December 2008 / January 2009 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

Business
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, so called DutchCham, is a private sector non-profit
organization. Established in 2008, DutchCham represents Dutch business interests in Singapore. Objectives
include providing advocacy and information concerning trade, commerce, industry, finance and investment
in Singapore and ASEAN.
Its mission is to expand and facilitate trade between the Netherlands and Singapore and to promote
Dutch commercial and economic interests through regular dialogue with its partners in the Dutch and
Singapore governments, Eurocham, the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, other chambers
of commerce and relevant organizations taking account of Singapore’s strategic position in the region.
Membership is not exclusive to Dutch companies. With its aim to foster closer ties with Singapore-based
companies DutchCham welcomes local and foreign companies alike.
The founding members of DutchCham (S) are Fortis,
Heineken, ING, KLM, Philips, TNT, Rabobank and Unilever.
MAY 2008: Soft Launch Dutch Chamber of
Commerce (S)
On 19 May 2008, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade, Mr. Frank
Heemskerk, officiated at the soft launch of the Dutch Chamber
of Commerce. The Dutch Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Chris Sanders
kindly hosted the evening at the official residence.
JUNE 2008: Official Launch of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (S)
On 19 June 2008 the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Singapore) officially opened its doors to the public.
Mr. Peter Ong, Singapore’s Permanent Secretary of Trade & Industry, officiated at the event which saw a
fantastic turnout from both Dutch and Singaporean companies as well as many individual guests who came
to wish the Chamber well.
The Netherlands is the 3 rd largest direct foreign investor in Singapore after the USA and Japan and
the largest from the EU. Last year’s combined trade exceeded S$13.6 billion which made the Netherlands
one of Singapore’s larger EU trading partners, yet until June 2008, the Dutch business community never
had its own representative body. The DutchCham aims to fill this gap and to act as a coordinating body
for the business interests of its members in Singapore, whilst keeping a finger on the pulse of business
developments in ASEAN.
Official Opening: Guest of honor, Mr. Peter Ong, H.E. Mr. Chris Sanders, Board of Directors and Management of DutchCham and Founding Members.
Vol.18 • No. 10 • December 2008 / January 2009