton Hill! http://www.latteriamb.com/ • Motto: If you don’t like where you are, change it.

• Stopwoord: “OK” and “anyway” Jacinta Noonan • In Singapore since: September 2012 (and 2008 – 2009) • Day job: Owner of Platform B and Jacinta Noonan Consulting, specializing in coaching and training.

I am also an ADHD Coach. Training work includes:

Jacinta Noonan

•

•

• •

Sabina Godri

leadership skills, time management, and Business English for Dutch Professionals.

As editor interested in: supporting the team with my English skills, learning about and staying connected to my Dutch colleagues here in Singapore Favorites in Singapore: Excellent guitar and piano teachers, easy to open a business, everything is close by and easy to get to, great opportunities to meet people you would not normally meet at home Favorite restaurant: Lots of great restaurants in Club Street and Dempsy Hill Motto: What you DO is what matters, not what you think, say or plan.

Sabina Godri • In Singapore since: November 2014 • Day job: ‘In between jobs’, I am looking for a marketing job • As editor interested in: Brands, Food, Startups, FMCG companies, Healthy lifestyle • Favorites in Singapore: As a newbie in Singapore, I am still exploring the city and need to visit so many places before I can define my real favourites. One of my ‘early’ lunch favourite is Kapok on Middle Road, which is a shop with a lot of design stuff and a nice & quiet café with healthy choices on the menu.

• Favorite restaurant: Tippling Club for very special occasions, PS Café Dempsey for a nice, relaxing evening out and Din Tai Feung for the best dim sum ever.

• Motto: The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday!

Embassy News

What can the Netherlands Embassy do for your company?

One of the core tasks of the Embassy in Singapore is to promote economic and trade relations between Singapore and the Netherlands. Renée Calis, from the Netherlands Embassy: ‘We offer active support to Dutch companies already present in Singapore and those starting to explore the Singaporean market. We provide more detailed information about opportunities in sectors with high potential, where the Netherlands can offer specific added value: water, maritime, high tech, life sciences & health and food & nutrition. And we also provide advice to Singaporean companies interested in trade and investment in the Netherlands.’

The economic department of the Embassy consists of a head of department, a senior trade officer, three innovation advisors and two advisors of the ‘Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency’, a customs attaché, interns and temporary project staff.

According to Renée the innovation advisors at the Embassy provide support to companies, research institutes/universities and government, and present initiatives for collaboration. ‘The advisors organise seminars, facilitate matchmaking, and answer your questions about R&D developments in both the Netherlands and Singapore.’

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) is fully committed to expediting foreign direct investment in the Netherlands. For 30 years, the

NFIA has been providing assistance to foreign companies wishing to take advantage of the dynamic Dutch business environment as a strategic base to cover Europe, with a view to expand their global reach in the international marketplace.

How can we support your business?

Renée: ‘The Embassy works closely together with the Dutch government agency to support trade and investment, the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). Together we offer the following services to companies that want to enter the Singaporean market.’

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Embassy news

Where can I find information about doing business in Singapore?

‘The Embassy is constantly scanning for business opportunities, particularly in promising sectors and potential business partners in Singapore. We also provide information about Singaporean rules and regulations for doing business, including the establishment of a legal entity. The Embassy can refer you to the relevant (government) organisations or specialised service providers for more in-depth assistance where needed.

Relevant articles and leads, including tenders and policy developments, are published on the Embassy website www. mfa.nl/sin and can be sent directly to your company at your request.’

What else is the Embassy doing in the field of trade and investment?

We regularly support and organise incoming and outgoing trade missions between Singapore and the Netherlands.

Information about such missions is published via the Embassy website www.mfa.nl/sin. We also support individual businesses traveling to Singapore in setting up contacts with public or private sector parties.

And the Embassy regularly organises networking events for Dutch businesses with Singaporean counterparts. These can be general receptions or events or seminars or functions linked to a specific incoming mission or trade fair. The aim is to provide a platform to share best practices and explore business opportunities with potential partners.

The RVO can provide you with a Business Partner Scan which provides you with a detailed overview of potential business partners in Singapore. This service requires an intake interview with RVO in which the profile of the potential business partners will be discussed in-depth. The Embassy will contact these potential business partners to verify whether they are interested. This extensive service carries a fee of 500 Euro. Request a Business Partner Scan from RVO (www.rvo.nl) in cooperation with the Embassy.

And in the case of conflict situations, the Embassy can provide advice and assistance in, for instance, contacting relevant institutions. In such a case, please contact the Embassy via sin-ez@minbuza.nl.

Who can I contact for trade enquiries?

You can e-mail a trade enquiry to the Embassy via sin-ez@minbuza.nl.

Please feel free to contact us via: Telephone : +65 6737 1155 E-mail : sin@minbuza.nl (for general questions) sin-ez@minbuza.nl (for all your business queries) You can follow the Embassy on Facebook: DutchEmbassySingapore, our Ambassador, Jaques Werner, via Twitter: @JacquesWerner and interesting business developments in the area via LinkedIn Group: ASEAN-Neth: Dutch Business in South-East Asia.

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DutchCham News

Business Awards 2015 To celebrate the accomplishments and success stories of Dutch and Singaporean businesses DutchCham is pleased to announce the inaugural DutchCham Business Awards Gala Dinner on Wednesday the 25th of March.

In celebration of SG50, DutchCham’s launch of the annual Business Awards is well-timed. The awards will offer an opportunity to share stories of success, recognise outstanding achievements and highlight examples of the strong business ties between Singapore and the Netherlands.

The Honorable Mr Pieter Winsemius and H.E. Ambassador Jacques Werner will be gracing the occasion and officiating the launch.

Seven Awards will be presented recognizing the achievements of businesses and institutions in areas associated with Dutch business culture and Dutch sector excellence: 1. Collaborative Innovation 2. Sustainability 3. High Tech/ Precision Engineering & Manufacturing 4. Maritime 5. Water 6. Singapore/ Dutch cooperation 7. SME Rising Star Each of the shortlisted entries will be reviewed, judged and scored by an Awards Committee and industry/sector specialist.

The members of the committee and names of the judges will be revealed soon.

Article ADB-grey DutchCham.indd 2

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The judging process and sore rating system: A judge is nominated for each of the Award categories. The judge is considered to be an industry/sector specialist.

Each entry will be judged by the Business Awards Committee using a scoring matrix. Each category will have 3 judging criteria which the judges will look for in your submissions. Each criterion will each be scored using the following scoring matrix: • 0 points – No evidence • 2 points – minimal evidence • 5 points – Clear strong evidence The judging process: 1. All entries are reviewed by the Business Awards Committee.

2. Based on the scores shortlisted entrants will be passed on to the dedicated judges for their final scoring.

3. The entrant with the highest score will be declared the winner of the Award. In the event two companies have the same final score, a separate judge from another industry will score the submission and then the highest score will be declared the winner.

The results remain confidential until the DutchCham Business Awards Gala Dinner on 25th of March. More details on the venue of the Awards Gala Dinner will follow.

Deadline submission: Final entry deadline for the submission form is Friday 6th of March The submission form can be downloaded from the website www.dutchcham.sg

22/01/15 10:14

A Truly International Family Club The Hollandse Club has members from more than 40 different nationalities and is located just minutes away from town in lush green surroundings. Our relaxed resort style club is family oriented and provides a home away from home for many expatriates from all corners of the globe. The Hollandse Club organizes various events each month for the whole family, offers excellent Sports facilities, International and Asian cuisine as well as 13 Hotel Rooms, Banqueting and Catering Services and various venues for private or corporate functions.

We now offer FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS! Single or Family memberships from 1 year to lifetime and an all-in membership fee option that allows you to pay for your membership of choice in 12 or 24 months.

From as low as $256 (Single) or $441 (Family) per month!*

*Based on a 2-year membership. Inclusive of monthly subscription fee and 7% GST, excluding all F&B and other charges. T&Cs apply.

Come down to 22 Camden Park (off Adam Road) for a club tour and experience for yourself why we have been around since 1908!

22 Camden Park, Singapore 299814 T: 6464 5225 | www.hollandseclub.org.sg E: membership@hollandseclub.org.sg

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SWEET by Kristel Zweers Crime Alert!

My first response was fear, what the hell had happened in my street?

Yes! A new face and a new voice! I have been given the honor of taking over Richard Soemita’s place after he resigned and I am more than happy to try to put a smile on your face.

A short introduction feels right since we might not have met. I am Kristel Zweers. I am 38 years old and I moved to Singapore in the summer of 2013 to join my (now) husband. I am a professional comedian so that probably explains why the editor passed the pen onto me. From now on I will be sharing my observations and experiences here in Singapore (and Asia) with you. I know it’s very easy to find things that are different to what we’re used to and it would be very Dutch to complain about that. But I really want to try to avoid that, at least as a start. So, brace yourselves for some positivity!

Don’t you think Singapore is the sweetest country you have ever seen? Really.

I just feel weak at the knees when I see Singaporeans politely queue for just about anything: taxis, public transport, food, clubs, stores, Hello Kitty! I know it’s an inheritance from the Brits but it’s just heartbreaking to see how serious they take this. It must be the easiest country in which to start a new restaurant or shop because all you have to do is pay 10 people to form a queue and within minutes it will be tripled in size; half the time I think they don’t even know what they are queuing for. In fact I know this to be true. I remember the opening of some doughnut place last year at Orchard. They had to break up the queue at several points and divide it to ensure people could still reach other stores. It looked like The Beatles or Michael Jackson had resurrected for one more concert.

Somewhere halfway down the queue I asked a guy what he was queueing for and he told me: “For a doughnut”. The guy behind him (where he had been for at least 4 hours) repeated my question because he also didn’t know. I told him he was waiting for a doughnut and he asked what that

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was. I explained it to him and even though he didn’t look very excited he decided to see for himself and stayed. Of course we can easily describe that as mental, but I prefer to say it’s sweet.

Next thing that’s just too cute are the Crime Alert signs. Although the first time I saw one, I have to admit, it scared me a bit. I was leaving my house and across the road was this huge sign on the sidewalk with screaming letters shouting: Crime Alert! My first response was fear, what the hell had happened in my street? Underneath the Crime Alert it stated the crime and it said there had been a snatchtheft in my neighborhood. There had been a snatch-theft in my neighborhood and they’d put it on a sign!!! How sweet is that? If we would do that back home there would be signs all over the place! People would probably even steal the signs!

Horns on cars sound much better than what I’m used to as well. Ok, they might use them more often than we would, but at least they don’t cause a heart attack. Some actually sound more like a squeaking rubber duck with a rubber ball in its beak. Even the sirens on ambulances and police cars are gentle to your ears. They sound like a toy-version on low batteries. I swear, the annoying tune on my new washing machine that plays after a load is done (WHY?) is louder than a police car in distress!

This brings me to my Grande Finale: only in Singapore can you die of a traffic light. Not one that’s gone crazy and caused an accident but a perfectly working traffic light!

Of course this is totally not sweet when you’re inside that ambulance. Nor would it be for your loved ones when they are told you passed away. What? How? Uh, the death certificate says: Traffic light. Because only in Singapore will an ambulance ‘on the job’ stop for a traffic light!!! That really is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen: An ambulance, with its sirens on, standing in a queue!!

WE TRAIN GUIDE COACH MENTOR EMPOWER FACILITATE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUCCEED IN MASTERING THE ART OF WORK Interested, contact us:

Singapore: +65 62205120 or frank.kuijsters@digneconsult.com Netherlands: +31 35 5318288 or bouke.bouma@digneconsult.com Or for more information: www.digneconsult.com

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