ScandAsia Singapore - August 2015

AUG 2015

There’s a need for the

Danish Seamen’s Church

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SWEA Singapore: Höstens första fika på stan

for a need There’s

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Danish n’s Seameh Churc

Where:VivoCity, SingaporeVivoCity, The Connoisseur Concerto When: Friday 28 august, 10:00 – 12:00 ia.se

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New in Singapore? Introduction meeting at Norsk Sjømannskirke Where: Norsk Sjømannskirke i Singapore, 300 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore When: Saturday 29 Aug, 12:00 - 17:00

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

Nylig flyttet til Singapore? Få generell og nyttig info lørdag 29. august på Sjømannskirken Dette er en nyttig dag å få med seg om man nylig har flyttet til byen.

Vi åpner dørene kl. 12.00 og infodagen varer til kl. 16.00. Det er drop in hele dagen, åpent for alle.

Har du bodd i Singapore en stund, er du også hjer telig velkommen. Ingen påmelding og gratis arrangement!

Denne dagen handler om å hilse på nye folk, spørre spørsmål, spise grøt og vafler, mingle, utveksle visittkor t, og få generellinformasjon om det å være norsk i Singapore. Det blir stands og innlegg fra ulike norske organisasjoner i Singapore.

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

Get your own FREE copy: scandasia.com Publisher : ScandAsia Publishing Co., Ltd. 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 Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com

ScandBizBar Where: &SONS at China Square Central, 20 Cross St, Singapore 048422 When: Thursday 3 September, 18:30 - 21:00 The next ScandBizBar gathering will take place on Thur sday, 3 September at &SONS at China Square Central.This venue seems to be very popular among our friends, colleagues and on Thursdays when there is a ScandBizBar event it’s a full house.

There is no need to officially p r e - r e g i s t e r, bu t fo r l o g i s t i c purposes we would appreciate if you could indicate in an email to swedbiz@singnet.com.sg if you intend to attend. You can also sign up at FB (ScandBizBar)

Assistant Editor: Joakim Persson Joakim@scandmedia.com Advertising : Frank Leong frank@scandmedia.com Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Graphic Designer : Peerapol Meesuwan Peerapol@scandmedia.com Distribution : Wanvisa Rattanaburi wanvisa@scandmedia.com Printing : Inthanon Interprint Co., Ltd.

News Brief

Carlsberg’s J.C. Jacobsen Foundation starts off with active first year

I

n June 2014 Carlsberg Malaysia set up the J. C. Jacobsen Foundation, as a community outreach and an extension of the robust Corporate Social Responsibility program of the international Danish brewery company. One year later, the foundation can look back at a busy year.

In September last year, the Foundation took 80 volunteers to the Sungai Liam waterfall in Ulu Yam to rejuvenate and refresh the area. Following in November, the charity outreach set out to contribute, hands-on, to a cleaner environment as well as to raise the awareness of river ecosystems at the Sungai Kanching of Templer’s Park.

Everyone has a role to play in preserving natural water resources as clean water is important to the livelihood of human kind, was the philosophy behind this advocacy work. 60

volunteers, comprised of Chairman of J.C. Jacobsen Foundation Dato’ Lim Say Chong, together with Carlsberg Malaysia employees and members from two non-government organisations (NGO), Kelah Association of Malaysia (KAGUM) and Rotary Club of Bangsar, rolled up their sleeves to clean up the riverbanks. Throughout the half-day community work, volunteers learned about the freshwater fishes and species, enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful scenery of the river steams and the importance of river ecosystem around Templer’s Park.

The initiative also gave their volunteers the chance to deepen their knowledge of Malaysian rivers as a source of water and habitat.

Operating in Shah Alam Carlsberg Malaysia, through its foundation is is committed to do

Cycling Without Age founder in Singapore

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oth local Singaporeans and Western migrants were present, when Ole Kassow, Danish founder of Cycling Without Age, visited Singapore to inaugurate the project in Singapore. Ole Kassow started Cycling Without Age in 2012 to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, but the problem was their limited physical capability.The answer was a rickshaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents. An employee at the municipality of Copenhagen was intrigued by the idea and together they bought the first 5 rickshaws and launched Cycling Without Age, which has now spread to all corners of Denmark, Norway, and it’s now taking off in several countries around the world.

Ole Kassow presented the project at the Shimano Cycling World facilities in front of 35-40 people. Next to him was a brand new rickshaw specially designed for the project which costs around 6.000 SGD. “To me, Singapore is an ideal cycling city since it’s so flat – like in Denmark,” Ole Kassow said.

“So I think it’s going to be great. And there are some enthusiastic volunteers who put a lot of work into this, which means that I can safely let them run it in Singapore by themselves while I serve as a sparring partner.”

“We took a ride earlier today and it was amazing to see the smiles on everybody’s faces. And nobody honked at us when we were on the road instead of the park lanes,” Ole Kassow laughs.

4 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

its par t for the neighbourhood where it is operating in as to make its neighbourhood a greener environment. Therefore, in March 2015 the foundation pledged its support towards the Shah Alam Trees for Life programme by making a cash contribution of RM45,000.

In joint collaboration with the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), some 300 volunteers, from the public and the Foundation planted approximately 15,000 trees along Jalan Monfort, Seksyen U1 & U2 in Shah Alam. At the trees planting event, volunteers were also briefed on the various specifies of trees by Dr. Jean Marc Roda from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Institute of Tropical Forestry & Forest Products.

“We believe that through collaboration with others, we could make a greater impact.

Planting more trees around Shah Alam not only accentuates the aesthetic of this beautiful city, it also contributes towards combating climate change,” said Henrik Juel Andersen, member of Board of Trustees of J.C. Jacobsen Foundation.

According to Mayor of Shah Alam, Dato’ Hj. Ahmad Zaharin b. Mohd Saad, the Trees for Life programme, which is now running in its 5th year, is an important activity on the city council’s yearly agenda, as it brings together various parties for a common goal, that is to value and protect the environment.

“We are pleased that J.C . Jacobsen Foundation could be the first partner this year for MBSA’s Trees for Life and we hope other corporate entities would follow the Foundation’s footsteps, as it helps to ensure the success of this programme,” he said.

The Foundation was named after the founder of Carlsberg, J.C. Jacobsen, who was known for his deep passion for philanthropy. Its mission aims at enhancing and protecting the quality of life of Malaysians, committed to nurturing a better and greener future by making a difference and impact to three core pillars of education, sports and environment.

Our ‘no waitlists’ approach to admissions … … means that every year, every one has the opportunity to apply for a place at one of UWCSEA’s two campuses.

The annual open days are a chance to meet Principals and teachers, observe classes and, most importantly, speak directly to our students about their experience at UWCSEA. We invite you to come and see for yourself: Dover Campus Primary School Middle School High School

Wednesday, 9 September Thursday, 10 September Monday, 7 September Tuesday, 8 September

East Campus Primary School Middle School High School

Tuesday, 15 September Wednesday, 16 September Thursday, 17 September

Visit www.uwcsea.edu.sg to RSVP, or to find out more.

Applications for August 2016 open on 1 September 2015.

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

084ADV-1415 August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 5

News Brief

Next Danish Ambassadors appointed for China and Vietnam

U

pon the depar tures of Danish ambassadors Friis Arne Petersen and John Nielsen, from China and Vietnam respectively during this summer, the new Danish ambassadors have been appointed for their replacement.

A. Carsten Damsgaard, Ambassador to Japan, is transferred to take over the helm in Beijing, China, while Charlotte Laursen, from the foreign ministry in Denmark returns to the Embassy of Denmark, Vietnam, only this time as Denmark’s new ambassador, to continue her SoutheastAsian journey.

The Counsellor once replaced Mikael H. Winther as deputy head of the Embassy in Bangkok. And prior to that Mrs. Laursen was actually posted in Vietnam, in Hanoi since September 2004 as Deputy Head of Mission.

At Danish Ministr y for Foreign Affairs, Charlotte Laursen was responsible for Strategies.

Policy and Quality, and board member of The Trade Council.

A. Carsten Damsgaard was appointed to be Denmark’s ambassador to Japan on 1 September 2011. Previously he was the Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Vard’s 1H 2015 results: R&D and innovation in focus amid a slower market Group registering a loss of NOK 21 million for 2Q2015 and a loss of NOK 12 million for 1H2015, down respectively from operating profits of NOK 140 million in 2Q2014 and NOK 263 million in 1H2014.

Healthy Vietnam operations In Vietnam, operations remain robust and yard utilization remains healthy with the delivery of one Platform Supply Vessel (“PSV”) during the quarter, and two vessels in 1H2015.

Focus on R&D and innovation to retain competitive edge

T

he Norwegian Singapore-based company Vard Holdings Limited (VARD), one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of offshore and specialised vessels has announced its financial results for the second quarter ended 30 June 2015 (“2Q2015”) and first half ended 30 June 2015 (“1H2015”).

amounted to NOK 956 million. Order book value at the end of 2Q2015 stood at NOK 13.92 billion, representing a 10.9% decline from the preceding quarter (“1Q2015”), and a 35.6% decrease from the same period in the preceding year (“2Q2014”).

Challenging industry outlook

Softer top-line and margins; earnings per share positive

VARD faced a slowdown in activity at some yards during 2Q2015 as the overall weakness in the oil and gas sector began to impact operations.

Order book development remained muted, with one new vessel order secured by the Group during the quarter. New order intake, including variation orders and repair and conversion work,

VARD posted a revenue of NOK 2.49 billion in 2Q2015, representing a 15.3% decline from 2Q2014, whereas 1H2015 revenues came in at NOK 5.55 billion, in line with the previous corresponding period in 2014 (“1H2014”).

Operating profit turned negative, with the

6 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

The uncertain oil and gas sector outlook continues to weigh on global offshore vessel demand, and in particular on the North Sea market. Despite the overall weak near-term outlook, VARD sees opportunities in some specialized segments, both within offshore and in other niche markets. In an effort to reach out to new clients, markets and segments,VARD is running in high gear in concept design, and the Group’s focus on research and development (R&D) is undiminished.

Introduced to the market in June, VARD’s latest innovation project,‘A step forward’, presents new ideas in design, automation and control, as well as accommodation solutions for future vessels, which can increase efficiency and ease of operations and boost returns on investment for ship owners. VARD also continues to expand its Equipment and Solutions portfolio, and develop new business areas.

Roy Reite, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of VARD, commented, “As we work through the necessary adjustments in our organization to address the challenges posed by the market, we continue to focus on R&D and new business development to reinforce VARD’s position. So far, we have received positive industry feedback on our recent initiatives. Testament to our strengths in developing innovative solutions together with our clients, we are proud that Skandi Africa, a vessel delivered to DOF Subsea, has won the Ship of the Year 2015 award in Norway.”

News Brief

Nordic Midsummer Party in Jakarta

O

n 4 June the Nordic Embassies in Jakarta came together for a first joint Nordic Midsummer Party as the four Nordic Embassies; Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden celebrated their annual national days together.

Nordic Midsummer celebration is about enjoying the best seasonal foods and drinks, singing, making flower crowns, playing traditional games, dancing around midsummer pole or making midsummer bonfire.

The Nordic Embassies gathered more than 1,000 guests, including Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya and Minister of National Development, Andrinof Chaniago, in the gardens of Shangri-La hotel in the morning of 4 June to celebrate the Nordic green and sustainable lifestyle. With reference to sustainability and the green theme of the event, the four Ambassadors together with more than one hundred sporty colleagues and friends bicycled from Monas to the Shangri-La hotel to start the party.

The 4 Nordic countries are all focused on green energy as well as green and healthy living.

Therefore, the Nordic Midsummer Par ty was held as a morning garden par ty with healthy food and drinks, active games in the 4 country corners and, on top of it all, many guests joined the #Bike2Party! The Embassies of Denmark and

Norway together with Bike2Work are trying to bike Jakar ta greener once every month at #VikingBikingIndonesia In the hotel gardens, each Embassy had created a country corner showcasing their green innocative solutions and products, and engaging the guests in traditional Scandinavian games such as “the potato run” and “kick the hat off a stick” (Hallingkast). /Source: Norway in Indonesia, Finnish Embassy Jakarta and Denmark in Indonesia

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14/08/2014 12:037 August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore

Lawry’s Bone-In Roasted Prime Rib is back!

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awry’s The Prime Rib has brought back their best quality Bone-in Signature Roasted Prime Ribs after more than a decade’s hiatus.

Diners can expect impeccable standard of service together with the ever-favorite corn-fed roast beef that is aged for up to 21 days to heighten tenderness. The generously marbled meat is then slowly roasted to ensure a uniformly juicy flavor whilst the bone prevents the meat from drying out during roasting while acting as a natural roasting rack.

Complementing the hearty roasted beef meal is the tradition of Lawry’s Yorkshire pudding baked in individual copper skillets; tableside spinning bowl salad, mashed US Idaho russet potatoes cooked in hearth ovens prepared 8 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

by Executive Chef Nick Lee and his team who continues Lawry’s 76 years of traditions around the globe, While the extraordinarily good beef plays the starring role in dinner at Lawry’s, the signature side dishes make superb supporting players. Diners relish in the rich texture of the creamed Corn, subtly spiced creamed Spinach or lightly buttered Peas served with special touches that make every meal in Lawry’s a memorable one.

In line with its 16th Anniversary Celebration, Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore has also launched a new Sunday Brunch menu priced from $43++ onwards. The new main courses showcase classic and delicious items such as Toad in the Hole, Club Sandwich a la Lawry’s, Prime Rib Eye Foie Gras Burger and Smoked Salmon Sandwich.

Available from $18++ onwards are Lawry’s desserts like the Warm homemade Waffles served with Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream and Lawry’s Dessert Sampler are amply-sized and great for sharing in a group.

What’s more, in celebration of Singapore’s golden jubilee, Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore is offering along with their Sunday brunch a free flow of Rosé sparkling and wines at only $50++ per person until the end of August.

Located on the fourth floor of Mandarin Gallery in the heart of Orchard Road, Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore is distinguished for its exceptional American cuisine. Serving only the best at its 6,500 square feet of prime retail space, with a seating capacity of 170, Lawry’s exudes an air of opulence with its sleek interpretations of luxury.

Address: 333A Orchard Road

#04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897 Phone: 6836 3333

Grand Park City Hall’s Tempting Weekends

I

ndulge at Park, a 200-seater all-day dining restaurant set within the beautiful and airy atrium of Grand Park City Hall offers a delectable Tunch buffet and a fiery Asian BBQ dinner. There are three dining area options; the sunlight filled atrium, the main restaurant dining room and garden courtyard to suit any gatherings whether with family, friends or colleagues. The two limited scrumptious weekend buffets are served on weekends from now till 28 September 2015.

Tunch is an aptly named weekend afternoon buffet with almost 80 items that encompasses both lunch and tea favourites. The spotlight is on regional Asian dishes such as Tianjin pancake roll, Hong Kong roast duck and pork, assorted Dim Sum, Penang Rojak, Kueh Pie Tee, Popiah and even traditional Teochew-style porridge or sweet potato porridge accompanied by ten condiments including deep-fried ikan bilis (salted anchovies), mei cai (preserved vegetables) with stewed pork, deep-fried you tiao (dough stick), century eggs and more.

For a laid-back barbeque dinner, the Asian BBQ dinner presents a premium selection of 10 meats and seafood including lobsters, scallops, US flat rib beef, and Spanish pork belly, which is grilled a la minute with a selection of 10 special spice blends and sauces to season the meats according to the desires of each diner. There is also a line-up of ready-grilled items just waiting for diners to sink their teeth into such as Grilled Lobsters with sambal chilli butter, Scallops with Tom Yam butter and Tandoori grilled tiger prawns.

On top of everything, both buffets serve an wide-ranging spread of Asian, local and continental fare to satisfy every craving. Diners will be delighted with Som Tam Malakor (green papaya salad), Gai Hor Bai Toey (grilled chicken in pandan leaves), Gaeng Kiew Whan Gai (green chicken curry), or Gaeng Karie Talay (yellow seafood curry with pickled vegetables)

from Thailand, Indian curries like Fish masala and Chicken curry to go with crispy Roti prata.

Both buffets are available every Saturday and Sunday afternoon for Tunch and the Asian BBQ cooks up every Friday and Saturday evening. Grand Park City Hall is a 5-star hotel located in a prime spot in Singapore’s Civic District and nearby the Central Business District (CBD).

Address: Grand Park City Hall

10 Coleman Street, Singapore 179809 Phone: 6432 5888 August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 9

There’s a need for the Danish Seamen’s Church

For 30 years, there has been a Danish seamen’s church in Singapore. And even though there’s a different seamen culture today and less interest among Danes for having the church in their everyday life, chaplain at the church, Kirsten Eistrup, believes that it still exits in Singapore for a reason

By Søren Engelbrecht 10 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

O

n top of a mountain in Singapore, through hairpin turns and jungle bushes, sweat-causing humidity and cicadas singing, lies the Danish Seamen’s Church. There are not actually mountains in Singapore, but the long walk and idyllic setting makes you feel like you’re up above and far away from the city stress. The church is an old mansion that without a doubt used to be magnificent, but it’s expensive to repaint and a restoration of the ceiling has been undergoing for several years now.

I’m here on a mission. I took the long walk up to find out why there’s a need for a Danish church in Singapore. It’s hard enough for small rural parishes in Denmark to attract people, so why would it be any easier in Singapore? They also face the challenge that they don’t receive financial support from the Danish Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs like churches in Denmark do.

I’m meeting with the chaplain of the Danish Seamen’s Church, Kirsten Eistrup, so I can hopefully find out how it has survived through 30 years in Singapore. She moved to Singapore to fill out the position in 2011 and has, according to herself, enjoyed it ever since.

“I think it’s the greatest gift as a priest to get to be a seamen’s chaplain,” she exclaims at one point and elaborates: “Sometimes, we’re the only puff of something Danish for the ones who are sailing and traveling here. I get very humble when I’m meet with such an openness and trust from the seamen,” she says with warmth in her voice.

Library for the seamen Kirsten Eistrup is very aware of the purpose of the church, which is much more than religious traditions. To simplify, it has three functions: it’s a church, it’s a community house, where Danes meet, and it’s a Center of Welfare for seamen.

The third thing is a big part of the everyday work.

“Some 25 years ago, the seamen had time to pay the church a visit, but today they don’t.

Only 10 or 12 hours after a container vessel arrives at the port, it’s on its way again. So now we come to them and we visit one vessel every day on average. We’re a welfare station for an organization in Denmark called The Danish Government’s Seamen’s Service. That includes newspaper services and library services, so we’re actually also a branch of The Maritime Library,” Kirsten Eistrup explains. It means that a vessel

can contact the church and ask for some specific books and newspapers, which they will bring with them down to the port.

“We have a donation which means that we can download up to 1800 newspapers from almost every country in the world and then print them out for the seamen,” Kirsten Eistrup underlines humbly and recalls one of her latest tasks where she had to find a specific Egyptian newspaper.

Survives on donations and fund raising Donations are very important for the church.

Besides being part of a large pool of institutions where the Danish Department of Finances allocate around nine million Danish kroner, the Danish Seamen’s Church doesn’t receive any operating grants from Denmark. Instead, they survive from fund raising, economic means and private grants.

Kirsten Eistrup explains that they have three models when they have to finance something: corporate sponsorships, which is support from companies with Danish connections, contingent from the members of the church and finally events, which is a part of the fundraising.

“Our biggest fundraising event is our

Christmas Bazaar. Last year with had around 70 volunteers and 2000 visitors and it gave a turnover of 125.000 SGD,” Kirsten Eistrup says and adds with a smile: “Which should pay the rent for a couple of months.”

Yes, even though it may sound like a success which many churches in Denmark could only dream of these events are needed for their sur vival – a situation which no churches in Denmark envy them.

“Unlike the churches in Denmark, we are only here because someone suppor ts us. We wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t pay our rent and the Danish community in Singapore didn’t exist,” she says. Asked if she finds it fair that they don’t get the same treatment as the Danish churches, Kirsten Eistrup reflects: “Is it fair? You could have the opinion that it’s not. If you say that we represent the Danish National Church abroad then we should have the same conditions as the churches in Denmark.”

Christian justification With the number of par ticipants for various events and financial support that they get, it’s obvious that the church is there for a reason. But,

bearing in mind which tasks Kirsten Eistrup seems to be spending most of her time of, I can’t help but wonder why it’s not just a welfare and community center. Why is the religious element important?

“Well, we could just be a community house with a newspaper and library service,” Kirsten Eistrup says and wonders.

“But I don’t think you should ask a priest about the justification of the church,” she adds.

I sense that she does in fact have an opinion about this so I don’t settle with that answer. I ask her what she personally thinks and luckily I don’t have to ask more than once.

“I believe that as long as... as long as the Danes who are in Singapore want to use the church, it’s here, and we have our justification,” she says. After about ten long seconds of silence, she elaborates.

“Our culture and Christian faith goes hand in hand - we are of Christian culture. I believe that if this house wasn’t here, some people would still gather and say: “Why don’t we do something for Christmas Eve?” The church life is keeping us in some sort of rhythm. We need some anchors and this interaction that the church calendar gives us. Where would we go and get our children christened if the church wasn’t here? Until now, I have had five christenings this year and that’s about the same number as a small rural parish in Denmark. We are bound to the same rituals as in Denmark, so this is where you come to get married, to get confirmed and so on.”

Kirsten Eistrup slows down and says with a little less power and enthusiasm: “But again, you should ask the ones who come here what they would do if the church wasn’t here.”

Like a politician she makes sure she has backing. The Danish people in Singapore decide whether there’s a need for a church in Singapore and right now it seems as if Kirsten Eistrup has all the backing she needs.

August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 11

Swedish Virtual Fitting Solution expands to Singapore and Southeast-Asia

By Joakim Persson

12 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

A

s a Swedish innovation for virtual fitting of clothes is being rolled on the mar ket, now reaching customers also in Southeast Asia, online shopping of garments are seeing much improvement in terms of enhanced sales results and happy customers.

Haven’t we all concluded that there is no such thing as a standard size when it comes to clothes! Just compare a ‘Large’ in Sweden with any country Southeast Asia! This is a struggle when browsing for a size that fits one’s body in the store. Then, take this challenge to even higher heights - as consumers are increasingly buying clothes also online!

But now there is remedy in the form of the award-winning virtual fitting solution Virtusize, which reached Southeast Asian shores in May 2014, when the region’s leading online fashion e-tailer Zalora launched the consumer tool on a large scale in the region.

Virtusize, which has been introduced across the full range of brands and garments sold by Zalora, makes it easier for shoppers to find the right size and fit of clothing before making a purchase, a function called “Fit Visualizer”. Zalora also launched the new mobile version of Virtusize in the end of July 2015, making it possible for shoppers to use Virtusize while shopping on their Smartphones.

Virtual closet Vir tusize lets the online shopper compare garments they want to buy with garments they already own, by overlaying the silhouettes of one onto the other. This 2D garment comparison solution thus illustrates the difference in size and fit of clothes online.

“We give the opportunity to take a garment one already owns and compare that with a garment that one would like to buy,” explains Andreas Olausson, Regional Manager of Asia Pacific at Virtusize to ScandAsia.

“If you have previously bought a product on any of our affiliated web shops we store the data and product image automatically and give you the opportunity to use that item, a product that you already own and know, to compare with products you are interested in buying. And you can also register own favourite garments that you have not bought online but have in your wardrobe back home. In order to do that you measure it manually according to our guide, and add the data into Virtusize, saving it in your virtual closet with us.”

“Normally consumers know their garments and their favourites: they know how these fit and want to buy something similar. Then we allow the user to do that comparison; you can see exactly how it will fit you and precisely any difference between the two,” Andreas elaborates.

This function overcomes the problem that size and fitting are not standardized.

“The brilliant thing with Virtusize is that it makes a direct comparison of two garments and then it matters less what size they are given; you compare garment against garment. So it may fit with an XL in Singapore, but shopping in USA Medium might be enough.”

“Compare with categories of online products that are standardized, for example electronics: you don’t have to worry whether it will work or not.All standardized products sell very well online, while clothes and other things have had it tougher,” the Japan-based Swede describes the market. “And that is where we can add something and really accomplishing the goal of turning clothes into something more standardized online. It would change ever ything for this categor y – if you compare with for example consumer electronics, they sell over 60 per cent online. Clothes are only selling about 10 per cent - though it is still a large category online.”

Increased orders, less returns According to market research from Reportlinker clothing has in fact been the most purchased physical product in recent years in many countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and others.

Clothing is one of the largest segments of the B2C E-Commerce markets worldwide.

Clothing rivals closely the consumer electronics category for first rank among product categories by share of online shoppers buying worldwide.

Pure online, store-based mass merchants and clothing specialists compete for a share in this booming market.

In terms of customer success in using Virtusize, there are two sides to that, according to Andreas; the consumer’s experience and also commercially.

“We’re getting very good feedback among consumers. About 90 per cent of those–we have performed usability studies across many markets– want to use it repeatedly. And almost the same volume sees Virtusize useful in order to find the right size.60 per cent says it is very useful to find the right size for the clothes.”

In the case of Zalora it has led to less return goods and increased orders.

“We typically see between 20 - 40 per cent order value increase for shoppers using Virtusize compared to those who purchase without using our solution.”

“It has to do mainly with consumers buying more items, including items in their orders that they might previously have been unsure of with regards to size.”

Tokyo base for Asia In Asia the Swedish innovation was introduced simultaneously at several markets; India and Japan and then Singapore/Southeast Asia (Zalora) The Swedish company has landed deals with seven of the top 15 online sellers in Japan.

“We’ve had a clear business model from the beginning and it is mostly about gaining traction, a

momentum on the market. So we have aimed at the top 20 and especially those who will influence other companies,” says the Swede who was recruited over to the company from Sweden’s export promotion agency in Japan.

“In 2012 I met them for the first time in my role working for Business Sweden in Asia. After discussing where to establish on other markets outside Europe they started working with us in Japan. And along the route we have collaborated, where I helped them as consultant in contacting customers and doing strategies for their Japanese expansion.”

Once a few customers had been established in Japan they wanted a more solid setup there, and with Tokyo as a base for Asian expansion.

And then they were looking for a person. Andreas was then offered to run this operation and he accepted the challenge.

In the continued growth plans for 2015 Vir tusize will continue their effor ts in gaining market share in Japan, aiming at reaching 20 per cent of the market, and also building more clients among Clicks and Mortar brands.

“Looking at retailers, Japan is advanced, and China is coming strong. I think their way of running e-commerce is actually quite sophisticated and underestimated. We target those who are large at e-commerce first of all. We know which ones the big players are and we are busy.

August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

The great escape to

Cambodia - why?

By Bjarne Wildau

There are several good reasons why you should consider relocating to Cambodia, writes Bjarne Wildau

P

ick any restaurant in Cambodia where you see some white people looking like regulars guests sitting with their daily “Happy hour” beers. Sit down with them and notice how the conversation soon will be about Thailand. Make a head-count and most likely you will find that at least half of your new friends are “refugees” from Thailand.

So why is that? Thailand is the “land of smiles” would it not be better to stay there? Well, let me take you trough a few god reasons why Cambodia is far more attractive.

The best visa in the world Cambodia’s biggest attraction for 95% of the Barangs (Westerners in Khmer), is perhaps the visa and work permit rules which are maybe the most convenient anywhere in the world. In Cambodia they have two different kinds of visas. I have no count on the jungle of different types of visas they have in Thailand.

Cambodia’s Tourist Visa is what most people buy. It costs around 25 dollars and gives you permission to stay 30 days. You can extend it at the nearest travel agency. They will charge 14 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

a small amount, three maybe five dollars, and you will have your passport back two or three working days later. However, you can only extend a tourist visa inside Cambodia once. The fine for overstaying is 5$ a day - but don’t even consider calculating if a ticket out will cost you more than paying a fine for overstay. Overstaying may end you in jail. Don’t go there!

The other kind of visa in Cambodia is normally called “Business visa (EI)”.You can buy the Business Visa arrival in an airport or at a border crossing.

The price is between 30 to 60 USD depending on the boss of the local immigration office where you are trying to enter the country.

Be prepared, that most of the bad experiences you will have in Cambodia may very well happen here on the Cambodian side of the border. The Cambodian side of immigration is typically very open. Everybody can enter. There will probably even be people helping you filling out the health formula. But afterwards they will demand money for their effort. Other people will probably help you make your most valuable belongings - cameras, smart phones, wallet, etc. - disappear. Especially the Poi Pet border crossing is notorious for theft.

Question: What papers do you need to get at business visa?

Answer : You need your passpor t and the money it costs.

That’s it. You don’t need to prove how much money you have, neither in your pocket, nor in any banks abroad or in Cambodia. All of the hassle that some people have been through in other countries is gone. It can be hard to believe, but... it is as simple as that.

The business visa (EI) can be extended up to one year at a local travel agency. Never, n e v e r, try to go to the immigration department i Phnom Penh to save 5$ or a little more. Be good to yourself and do it locally.

Be aware that you have to buy at least a 6 months business visa extension inside Cambodia if you want to be able to leave the Kingdom without having your visa cancelled at the border crossing. If you have at least a 6 months business visa you can cross the border every day, until there is no more space in your passport.

If you want to work in Cambodia, you should buy a Work Permit. Once again. Nothing to prove, just pay 100 $ a year. And there is no limitations

For the last three years, the best hospital in Cambodia has been the Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital on the Eastern side of the South coast.

Its run by the the HOPE worldwide foundation.

If you get at health problem, worse than a cold or trivial infections, it is advisable to go to Thailand or if possible go back home. Without hesitation. Many rookies are unaware the the little seemingly innocent infection on their foot or shin bone may develop into some nasty life threatening blood infection much faster out here than it would back home. On top of that, some of the same people are often unaware that alcohol and whatever medicine they take could be a bad cocktail in the heat.

Do they have schools?

Parents with small children seems to do OK. But what about when children reach the age of preschool? It seems to be no problem. You will find the words “International School” on almost every corner i towns like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Siem Reap, Kampot, etc.

In reality the only town that comes close to having a real International School is Phnom Penh. But you can forget that unless you have an employer who is ready to pay the school fee, or you yourself happen to be a dollar millionaire.

Where is it best to settle?

Infrastructure in Cambodia is like in Thailand 30 years ago. But as in Thailand, things are fast getting better. As an example, they just opened a new fantastic road from Kampot in the south, close to the Vietnamese border, to Phnom Penh.

In fact, if you haven’t been to Cambodia for five or ten year you may think the plane has landed in the wrong country. The Asian World Bank calls Cambodia for the “new small Asian tiger”. They financed and pushed forward for the renovation and extension of the Cambodian railways. Three four times a day, trains now arrive at the trainstation in the harbour city Sihanoukville, full of goods that would otherwise have had to be trucked down there on the roads. which job you can have. Bartender, pancake-baker and seller with a cart, a restaurant, a factory, run and drive a minibus service.

Despite the small cost,thousands of Barangs has for years skipped buying the work permit and just used the business visa. But recently, the immigration police has started to implement the rules.They estimate that only 30% of the working Barangs in Cambodia have paid the early 100$.

Currently, there are 75 foreigners in jail i Sihanoukville for visa, work permit or passport problems. Don’t become one of them when you can so easily avoid it.

Who should settle in Cambodia?

More and more retired couples stay permanently or part of the year in Cambodia. Typically when the weather back home is cold and rainy. They will soon get to know other couple who have retired here too.

Some young couples with children also settle and even open a business.

And then you have a big group of foreigners who are here on long term stay because of the easier visa, the cheaper prices, and the cheaper

girls. Before you think bad about “your granddad”, relax, they will be punished sooner or later.

What are the risks?

Some, but not that many, think about the risks.

Illness and accidents do happen. Cambodia is one of the countries, where you should consider how you can safeguard yourself. New hospitals open, old hospitals are renovated, and the prices go up.

The problem is not the planned situation.

When you know well in advance that you need an operation for an illness you just go to one of the private hospitals and they will find a time for one of the literally flying doctors, specialist who know their trade.

The problem is the acute stuff. A long term Scandinavian had the yearly visit of his father. After a few days he got a heart attack or a stroke and fell unconscious. The son rushed him to the best hospital in town but here they said they had to wait untill they could find a doctor who could speak English - with the unconscious patient!!!

Luckily, the pensioner from Denmark survived, but it was not thanks to the English speaking doctor, who arrived 45 minutes later.

August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

This is my restaurant!

Where is my girlfriend?

A

Power supply is still a huge problem. It improved a lot when a new power plant was started up one year a go. But you still have to consider where you settle, and if you will save the money and stay in a house without a generator. In short, Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap, and maybe repeat: maybe - Battambang.

If you plan to do business, here is a website that may help you: http://www.doingbusiness.or g/data/ exploreeconomies/cambodia/star ting-abusiness/

sex trade happens on the Octual Beach in Sihanoukville, at places like Dolphin or JJ bar.

Here, the secret weapon of the freelance prostitutes is Ketamin, also called horse medicine. A Scandinavian sex tourist went in to have a breakfast at a Scandinavian restaurant.

He talk with the owner about freelancers on the beach. And was warned. Still, 36 hours he woke up, not naked, but everything else including the sweet lovely lady he had brought home two nights ago - was gone. He even had to go to Hanoi to get a new passport.

Nightlife in Cambodia

So should you stay away from Cambodia?

No way if you can live with the standards of hospitals and education. But yes, please stay away if you are too smart to listen to other people’s free advice.

Here is some more of that free stuff: Never loose control over your mind and your body.

If you walk like a snake at four in the morning, you are asking for trouble. And don’t buy the bad stuff, amfetamin, ice, heroin, cocaine, weed, or whatever they offer you. Cambodia is still a poor countr y and some people will do whatever it takes to survive. The children who sell bracelets are so nice, cute, and their English is so good. Oops! Where is my wallet? Or my brand new Iphone?

In Cambodia, new casinos pop up like McDonald’s did 10 years ago in China.They are everywhere. Close to the Vietnamese border, to the Thai border, and in almost every town in between with more than 50.000 citizens.

And yes, 90% of the tourist coming to Cambodia, or long term stayers, are also here because the prostitutes. Especially the guys who over in Thailand have spend hundreds of nights sleeping with prostitutes thinks it is same-same here.

NOT! There are places in Cambodia where men can hire a girl and feel reasonably safe and secure, but just like you have Pattaya in Thailand, then in Cambodia a lot of the 16 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

Better stay away?

hard working Scandinavian carpenter I knew was a ver y ver y happy man. He lived in Sihanoukville with his his girlfriend “Mom”.

She was 38 years younger and weighed 38 kilos less than him. Mom was so nice, both in the bedroom and in their restaurant, which he had bought in her name of course.

The carpenter made their restaurant one of the nicest places in town. The Americans say: Location location, location, and the restaurant was the first they saw on their left hand side when they arrived on the beach.

Mom and the carpenter had a high season, and a low season, and everything was fine. Then he went home to Scandinavia to work his socks off so he could buy some land and build a house for his new family.

Foreigners can not buy land in Cambodia so it would have to be in her name once again.

Back in Cambodia again, he bought the land, started to build the house, the restaurant was still OK, but his girlfriend had changed. One night he saw her shaking or twitching like on drugs, he confronted her with his suspicion, but she denied, they made love and he believed her.

Then one afternoon she came back screaming that she had been robbed. She was bringing the money to pay the people who were building their house and now it was all gone. The carpenter took her in his strong arms and she calmed down. Then he went back to Scandinavia to earn some more money to his wonderful wife.

Back in Denmark, something unusual happened.

She phoned him and asked him to send money.

Normally the restaurant made enough money during the peak season to make it through the low season. But her mother had had a bad accident and if she didn’t get money big big, mama would die.

So the good carpenter transferred the money and worked one extra month in Denmark. Finally, he could return. In the tax free in Bangkok he bought her a bracelet of silver, and some fancy perfume. He even missed her so much, that he took a taxi straight from Phnom Penh airport to the restaurant in Sihanoukville.

Stepping out of the taxi, he got his first shock. The walls were painted white, he could not recognise one single waiter, and behind the bar there was this big khmer man ordering the staff to do this or that.

“Who are you? What are you doing behind my bar.

Where is my girlfriend?” the carpenter was screaming.

The man did not answer, just brushed the carpenter aside. Some 10 minutes later, after 25 bottles were smashed and the Khmer behind the bar had a broken nose and two black eyes, the police arrived and slammed a pair of handcuffs on the wrists of the carpenter.

On the way to the police station, the police officer stole the bracelet that the carpenter bought for his lovely girlfriend.

The short story was that the mother had never been in any accident but lovely Mom had gone back to smoking ice 20 minutes after the carpenter had left for the airport and her boyfriend from since she was eighteen told her to sell the restaurant.

And I got a good story to tell.

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Haircuts start at $50 and include a relaxing hair wash and blow-dry.

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(Strictly by appointments)

402 Orchard Road #02-11/14 Delfi Orchard Open Monday to Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Closed on Sunday & Public Holidays www.visage.com.sg

August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

The Nordic Q&A countries and China’s AIIB

Reader profile of the month

Fredrik Sterner

C

hina has welcomed Denmark’s application to become a founding member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Danish Minister of Trade and Development Mogens Jensen called China’s establishment of the AIIB “a significant and exciting development in the world order.”

“Since many Danish tr ade interests as well as development cooperation interests will be at stake in the AIIB, there are many reasons to engage in and influence the AIIB’s investment decisions from its beginning,” Jensen said. Denmark became itself a founding member on 12 April 2015.

Sweden is interested in joining the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), but has not made an official decision yet, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said during his speech at The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. “We haven’t decided, but we are very close and we think we will be interested in joining too.”

Prime Minister Lofven pointed to the need for infrastr ucture investment in Asia over the coming decade, estimated to be $70,000 billion.

“Of course, many companies, many countries want to be part of those investments,” he noted.

Norway has meanwhile confirmed its intention to join AIIF as a prospective founding member. ‘ N o r w ay i s a s u b s t a n t i a l

contributor to global development efforts, and wishes to join countries from Asia and other par ts of the world in fur ther refining the structure and mission of the AIIB,’ said Foreign Minister Børge Brende.

‘The establishment of the AIIB will be impor tant for Norwegian development priorities. Norway will work to ensure that the AIIB embodies the best standards of governance, accountability and transparency. We expect it to work closely with and complement the efforts of other relevant institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,’ said Mr Brende.

Norway will take par t in discussions with the other founding members on the AIIB’s Ar ticles of Agreement, which will set out the terms of governance and accountability for the new institution. The final decision on Norway’s membership of the AIIB, together with the structure and level of Norwegian financial support, will then be made.

Starting AIIB is aimed at helping to fund infrastructure projects in poor Asian countries. The Beijingbased bank, which will suppor t infrastructure projects in Asia, is expected to be operational by the end of 2015, with China expected to foot the bulk of the money needed to get the bank started. Donations from other members could increase the size of the overall fund to more than US$100 billion.

18 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

F

redrik Sterner is 29 years old, originates from Sweden, lived in Beijing for six years and now in Shanghai for the past six month. He works for Per Linden, CEO of Scandic Foods Asia.They have several web shops where they sell Scandinavian food and beverage products.

From time to time Fredrik misses Sweden, but it is mainly his family and friends that he misses. At the moment he does not have any plans of moving back.

The best thing about working in Shanghai is... the incredibly fast-paced working environment and all the things you learn by just going with it.

It has taught me never to slow down. However, I used to live in Beijing for six years and it took me a while to adjust to the speed of the city.

When I am not working I... workout, travel with my girlfriend that I met while I lived in Beijing.

I also study for future challenges, since it is a good idea to always stay on top of career pursuits and what matters to your field.

Especially in China.

My biggest concern before moving to Shanghai was... making enough money to get by long term.

In Shanghai I could do without...

freezing in the winter due to lack of heating.

Living outside of Scandinavia has made me realize... that the wor ld is a lot less or ganized and prosperous than we realize. Scandinavia is wonderfully organized, but we sometimes forget our own history has it’s periods of chaos. Societies develop through different stages, China is just catching up.

I use the Scandinavian community in Shanghai to... network, socialize and stay in touch with our culture. I have a large network of Scandinavians that I socialize with mixed together with people from all over the world. It is mainly the food that keeps us together.

In Shanghai I have picked up the habit of... planning my life in careful detail. I always stay on top with my health.

Workouts are regular. I cook on my own. My girlfriend lives in Beijing, which requires careful planning to make ever ything work. I like it that way.

My best advice to a newcomer in Shanghai is... g e t r e a d y t o wo r k h a r d .

Compared to Sweden, there is not a social safety net, which makes life easier.

Enjoy Naturism in Asia

Danish naturist boutique resort in Bangkok

85 Soi Prasert-Manukitch 29, Yaek 7 Lad Prao district, Bangkok 10230 Location: 13.841978, 100.616500 www.barefeetnaturistresort.com MB: 096 889 1112

August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

When it’s time to do business, we’re exceptionally open.

Every client has a different story and a different goal. We understand that.

Over many years in this market of unique opportunities, we’ve developed the local knowledge, resources and connections needed to turn ambitions into reality. That’s why we’re one of the most well-established northern European banks in the region. For corporates, financial institutions and private banking clients, we’re ready to listen and cater to your needs – in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Delhi.

You are welcome to contact us at Private Banking: singapore@sebprivatebanking.com.sg Tel: +65 63 57 08 95 www.sebgroup.lu/privatebanking Merchant Banking: singapore@seb.se Tel: +65 62 23 56 44