December 2008 / January 2009 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

Business
OCTOBER 2008: DutchCham Luncheon Meeting with Mr. Jochum
S. Haakma
On 16 October 2008 the DutchCham (S) organized its first luncheon. Mr. Jochum S. Haakma,
Chairman of NCH – the Netherlands Centre for Trade Promotion – gave a keynote speech
about the economic rise of China. After an introduction by His Excellency Mr. C. Sanders,
Mr. Haakma shared his views on the current status and outlook for doing business with
and in China. The lunch meeting was attended by both members and non-members.
Prior to this meeting a workshop was organized by DutchCham on the occasion of
Mr. Haakma’s visit between DutchCham (S), NCH and the Singapore Government. The
main objective of this workshop, moderated by Mr. Roman Scott (Managing Director,
Calamander Capital and BritCham Economic Spokesperson) was to discuss 3 key themes:
DutchCham as a Business Incubator, a Lobby Group and a Promoter of Holland Inc. The
key outcome of the formalized role of DutchCham as a facilitator between Singapore
government agencies, among which the Economic Development Board (EDB) and NCH
was very much supported and endorsed by all present. In this context, DutchCham is
proud to announce that NCH is now an official partner of DutchCham.
NOVEMBER 2008: Annual Economic Outlook by Mr. Roman Scott
On 6 November 2008 Mr. Roman Scott gave his critical opinion on the global financial
situation. According to him the signals for this financial crisis were there long time ago, only
analysts either did not understand or ignored them. For example, the US economy is in household
debt because it has been in a state of denial for a long time, mainly caused by the use of credit cards
(“buy now, pay later”). Singapore is in a very vulnerable position as it has an open economy because of
the global trade. For the short-term, Mr. Scott, predicted tough times ahead but sees Asia recover in 18
to 24 months whilst the old world economies will likely take quite a while longer.
November 2008: The Marina Barrage
DutchCham organised a Seminar and Tour at the recently opened Marina Barrage in close cooperation with
PUB, Singapore-Delft Water Alliance, ISEAS and The Two Hundred. Speakers Prof. Vladan Babovic (SDWA),
Mr. Devaraj (PUB) and Mr. Tan (Metax) gave presentations on Singapore’s Water Management Strategy &
The Marina Barrage, Pumps for the Marina Barrage Project and about Appreciating Science Behind Water
Quality of Marina Lake. Read more in ADB’s next February issue.
December 2008: Breakfast Talk with Mr. Winy Maas: ‘Singapore: Leader or
Follower in Landscape Architecture & Spatial Planning?’
DutchCham, in close cooperation with the French Chamber of Commerce, was pleased to organise a
Breakfast Talk presented by Mr. Winy Maas. Mr. Maas is an internationally respected Dutch architect,
landscape architect and urban planner, who is one of the co-founding directors of MVRDV, an award winning
architectural firm based in Rotterdam.
Membership & Upcoming Events
Please check our website (www.dutchcham.sg) regularly for the latest updates and to download the
Membership Application Form, and also please note the following dates for your diary.
15 January 2009
- breakfast
Carbon Credit
In cooperation with FCCS and BLBG
Grand Hyatt Hotel
20 January 2009
- breakfast
The Financial Crisis
In cooperation with ING
Suntec Convention Centre
03 February 2009
- evening
DutchCham Chinese New Year Drink
Suntec Convention Centre
DutchCham (S) invites everyone to join for these events.
For more information and for membership, please contact DutchCham: 541 Orchard Road #13-01
Singapore 238881. Tel: 6739 1112 Email: info@dutchcham.sg Website: www.dutchcham.sg
Vol.18 • No. 10 • December 2008 / January 2009