ScandAsia South East Asia - June 2016

JUN 2016
Malaysia
Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
The King and Queen
of Sweden bring Global Child Forum to Asia
ScandAsia.dk ScandAsia.fi ScandAsia.no ScandAsia.se

Malaysia
Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
Coming Events
JUN 2016
EuroCham Cambodia: HR Forum
Where: Intercontinental Hotel
When: 16 June, 08:00 - 12:30
The King and Queen
of Sweden bring Global Child Forum to Asia
ScandAsia.dk ScandAsia.fi ScandAsia.no ScandAsia.se
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ScandAsia
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Tentative agenda
08:00 – 08:30 Registration
08:30 – 09:00 Opening remarks
EuroCham Chairman
H.E. Mr. George Edgar, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Cambodia (TBC)
Minister of Labour and Vocational Training (TBC)
09:00 – 09:15 Coffee Break
09:15 – 09:45 First Keynote Speech
09:45 – 10:45 Panel discussion: Apprenticeship and Vocational training
10:45 – 11:15 Second Keynote Speech
11:15 – 12:15 Second Panel discussion: Healthcare and NSSF
12:15 – 12:30 Wrap Up Session
Cost: EuroCham members 30 USD, non-members 40 USD (includes coffee break and lunch)
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NBCP: Renewable Energy Seminar
Where: New World Makati Hotel Ballroom
When: Tuesday, June 14, 2016, 8.30 AM - 12.00 PM
The movers and shakers of the
Philippine renewable energy sector will
discuss the current outlook and future
prospects of the industry. An overview
of the Philippine RE sector will be given,
financing opportunities are presented,
and leading project developers for
hydro, solar, and wind energy will
share their experience on projects
implemented. Organised by Nordic
Business Council of the Philippines
Speakers:
*Petri Haataja, Head of Energy Consulting APAC, Poyry
*Knud Hedeager, COO, Alternergy
*Leandro Legarda Leviste, Founder, Solar Philippines
*Tor Stokke, Country Director, SNPower Philippines
*Walter Wassmer, Senior Executive Vice President, BDO Unibank
A panel discussion with Q&A and the following networking luncheon provide the opportunity to
interact with our speakers and participants. The seminar is done in partnership with NBCP premium
member BDO Unibank, Inc. and Poyry Energy, Inc.
Admission fees (includes breakfast & lunch): NBCP members: PHP 1900, Guests (non-members):
PHP 2500
For inquiries, contact NBCP events secretariat: events@nbcp.com.ph
EUFTA Seminar and site visit
Dinh Vu Industrial Zone
Where: Hanoi – Saigon ballroom, Harbour View Hotel,
12 Tran Phu street, Haiphong
When: Wednesday, 15 June 2016, 1:30pm - 7:00pm
In collaboration with EuroCham and VCCI Haiphong branch, Deep C
Industrial Zone is pleased to invite you to the seminar: The Vietnam –
European Union Free Trade Agreement: what’s in for me?
Fee: 100 seats available / first come first served
Register: www.eurochamvn.org/node/15621

Carlsberg introduces Tuborg beer in Vietnam
News Brief
On 8 April 2016 the Danish Embassy,
Hanoi participated in Carlsberg’s launch
gala in occasion of the introduction of
Tuborg beer in the Vietnamese market. Tuborg
beer has experienced great success in other
markets and is sold in 70 countries worldwide. In
fact, the brand surpassed Carlsberg in terms of
sale and volume in 2015.
Tuborg beer has a long history in Denmark
and was founded in 1880.
Source: Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 3

News Brief
Malaysian-Finnish Business Council celebrates 15
Malaysian-Finnish Business Council (MFBC)
is celebrating its 15th anniversary in
2016.
To honour their long history, the hard work
and time everyone involved in MFBC have
contributed with over the years, they celebrated
with a casual dinner on Saturday 23 April and
enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner in Kuala Lumpur
with their Directors and Members.
At the same event they presented Dato’
Moehamad Izat Bin Achmad Habechi Emir, one
of the founding members of our council, with a
lifetime honorary membership.
MFBC thanks everyone that participated in
the evening!
Source: MFBC
NBCP Annual Awards 2016 in Manila
4 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016
Nordic Business Council Philippines
(NBCP) held its annual awards night at
the Fairmont Makati Hotel on 6 April.
ABS-CBN Foundation Chairperson Gina
Lopez gave a powerful keynote message on
ecotourism and social entrepreneurship, and
NBCP awards were presented.
The 2016 winners were as follows:
• Company of the Year - Investment and
Employment, co-presented by BDO Unibank:
Jotun (Philippines) Inc.
• Growth Company of the Year, co-presented by
KMC MAG Group: Vestas Shared Service A/S -
Philippine ROHQ
• CSR Activity of the Year, co-presented by
Fairmont Makati Hotel: Delta Minerals
• Outstanding Employer of the Year, co-presented
by Kittelson & Carpo Consulting: Grundfos IS
Source: Nordic Business Council Philippines

Bangkok, Thailand
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 5

News Brief
Leadership change Carlsberg Malaysia
Carlsberg Malaysia’s current MD Henrik
Juel Andersen will take on the same
position on 1 July 2016 for Lao Brewery
Company Ltd (LBC) and will also be responsible
for Carlsberg’s successful joint venture partnership
in Cambodia. . Lars Lehmann, aged 49, the current
Regional CEO, Western Europe Challenger
Markets of the Carlsberg Group, will take over at
the helm of Carlsberg Malaysia Group. Henrik will
succeed Kissana Vongsay, the current Managing
Director of LBC, who will retire from the daily
operations of the country’s leading beer and soft
drinks Company in Laos.
“Henrik has delivered excellent results
throughout his three years at the Carlsberg
Malaysia Group. He has grown our business in
a challenging macro-environment and delivered
excellent shareholder returns. He successfully
boosted the performance of our premium
portfolio brands, restructured the businesses in a
way that has delivered strong margin growth and
built an empowered senior management team in
both Malaysia and Singapore. He will be missed
by many colleagues and customers alike. The
Carlsberg Group is very pleased to have such a
seasoned leader to take over our business in Laos,
one of the largest businesses in the Carlsberg
Group and a crown jewel in our portfolio of
companies,” said Graham Fewkes commented,
Executive Vice President, Asia, Carlsberg Group
Chairman of Carlsberg Malaysia Group, Dato’
Lim Say Chong said: “Henrik Juel Andersen has
made significant improvements in driving the
Malaysia and Singapore operations despite a
more challenging operating environment in the
last few years. His foresight and strong industry
knowledge have helped the Company to turn
challenges into growth opportunities. He led
the Malaysia and Singapore operations into
sustainable growth in revenue and profits yearon-year.”
“Throughout his 13 years with the Carlsberg
Group, Lars Lehmann has undertaken various
senior commercial and general management
positions across the Carlsberg Group most
recently as regional CEO for Western Europe
Challenger markets and Export & License division,
with a total turnover of RM 6 billion”, Lim shared
about the incoming new MD.
New Swedish Cambodia
ambassador appointed
Swedish Ministry
of Health Malaysia visit
The government has appointed Ministers Maria Sargren ambassador
to Phnom Penh.
Maria Sargren today serves as Minister Counsellor at the
Permanent Representation in Brussels. She has previously served inter alia
the United Nations in New York, at the representation in Geneva, at the
embassy in Harare and as a national expert at the European Commission
in Brussels.
Meanwhile, the current Swedish Ambassador to Cambodia, Anna Maj
Hultgård, will host a seminar and networking in Bangkok on 23 May 2016,
hosted by the Embassy of Sweden.
On the topic ‘Doing Business in Cambodia: Opportunities and
Challenges’. According to World Bank Cambodia has enjoyed annual rapid
growth, averaging 7.7 per cent annual for two decades.
The members of the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce are
invited to attend, including a networking, held at the Embassy of Sweden
in Bangkok.
Maria Sargren assumes her new position in September.
Swedish State Secretary Ms. Pernilla Baralt, Ministry of Health and
Social Affairs, visited Kuala Lumpur with a delegation one 4-6 May
2016.
The program included meetings with Ms. Marianne Clark-Hattingh,
Representative for UNICEF in Malaysiaö Y.Bhg. Dato´ Yasmeen
Muhammed Shariff, Vice-Chairperson on the Committee on the Rights
of the Child and visits to Sisters In Islam and Dignity for Children in Sentul.
Pernilla Baralt also met with YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Rohani Abdul Karim,
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, as well as
participated in the Global Child Forum on Southeast Asia on 5 May in
the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden.
Source: Embassy of Sweden in Kuala lumpur
Photo: Kristian Pohl
6 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016

News Brief
Danish Cecurify merges
with CardCore Group in Kuala Lumpur
Sweden in Vietnam
hosts Jan Eliasson of
the United Nations
Swedish Ambassador Camilla Mellander on
3 May hosted a dinner on the topic of the
upcoming World Humanitarian Summit,
with UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson
as Guest of honour.
Among the guests were UN resident
coordinator Prathiba Metha and other
ambassadors to Vietnam. Eliasson was on a threeday
visit to Vietnam consisting of official meetings
and a visit to Ben Tre, one of the worst drought
hit provinces in the Mekong delta.
Source: Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi
Thomas Jorgensen, founder and CEO of
Cecurify has in April merged his company
into the Kuala Lumpur-headquartered
CARDCore Group, described as an “exciting
move for both parties”.
Thomas Jorgensen has assumed the position
of Chief Operating Officer and will be working
closely with CEO Adam Ducquet. Founded
in 2013, Cecurify has a strong focus on smart
card security and consultancy. It will continue
to operate as part of the CARDCore Group,
augmenting its current suite of services.
“Thomas and I are both really excited about
this merger,” said Adam. “Cecurify is a natural
match for the CARDCore Group. By working
together, we can achieve something that the
entire industry will stand up and take notice of.”
With a core focus on all things cards,
CARDCore fills a marketplace void as a global
leading multi-channel comparison service for Gift,
Loyalty, Membership, RFID, SIM and Smart Card
products.
Both Thomas and Adam are veterans of
the plastic card industry. From 2004 until 2013,
the Dane served as the managing director of
DZ Card Malaysia, a Danish-owned secure
card manufacturer. His experience and deep
understanding of the card industry led to the
creation of Cecurify, which began in Hong Kong
and established a strong network of consultancy
partners throughout Asia.
Norway at OTC Asia 2016
On 22 – 25 March energy professionals
met in Kuala Lumpur to attend the
Offshore Technology Conference Asia
(OTC Asia) 2016, where Norway was represented.
This is the trade event where energy professionals
meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance
scientific and technical knowledge for offshore
resources and environmental matters.
12 of the 17 Norwegian companies that
exhibited at OTC were gathered under the
Norway Pavilion, which was hosted by Innovation
Norway. The companies at the pavilion were
Rustibus, Wellcem, DNV-GL, T.D. Williamson,
Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies, Telenor
Maritime, Autronica Fire & Security, Bandak,
Endswell, Salcon Petroleum Services, Tamrotor
Marine Compressors and Wilhelmsen Ship
Management Holding. Aker Solutions, Harding ,
Frigstad, Independent Oil tools and Aarbakke also
exhibited at OTC Asia 2016.
In light of the current situation in the
petroleum sector, there were concerns prior to
the conference regarding this year’s participation
rate. Yet, the companies at the Norway Pavilion
were very pleased with the turn out.
“For T.D. Williamson the OTC has been really
good. We are pleased with our placement at
the Norway Pavilion, and the number of people
that came by our stand” a representative of this
company stated.
The Norway Pavilion impressed the visitors
at OTC Asia: “The Norwegian pavilion had a
great floor plan, the open environment was very
welcoming and easily allowed for small meetings
and discussion, unlike the ’cubical’ spaces of other
pavilions. The open space allowed discussions
to become plural, which allowed me to meet
companies that I normally wouldn’t approach, but
who turned out to be great leads and contacts”
said Allen Miller from Insight Numerics.
Norway’s ambassador, Hans Ola Urstad,
attended the OTC and met all the Norwegian
companies at the fair. He also hosted a buffet
dinner with over 100 guests, including some of
the leaders of Petronas.
Source: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 7

News Brief
Dong Energy and Cenviro to test technology in Malaysia
DONG Energy has in April 2016 signed
agreement with Malaysian Cenviro and
sends a mobile REnescience plant to
Malaysia to test whether the country offers a new
export market for the technology.
In the presence of the Danish Minister for
Environment and Food, DONG Energy entered
into the cooperation collaboration with Cenviro,
one of Malaysia’s largest players within waste
management. The parties will now test DONG
Energy’s REnescience technology, which uses
enzymes to convert food waste and other organic
household waste constituents into biogas.
“Malaysia is a very interesting market for our
technology, as there’s a growing need for exploiting
the resources in the increasing waste volumes. A
REnescience plant can produce large quantities
of biogas from the very wet Malaysian household
waste,” said Thomas Dalsgaard, Executive Vice
President in DONG Energy.
Today, the majority of Malaysian waste ends
up in landfill sites, which is a huge environmental
challenge, and none of the resources are utilised.
At the same time, waste volumes are increasing
– in Malaysia and worldwide. According to the
World Bank, waste volumes worldwide will have
increased by 70% by 2025 compared to 2012.
There is therefore a need to find new solutions
to handle the waste.
The Danish Minister for Environment and
Food, Esben Lunde Larsen was in Malaysia to talk
with his Malaysian counterpart about Denmark’s
experience and competences within the area of
waste management.
“Denmark has been working closely with
Malaysia for a number of years on environmental
and waste legislation. I’m pleased that preliminary
steps are now being taken towards commercial
cooperation. Malaysia is working hard to grow
its economy in an eco-friendly manner, and this
agreement will hopefully help bring Malaysia
closer to this goal,” the Minister said.
Waste is increasingly seen as a resource
rather than a problem. And Denmark has unique
competences in the field of waste management.
“Waste can be recycled and used in new
products. It can also be converted to fuel, heat or
other types of energy. Modern waste management
not only helps improve the environment; it also
helps us utilise a valuable resource which can
create development and contribute to increasing
wealth,” said Karin Klitgaard, Environmental Policy
Director at the Confederation of Danish Industry.
As the content of waste differs considerable
from country to country, DONG Energy is now
shipping a mobile version of a REnescience plant
to Malaysia. DONG Energy is planning to send
the mobile plant to other Asian countries to test
whether there is an export market for it.
DONG Energy is in the process of
constructing its first full-scale REnescience plant.
Located near Manchester in the UK, it will be
capable of handling 120,000 tonnes of waste a
year. The plant is expected to be operational at
the beginning of 2017.
Saab Defence hopes for Malaysia Gripen leasing
At Defence Security Asia (DSA 2016),
from 18-21 April, Sweden’s Saab Group
exhibited its latest range of advanced
solutions for air, maritime, land and coastal security
domains. Saab showcased the width of their
product portfolio, and the efficiency of these
products, and their technology transfer. Sabb has
strengthened its commitment towards meeting
Malaysia’s military and civil requirements through
good value for money and complete future
partnership.
During DSA, Saab Test Pilot Mr Robin
Nordlander hosted an update on the Gripen
programme. Visitors were able to experience
what it’s like to be a Gripen pilot in the Gripen
cockpit simulator.
“Saab is the smart, independent choice for
nations that want full performance, cost efficient,
interoperable solutions. We constantly develop
and improve new technology to serve the
global market of governments, authorities and
corporations with products, services and solutions
ranging from military defence to civil security. Our
mission is to keep societies and people safe by
pushing intellectual and technological boundaries,”
said Dan Enstedt, President & CEO, Saab Asia
Pacific.
8 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016
“We have a long history of supplying high
performance, cost efficient systems to Malaysia’s
Armed Forces including navy and army radars, selfprotection
systems for fighters, naval command
and control and army support weapons. We strive
for a collaborative partnership. We have a strong
offer today to meet Malaysia’s requirements,” says
Thomas Linden, head of Saab Malaysia.
Speaking to media, Saab remains committed
to its offer of leasing the Malaysian government
its JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole fighter in a bid to
kick-start the country’s stalled multirole combat
aircraft (MRCA) programme, Mr Linden said
(source:
IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly).
Linden outlined the lease package being
offered to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
to meet its stated requirement to replace its
ageing fleet of Russian MiG-29N ‘Fulcrum-A’
fighters, which were originally scheduled to be
retired by late 2010.
The Malaysian government’s response was
reportedly positive, but whether or not they will
go ahead with Gripen was unclear.

Cifor’s Peter Holmgren receives Swedish forestry award
News Brief
Director General, Peter Holmgren of
Center for International Forestry
Research (CIFOR) has been awarded
the ’Golden Twig’ by the Swedish Forestry
Association, on the occasion of International Day
of Forests 2016, to be presented by the Swedish
king, H. M. Carl XVI Gustaf.
Indonesia-based (Bogor) CIFOR is a nonprofit,
scientific facility that conducts research
on the most pressing challenges of forest and
landscape management around the world.
Research in the six thematic work areas is
underway in more than 50 countries.
The Golden Twig, one of the most prestigious
awards within the Swedish forestry sector, is
awarded to individuals deemed, on a national
or international level, to have made a valuable
contribution to the development of forestry and
the forests.
Almost all people on earth depend on
forests. Rich and poor. Forests provide food
and fuel for cooking. Forests provide medicines,
income and all kinds of products of importance
in our everyday lives. Forests also give us exciting
adventures and spiritual experiences. But if we in
the future want to live in justice and prosperity
and in balance with nature the forest must give a
lot more of this. One of the Swedes who do the
most to get there is Peter Holmgren, writes the
Swedish Forestry Association.
“It is a great honour to receive the Golden
Twig. I am especially glad that I, who work
internationally, receive this award because it shows
that forest issues are important. I look forward to
continue working with both International and
Swedish forestry,” says Peter Holmgen.
In his current job as Director General of
the Center for International Forestry Research
(CIFOR) and his previous work in the UN he
runs, on a global level, the development of a
sustainable use of forests. With roots in Swedish
forest inventory, forest management and multiple
use of forests, with an impressive global network,
he works for forests that give more to everyone.
From those living in or close to the forest to
urban residents who need renewable industrial
products and fuels in their everyday lives.
“To push the global development requires
skills in science and analysis, as well as advocacy.
It requires experience of cultural differences,
visions and ability to see many perspectives. Peter
Holmgren combines these talents. He shows that
the commitment to the forest not only concerns
your own surroundings. Peter makes a great
contribution to the sustainable management of
the world’s forests.”
The Golden Twig is awarded to individuals
who on a national or international level have
given valuable contributions to the development
of forestry and the forests. It is one of the most
regarded awards within the Swedish forestry
sector.
Danish ice cream shop opens in Ho Chi Minh City
In early April Osterberg opened its doors to
the first Danish ice cream shop in Vietnam. The
grand opening of their first store in Ho Chi
Minh City was celebrated with invited guests for
a taste of Danish ice cream. The Danish Embassy
participated and enjoyed a taste of Denmark.
The background of this ice cream brand is
Cathrine Østerberg, who has always loved ice
cream. So much so that when she was 13 years
old got his first job as ‘ispige’. Lots of ice cream,
the smell of freshly baked waffles, long days and
hard work – was an enticing scenario for her.
The interest in food was aroused, and this meant
that she studied Bsc. Food and subsequently Msc.
Gastronomy and Health at the University.
A final thesis drew Cathrine to Canada,
home to one of the world’s leading ice cream
researchers.
Thereefter she has gradually been researched
ice cream thoroughly with ice cream courses
in Denmark, Italy and Canada. It has taken no
less than two years to reach the right recipes
that underlie what Østerberg think is the ideal
ice cream. And that development continues in
introducing new flavors.
“Ice cream is a food you can really geek
out with. You can adjust the ratio of sugar, fat
and protein, and thus arrive at exactly the ice
cream that tastes best and is sufficiently creamy
without being too rich. If you just slightly change
the conditions this can be noted and tasted. And
that’s what makes that ice cream a fantastic food
to work with, and not least enjoying the result that
follows, “says Cathrine Østerberg.
Her father, Niels Østerberg, started Orana A/S
in 1999, which stems from the old cider factory in
Rynkeby. Orana has grown steadily, and there are
now subsidiaries in Vietnam, Egypt, India, Malaysia,
Hong Kong and Kenya. This has made Orana into
one of the leading fruit companies in the world.
With the local know-how Orana achieved a great
knowledge and a good understanding of all the
many interesting fruits, plants, extracts and spices
that grow around the globe. Østerberg can not
think of a better way to offer all kinds of fruits than
through a delicious, refreshing ice cream.
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 9

The King and Queen
of Sweden bring Global
Child Forum to Asia
By Joakim Persson
On 5 May H.M King Carl XVI
Gustaf, Honorary Chairman
of Global Child Forum, and
H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden
hosted their first forum hosted
in Southeast Asia (SEA). Global Child Forum
was initiated by the Royal Family of Sweden
on the occasion of the 2oth anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2009.
“Global Child Forum is an independent Royal
Foundation with special focus on children’s rights
and the business sector. Our vision is a world
where children’s rights for future generations are
respected and supported by all actors in society,
and where the business and financial sector can
have a special role to play,” said H.M King Carl XVI
Gustaf opening the event.
The multi-stakeholder platform constitutes
an information service and inspiration to the
world, and their objective is to engage businesses
in the next generation. Their point of departure
for these efforts is the United Nations Children
Act, ratified by all the countries in SEA.
Held in Kuala Lumpur this was the
organisation’s third regional Forum (tailored to
the region in which they are hosted), themed
10 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016
‘Mobility and Connectivity: Children’s Rights
and Sustainable Business’, where leaders from
business, civil society and government shared
best practices for how companies can strengthen
children’s rights within their operations.
King Carl XVI Gustaf described the Forum
as a “unique platform” that boosts “dialogue”, as
H.M the King also outlined SEA as being one of
the most dynamic in the world.
“The countries in the region are home to
more than 600 people, which is the same as
the entire population of Europe, and who are
much younger, increasingly digital, mobile and
connected.”
The King had noted that some of the countries
here are among the highest percentage of smart
phone owners.
“The region is also home to many globally
competitive companies and is projected to be the
fourth largest economic power by 2050. Hence,
economic growth and the focus on further
development is looking bright for this part of
the world. But this development also raises some
critical questions regarding children’s rights. When
business is booming how do we ensure Children’s
Rights are protected?” King Carl XVI Gustaf called
out to the audience of 250 delegates from the
ASEAN region and beyond.
In attendance were also Ulf Karlberg,
Chairman, Partner Advisory Board and Åse
Bäckström, Managing Director, Global Child
Forum.
A high-level session on children’s rights and
sustainable business in the region set the stage
for business leaders to share their best practices.
The Forum also included ActionLab sessions
focusing on four topics unique to the ASEAN
region. These were: Reframing challenges as
opportunities – youth employment as a driver for
change; Children in the digital age – how the ICT
sector can support and respect children’s rights;
Safeguarding children’s rights in the travel and
tourism sector; as well as The children’s rights and
Business Atlas as a tool for responsible business.
Coinciding with the forum a benchmark
report on Children’s Rights and the Corporate
Sector in Southeast Asia was also launched. This
study assesses how the companies promote
children’s rights in their business value chains,
based on analysing the reported practices of
289 companies operating in the ASEAN region
including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore,

Per Heggenes of IKEA Foundation speaking at the Global Child Form SEA
Vietnam and Philippines spanning over nine
industry sectors.
The resulting report shows that most
industries in the ASEAN region significantly
underperform compared to the global average,
but outperform Middle East and North Africa
(MENA). It was revealed that the companies have
very few activities to report in tandem with the
pattern of the global sample. Only 29% of the
surveyed companies in the region have a child
labour policy in their compliance, which is much
less prominent than the global average of 62%,
and only 24% adhere to international standards.
“We had hoped that companies, certainly
the leading ones, would have a bit better
performance,” commented Ulf Karlberg. “We can
inspire them to take child issues seriously at board
level. Some leaders who take this seriously get
respect. Other statistics concerning those who
have not even started thinking about sustainability
and children’s rights, takes down the average for
the regional benchmark. We hope within say 5
years the ranking should increase,” he continued.
Global Child Forum urged businesses in the
region to put children’s rights as a top priority in
corporate governance in order to bring up the
regional benchmark score from 2.1 to 5 (out
of 9).
“We encourage business to bring up the
regional benchmark score and to focus not solely
on child labour but to address issues such as
product safety, marketing to children and sexual
exploitation,” commented Dr. Fiona Rotberg,
Research Director of Global Child Forum. She
said a lot still needs to be done.
70% of the ASEAN companies are active at
driving programmes to promote children’s rights,
which is well above the global average of 48%, but
only 3% address children’s issues at board level.
“Understand the issues and make sure you
have the policy. This is a Board responsibility. Then
you implement, and being transparent and make
audits. Those who have not understood that
will wake up one day and understand,” said Ulf
Karlberg, and added: “Issues do not concern only
biggest companies. Even start-ups today are fully
aware. But in this part of the world there is also
a lot of agribusiness.”
Per Heggenes, CEO of Ikea Foundation
commented on Ikea’s role having a larger
challenge, being a multi-national company.
Ikea feels that children are the most important
in the world and look at everything from a child’s
perspective.
“25 years ago we set up specific children’s
issues. It was a natural thing for Ikea to do as it was
ingrained in the values of the company.”
“Ikea has very strong code of conduct. And
it is very black and white – if you don’t meet the
criteria you are out. One can be very clear about
these standards, we can give time to achieve but
we expect change. If we set a standard good for
suppliers it will benchmark for the society.”
“We put a lot of efforts in working with
governments to improve education. We can
engage with NGOs who engage with government.
How can we help the root causes of child labour,
is by assisting having access to education.”
Especially businesses can be a driver for
immediate and lasting change in the lives of
children and young people,” commented Åse
Bäckström, Managing Director of Global Child
Forum.
“It’s an important thing for a business to
identify how the company impacts children and
how children impact companies. There is some
good news in the report and also work still left to
do. The current status is really good when it comes
to programmes, where the regional average is
extremely high. 70 per cent of companies do run
programmes. That is a really good number. Going
forward, children’s rights is not a CSR matter; it
is core business. What we want to achieve in this
region is for businesses to give children’s rights
top priority.”
“Companies should stop using child labour.
Many companies do not allow it even though
they don’t report on it. As we start working on
those issues the performance will evolve. The
benchmarking score should be five. Then you are
among the global average.”
“If we should be a global forum that raised
the global issues – and not only Swedish issues
or very international topics – we needed to go
out to different parts of the world and take the
temperature on the issues there,” the managing
director commented on the purpose of having
the regional forums. “So we decided that in order
to be a trustworthy player we needed also the
regional perspectives. And then we must go to
the respective regions and have forums with,
for and in the regions. We should then focus on
looking at how the reality is regionally, what gap
there is against protecting children’s rights, and
then use that perspective as point of departure.
Like a think tank.”
Åse told ScandAsia that they do these
reports in order to generate interest around
what the situation is now.
”We have used the same criteria and done a
study on the Middle East, and on southern Africa
and have a global study that we will now repeat
after three years. So the idea is to do the global
study every third year and the follow-up regional
studies continuously, and then connect to that, as
we really would like to measure the progress, and
use this as a push.”
Concerning their focus on the business world
she said that this is what differentiates Global
Child Forum from the usual children’s rights
organisations.
“We view ourselves as a business organisation.
We are financed by the business world and we
work with their issues in order to – together with
the businesses – push the children’s rights agenda.
If one thinks one step further: children’s rights are
being abused, why? Children are forced to child
labour. Who is the reason behind child labour? It
is the corporations. Of course as a consequence
of lack of legal systems that can properly protect
the children. But if the businesses would not use
child labour, it would not exist. A way to push the
change is the make them take full responsibility
and be advocacies themselves for the issue. The
business world that is the catalyst for change”
“Charity can reduce but does not change
the circumstances, whereas if companies ensure
they are not violating in their business they in
effect push the agenda and put demands on
governments for supplying good education.”
When it comes to adopting best practices
she said that businesses look at their own sector.
“And the major question concerning the
business world and children’s rights is the difficulty
in seeing where we are having an impact on
children.”
Taking a bank as example, and how it can
affect children she said: “If one thinks that a bank’s
systems can be used for transactions relating to
trafficking or sexual abuse of minors then that is
a to-the-point issue for that business.”
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 11

Queen Silvia of Sweden
closes Global Child Forum
By Joakim Persson
As the full day Global Child Forum
was coming to an end, held in Kuala
Lumpur on 5 May, the last words
were those of Her Majesty Queen
Silvia of Sweden.
Their Majesties of Sweden had attended the
entire forum day, after having travelled all the way
to Malaysia from Sweden only for the Forum;
something that was highlighted by Global Child
Forum’s Chairman of the Partner Advisory Board,
Ulf Karberg and that resulted in a resounding, long
applause from the delegates.
In her closing address to the Forum H.M.
Queen Silvia highlighted the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and that she
had gladly learned about recent strengthened
legislation in the host country as well as in Thailand.
In April Malaysia’s lower house amended
the country’s Child Act 2001 to provider better
protection for children, however without banning
all marriage by girls and boys under the age of 18,
as called for by several members of parliament
and rights groups.
And last year the National Legislative Assembly
of Thailand voted unanimously to amend the
Criminal Code of Thailand to criminalise child
pornography, a legislation that would help protect
children from sexual abuse. (Previously, the
possession of child sex abuse material without
intent to distribute was not considered a crime
under the Criminal Code of Thailand.)
H.M. Queen Silvia especially expressed hope
that the business and financial sectors would
engage in ensuring children’s safety and rights
onwards.
12 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016
This was the third ever regional forum, which
serves as a unique platform for the identification of
opportunities on how businesses can contribute
to the promotion of children’s rights.
Ulf Karlberg pointed out that the nonprofit
organisation wanted to go places where
they could make a difference, and had been
encouraged to go also to South Africa, after the
first ever regional forum outside Sweden was
successfully held in Dubai (in 2014).
He referred to CRC as one of the most
ratified UN agreements of all.
“On the other side children’s rights and
business principles are very serious for companies
and a very powerful instrument. It’s all about
involving the corporate and financial sectors
in a way it hasn’t been done before. This is not
only a government issue; it’s for everyone; you,
me and every part of society,” said the Global
Child Forum chairman and continued: “The most
important part is the next generation, our future.
Are we proud about what we have achieved
so far? In Europe we see it; war and conflicts
happening every day. Behind that, we have to
move from charity to real sustainability. This forum
is maybe a little step to involve everyone and take
these issues very seriously.”
“Old men like me are not too happy with
what we have achieved, in terms of environmental
protection, sustainability and human rights,”
Mr Karlbeg said elaborated during the press
conference, as answer to the introspection he had
asked earlier in the day. “We are trying to engage,
and we urge the businesses to perform.”
“But if we don’t have the facts we just have a
talk show. This is why we are producing research
reports to show comparisons, and put this
knowledge on the social media and give it to the
world. We constitute an information service and
inspiration to the world, and our objective is to
engage businesses in the next generation.”
“In some countries governments are putting
pressure on companies. In other parts of the world
it is the corporate sector driving governments to
do much more. This movement is partly driven
by both private and government sectors. With
international companies taking the lead good
news travel fast.”
Following on the afternoon’s ActionLab
group sessions, each group’s recommendations
were presented on stage to all delegates, even
including an audiovisual documentation from
each ActionLab.
In the afternoon’s High-level session speakers
on the topic ‘Perspectives for the Future – What
will it take?’ included the IKEA Foundation CEO
Mr Per Heggenes.
To summarize the Forum the co-organiser
ASEAN CSR Network’s representative Thomas
Thomas, as well as Åse Bäckström, Managing
Director for Global Child Forum took to the
stage and presented their conclusions.
The Global Child Forum on Southeast Asia
was organised in close association with UNICEF,
UN Global Compact, ASEAN CSR Network,
Save the Children, Plan International and ECPAT
International.

Productive Danish
Environment & Food
Minister Malaysia visit
The Embassy of Denmark in Kuala
Lumpur hosted the Danish Minister
of Environment & Food, Esben Lunde
Larsen, on a visit to Malaysia on 13 - 15
April 2016. The Minister held political
talks and explored market opportunities within
food, agriculture and fisheries Shabery Cheek
(to exchange views on current developments in
Malaysia within livestock, dairy and aquaculture,
and opportunities for deepening of relations
between Denmark and Malaysia) as well as
within clean-tech and was accompanied by a
business delegation and representatives from the
Danish Agriculture & Trade Council as well as the
Confederation of Danish Industry.
A packed two-day programme included,
besides bilateral meetings with the Minister of
Agriculture and the Minister of Urban Wellbeing,
opening a forum on modernization of poultry
farming as well as one on aquaculture and
water technologies, and witnessing two signing
ceremonies among Danish and Malaysian
companies. He also got to experience rural
Malaysia with visits to a chicken farm and a palm
oil plantation.
The Minister rounded off the visit to Malaysia
by promoting Danish food products in the
Danish residence together with top chefs from
the Kokkelandsholdet - National Culinary Team
of Denmark and Berjaya University College of
Hospitality, School of Culinary Arts. Their skills
were showcased at the Danish National Day
(Queen’s Birthday) Reception. The celebration
of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II’s 76th year
birthday had Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry,
Datuk Ahmad Maslan, as the Malaysian Guest of
Honour.
The guests also had the pleasure of enjoying
delicacies prepared by the Danish National
Culinary Team - Kokkelandsholdet. This chefs
team, represented by chefs Sten Slot Knudsen and
Mads Søndergaard on 15 April also entertained
Malaysian food distributers and bloggers with a
show-cooking event in the Danish residence, with
the assistance of Malaysian top-chef Azim Amran
from Berjaya University College of Hospitality
School of Culinary Arts.
The Danish minister witnessed the showcooking
and shared his views on “Food for Life
– Danish Green and Natural”. He also cooked
alongside the top chefs!
The minister also opened a Forum on
Aquaculture & Water Technologies in Putrajaya,
where presentations were made by Danish
and Malaysian partners, including WorldFish,
Department of Fisheries and Confederation of
Danish Industry.
From fisheries, the visit changed focus to solid
waste with a bilateral meeting with the Deputy
Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local
Government, Datuk Halima, followed by the
witnessing of a business MoU signing ceremony
between Danish Dong Energy and Malaysian
Cenviro.
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 13

Petri Puhakka:
New Ambassador
to Malaysia
By Joakim Persson
Finland’s new Ambassador to Malaysia’s
arrival was timely, as the first Asean
Team Finland meeting ever took
place in Singapore on 28 – 29 April.
H.E. Petri Puhakka then started at the
Kuala Lumpur mission on 2 May, and awarded
ScandAsia an introduction the very same first
week of his first ambassador posting.
The unique Finnish gathering enabled that
the Ambassador could kick off his Southeast
Asian assignment by meeting all the Team Finland
colleagues in the region, including all Finnish
Business Council/Chambers of Commerce
Directors, FinPro representatives and all
Finnish Ambassadors, to brainstorm and plan
opportunities and collaboration.
14 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016
“It was one the first time when local business
councils were also invited, within the Team Finland
framework, and we’re all working towards the
same end goals so this was a logical step. We will
try to meet on a regular basis onwards.”
“It was really useful what we found out; that
there are still room for improvements – especially
on the information sharing side. So it was good
that we noticed this in the beginning so we know
better what we should be aiming at,” relates Petri
Puhakka.
SEA Action Plan
Finland has a heavy emphasis on economic
diplomacy utilizing the Team Finland network that
brings all state-funded actors under one umbrella.
“We have the action plan for Southeast Asia
that sets the framework. And Team Finland is one
of the priorities: Before we had several actors
doing basically the same thing but didn’t know
exactly what the others were doing. That’s not
very effective use of scarce resources. Now we
are trying to have an informed idea what the
others are doing via information sharing, as well as
having common planning and project sharing,” he
comments on the new Team Finland framework,
which concerns efforts both here in the region
and back home.
“What we do in Finland sets the basic
framework but we have to adapt it regionally...
say events brought to the area from Finland. So it’s
wiser to take as much people on board as possible
and use the opportunity. With expos, artists and
events it’s better to tour the region. That’s one of
the ideas and next year it’s going be the Finland
100 years of independence celebration where we
will aim at getting more visibility. Let’s see what
turns out of our ideas and continued planning.”
The framework Petri Puhakka refers to is
‘Finland’s action plan for Southeast Asia’ release
in May last year, with contribution from Finland’s
foreign missions in the region.
Malaysia is a long-term, well-known partner
to Finland and Finnish companies, where Finnish
companies have been established for a long time
already, says the plan about Malaysia. Finland’s
main exports to Malaysia are machinery and
equipment, paper, and chemicals. Imports consist
mainly of electronic equipment as well as palm oil
and rubber. Some 50 Finnish companies operate
in Malaysia. There is also cooperation in the
education sector.
“The conclusion of a free trade agreement
between the EU and Malaysia would improve
market access for Finnish products and increase
interest in Malaysian markets. More high-level
visits between Finland and Malaysia would benefit
the promotion of economic relations.”
Some priorities with regard to Malaysia are:
Increase cooperation in information technology,
ICT technology and information security; in the
energy sector, in particular in renewable energy
and energy logistics; in clean technologies; and
promote educational exports.
Petri Puhakka is also Ambassador of Finland
to Brunei as well as the Philippines, where, says the
report, the overall situation has been improving
greatly due to the determined reforms carried
out in the recent years. Economic growth is
expected to continue at the impressive 6–7 per
cent annually over the next few years.

Economic relations between Finland and the
Philippines are on the rise with key product groups
in the trade include electronics components and
paper. Approximately 20 Finnish companies have
established business operations in the Philippines.
Areas of Finnish interest in the Philippines include
information technology and ICT technology,
renewable energy, and clean tech. The Philippines’
young, growing and prospering population, as
well as the many ambitious infrastructure reforms
offer a lot of potential to Finnish companies also.
“The sectors where we think there is potential
for Finnish products and knowhow are more or
less the same for the whole region. We have some
slight differences, with ICT, clean teach, healthcare,
education, waste-to-energy etc.; basically where
we have expertise.”
Finnpartnership matchmaking
“Education is a growing sector, which was also
in focus of the ‘Doings Business with Finland’
seminars held in Malaysia in March. It’s a fairly
new concept, education as export field, so we
need still to define what exactly it is about.
You cannot just copy; you have to adapt it to
local surroundings and local habits,” thinks the
Ambassador. “Anyway it’s one of key interests
of the Malaysian government as well; everybody
wants to get good education. It´s clear there is
potential.”
The main objective of these seminars was
to connect Malaysian and Finnish companies,
promote investment opportunities and promote
Finland as business destination of choice.
Co-organised by Finnpartnership the
seminars this time had more companies to
offer thanks to the close cooperation with the
Team Finland growth programs of the Finnish
internationalization office, Finpro. With the
help of Finnpartnership’s Matchmaking Service,
companies and organisations in Finland and
in developing countries can seek out new
cooperation opportunities and business partners,
and get financial support.
“I visited FinnFund and Finnpartnership before
heading for Malaysia. They do the homework
regarding which companies would like to export
or expand internationally and which sectors. They
It is a fairly new concept,
education as export field,
so we need still to define
what exactly it is about.
do the same kind of footwork here and then try
to match them,” says Petri Puhakka.
“It is also our task to follow up from here,”
he adds.
It was successful and the results of the
seminars were better than expected. But we
need to wait before we can see how much
will materialise. They have to negotiate etc. so I
don’t expect some fast results in just a couple of
months. It could be years, but at least you have
seen the interest of both sides.”
The atmosphere here is quite conducive,
with some incentives such as the MSC concept
(Multimedia Super Corridor), thinks the new
ambassador of the Malaysia market.
“The business councils as well have a key role
to play. FinPro can do something, but in getting
used to local habits and local regulations, Finnish
businesses here, plus those who have been here
before, are a very valuable source.”
“We are lucky now to have a commercial
counsellor from FinPro sitting here in the Kuala
Lumpur embassy. But he represents a huge area
from India to Australia, excluding China.”
This year Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Finland (MFA) has also been provided with
some additional resources to send some extra
commercial counsellor, for a limited number
of years, of which one is strategically placed in
Singapore.
Dig into politics
International relations and trade are topics that
Petri Puhakka has gained significant experience
with, since he began working at the MFA 21,5
years ago. He has been posted to: Embassy in
Reykjavik, Iceland; Mission at Nato in Brussels
(covering eg. the peacekeeping operation in
Kosovo); the Permanent Representation to the
United Nations and the World Trade Organisation
in Geneva; and the Permanent Representation to
the European Union as Finland’s deputy to the
trade policy committee.
And prior to the appointment as Ambassador,
he worked as a training director for human
resources development at MFA.
He must also dig in to some other aspects
than trade as well.
“You are supposed to be following the
events of the area and report back home. There
is a lot to learn on that front, of course, but I try
to get a proper picture about the countries, the
culture and ways things are done here as fast
as possible.”
“But my first impressions of Malaysia are
really positive – this is a well-functioning multiethnic
and multi-cultural country.”
Right after his arrival local elections took
place in Sarawak, followed by the Philippines
Presidential election.
“People are waiting for you in Helsinki to give
an evaluation on what happens and how it will
affect the future,” the ambassador comments on
his upcoming tasks.
Petri Puhakka himself is awaiting his wife
to join him at the end of the Nordic summer,
while their two daughters remain in Finland,
studying at college and about to start at
university respectively. However, they have
promised to come and visit their parents as often
as they can.
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 15

Jan B. Djerf presides
over EuroCham Singapore
Undoubtedly Swedish banking executive Mr Jan B. Djerf is one of our most
well known Scandinavians in Singapore.
In Southeast Asia’s undisputed
business hub since 2004 Mr
Djerf is not only Senior Vice
President and General Manager
of Handelsbanken Singapore
Branch and Head of South Asia and
Pacific; he is also the President of
Eurocham, European Chamber of
Commerce (Singapore), during two
years spanning from 2015 – 2017.
Prior to this, Mr. Djerf took
on the role as Vice-President for
3 years. Mr. Djerf also represents
the Swedish Business Association
in Singapore on the EuroCham
Board and has been an active Board
member since 2005.
ScandAsia finds out more about
these, his prestigious additional
roles on a European level. But
first, a résumé of his career up to
now: In his professional career, Mr.
Djerf’s major step towards senior
level management came with his
appointment as the Head of the
Treasury Department at Ericsson
in Stockholm, Sweden. This sparked
his globetrotting career phase,
leading him to be headhunted by
Alfinad SA in Brussels, Belgium, the
Treasury Center of Alfa Laval. Mr.
Djerf soon saw his career taking
him to Lausanne, Switzerland as
Director Group Treasury at Tetra
Laval. 1994 saw Mr. Djerf’s entry
into one of Scandinavia’s largest
banks, Handelsbanken. In 1998,
Mr. Djerf was appointed Head of
Foreign Exchange Money Markets
and Emerging Markets, Europe. This
took him to London and then to
Stockholm. After that he arrived to
Singapore and Handelsbanken.
Mr. Jan B. Djerf represents
the Swedish Business Association
in Singapore on the EuroCham
Board and has been an active Board
member since 2005, including taking
16 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016

on the role of Vice President since 3
years. In March 2015, Mr. Djerf was
unanimously voted to the Presidency
of EuroCham for a two-year term.
EuroCham’s Board of Governors
comprises of the Office Bearers,
which includes the President,
a Patron, Ordinary Corporate
Board Members, as well as 14
Representatives from the European
National Business Groups (NBGs).
EuroCham works very closely with
the EU Delegation to Singapore
for its events and activities. H.E. Dr.
Michael Pulch, Ambassador of the
EU Delegation to Singapore sits on
the Board as Patron.
Under Mr Djerf’s leadership,
EuroCham has emerged as
an instrumental body in the
business community, making
concrete efforts in enhancing
and encouraging a vibrant trade
relationship between Singapore
and the EU. Locally, EuroCham has
had several engagements with a
myriad of government agencies and
representatives in a bid to foster a
conductive business environment.
As Singapore continues to develop
itself as a regional hub for major
industries, EuroCham’s relevance
becomes strikingly important to
offer a support base for European
companies that are looking to Asia
to expand their operations.
To date, Singapore plays host
to approximately 11,000 European
companies and more are expected
to arrive in due course.
The EuroCham collection of
sector committees has grown from
9 to 11 – Commercial Vehicles,
Financial Services, ICT, Internship,
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR),
Human Resources (HR), Regional
Finance & Tax, Regional Trade,
Sustainability, Food & Pharma
Packaging and Wine & Spirits.
Sector committees offer a common
European platform to exchange
information, discuss common issues
businesses are facing and undertake
coordinated initiatives.
In line with the work of the
sector committees, EuroCham has
successfully published a number of
Position Papers, which summarise
policies and trends in Southeast
Asia with recommended proposals.
Examples are: Traceability: The
Cornerstone of Food Safety Policy
(introducing new regulations in
Singapore’s Food Regulations);
Position Paper on Degradable
Packaging & Plastic Ban as a
Solution to Littering; and HR White
Paper (outlining priorities for the
development of human capital
in ASEAN in lieu of the ASEAN
economic integration project).
“EuroCham has been involved
in many advocacy initiatives in
collaboration with Singaporean
authorities, and more projects will
follow. We have been active on
diverse fields, ranging from tourism to
taking actions against counterfeiting,
not to mention our engagement on
many policy dialogues on HR or FS.
As such, our presence and close ties
with the Singaporean Government
allows us to be a key interlocutor for
European businesses, and we hope
to see our voice growing stronger.”
“In addition, as our scope of
action is constantly widening,
EuroCham now aims to strengthen
its collaboration with the
Singaporean Government by taking
more initiatives based on corporate
social responsibility, a key aspect
frequently mentioned in the Budget
in March,” Mr Djerf comments on
the activities going forward.
Furthermore EuroCham
organizes two annual flagship
events – Europe Day Luncheon
and Schuman Lecture Gala Dinner.
During these events, the Chamber
has the privilege to host high profile
personalities to deliver a keynote
speech, sharing their thoughts and
views of the global economy and
its future implications for businesses.
EuroCham also offers a less formal
platform for its members and
the wider business community to
network and access a wide and
diversified audience (arranged four
times yearly).
For Mr Djerf his experience
from being President also for SBAS
(Swedish Business Association
of Singapore) is significant in his
EuroCham role.
“Not only it is possible but I
would say essential to apply past
experiences to future roles as
experience come with knowledge
and lessons on how to overcome
a challenge. Each National Business
Group has its own topics of interest.
However, building an advocacy and
lobbying strategy in Singapore is
a constant challenge to all. If the
issues are different, the approach
remains the same, and it is crucial
to follow the business environment
and culture in place in Singapore.”
And one may also wonder how
the head of Handelsbanken in the
region can balance his additional
President roles also with family life?
“Every day is a challenge with
many obstacles to overcome.
However, being the President of
EuroCham does not mean I have
to face them alone. I am blessed to
have the support of my family. In
addition, I have the great pleasure to
work with a dynamic team offering
the support I need to carry on the
work and responsibilities I hold.“
INTERNATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOL OF SWEDEN
“An international boarding school in an idyllic, safe and secure environment.
Grennaskolan provides not only good foundations for your future,
but also for your well-being here and now”
www.grennaskolan.se
+46(0)390-33208 / info@grennaskolan.se
June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 17

Malaysians queue up
to find Finnish partners
By Aapo Happonen, Project Assistant,
Embassy of Finland in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Finnpartnership and The Malaysian
Investment Development Authority,
MIDA, jointly organized Doing Business
With Finland seminars in Johor Bahru,
Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur during 15-18
March. In Ipoh Invest Perak was seminal in hosting
the event. Embassy of Finland in Malaysia, Kuala
Lumpur reports.
The main objective of these seminars was
to connect Malaysian and Finnish companies,
promote investment opportunities and promote
Finland as business destination of choice.
Finnpartnership is a business partnership
program that promotes business cooperation
between companies in Finland and in developing
markets. It grants financial support for Finnish
business activities in developing markets in
addition to offering a matchmaking service. The
organization is funded by the Foreign Ministry
of Finland. Finland has a heavy emphasis on
economic diplomacy utilizing the Team Finland
network that brings all state-funded actors under
one umbrella.
Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of
Finland in Malaysia, Teemu Laakkonen, opened
the seminars by giving his remarks on the Finnish
18 ScandAsia.South East Asia • June 2016
activities in Malaysia. After that the floor was
given to the hosts. This was followed by two
Finnpartnership presentations, whose goal was
to discuss the matchmaking service.
The Finnpartnership matchmaking service
allows Malaysian companies to find, free of charge,
a suitable business partner in their respective
field in Finland. All a company has to do is to
sign up a form at the Finnpartnership website.
Finnish companies especially in the Cleantech,
IT and education sectors were promoted this
time around. Manufacturing was also discussed
as many of the attending Malaysian companies
represented this sector.
Birgit Nevala from Finnpartnership was happy
to see the events surpass the goals set for them.
Especially in Ipoh and Johor the local companies
formed long queues in front of the matchmaking
table to get their turn in finding a suitable Finnish
business partner.
The results of the events look promising,
although this is only the first step in forging lasting
partnerships. Dozens of Finnish companies have
already started discussions with their Malaysian
counterparts and some Cleantech companies
are coming over to meet their prospective
partners. Companies in waste management,
water purification and early childhood education
sectors were the ones that attracted the most
interest.
Birgit Nevala mentioned that compared to
previous seminars held in other developing markets
Finnpartnership now had more companies to
offer thanks to the close cooperation with the
Team Finland growth programs of the Finnish
internationalization office, Finpro. The goal of the
said programs is to seize business opportunities
abroad. Any Finnish company in the offered areas
of business can be a part of them.
Finnpartnership seminars are usually held
in the same country on two consecutive years.
Hopefully we´ll be back next year with many
more closed business deals to tell about!

June 2016 • ScandAsia.South East Asia 19

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