ScandAsia December 2018

DEC 2018

Business

Business Climate Survey

Malaysia

Sustainability

Sweden fights plastic

pollution

Community

New Swedish priest in

south Thailand

International

Ambassador Marina Berg

presented credentials

Vacation 2019 theme:

A Swedish family’s

Malaysian Paradise

December 2018

22

HE Helen Ågren

Sweden’s ambassador for the Ocean

ScandAsia

Community

9 Sweden’s Ambassador

visited Krabi and

Koh Lanta

10 Humphrey Lau,

Grundfos Lau: Business

Person of the Year

40 Swea Asia-Pacific

regional meeting 2018

Vacation 2019 theme

12

ScandAsia

Business

22 Beat Plastic Pollution

Sweden hosted partner dialogue in

Bangkok

28 Business Climate Survey

Malaysia

Insights from Swedish companies in 2018

31 China-Finland Committee

for Innovative Business

Cooperation

32 Team Finland delegation in

Vietnam

Minister Lintilä led the visiting companies

28

Mr Kacper Pierzynowski

Project Manager Business Sweden, Malaysia

36

Pastor Anders Stenbäck

Sweden’s new priest in south Thailand

9

10

40

Editorial

Dear Readers,

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank you

for a great 2018!

On behalf of the entire team at ScandAsia, I’d

like to say thank you for sticking with us throughout this

past year. We went from four smaller editions of ScandAsia

covering each their country or region to a single, larger

magazine covering the whole East Asia. We went from

being mostly a paper magazine to being mostly an online

publication - resulting in a tremendous jump in our online

readership. It’s been an incredible year, and I have some

good news for you: We’re just getting started!

Now 2019 is almost upon us, and I want you to know

that we are serious about what we do here at ScandAsia.

We want ScandAsia to be your first choice when it comes

to coverage of the Scandinavian communities and Nordic

businesses out here. We want you to think of us when

you seek your daily scoop of ScandAsia news. We want

ScandAsia to be the website you recommend to friends

when they ask you for a good website to keep up to date

on everything Scandinavian in Asia.

We have an excellent team who works around the

clock bringing you the latest and most relevant news. We

have often worked long and odd hours, not because we

have to, but because we want to. That’s dedication.

For 2019, among other changes, we will accelerate our

opening up for key people and institutions in the ScandAsia

universe to have access to contribute news, articles and

events of interest to our shared Nordic Asian audience. You

will gradually see more news delivered directly from Nordic

embassies, Nordic Chamber of Commerce, Nordic churches,

Nordic associations as we roll out this big improvement to

the authenticity and trustworthiness of ScandAsia.

This is where you come in. If you like a story you read,

please share it to social media. Comment directly on

the site. Help us get that exposure so we can continue

growing. If you like a story, Tweet it, Like it on Facebook,

or share it to Google+ so help more Scandinavians in the

region may discover ScandAsia and become new, regular

readers.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this past year as much as we

have, and we hope you’re planning to stick around for the

year ahead. Thank you for being the very foundations of

what makes ScandAsia great.

Happy New Year to you all. Stay safe — if you’re going

out to party, drink responsibly, and have fun. We hope to

see you back in early 2019.

PS: News may be a bit slow until the holidays are over.

Gregers Moller

Editor in Chief

ScandAsia is a printed magazine and online

media covering the people and businesses

of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland living

and working in China, Hong Kong, Thailand,

Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines,

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Who should subscribe:

ScandAsia subscribers are typically Nordic

expats and companies from the Nordic

countries living in and active in Asia.

Another group of subscribers are Nordic

people living in the Nordic countries who

subscribe to ScandAsia for personal or

business reasons. We also have many Asian

subscribers, who for a wide range of reasons

are following the activities of

the Nordic expats and companies via a

subscription to ScandAsia.

The ScandAsia magazine is produced every

month and distributed to all print version

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Publisher :

ScandAsia Publishing Co., Ltd.

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Tel. +66 2 943 7166-8

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E-mail: news@scandasia.com

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Gregers A.W. Møller

gregers@scandmedia.com

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Joakim Persson

Joakim@scandmedia.com

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6 ScandAsia • December 2018

News brief

Marina Berg, Ambassador to Indonesia

presented credentials

On 8 November Ambassadordesignate

for Indonesia,

Marina Berg, met President

Joko Widodo for her credential at

Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace).

During the veranda talk with

President Joko Widodo, Ambassador

Marina Berg mentioned the importance

of Paris Agreement implementation.

Indonesia’s success in achieving its

national climate pledges will be critical

in keeping a global temperature rise this

century well below 2 degrees Celsius

as stated in the Paris Agreement that

aims to strengthen the global response

to the threat of climate change and

the ability of countries to deal with the

impacts of climate change, reported

the Embassy of Sweden in Jakarta.

54 per cent (2016) of the energy

used in Sweden coming from renewable

sources, and Sweden aims to be one of

the world’s first fossil-free societies by

2045 as part of its ambition to combat

climate change. Through climate

investments, the Fossil-free Sweden

initiative and international climate

action, Sweden will reduce its emissions

at the rate necessary to ensure globally

sustainable development.

Source: Embassy of Sweden in Jakarta

Nordic Culture Week Wujiang

At the opening ceremony

of Wujiang Road’s Nordic

Culture Week on 7 November,

speeches were heard from our Consul

General Jan Wahlberg as well as

representatives from Business Sweden

and Jing’an government. Finland’s

Culture Coordinator Veli-Matti

Palomäki also performed Finnish music

at the ceremony.

Nordic Culture Week is organized

by Jing’an Government Office as part

of an International Culture Festival at

the Wujiang pedestrian street. Joining

the Nordic Culture Week are Food

From Finland (growth program under

Business Finland), Finnish National

Agency for Education, as well as

Business Sweden.


The idea behind the international

festival is to showcase the latest

products, as well as products already

familiar to the Chinese consumers,

from selected countries.

Nordic Culture Week at Wujiang

Road lasts until Sunday 11 November.

Source: Consulate General of Finland in

Shanghai

Sweden’s Thailand Ambassador

visited Krabi

On 16 November Ambassador

Staffan Herrström made an

official visit to Krabi Province,

meeting with the Governor, H.E. Pol Lt-

Colonel ML Kitibodhi Prawit, to discuss

issues of mutual interest and explore

areas of enhanced cooperation.

Discussions focused on the two

countries’ remarkable people-topeople

relations, tourism, tourist safety,

as well as common environmental

challenges such as marine plastic

pollution.

Swedish food, beverage companies

visited Singapore

On 15 October the Swedish

Ambassador in Singapore

hosted a reception at his

Residence in conjunction with the visit

to Singapore by five Swedish companies

from the Food & Beverage sector,

namely Orkla, Pågen, Paulig Group,

Nordic Fine Food and SweCheese.

The companies visited Singapore as

part of Business Sweden’s ‘Food Days’,

a project that aims to increase Swedish

food exports to Singapore and the

region. Singaporean stakeholders

were invited to an evening of Nordic

cuisine and had a chance to learn more

about Swedish food and drinks. It is

great to see the growing interest in

Swedish food products in Singapore

and Southeast Asia!

Source: Embassy of Sweden, Singapore

The Ambassador’s visit was in

line with the 150 years celebration

of relations between Sweden and

Thailand, marked by the signing of their

first treaty on Friendship, Commerce

and Navigation in 1868. The Embassy

is celebrating the anniversary by

highlighting the remarkable peopleto-people

relations that have evolved

between Sweden and Thailand over

the years.

The Krabi Province is home to one

of the largest Swedish communities

News brief

in Thailand. The Ambassador travelled

to Lanta island where he met with

representatives from the Swedish

community, informing them about the

Embassy’s priorities as well as addressed

issues of particular concern to Swedes

living abroad.

The Ambassador also followed up

on the Embassy’s strong commitment

to join forces with Thailand in

addressing the global environmental

challenges threatening our oceans (UN

Sustainable Development Goals14)

by meeting with representatives from

Krabi-based civil society: “Trash Hero

Koh Lanta” and “Krabi Goes Green”.

The representatives explained a

number of bottom-up initiatives on

marine waste management and beating

plastic pollution, with a purpose to

achieve sustainable tourism.

Source: Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok

December 2018 • ScandAsia 9

News brief

Humphrey Lau, Grundfos China elected

Business Person of the Year

At the Danish Chamber of

Commerce China’s Gala Ball

on 3 November Humphrey

Lau, CEO of Grundfos in China was

awarded ‘Business Person of the Year’

by the Danish Chamber of Commerce

in China.

“Over 20 years for various companies

and in other official capacities, he has

pushed the boundaries for what is

possible for Danish companies in this

fantastic but also complex market. He’s

been a pioneer, faced tons of headwind,

and yet created superb results proving

that the unthinkable is actually possible

if you define bold visions and provide

just enough direction and then let your

organization go do. Kudos Humphrey!”

commented a former employee of his,

Peter Kiaer, on Linkedin.


Back in October 2016 Humphrey

Lau presented his new book about

his experience with managing Danish

Companies in China for almost 20 years.

‘How to Win Over the Red Queen’

(In Danish: Slå den røde dronning)

presents Mr. Lau’s observations of how

to be a “winner” in the Chinese market

by winning over, convincing, attracting

and co-operating with your Chinese

partners and customers.

In the DCCC presentation Mr. Lau

touched upon topics such as: How to

create new business specifically for the

Chinese market, why it is necessary

to create local brands and address

the Chinese segments of “just-goodenough”.

Additionally he shared

personal reflections on working in

China as an ethnic Chinese born in

Hong Kong as well as how the role of

Danish business executives in China

has evolved over the last years.

Mr. Lau was the first General

Manager to establish Novo Nordisk and

Novozymes in China, the largest Danish

investment on Chinese soil at that time.

Later Mr. Lau took the responsibility of

heading Grundfos China. In this role,

Mr. Lau succeeded in turning China into

the Group’s 2nd Home Market with a

2009-2010 sales growth >40%. Mr. Lau

was chairman of the DCCC board of

directors for 5 years from 2009-2014,

and he based his book on 18 years of

working experience in China.

Source: DCCC, Peter Kiaer


Vacation 2019 theme

A Swedish family’s

Malaysian Paradise

Scandinavian tourists often

return to the same destination

and hotel again and again on

their vacation. But to repeatedly

visit a relatively unknown island

in Malaysia all the way from

Sweden stands out. The Larsson

family has done that – six times

so far. Perhentian Islands is their

destination of choice, actually

situated just south of Thailand’s

border on the east coast of

West Malaysia, thus pretty close

to much more known holiday

destinations, but much more

unknown. ScandAsia finds out

the secret behind why this island

group is such a draw to them.

By Joakim Persson Photos: the Larsson family

The Larsson family’s love affair with Malaysia

started many years ago, in 1997, when the then

young couple arrived to Borneo for adventures,

and also, for their first time, ended up on the

Perhentian Islands for relaxation at the end of

a three-week trip. At that time Ann and Jonas did not yet

have children. Now they have three.

They had previously also been to Thailand, in 1992 – just

about when Thailand’s charter tourism started to take off.

“There is certainly a difference,” thinks Jonas, as we meet

up in Kuala Lumpur, a stop-over that has been added to

their itinerary for their two most recent trips to Malaysia.

“We travelled there at very young age. And possibly

we should have returned to Thailand with the children but

instead it became such a rush to travel there. So it felt very

ordinary,” adds Ann.

“It felt like Mallorca,” Jonas compares.

“And we like Perhentian Islands and the opportunity to

stay comfortably on its larger island called Perhentian Besar,”

says Ann, which makes it sound like an understatement,

given that it has become such draw for them.

Perhentian has since then also become an attraction

for more visitors, but the fact that the island group is only

open seasonally puts a lid on any uncontrolled, unwanted


Enjoying Indian-Muslim food in Kuala Lumpur.

Photo: Joakim Persson

expansion. Most resorts are closed between October to

March and there are no direct international flights to the

area.

However, Ann and Jonas, being able to compare a longer

period, have noticed the effects these days of environmental

impact from climate change and pollution.

“The water has turned murkier, and there is more

plastic. We notice effects on the coral system as well. And

I went fishing and did not catch anything this time. But

back in 1997 I got a lot of fish,” recalls Jonas, who adds

that an unsuccessful fishing can of course also be due

to bad luck.

It was in that year, over 20 years ago, that they first set

foot on the islands. They had been on an adventurous trip to

Malaysian Borneo, where they had climbed Mount Kinabalu,

among other things. Ann and Jonas have some warm

memories from that trip, which included being informed

about the rainforest destruction by rainforest people and

seeing proboscis monkeys in Bako national park in Sarawak.

“We saw females and a male with their red noses in the

sun,” smiles Jonas.

And to wind down at the end of a three-week journey

they had chosen to explore Perhentian, then a backpackers’

haven.

Back then one could really find one’s paradise dream

beach there, the Swedes think.

“It was amazing; I had not seen anything like it!” says Ann.

Back then it was much smaller scale, with only fishing

boats available to get out to the two islands from the

mainland (which could take up to three hours), of which

they chose the smaller one.

They stayed at D’ Lagoon, which still exists today. The

first night Ann and Jonas had to sleep in a very basic

dormitory room without mosquito net and even a fan, until

they could be upgraded to a “bungalow”, which came with

a fan but still with the toilet and shower separately outside.

One of the adventures there for Jonas was to hike across

the whole island in hunt for beer – it could only be bought in

one place on the whole island – to then carry a fridge-load

back over the island mountain in darkness.

“When we had discovered that trail we went over the

mountain and had remote beaches entirely for ourselves,”

adds Ann.

And this is where they also became hooked on the

life under water – going out snorkelling for the first time.


Jonas Larsson on his first Malaysian jungle adventure to Borneo back in 1997


When we had discovered

that trail, we went over

the mountain and had

remote beaches entirely

for ourselves

From left: Jonas, Johanna, Axel and Gustav

At first, they both became terribly afraid. There were loud,

mysterious sounds. Then they discovered that it was the

parrot fish eating on the corals that made the spooky sound.

Then there was the first encounter with sharks…

“I had never seen a shark live before and back then there

were plenty of sharks there. I was snorkelling 300 metres

out when suddenly a big reef shark came straight towards

and circulated around me. And under water everything

looks bigger so I was frightened to death!” laughs Jonas.

Since then they have learned not to be afraid of sharks.

“We have actually returned to that beach once when the

children were small. And were so lucky; when we walked

there in the shallow beach water with our children Axel and

Johanna, who were then three and five, small baby sharks

came up; reef sharks that they got to see for the first time,”

recalls Ann.

After the first trip to Malaysia , Ann and Jonas decided

to get their diving license, which they took in Malta

in 1998. And since then they have returned to

Perhentian Islands another five times! And during this latest

trip in June 2018 also their third child Gustav has learned

how to snorkel (he also learned to swim there).

And now Ann, who makes all the holiday planning, feel

that they are ready to explore some new islands; on this

trip they visited nearby Kapas, which is located a bit further

south and closer to the mainland.

At Perhentian Islands they are by now known to the

islanders: “They recognise us when we return to the same

place,” says Ann.


Suddenly a big reef shark

came straight towards me

and circled around me.

Under water everything

looks bigger so I was

frightened to death!

Ann Larsson exploring the jungle on Borneo back in 1997

“I would love to go to Sipadan Island in Borneo, a diving

Paradise.”

“But we want the children to take diving license before

that and I hope they will ask for that as Christmas gift so that

it can be completed back home in Sweden before going on

the next vacation trip,” says Jonas.

But what do friends back home say when they travel to

this unknown destination in Malaysia time after time? The

answer is that both Ann and Jonas have enticed friends to

also travel there, who all have returned happy.

To reach the destination one ideally takes a domestic

flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu and from there

via land transport to Kuala Besut, which is the entrance to

islands. The last part of the journey out is by speedboat.

And for this family the Malaysia trips have also evolved to

include city tourism, by spending some days in Kuala Lumpur.

“We really like being in Kuala Lumpur,” says Jonas, where

shopping and Malaysian food are among the draws. “There

are many fun things to do here and it’s family-friendly and

not too hectic.”

A three-week long trip like this one also gives them the

rare opportunity to enjoy lots of quality time together.

“There can be small disturbances, but after three weeks

it functions well, even if one gets a bit annoyed sometimes.

That is part of living close together, to get upset and then

move on. And that is also a good test for the continuing

family life when back home again,” says the father.

And for certain, the Larsson family will return to their

favourite Malaysia once again.



Fall in love

with the summerly Finland

Åland sailing ship. Photo: Visit Åland

Midnight sun in Purnujarvi.

Photo: Harri Tarvainen.


The stark contrasts between the four

seasons are the main characteristics

of the annual natural cycle in Finland.

For a great part of the year the land

is covered in frost and snow but there

is a certain kind of mystique in the air

when the seasons eventually change.

The summer isn’t endless in Finland, but

there are almost endless summer days.

Finland is a country of vast green forests, beautiful

Baltic Sea island, windswept arctic fells and

thousands of blue lakes. Spanning over 1,000 km in

length, Finland’s landscape and weather conditions

differ greatly between North and South, but the

nature is always nearby, even with the largest of cities.

Finland is a clean and peaceful country where the feeling of

space, the calm of the wilderness and the beauty of the lake

districts is present throughout the year.

Land of the Midnight Sun

Summer in Finland is a spectacular time of the year. For

three brief – but oh, so sweet! –months, the temperatures

soar high and the sun does not set at all. Summers in Finland

roughly lasts from June to August and are generally warm,

but pleasantly fresh. Temperatures tend to stay around +15C

– +25C, but temperatures of +30C are not unheard of.

The white summer nights are perhaps Finland’s most

iconic natural phenomena. In the very northernmost parts

of Finnish Lapland the sun does not set for 70 consecutive

days from May to August. Although the full Midnight Sun

only shines above the Arctic Circle, nights are white all over

the country. It is never really dark, just a period of twilight for

a few hours when late at night the sun briefly dips beyond

the horizon before rising again. Watching everything bathe

in the light of the Midnight Sun continues making indelible

impressions on travellers and locals alike.


Photo: Petri Jauhiainen/Vastavalo.

Photo: Harri Tarvainen

Photo: Aku Pöllänen

Autumn colours galore

Days again start getting shorter and nights darker in the

autumn, but just before winter falls the northern nature

presents another spectacular natural phenomenon. Autumn

months September to November see Finland’s forest

landscape turn into a splendid and unforgettable array of

red and gold known as “ruska”. Covered in forests and

wildernesses, Finland is a prime destination for some serious

leaf peeping.

More water than anywhere else in

Europe

When in Finland, water is never more than a stone’s throw

away. From the metropolitan area around Helsinki all the

way up North, Finland is filled with oases of the clean blue.

There are, in fact, 188 000 lakes in the country. As many of

these lakes are very large in size, a great part of Finland is

covered in water – making Finland distinquishably different

from other European countries.

If the thousands of lakes are not enough, try the

stunning Finnish Archipelago as a destination. Finland’s

1,100 kilometres long coastline boasts the world’s largest

archipelago with at least 70,000 islands. Old wooden towns,

lighthouses, historical manors and stone churches, large

national parks stretching over land and sea – this is coastal

Finland in a nutshell.

Finland’s summer is best enjoyed by water, and unwinding

summer activities, such as swimming and going to the sauna,

fishing, canoeing, rowing and sailing, can be combined with


Photo: Harri-Pekka Savolainen

any kind of holiday. The lake and coastal sea waters have

some of the cleanest beaches in Europe and it is possible

to swim anywhere you like.

The simple luxury of cottage life

To truly experience Finland, you have to get out of the city.

That is why Finns head to their cottages both winter and

summer, and so should you! Cottages are located over the

country and are a very popular way to spend a holiday.

For those looking for a little luxury, there are plenty of

options to get the ultimate vacation experience in stunning

wilderness surroundings.

In Finnish Lapland one can stay in a range of glass

igloos and luxury suites, that are purpose-built for viewing

Finland’s most impressive light show, the Northern Lights

visible from late August to April. Needless to say, this special

type of accommodation is perfect for admiring the beautiful

landscape through all seasons.

When saunas outnumber the cars

Finns are the unquestioned champions of sauna. Unofficially

there are over 3 million saunas in Finland. In a nation of 5.6

million people that is quite a lot – we have the same number

of cars. There are saunas in studio apartments, at summer

cottages and public swimming pools, gyms and hotels, on

boats and buses. There are several types of saunas, the most

common being electric, wood-heated and smoke saunas.

Sweating out the stress with regular cooling dips in

the lake is the ultimate way to purify both body and mind.

Photo: Julia Kivelä

Photo: Julia Kivelä

Photo: Harri Tarvainen

Healing has been an integral part of sauna for ages, and

there are scores of sauna-related wellness treatments

available. The Finns believe that there is nothing sauna can’t

heal!

Foodies found Finland

Would you have imagined that Finland has one of the

most vibrant food scenes in Europe? Tradition, innovation

and nature’s bounty all come together to offer an exciting

array of options when it comes to the pure and wild new

Finnish cuisine. Local plants and wildlife have found their

way to restaurants and have become maybe cooler than

ever before. The locals and visitors line up for the wild food

restaurants and want to try new tastes they did not even

know were there.

Wild food from Finland is pure, simple, seasonal, slowly

and naturally grown in about everywhere you look, adding

lots of wonderful things to the table according to seasons.

The light of the ‘nightless’ nights added with the world’s

cleanest air, soil and water, give Finnish products a distinct

range of flavour and intensity.

Think game, such as elk, moose, willow-groak or even

bear or reindeer and wild berries from sea-buckthorns and

lingon berries to cloudberries or yummy mushrooms such

as cep and chantarelle. Or fresh fish from pike to Baltic

herring topped with wild herbs such as chives.

The same climate is the secret behind the unique

flavours of micro-brewed beers, ciders, and the world’s best

gin (Napue by Kyrö Distillery Company) and non-alcoholic

Photo: Visit Finland

birch sap, chaga mushroom and sparkling made of spruce

sprout. These drinks will certainly break the ice!

Experience unforgettable moments in

the heart of the Finnish wilderness

Finland’s diverse nature offers an abundance of outdoor

activities for all tastes. Altogether 40 unique national parks are

a gate to the Finnish nature and each of them showcase the

natural characteristics of the area. They present archipelago

dotted by islands and islets, virgin forests reaching quietly

to the sky, lakes glimmering in a thousand shades of blue,

and the wilderness of the Lapland fells. Spending time in this

pristine nature is an unforgettable experience.

These untouched and beautiful landscapes provide

habitat for thousands of wild animals and birds – many of

which can be seen on arranged wildlife excursions and bird

watching sanctuaries. The parks offer ideal opportunities for

outdoor fun, such as hiking, climbing, fat biking and other

refreshing activities.

There is something for everybody – whether you’d like

to walk in the wilderness along age old tracks, go for a

short nature trip with your family or just wonder around

and – yes, eat wild. The so called “everyman’s right” means

that you can walk freely in the nature, anywhere you want

and it allows anyone to pick wild berries, herbs, mushrooms

and flowers and fish with a rod and a line by the lakes, rivers

and sea.

Source: Visit Finland


Business

Towards a world

without waste

Sweden joins efforts to fight

the ocean plastic pollution

in the Asia Pacific

By Joakim Persson

Coinciding with the Swedish Ambassador for the

Ocean Helen Ågren’s visit to Thailand, UNEP

(United Nations Environment Programme),

the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East

Asia (COBSEA) and the Government of

Sweden launched a four-year project in Southeast Asia, a

region in which many countries are major plastic polluters.

Significant quantities of plastic end up as marine litter in the

world’s oceans.

UNEP’s regional director for Asia and the Pacific, Dechen

Tsering, explained that “60 percent of all plastic that ends up

in our oceans comes from only six countries in Asia.”

Inexpensive plastic packaging and a take-away food

culture further contribute to widespread single-use plastic

use in the region. An additional challenge is the region’s

limited waste management capacity, which contributes to

mismanagement of over 75 percent of the region’s plastic

waste.


Sweden’s Ambassador to Thailand, Staffan Herrström

Swedish Ambassador for the Ocean, Helen Ågren

The new project aims to reduce the use of difficult-torecycle

plastic, increase collection and recycling of highvalue

plastic such as PET, and boost public awareness on

plastic pollution and support for improved plastic pollution

policies. The project will also work to improve the region’s

waste management systems.

UN Environment and COBSEA will engage stakeholders

throughout the plastic value chain, from plastic producers

and waste managers to individuals in coastal communities

who experience the impacts of plastic pollution.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Thailand, Staffan Herrström

said: “The condition of the world’s oceans is critical and

ocean governance is a high priority for Sweden. Through

our global efforts and collaboration, we strive to improve

governance, accelerate behavioural change to save the

oceans and achieve SDG 14. As we celebrate 150 years of

Thai-Swedish relations, I am pleased to see opportunities

for our two countries to join forces in combating a serious

global environmental challenge: the widespread plastic

pollution in our oceans.”

Also the Embassy of Sweden hosted a well-visited

and fruitful partner dialogue: ‘Beat plastic pollution

for a cleaner Ocean’, with the Ocean Ambassador

in attendance.

Helen Ågren, appointed since February 2018, has

been engaged in environmental issues ever since being a

student and then worked at Naturvårdsverket (Swedish

Environmental Protection Agency) on research regarding

waste and environmental adaptation of products – a very

relevant area connecting to marine pollution.

The new project with UNEP and COBSEA she said

is about establishing sustainable flows of plastic in Asia.

“The government has increased the funding for the global

strategy regarding international development cooperation

and focused more on the sea issue. The strategy for

Sweden has been dealing

with waste disposal

management and

has developed that.

And we are experts

within several areas,

especially within gas

from waste


Nuntivat Thamhatai, Public Affairs, at Coca-Cola Thailand

Ms Lejin Sun from NGO Grin Green International

Thailand and other

Asean countries rank in

the top ten where oceans

are found to be most

contaminated with

plastic debris

environment, climate, sustainable natural resources and sea

has been given more funding,” Helen Ågren told ScandAsia.

“To beat plastic pollution we have to work on many fronts:

from material development and standardization in order to

facilitate recycling, to increased consumer awareness and

behaviour change, to policy development that incentivizes a

circular economy, efficient use of resources and sustainable

waste management systems,” the ocean minister said in a

statement at the launch.

Know-how and solutions from Sweden could also be

transferred to Southeast Asia, she believed. “Sweden has

been dealing with waste disposal management and has

developed that. And we are experts within several areas,

especially within gas from waste.”

Sweden’s 34 “waste-to-energy” power plants. Instead of

burning coal or gas, this power plant burns trash. And we

recycle 89 per cent of all PET bottles.”

“So it is also about how to set up systems, and what

steering instruments one can use to create incentives for

the players to collect more and increase recycling and

material recycling.”

Commenting on the project Dechen Tsering Director,

Asia and the Pacific Office, UNEP said that the idea is to

look at how they can all turn the tide on plastics. “We

look at the whole plastic economy in Southeast Asia. We

work very closely with the intergovernmental mechanism

[COBSEA]. This support will really foster partnerships;

really important work is being done in most countries in

terms of how they work with the marine environment but

this programme will look at how to work with the plastic

economy across governments in the region, and together

with the private sector and academia. Aside advocacy, also


Dr. Chindarat Taylor, Founder and Director of Resource

Efficiency Pathway and Vice President Solid Waste

Management Association of Thailand (SWAT)

really start looking at what infrastructure and what kind of

regulations that are needed.”

Dechen Tsering also said that laws and agreements are

not always practical so the idea for this project is foster this

dialogue to come up with implementable policies.

Furthermore, there is already a regional action plan on

marine litter developed quite some years ago. The idea

with the support from Sweden is that they actually have

resources to actually implement this regional action plan

on marine litter.

During Sweden’s partner dialogue Dr Wijarn

Simachaya, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

said that the National Environmental Board has already set

up the sub-committee on the plastic litter management,

including representatives from the private sector and also

NGOs. “We are going to find the solutions and submit for

consideration how to move forward in dealing with the

plastic litter in our country.”

“Thailand and other Asean countries rank in the top ten

where oceans are found to be most contaminated with

plastic debris, including micro plastic. Also we have set up

regional Asean co-operation in the efforts to reduce marine

plastic debris,” he added.

Ms Lejin Sun, a 17-year-old student in Bangkok also

got to introduce the student-based NGO Grin Green

International. This NGO reaches out to organisations to try

to encourage them to reduce the use of single plastic waste.

“Our number one mission is to create a change in the

Thai culture regarding its views on disposable plastics. Our

NGO believes that in order to truly bring changes to - and

Dr. Suracha Udomsak, R&D Director and Emerging Business

Director, Chemicals Business, SCG

reduction of plastic – we have to start with the culture,”

said Lejin Sun.

“One of the main things and motivations is educational

reform. We truly believe that to implement and change the

culture of Thai people and the usage plastic we have to

start young because we are the future of this generation

and should start by educating the younger kids around us so

that in the future we would not die because of the amount

of plastic. So we are training a new generation of leaders,”

she explained.

The partner dialogue also included a solutions session

– with focus on plastic waste reduction. Dr. Suracha

Udomsak, R&D Director and Emerging Business

Director, Chemicals Business, SCG presented this Thai

company’s efforts. SCG he said took a tough decision

already in 2007, to stop producing plastic bags and instead

stake on producing plastic pipes.

Earlier in 2018 SCG also arranged a global forum on

Sustainability Development in Thailand, the ‘SD Symposium

2018’. It was held under the concept ‘Circular Economy:

The future we create’, where all sectors were invited

to collaborate in driving a circular economy by drawing

inspirations from leading organizations success stories

to create sustainability for natural resources. Attendees

included leading global companies as well as the government

sector, civil society, SMEs, start-ups, and local communities.

“From this year it has been very clear for us that at we

are going to move ahead with the circular economy,” said

Dr. Suracha.


Our NGO believes

that in order to truly

bring changes to - and

reduction of plastic –

we have to start

with the culture

“For us the key message is to use the resource efficiently.

In the past 20 years a lot of R&D on packaging was done to

serve the convenience of people. I think now the pendulum

is going to swing back, and people will use plastic more in

terms of their competitive advantages. We try to use our

strength as a conglomerate, for example we can send our

waste from the chemical plant and use as raw material for

pulp and paper industry. In pulp and paper one of the main

raw materials is recycled paper so in Southeast Asia we

have an extensive of network of people collecting waste

paper for us.”

Nuntivat Thamhatai, Public Affairs, at Coca-Cola Thailand

had also been invited to present Coca Cola’s efforts – very

much a work in progress and not to shine as a role model

yet.

“We know the plastic issue is a very challenging issue,

and we do not know how we are going to end it but we

know for sure that we need to end it, for a better world and

for the next generation,” began Nuntivat.

Earlier in the year the Coca-Cola CEO made a global

announcement for a ‘World Without Waste’, meaning the

multinational’s packaging should no longer end up as waste

and which included many commitments.

“We believe that our packaging can be designed in a new

way so that it just doesn’t end up being just waste and a

burden to society. In this area we made two commitments,

first, we need to change packaging so that it becomes one

hundred per cent recyclable by 2025. Second one is that

we will try to introduce at least fifty per cent of recyclable

content into our packaging. “

With their Thai drinking water brand he said the company

already changed brand identity some five years ago and

stopped using the cap plastic wrap, plus reduced the use of

virgin plastic in bottles by 25 per cent.


However, a main legislative challenge remains in Thailand:

“The Food and drug administration does not allow the

use of recyclable plastic in food and beverage packaging.

That prohibited us from really experimenting around

introduction of recyclable PET [Polyethylene terephthalate]

into our packaging. We have been engaging with them as

well as the Thai Industrial Standard Institute to perhaps

consider changing the law to accommodate this. Although

right now PET is actually slightly more expensive than virgin

PET but we would like to start introducing recyclable PET

right away.”

The modern recycling technology is also tried and tested

internationally, said Nuntivat, so it should not be an issue.

“There is no reason why Thailand cannot follow other

countries’ path. So hopefully in a not too distant future

we’ll be able to change the regulation and start introducing

recyclable content into our packaging.”

“This is a big challenge and no one single entity can

really solve this issue alone. Collaboration is key and it

is the same for this part of our commitment, We are

committed to partnering with organisations, civil society,

private, government in order to really get people be

more aware and do their in terms of keeping the

environment clean and debris-free, whether it is on land,

sea and a lot of that has to do with communication and

education,” he said.

“We are talking to a lot of like-minded entities, especially

private companies because we think that the private

sector tends to move a bit faster, with perhaps a bit more

resources and if they really are into the same purpose that

have, meaning creating a World Without Waste then there

should be a bit enough common ground for us to work

together towards that vision.”

“Let us meet to try to set up this alliance and then

move forward and what I actually found so far is that a lot

of people are working on this issue. But each tends to have

their focus areas. And not enough people have actually been

talking to each other.”

“But a lot of that has to do with legislation as well and

that is difficult. Most of us will agree that people right now

are using a lot of plastic bags, because we have been doing

that for decades. And we need to change that,” Nuntivat

added.

“People do not segregate. So if only people start doing

that there will be more cans and PET bottles going into

recycling and less going to landfill. So source segregation is

probably the most impactful thing we can really do in order

to really change the game. And you cannot expect the poor

to really stop what they are doing. It takes government

officials doing their job, enforcing the law, taking action to

stop this littering.”

“Right now there is a lot of demand for recycle packaging,

so if we can really push for effective source segregation a lot

of that will go back to be circular economy already.”

Upcycling of waste into value-added products is another

area. “Or if we can use more PET content in our recycling

packaging that will probably help create more demand and

hopefully more demand would mean a better price.”

Coca Cola Thailand also wants to stop waste from

entering into the ocean. “We have seen some technology

on how to stop it and we wonder why it has not been

invested into already. I want to find out and perhaps we will

partner with civil society and even technologies to stop that.

So that is the area we are working on. It’s just the start of

our journey but we try to do it in the most evidence-based

fashion that we can in order to really ensure that what we

are doing will move the needle.”


Business

Business Climate

Survey Malaysia 2018

Based on insights from Swedish companies on the ground

Business Sweden has launched the Business Climate Survey

Malaysia 2018. The report presents an aggregated picture

of the Malaysian market from the point of view of Swedish

companies present there.

By Joakim Persson

Kacper Pierzynowski, Project Manager at Business Sweden Malaysia


Malaysian spring has indeed been

eventful; a historic win in the general

election by the opposition alliance

led by the country’s former leader,

“The

Mahathir Mohamad, ended the ruling

party’s 60-year-old grip on power. The political turbulence

can contribute to some short-term uncertainty but most

indicators suggest that Malaysia will grow stronger and

continue its progress to a high-income country,” writes

Emil Akander, Acting Trade Commissioner of Sweden to

Malaysia.

“Understanding where the political and economic

situation is headed in Malaysia is not easy. We believe that

input from the Swedish players on the market on their

expectations and intentions is an important complement

to other sources of information and analysis.”

Insights from those with boots on the ground constitute

an important complement in the decision-making, Business

Sweden argues.

“The Malaysian economy has shown a remarkable

strength throughout the last decade, growing by an average

of 5% per year since 2008. Many argue that the general

election upset, although it will create some short-term

uncertainty, gives Malaysia the possibility to finally start to

tackle some of the institutional problems that are holding

back the country’s long-term prospects,” Emil Akander

furthermore states in his summary.

The survey took place in late April/May 2018, and was

thus conducted before the general election held in May.

The report represents a diversified and representative

sample for the Swedish business in Malaysia covering most

company groups represented on the market.

29 companies participated of which 59 % represent

large global corporations. Almost a quarter of respondents

don’t have a legal entity in Malaysia, being present on the

market via partner (e.g. JV, agent, distributors).

44% of the respondents got established in Malaysia

between year 1957 - 2000 and it took 18 years to more

than double that amount of companies entering the

Malaysian market. The Majority of the surveyed companies

are present in order to sell their products/services to the

local market.

Swedish companies have a positive market outlook and

are planning to invest further. 90 % plan to invest in

the next three years.

A majority of the companies (62%) are expecting

revenue growth numbers of more than 10% for the coming

years. A high degree of respondents indicate that they will

invest in ‘Marketing & Sales’ (55%). This may be related to

the notion that Malaysians are quite brand-conscious.

83 % expect revenues to grow the in the next three

years while 62 % expect positive profit margins. Of the

surveyed companies, 69% report a positive historic growth

while 83% project positive growth. This positive outlook

is shared within most industries and company sizes. Small

companies are the most optimistic, closely followed by

major companies.

The increased optimism is linked to Malaysia’s strong

employment number that is boosting private consumption,

while investment is also helping to drive growth, states the

report.

The strongest revenue projections by the surveyed

companies are within the ‘Automotive & Transport’ sector.

While they project revenue growth, the surveyed

companies expecting lower profit margins going forward

in general.

Malaysia’s business-friendly and market-oriented

economy (ranked globally in World Bank´s latest Ease of


Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt

doing business ranking), in combination with supportive

government policies and a large local business community,

are attracting foreign investments and, concurrently,

increasing the intensity of competition (however, there are

still some bureaucratic hinders).

The New Economic Model (NEM) launched in 2010 by

the government in order to “shift (the economy) to a higher

level of value added and productivity” with related initiatives

for productivity and sustainability is attracting an increasing

number of foreign companies.

For the past several years China has increased its

presence in Malaysia coming in with large investments.

This has increased the competition and set a downward

pressure on the price levels and thus profit margins.

Price sensitivity and competition are highlighted as the

key challenges for market success. The Malaysian customers

are, in general, price sensitive.

As for in any market, it is important to communicate the

unique selling points and values , and that must be tailormade

to fit the local clients. Due to the high diversity in the

country´s demographics, demonstrating cultural sensitivity,

tact and understanding of the market gap builds trust.

‘Competition’ is not considered a key challenge within

‘Business Services’, ‘ICT’ and ‘Industrial Equipment.

On the positive side Malaysia offers: a cost-efficient

market, strategic location and a well developed valued chain.

skilled labour’ is considered a key challenge

within industry-heavy sectors such as ‘ICT’ and

‘Finding

‘Automotive & Transport’, suggesting an undersupply

of qualified engineers. The positive GDP projection

is likely to lead to a corresponding increment in talent

demand, particularly within the technology sector.

Demand for mid-to high-level employees with digital

skills, such as software programming and data analytics, is

increasing fast. In a talent-short market (unemployment

rate averaging between 3.2-3.7% last 10 years), this means

that competition for high-quality candidates will, most likely,

become even tougher.


A challenge for the Malaysian economy is also the need

to increase productivity to stay competitive. This is creating

the demand for investments in productive and innovative

Swedish products and services – an opportunity to take

advantage of, states the report.

79% of the surveyed companies indicate that the

Swedish brand is perceived positively in Malaysia (the rest,

21%, neutral).

The Swedish brand is associated with innovative products

and services, which are strong differentiators in the Malaysian

market. These should be highlighted, recommends Business

Sweden. And while keeping the Swedish brand image, the

value offering should be localized to gain the confidence of

local customers.

Swedish businesses should also show that they care

about the Malaysian market by sharing expertise within

sustainability and innovation.

“Swedish companies operating in Malaysia increasingly

differentiate themselves by showing their commitment to

the local market, such as carrying out corporate social

responsibility programs that contributes to the community,

job creation and other added value.”

Malaysia is well-positioned, both with regards to

geography and cost structure, for continued growth and

Swedish businesses

Embedded in the middle of the ASEAN region, Malaysia’s

strategic location and competitive position make it an

attractive for destination to set up regional hubs and similar.

Malaysia has a low-cost base with workers 25% of

what their counterparts earn in neighbouring Singapore.

The country remains strongly focused on assembly, testing,

design, and development involved in component parts.

at the aggregated market characteristics

and input from the Swedish companies present

“Looking the market, we can conclude that the business

opportunities are vast and the optimism for the future is

big,” concludes Emil Akander.

As the survey was presented on 3 October in Singapore

the Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia, Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt

commented: “There is great interest for Malaysia among

Swedish corporations in Singapore. With more transparency,

accountability & good governance, Malaysia’s attraction

for investments will increase. Rule of law, transparency,

and social and political stability are good for business &

investments.”

“There are defined opportunities in the areas such

as Smart Manufacturing & Smart Cities where Swedish

companies are already seen as a role model & key partner

for value add creation. The country’s strong commitment

to implement a digital agenda will further trigger demand

for new technologies & innovative companies,” said Kacper

Pierzynowski, Project Manager at Business Sweden Malaysia.

Source: Business Sweden

Business

Finland’s Consul General for Hong Kong and Macao, Johanna Karanko

China-Finland Committee for Innovative

Business Cooperation

The 3rd meeting of China-Finland

Committee for Innovative

Business Cooperation was

organized on 8 November in Shanghai

during the China International Import

Expo (preceded by working groups

meetings on 7 November).

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade

and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen

also attended the Committee meeting.

The Committee was established

during President Xi’s visit to Finland in

spring 2017. Its members are leading

investment companies from both

countries.

Minister Virolainen’s visit was

organised in cooperation with Business

Finland, which is part of Team Finland.

The Team Finland delegation included a

total of 13 Finnish companies, while 36

companies make up the Committee for

Innovative Business Cooperation.

In May 2017, Chinese President Xi

Jinping announced at the Belt and Road

Forum for International Cooperation

that China will hold China International

Import Expo (CIIE) starting from 2018.

By organizing this Expo, the Chinese

government aims to show support

to trade liberalization and economic

globalization and actively open the

Chinese market to the world. This is

the 1st time that China organizes an

Expo focusing on import. It is one of

the most important trade policy events

happening in China in 2018.

Chinese government will invite

Chinese enterprises from across

the country to come to do business

during the Expo. Merchants from

third countries will also be invited. It’s

estimated that 150,000 domestic and

foreign professional purchasers will

participate in the Expo.

Governments and companies from

over 60 countries joined the Expo

and Finland also participated. Finland

had national pavilion of 160 sqm at

the Expo to demonstrate its country

image.

“China is Finland’s fourth biggest

trading partner; last year, the value of

trade in goods between the countries

reached EUR 8 million. The CIIE offers

companies good opportunities to

network with both Chinese companies

and authorities,” said Minister Anne-

Mari Virolainen.

Consul General Johanna Karanko (in

Hong Kong and Macau) also attended

the China International Import Expo

with Team Finland, including the opening

ceremony for the China-Finland

Committee for Innovative Business

Cooperation, organized as part of the

Expo.

Sources: Consulate General of Finland in

Hong Kong and Macau, Business Finland


Business

Minister Lintilä led Team Finland visit

to Vietnam

On 14–19 October 2018

Finland’s Minister of

Economic Affairs Mika

Lintilä headed a Team Finland visit

to Vietnam to promote exports

and internationalisation of Finnish

companies. The business delegation

accompanying the Minister consisted

in 24 representatives especially from

the sectors of energy, water and waste

management technology, bioeconomy

and digital technology.

During the visit, Minister Lintilä and

the business delegation met Vietnam’s

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam

to discuss innovation policy and the

bilateral economic relations between

the countries. The delegation also met

Minister of Science and Technology

Chu Ngoc Anh, Minister of Information

and Communications Nguyen Manh

Hung, Minister of Construction Pham

Hong Ha, Deputy Minister of Industry

and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong, Deputy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural

Development Ha Cong Tuan, Deputy

Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van

Son, and Deputy Minister of Planning


and Investment Le Quang Manh.

In addition, the delegation had a

meeting with Eric Sidgwick, Country

Director of the Asian Development

Bank, and Sebastian Eckardt, the World

Bank’s Lead Economist for the region.

The programme also included a

round-table discussion with local

software developers, a meeting

with representatives of the Vietnam

Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

and a visit to the water treatment

plant of Hanoi. The delegation also

met Hoang Binh Quan, Communist

Party of Vietnam External Relations

Chairman, and discussed cooperation

possibilities in smart city projects with

the Mayors of Hanoi and Ho Chi

Minh City. The delegation introduced

Finland’s expertise in urban waste,

energy and water management and

public transport in workshops led by

different members of the delegation.

The Embassy of Finland in Hanoi

also arranged a networking event for

local opinion leaders and the Finnish

business delegation.

Vietnam is an emerging country

with rapid economic growth and more

than 90 million people. It is also a

Member State of the Association of

Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN. The

relations between the EU and Vietnam

are developing, and the forthcoming

entry into force of the free trade

agreement will open new opportunities

Business

for investments and trade in Vietnam.

Companies represented in the

business delegation were: Cloud Asset

Oy, Doranova Oy, EduExcellence

Oy, Ferroplan Oy, Finland Chamber

of Commerce, Finnish Environment

Institute (SYKE), BMH Technology

Oy, FinnSEA Oy, Finnvera plc, Fortum

Power and Heat Oy, IQ Payments Oy,

IWA Oy, KaukoInternational Oy, Nokia

Corporation, Pexraytech, Simosol Oy,

Toip Oy, Turku Science Park Ltd., Valmet

Co., Ltd., Wärtsilä Corporation

On 18 October a ‘We Love Finland

party’ took place in Ho Chi Minh city

organised in the honor of the visit of

Minister Mika Lintilä. It was an excellent

opportunity for the business delegation

to network with Vietnamese companies

and city representatives. Three

Memorandums of Understanding were

also signed at the event and a Finnish DJ

played some Finnish music at the event.

Sources: Embassy of Finland in Hanoi,

Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs

Danske Bank hosted Sino-Nordic

Seafood Forum

Danske Bank has hosted the

second ‘Danske Bank Sino-

Nordic Seafood Forum’ in

Qingdao China. 17 companies on

three panels and full house of guests

consisting of leading seafood industrial

players and investors from China and

the Nordics gathered to discuss growth

prospects, sector outlook and cross

border cooperation, reported Danske

Bank.

Source: Yanling Zheng of Danske Bank

in China


Business

3 rd Sino-Swedish Innovation

& Entrepreneurship Forum

On 21 November Sino-Swedish

Innovaton & Entrepreneurship

Center’s 3rd Sino-Swedish

Entrepreneurship Forum took place

in Beijing.

The Forum is an important

instrument, for enhancing the Swedish

profile as a leading innovation- and

knowledge nation in China as well as

for communicating experiences and

developing networks for bilateral

cooperation between Sweden and

China in the field of innovation and

entrepreneurship.

“There is a lot to be learned from

sharing experiences. Sweden and China

are global powerhouses of innovation,

one by punching way above its weight

in per capita metrics, and the other

by the sheer size and potential of


its ecosystems,” Martin Vercouter,

General Manager, Swedish Chamber of

Commerce in China, wrote on Linkedin.

”After a great presentation of

Swedish strengths by Marie Wall, I had

the pleasure to share some thoughts on

policy, and the different roles established

companies can play, at SSIEC’s 3rd Sino-

Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum in

Beijing.”

The first ever Sino-Swedish

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Forum took place in 2016 at Hangxing

Science Park in Beijing on 21 November,

organized by alumni organization

Sweden Alumni Network in China

(SANC), Swedish Young Professionals

and Zhongguancun Hangxing Science

Park.

SSIEC provides an ecosystem with

a physical space for the development

of sustainable and lucrative business

solutions. With a physical space in the

heart of China’s capital and direct access

to local resources, SSIEC serves as a

project development, match-making

and networking platform. Through

cooperation with Nordic and Chinese

organizations, our platform serves as

the link between two innovation-driven

societies, and facilitates interactions,

business opportunities, and cultural

exchange.

Source: Martin Vercouter, General

Manager, Swedish Chamber of

Commerce in china; SSIEC

Business

Nordcham Vietnam launched new logo

Nordcham Vietnam has

announced that a new logo,

officially implemented by

Nordcham Vietnam from now on.

“In partnership with Doodle Brands,

we have altered our logo to reflect

who we are today and to symbolize

our dynamic future,” states Nordcham

in Vietnam.

“The new logo not only features

Nordic values, but also captures how

we ‘Collaborate & Innovate the Nordic

Way’ with our members/partners

here in Vietnam. It was designed with

combination of distinctive Nordic and

Vietnamese inspired colours, shapes

and typography. It is a reflection of our

Nordic-Vietnam Friendship and our

goal of promoting cross-cultural ties

and partnerships across Vietnam.”

This development marks 20th year

of Nordcham, an important milestone

on their journey of providing support

to Nordic companies and individuals

operating in Vietnam.

Source: Nordcham Vietnam

SKF consolidates, invests in new China

manufacturing facility

SKF of Sweden is investing

approximately SEK 200 million

in improving its competitiveness

and customer service levels for tapered

roller bearings (TRB) in China. The

investment is being made in a new

manufacturing facility in Changshan,

to which the Group’s existing smallsize

TRB manufacturing in China will

be transferred. As a result, three

existing sites in Ningbo, Shanghai and

Changshan will be closed.

“The tapered roller bearing market

in China continues to show solid

levels of growth, driven largely by the

industrial gearbox and drives segments.

The investment in Changshan allows us

to capitalise on this trend by bringing

our SKF, GBC and PEER brands and

expertise together, under one roof,”

says Patrick Tong, President, Industrial

Sales, Asia.

The new manufacturing facility in

Changshan is expected to be fully

operational during Q1 2019.

SKF combines hands-on experience

in over 40 industries with their

knowledge across the SKF technology

platforms: bearings and units, seals,

motion technologies, services and

lubrication systems.


Community

A talk with the new

Swedish pastor

on Phuket

ScandAsia has met Anders Stenbäck, the new pastor of the Church

of Sweden in Southern Thailand. Raised in Malaysia, he now returns

to Asia to work among Swedes in the region and hopes to let them

feel that it is them, and not him, who are the most essential part of

the church

By Lærke Weensgaard


A church needs a pastor,

but the pastor is not the

church. It is the people

who come here that

are the church

The Swedish church on the island Phuket looks

nothing like a church at all. In fact, it is a normal

house. At first glance, only a little picture of Jesus

and an interim altar in the living room reveal

that it is a religious place. At the same time, it is

also the new home of pastor Anders Stenbäck and his wife,

deacon Ulrika Stenbäck.

“That’s all there is: The two of us, our home and a car and

so we are responsible of the Church of Sweden in Southern

Thailand,” says 57-year-old Anders Stenbäck, sitting in the

living room.

They began their new positions on Phuket in September

2018. Based on Phuket, they will do their best to help

Swedes in Southern Thailand for the next three years.

The new pastor believes the church should be humble

and serving. He seems to embody that ideal himself with

his calm attitude and soft voice. This day, the church’s choir

will practice and when the first member apologizes for

showing up early, Anders Stenbäck just smiles and tells him

not to worry.

Anders Stenbäck thinks of the church as a community.

The lack of an actual church building does not matter to

him, since it is people and not brick walls that makes up a

community.

“A church needs a pastor, but the pastor is not the

church. It is the people who come here that are the church.

They do not come here to watch what I am doing as a

pastor, they come here so that we can do things together

as a church,” he says.

As the remaining members of the choir arrive, the house

changes from being the home of a couple to becoming the

church.

Thailand and Malaysia

Anders Stenbäck hands out songbooks and grabs his guitar.

Together with the choir, he starts singing Abba’s “Waterloo”.

As they sing the sun sets outside the windows that offer a

great view of one Phuket’s many beaches.

It is only seven months since the pastor and his wife

sat foot in Thailand for the first time. That was in April

2018,when they came to Phuket to see the house and talk

to the locals. It was not to consider whether they might

want the live and work here – they had already said yes

before they arrived.


I was bewildered myself,

when I came back to

Sweden from Malaysia as

a teenager. I had not yet

learnt the social codes

in Sweden

Originally, it was Ulrika Stenbäck who wanted to work

abroad, while at first Anders Stenbäck was not too keen. He

began to change his mind 1,5 year ago, when they visited

some of Ulrika Stenbäck’s relatives, who were stationed in

Los Angeles with the same assignment.

“In Los Angeles I saw that it was very meaningful to work

with Swedes abroad and I gradually began to think it could

be exciting. I was still very much into my work in Sweden

and I was very hesitant leaving, but I am so glad I did. It is a

good break after so many years in the same place.”

After 29 years in Sweden’s second biggest city,

Gothenburg, the three years leave in Thailand is their first

job outside Sweden.

However, Anders Stenbäck is no stranger to Asia. He

was raised in Malaysia and lived there until he was 13 years

old. He believes his upbringing in Malaysia will help him

settle down quickly in Thailand.

When the choir finishes singing, he slips upstairs to

change into a vestment before the service begins. Like

many other places in Thailand, the heat means there is

no reason to wear socks inside, and Anders Stenbäckis

still barefooted when he comes back downstairs in his

vestment.

Impact of Buddism

From the house of the Swedish church you can spot

Phuket’s famous big Buddha. It overlooks the island on top

of a steep hill. Christians are clearly a minority here, which

is also the case in Malaysia. With his background in Malaysia,

Anders Stenbäck thinks he has an advance in being familiar

with belonging to a minority.

In his experience, the Buddist culture of Thailand has an

impact on the Swedes living here, making them more aware

of the religious dimensions of life. He also thinks many of

them have become better at asking for help, because they

know it is common to feel bewildered in a new culture.


“I was bewildered myself, when I came back to Sweden

from Malaysia as a teenager. I had not yet learnt the social

codes in Sweden. Maybe my time in Thailand is a chance for

me to understand Swedes even better as they open up,”

he says.

More than 20 Swedes fill up the living room on plastic

chairs during the service and most of them are long-term

residents on Phuket. Just like in many other churches, some

sings loudly during the hymns, while others stay quiet.

Expats and tourists

Anders Stenbäck is grateful for the Swedish expats because

they help him and his wife to ease into the life in Thailand.

On the other hand, the pastor can help them if they are in

need of support:

“The expats are the experts, so we can support each

other in different ways.”

The expats are not the only Swedes the church is for. It

also offers help to tourists and a few have shown up for the

service. Their red, sunburned skin reveals that they have not

been in Thailand for long.

“If some tourists are in stressful situations, we can

help them understand the big picture as they are new to

Phuket. We try to help them to find their own motivation

to do things rather than us taking over,” says Anders

Stenbäck.

When the service is over, the Swedes sit down to chat.

When you close the frontdoor, only a little sign outside

saying ‘Swedish church’ reveals the community inside.


Community

Swea’s 2018 regional

Asia-Pacific meeting set

the stage for 40 Years

Anniversary

SWEA (Swedish Women’s Educational Association

International, Inc) in Bangkok recently hosted the

2018 annual regional meeting for the Asia Pacific.

There, the joint activities, including participation in

other Swea International events, were presented

by Regional President Anna Centerman in Beijing.

The accounts were duly presented by Regional Treasurer

Ann-Marie Gustafsson.

Donations and scholarships in 2017 amounted to 31

847 USD or 45 000+ SEK, and included, among other things,

a Swedish cook book in Beijing, Swedish school Melbourne,

and a Easter party held in Klong Toey, Bangkok.

The Swea vision was presented to the participating local

Swea section representatives. This vision includes:

• To be the largest Sweden-promoting organisation

outside Sweden

• A “must” for Swedish-speaking women who move

abroad

• An organisation one is proud being part of

• A transparent organisation with a clear message

• A professional, modern and communicative organisation

‘Tomorrow’s SWEA’, in recognition of international

changes was also highlighted, which is to be an active and

professional network for Swedish-speaking women with

different background and in various stages in their life, as

well as to promote friendship, contacts and their Swedish

identity.

Each Swea section presented their activities, where

it became clear that in several Asian cities many

Swea membes - ‘Sweor’ - are active business women

and entrepreneurs these days. ScandAsia here highlights


Anna Frummerin, SWEA Bangkok

Hong Kong and Singapore, represented by local Presidents

Catarina Bygge and Anna Seefeldt respectively.

“We are about 80 members but we have quite a large

turnover of members because many stay for 2-5 years and

then move on. We had a great 80’s party this spring which

was very successful for celebrating our 30th anniversary,”

informed Catarina.

“As in all countries where Swea is located, Swea Hong

Kong is the most important network, which is a great helpperhaps

most of the time in Hong Kong, but also later when

you are wondering about something and need help by

someone who has previously mentioned or has information

about what can be done,” she continued..

Also socially the organisation plays an important role,

with many different activities being held, including some

Kjell Bergqvist, special guest

popular recurring events, such as hiking and my ‘My Hong

Kong’ (where the members take turn to guide in various

parts of the city).

“There are many hiking trails around Hong Kong with

stunning scenery and it’s a fun way to see different parts of

Hong Kong and the surrounding areas.”

Swea collaborates with other local Swedish organisations,

such as the General Consulate, Swedcham, the Swedish

Church and the Swedish School, holding regular meetings.

“We also arrange a welcome event together every fall

for new Swedes arriving to Hong Kong.”

Swea Hong Kong is also engaged in the celebration of

Swedish festivals.

Take an International Educational Programme at Stenhus Gymnasium

International Programmes

The school offers the Pre-IB programme

(year 11) as well as the

highly recognized IB Diploma Programme

(years 12 and 13).

Boarding School

As an international student at Stenhus

Gymnasium, you have unique

access to our boarding school.

Sports Colleges

Stenhus Gymnasium is recognized

as an Elite Sports High School. We

run Sports Colleges in the following

sports: badminton, basketball, football,

handball, and tennis.

For further information, please see

www.stenhus-gym.dk or contact our

IB office at (+45) 59 40 09 46.

Stenhusvej 20

4300 Holbæk

Denmark


SWEA Hong Kong was celebrating 30 years during 2018.

Singapore also has a high turnover of members, currently

150-170, of whom some are on their first foreign posting.

“No one has been in the Board longer than two years in

recent times. Therefore, we are now trying to put together

a few simpler templates so that you can easily pick up when

someone new comes along,” reported Anna Seefeldt

“An introductory document will make it easier for new

people to jump on a position without having a handover.

There is a lot of information about SWEA that can easily

be lost otherwise.”

They are also working on having a local photo archive

for reuse in the future, and to have an “exciting archive for

future anniversaries”.

In general Swea Singapore enjoys strong support from

Swedes in Singapore and different companies. Within Team

Sweden they have regular meetings to stay informed.

“We are well respected and usually have the greatest

impact when it comes to sharing information with the

Swedes in the country.”

They also produce their own magazine to be proud of:

“It is a lifestyle magazine that, apart from our members,

is distributed to different places where we share our

experiences and tips to other Swedes in the country or

who are on their way.”

Their donation group is also working hard to set up a

scholarship for approval at their next annual meeting in


February 2019. It is planned to be a language scholarship,

valid for a certain place in Sweden.

The programme for the coming year will be very

special, as Swea will celebrate 40 years as an

organisation in 2019.

30 March will be the kickoff for this anniversary year. On

11 May the biggest 40 Years celebration takes place when

Swea members worldwide gathers.

Following on that a private anniversary trip to Sicily takes

place during 22-29 May. And during the summer period

in Sweden a trip to the Bjäre peninsula will take place on

2-5 July.

On 9 August a half-day conference will be held at

Clarion Hotel Sign, in Stockholm.

The celebrations culminate during 14-17 November,

with the world meeting in Dubai as the grand finale for the

anniversary.

The regional meeting in Bangkok also had the famous

Swedish actor Kjell Berqvist, because of his Swedish

family’s charity work and educational efforts in Thailand.

Kjell Bergqvist, supported by his family presented

how they started a swimming school and how it has

expanded, including setting up a proper, registered

‘stiftelse’ foundation back in Sweden called ‘Familjen

Bergqvist Insamlingsstiftelse’. This foundation received a

donation from Swea.

We print and ship from Bangkok

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ScandAsia December 2018

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