ScandAsia Singapore - August 2015

AUG 2015
There’s a need for the
Danish
Seamen’s
Church
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Coming Events
AUG 2015
SWEA Singapore:
Höstens första fika
på stan
There’s a need for the
Danish
Seamen’s
Church
Where: VivoCity, SingaporeVivoCity,
The Connoisseur Concerto
When: Friday 28 august, 10:00 – 12:00
ScandAsia.dk ScandAsia.fi ScandAsia.no ScandAsia.se
New in Singapore? Introduction meeting
at Norsk Sjømannskirke
Where: Norsk Sjømannskirke i Singapore, 300 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore
When: Saturday 29 Aug, 12:00 - 17:00
Nylig flyttet til Singapore? Få generell
og nyttig info lørdag 29. august på
Sjømannskirken Dette er en nyttig
dag å få med seg om man nylig har
flyttet til byen.
Vi åpner dørene kl. 12.00 og
infodagen varer til kl. 16.00. Det er
drop in hele dagen, åpent for alle.
Har du bodd i Singapore en stund,
er du også hjertelig velkommen. Ingen
påmelding og gratis arrangement!
Denne dagen handler om å
hilse på nye folk, spørre spørsmål,
spise grøt og vafler, mingle, utveksle
visittkort, og få generellinformasjon
om det å være norsk i Singapore. Det
blir stands og innlegg fra ulike norske
organisasjoner i Singapore.
ScandBizBar
Where: &SONS at China Square Central, 20 Cross St, Singapore 048422
When: Thursday 3 September, 18:30 - 21:00
The next ScandBizBar gathering
will take place on Thursday, 3
September at &SONS at China
Square Central. This venue seems to
be very popular among our friends,
colleagues and on Thursdays when
there is a ScandBizBar event it’s a
full house.
There is no need to officially
pre-register, but for logistic
purposes we would appreciate
if you could indicate in an email
to swedbiz@singnet.com.sg if you
intend to attend. You can also sign
up at FB (ScandBizBar)
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News Brief
Carlsberg’s J.C. Jacobsen Foundation starts
off with active first year
In June 2014 Carlsberg Malaysia set up the J. C.
Jacobsen Foundation, as a community outreach
and an extension of the robust Corporate
Social Responsibility program of the international
Danish brewery company. One year later, the
foundation can look back at a busy year.
In September last year, the Foundation took
80 volunteers to the Sungai Liam waterfall in Ulu
Yam to rejuvenate and refresh the area. Following
in November, the charity outreach set out to
contribute, hands-on, to a cleaner environment as
well as to raise the awareness of river ecosystems
at the Sungai Kanching of Templer’s Park.
Everyone has a role to play in preserving
natural water resources as clean water is
important to the livelihood of human kind, was
the philosophy behind this advocacy work. 60
volunteers, comprised of Chairman of J.C. Jacobsen
Foundation Dato’ Lim Say Chong, together with
Carlsberg Malaysia employees and members
from two non-government organisations (NGO),
Kelah Association of Malaysia (KAGUM) and
Rotary Club of Bangsar, rolled up their sleeves to
clean up the riverbanks. Throughout the half-day
community work, volunteers learned about the
freshwater fishes and species, enjoyed the fresh
air and beautiful scenery of the river steams
and the importance of river ecosystem around
Templer’s Park.
The initiative also gave their volunteers the
chance to deepen their knowledge of Malaysian
rivers as a source of water and habitat.
Operating in Shah Alam Carlsberg Malaysia,
through its foundation is is committed to do
its part for the neighbourhood where it is
operating in as to make its neighbourhood a
greener environment. Therefore, in March 2015
the foundation pledged its support towards the
Shah Alam Trees for Life programme by making a
cash contribution of RM45,000.
In joint collaboration with the Shah Alam City
Council (MBSA), some 300 volunteers, from the
public and the Foundation planted approximately
15,000 trees along Jalan Monfort, Seksyen U1
& U2 in Shah Alam. At the trees planting event,
volunteers were also briefed on the various
specifies of trees by Dr. Jean Marc Roda from
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Institute of Tropical
Forestry & Forest Products.
“We believe that through collaboration
with others, we could make a greater impact.
Planting more trees around Shah Alam not only
accentuates the aesthetic of this beautiful city,
it also contributes towards combating climate
change,” said Henrik Juel Andersen, member of
Board of Trustees of J.C. Jacobsen Foundation.
According to Mayor of Shah Alam, Dato’ Hj.
Ahmad Zaharin b. Mohd Saad, the Trees for Life
programme, which is now running in its 5th year,
is an important activity on the city council’s yearly
agenda, as it brings together various parties for
a common goal, that is to value and protect the
environment.
“We are pleased that J.C. Jacobsen
Foundation could be the first partner this year
for MBSA’s Trees for Life and we hope other
corporate entities would follow the Foundation’s
footsteps, as it helps to ensure the success of this
programme,” he said.
The Foundation was named after the founder
of Carlsberg, J.C. Jacobsen, who was known for
his deep passion for philanthropy. Its mission aims
at enhancing and protecting the quality of life of
Malaysians, committed to nurturing a better and
greener future by making a difference and impact
to three core pillars of education, sports and
environment.
Cycling Without Age founder in Singapore
Both local Singaporeans and Western migrants were present, when Ole
Kassow, Danish founder of Cycling Without Age, visited Singapore to
inaugurate the project in Singapore. Ole Kassow started Cycling
Without Age in 2012 to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, but the
problem was their limited physical capability. The answer was a rickshaw and
he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents. An
employee at the municipality of Copenhagen was intrigued by the idea and
together they bought the first 5 rickshaws and launched Cycling Without
Age, which has now spread to all corners of Denmark, Norway, and it’s now
taking off in several countries around the world.
Ole Kassow presented the project at the Shimano Cycling World
facilities in front of 35-40 people. Next to him was a brand new rickshaw
specially designed for the project which costs around 6.000 SGD.
“To me, Singapore is an ideal cycling city since it’s so flat – like in
Denmark,” Ole Kassow said.
“So I think it’s going to be great. And there are some enthusiastic
volunteers who put a lot of work into this, which means that I can safely let
them run it in Singapore by themselves while I serve as a sparring partner.”
“We took a ride earlier today and it was amazing to see the smiles on
everybody’s faces. And nobody honked at us when we were on the road
instead of the park lanes,” Ole Kassow laughs.
4 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

Our ‘no waitlists’ approach to admissions …
… means that every year, every one has the opportunity to apply for a place at one of UWCSEA’s two campuses.
The annual open days are a chance to meet Principals and teachers, observe classes and, most importantly, speak
directly to our students about their experience at UWCSEA.
We invite you to come and see for yourself:
Dover Campus
Primary School
Middle School
High School
Wednesday, 9 September
Thursday, 10 September
Monday, 7 September
Tuesday, 8 September
East Campus
Primary School
Middle School
High School
Tuesday, 15 September
Wednesday, 16 September
Thursday, 17 September
Visit www.uwcsea.edu.sg to RSVP, or to find out more.
Applications for August 2016 open on 1 September 2015.
UWCSEA Dover is registered by the CPE CPE Registration No. 197000825H Registration Period 18 July 2011–17 July 2017
UWCSEA East is registered by the CPE CPE Registration No. 200801795N Registration Period 10 March 2011–9 March 2017
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 084ADV-1415 5

News Brief
Next Danish Ambassadors appointed for China and Vietnam
Upon the departures of Danish
ambassadors Friis Arne Petersen and
John Nielsen, from China and Vietnam
respectively during this summer, the new Danish
ambassadors have been appointed for their
replacement.
A. Carsten Damsgaard, Ambassador to Japan,
is transferred to take over the helm in Beijing,
China, while Charlotte Laursen, from the foreign
ministry in Denmark returns to the Embassy of
Denmark, Vietnam, only this time as Denmark’s
new ambassador, to continue her Southeast-
Asian journey.
The Counsellor once replaced Mikael H.
Winther as deputy head of the Embassy in
Bangkok. And prior to that Mrs. Laursen was
actually posted in Vietnam, in Hanoi since
September 2004 as Deputy Head of Mission.
At Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
Charlotte Laursen was responsible for Strategies.
Policy and Quality, and board member of The
Trade Council.
A. Carsten Damsgaard was appointed to be
Denmark’s ambassador to Japan on 1 September
2011. Previously he was the Ambassador to
Afghanistan.
Vard’s 1H 2015 results:
R&D and innovation in focus amid a slower market
Group registering a loss of NOK 21 million
for 2Q2015 and a loss of NOK 12 million for
1H2015, down respectively from operating
profits of NOK 140 million in 2Q2014 and NOK
263 million in 1H2014.
Healthy Vietnam operations
In Vietnam, operations remain robust and yard
utilization remains healthy with the delivery of
one
Platform Supply Vessel (“PSV”) during the
quarter, and two vessels in 1H2015.
The Norwegian Singapore-based company
Vard Holdings Limited (VARD), one of the
major global designers and shipbuilders of
offshore and specialised vessels has announced
its financial results for the second quarter ended
30 June 2015 (“2Q2015”) and first half ended 30
June 2015 (“1H2015”).
Challenging industry outlook
VARD faced a slowdown in activity at some yards
during 2Q2015 as the overall weakness in the
oil and gas sector began to impact operations.
Order book development remained muted, with
one new vessel order secured by the Group
during the quarter. New order intake, including
variation orders and repair and conversion work,
6 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015
amounted to NOK 956 million. Order book
value at the end of 2Q2015 stood at NOK
13.92 billion, representing a 10.9% decline from
the preceding quarter (“1Q2015”), and a 35.6%
decrease from the same period in the preceding
year (“2Q2014”).
Softer top-line and margins; earnings
per share positive
VARD posted a revenue of NOK 2.49 billion
in 2Q2015, representing a 15.3% decline from
2Q2014,
whereas 1H2015 revenues came in at NOK
5.55 billion, in line with the previous corresponding
period in 2014 (“1H2014”).
Operating profit turned negative, with the
Focus on R&D and innovation to retain
competitive edge
The uncertain oil and gas sector outlook continues
to weigh on global offshore vessel demand, and
in particular on the North Sea market. Despite
the overall weak near-term outlook, VARD sees
opportunities in some specialized segments, both
within offshore and in other niche markets. In an
effort to reach out to new clients, markets and
segments, VARD is running in high gear in concept
design, and the Group’s focus on research and
development (R&D) is undiminished.
Introduced to the market in June, VARD’s
latest innovation project, ‘A step forward’, presents
new ideas in design, automation and control,
as well as accommodation solutions for future
vessels, which can increase efficiency and ease of
operations and boost returns on investment for
ship owners. VARD also continues to expand its
Equipment and Solutions portfolio, and develop
new business areas.
Roy Reite, Chief Executive Officer and
Executive Director of VARD, commented, “As we
work through the necessary adjustments in our
organization to address the challenges posed by
the market, we continue to focus on R&D and
new business development to reinforce VARD’s
position. So far, we have received positive industry
feedback on our recent initiatives. Testament to
our strengths in developing innovative solutions
together with our clients, we are proud that
Skandi Africa, a vessel delivered to DOF Subsea,
has won the Ship of the Year 2015 award in
Norway.”

Nordic Midsummer Party in Jakarta
News Brief
On 4 June the Nordic Embassies in
Jakarta came together for a first joint
Nordic Midsummer Party as the four
Nordic Embassies; Denmark, Finland, Norway
and Sweden celebrated their annual national
days together.
Nordic Midsummer celebration is about
enjoying the best seasonal foods and drinks,
singing, making flower crowns, playing traditional
games, dancing around midsummer pole or
making midsummer bonfire.
The Nordic Embassies gathered more than
1,000 guests, including Minister of Environment
and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya and Minister of National
Development, Andrinof Chaniago, in the gardens
of Shangri-La hotel in the morning of 4 June
to celebrate the Nordic green and sustainable
lifestyle. With reference to sustainability and the
green theme of the event, the four Ambassadors
together with more than one hundred sporty
colleagues and friends bicycled from Monas to
the Shangri-La hotel to start the party.
The 4 Nordic countries are all focused on
green energy as well as green and healthy living.
Therefore, the Nordic Midsummer Party was
held as a morning garden party with healthy
food and drinks, active games in the 4 country
corners and, on top of it all, many guests joined
the #Bike2Party! The Embassies of Denmark and
Norway together with Bike2Work are trying
to bike Jakarta greener once every month at
#VikingBikingIndonesia
In the hotel gardens, each Embassy had
created a country corner showcasing their green
innocative solutions and products, and engaging
the guests in traditional Scandinavian games such
as “the potato run” and “kick the hat off a stick”
(Hallingkast).
/Source: Norway in Indonesia, Finnish Embassy
Jakarta and Denmark in Indonesia
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and their availability may depend, among other things, on the investment risk profile of persons in receipt of this publication or on any legislation to which they are subject. Nothing in this publication should be construed as an offer, or the solicitation of an
offer, to purchase, subscribe to or sell any investment or product, or to engage in any other transaction or provide any kind of financial or banking service in any jurisdiction where Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch or any of its affiliates do not have the
necessary licence. Published by Nordea Bank S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14.157 on behalf of Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch, 3 Anson Rd #20-01, Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909. www.nordeaprivatebanking.com subject to the supervision
of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (www.mas.gov.sg).
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7
AD_ScandAsiaThailand_Haavard_WP_eng NEW.indd 1 14/08/2014 12:03

Lawry’s Bone-In Roasted
Prime Rib is back!
Lawry’s The Prime Rib has brought back their best quality Bone-in
Signature Roasted Prime Ribs after more than a decade’s hiatus.
Diners can expect impeccable standard of service together with
the ever-favorite corn-fed roast beef that is aged for up to 21
days to heighten tenderness. The generously marbled meat is then
slowly roasted to ensure a uniformly juicy flavor whilst the bone prevents the
meat from drying out during roasting while acting as a natural roasting rack.
Complementing the hearty roasted beef meal is the tradition of Lawry’s
Yorkshire pudding baked in individual copper skillets; tableside spinning bowl
salad, mashed US Idaho russet potatoes cooked in hearth ovens prepared
by Executive Chef Nick Lee and his team who continues Lawry’s 76 years
of traditions around the globe,
While the extraordinarily good beef plays the starring role in dinner at
Lawry’s, the signature side dishes make superb supporting players. Diners
relish in the rich texture of the creamed Corn, subtly spiced creamed Spinach
or lightly buttered Peas served with special touches that make every meal in
Lawry’s a memorable one.
In line with its 16th Anniversary Celebration, Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Singapore has also launched a new Sunday Brunch menu priced from $43++
onwards. The new main courses showcase classic and delicious items such
as Toad in the Hole, Club Sandwich a la Lawry’s, Prime Rib Eye Foie Gras
Burger and Smoked Salmon Sandwich.
Available from $18++ onwards are Lawry’s desserts like the Warm
homemade Waffles served with Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream and Lawry’s
Dessert Sampler are amply-sized and great for sharing in a group.
What’s more, in celebration of Singapore’s golden jubilee, Lawry’s The
Prime Rib Singapore is offering along with their Sunday brunch a free flow of
Rosé sparkling and wines at only $50++ per person until the end of August.
Located on the fourth floor of Mandarin Gallery in the heart of Orchard
Road, Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore is distinguished for its exceptional
American cuisine. Serving only the best at its 6,500 square feet of prime retail
space, with a seating capacity of 170, Lawry’s exudes an air of opulence with
its sleek interpretations of luxury.
Address: 333A Orchard Road
#04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Phone: 6836 3333
8 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

Grand Park City Hall’s
Tempting Weekends
Indulge at Park, a 200-seater all-day dining restaurant set within the
beautiful and airy atrium of Grand Park City Hall offers a delectable
Tunch buffet and a fiery Asian BBQ dinner. There are three dining area
options; the sunlight filled atrium, the main restaurant dining room and
garden courtyard to suit any gatherings whether with family, friends or
colleagues. The two limited scrumptious weekend buffets are served on
weekends from now till 28 September 2015.
Tunch is an aptly named weekend afternoon buffet with almost 80
items that encompasses both lunch and tea favourites. The spotlight is on
regional Asian dishes such as Tianjin pancake roll, Hong Kong roast duck
and pork, assorted Dim Sum, Penang Rojak, Kueh Pie Tee, Popiah and even
traditional Teochew-style porridge or sweet potato porridge accompanied
by ten condiments including deep-fried ikan bilis (salted anchovies), mei cai
(preserved vegetables) with stewed pork, deep-fried you tiao (dough stick),
century eggs and more.
For a laid-back barbeque dinner, the Asian BBQ dinner presents a
premium selection of 10 meats and seafood including lobsters, scallops,
US flat rib beef, and Spanish pork belly, which is grilled a la minute with a
selection of 10 special spice blends and sauces to season the meats according
to the desires of each diner. There is also a line-up of ready-grilled items just
waiting for diners to sink their teeth into such as Grilled Lobsters with sambal
chilli butter, Scallops with Tom Yam butter and Tandoori grilled tiger prawns.
On top of everything, both buffets serve an wide-ranging spread of
Asian, local and continental fare to satisfy every craving. Diners will be
delighted with Som Tam Malakor (green papaya salad), Gai Hor Bai Toey
(grilled chicken in pandan leaves), Gaeng Kiew Whan Gai (green chicken
curry), or Gaeng Karie Talay (yellow seafood curry with pickled vegetables)
from Thailand, Indian curries like Fish masala and Chicken curry to go with
crispy Roti prata.
Both buffets are available every Saturday and Sunday afternoon for Tunch
and the Asian BBQ cooks up every Friday and Saturday evening. Grand Park
City Hall is a 5-star hotel located in a prime spot in Singapore’s Civic District
and nearby the Central Business District (CBD).
Address: Grand Park City Hall
10 Coleman Street, Singapore 179809
Phone: 6432 5888
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 9

There’s a need
for the Danish
Seamen’s
Church
For 30 years, there
has been a Danish
seamen’s church
in Singapore. And
even though there’s
a different seamen
culture today and less
interest among Danes
for having the church
in their everyday life,
chaplain at the church,
Kirsten Eistrup, believes
that it still exits in
Singapore for a reason
By Søren Engelbrecht
10 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015
On top of a mountain in Singapore,
through hairpin turns and jungle
bushes, sweat-causing humidity
and cicadas singing, lies the
Danish Seamen’s Church. There
are not actually mountains in Singapore, but
the long walk and idyllic setting makes you feel
like you’re up above and far away from the city
stress. The church is an old mansion that without
a doubt used to be magnificent, but it’s expensive
to repaint and a restoration of the ceiling has
been undergoing for several years now.
I’m here on a mission. I took the long walk
up to find out why there’s a need for a Danish
church in Singapore. It’s hard enough for small
rural parishes in Denmark to attract people, so
why would it be any easier in Singapore? They
also face the challenge that they don’t receive
financial support from the Danish Ministry of
Ecclesiastical Affairs like churches in Denmark do.
I’m meeting with the chaplain of the Danish
Seamen’s Church, Kirsten Eistrup, so I can
hopefully find out how it has survived through
30 years in Singapore. She moved to Singapore
to fill out the position in 2011 and has, according
to herself, enjoyed it ever since.
“I think it’s the greatest gift as a priest to get
to be a seamen’s chaplain,” she exclaims at one
point and elaborates: “Sometimes, we’re the only
puff of something Danish for the ones who are
sailing and traveling here. I get very humble when
I’m meet with such an openness and trust from
the seamen,” she says with warmth in her voice.
Library for the seamen
Kirsten Eistrup is very aware of the purpose of
the church, which is much more than religious
traditions. To simplify, it has three functions: it’s
a church, it’s a community house, where Danes
meet, and it’s a Center of Welfare for seamen.
The third thing is a big part of the everyday work.
“Some 25 years ago, the seamen had time
to pay the church a visit, but today they don’t.
Only 10 or 12 hours after a container vessel
arrives at the port, it’s on its way again. So now
we come to them and we visit one vessel every
day on average. We’re a welfare station for an
organization in Denmark called The Danish
Government’s Seamen’s Service. That includes
newspaper services and library services, so we’re
actually also a branch of The Maritime Library,”
Kirsten Eistrup explains. It means that a vessel

can contact the church and ask for some specific
books and newspapers, which they will bring with
them down to the port.
“We have a donation which means that we
can download up to 1800 newspapers from
almost every country in the world and then
print them out for the seamen,” Kirsten Eistrup
underlines humbly and recalls one of her latest
tasks where she had to find a specific Egyptian
newspaper.
Survives on donations and fund raising
Donations are very important for the church.
Besides being part of a large pool of institutions
where the Danish Department of Finances allocate
around nine million Danish kroner, the Danish
Seamen’s Church doesn’t receive any operating
grants from Denmark. Instead, they survive from
fund raising, economic means and private grants.
Kirsten Eistrup explains that they have three
models when they have to finance something:
corporate sponsorships, which is support from
companies with Danish connections, contingent
from the members of the church and finally
events, which is a part of the fundraising.
“Our biggest fundraising event is our
Christmas Bazaar. Last year with had around
70 volunteers and 2000 visitors and it gave a
turnover of 125.000 SGD,” Kirsten Eistrup says
and adds with a smile: “Which should pay the rent
for a couple of months.”
Yes, even though it may sound like a success
which many churches in Denmark could only
dream of these events are needed for their
survival – a situation which no churches in
Denmark envy them.
“Unlike the churches in Denmark, we are
only here because someone supports us. We
wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t pay our rent and
the Danish community in Singapore didn’t exist,”
she says. Asked if she finds it fair that they don’t
get the same treatment as the Danish churches,
Kirsten Eistrup reflects:
“Is it fair? You could have the opinion that
it’s not. If you say that we represent the Danish
National Church abroad then we should have the
same conditions as the churches in Denmark.”
Christian justification
With the number of participants for various
events and financial support that they get, it’s
obvious that the church is there for a reason. But,
bearing in mind which tasks Kirsten Eistrup seems
to be spending most of her time of, I can’t help but
wonder why it’s not just a welfare and community
center. Why is the religious element important?
“Well, we could just be a community house
with a newspaper and library service,” Kirsten
Eistrup says and wonders.
“But I don’t think you should ask a priest
about the justification of the church,” she adds.
I sense that she does in fact have an opinion
about this so I don’t settle with that answer. I ask
her what she personally thinks and luckily I don’t
have to ask more than once.
“I believe that as long as... as long as the Danes
who are in Singapore want to use the church, it’s
here, and we have our justification,” she says. After
about ten long seconds of silence, she elaborates.
“Our culture and Christian faith goes hand in
hand - we are of Christian culture. I believe that
if this house wasn’t here, some people would still
gather and say: “Why don’t we do something for
Christmas Eve?” The church life is keeping us in
some sort of rhythm. We need some anchors
and this interaction that the church calendar gives
us. Where would we go and get our children
christened if the church wasn’t here? Until now,
I have had five christenings this year and that’s
about the same number as a small rural parish
in Denmark. We are bound to the same rituals
as in Denmark, so this is where you come to get
married, to get confirmed and so on.”
Kirsten Eistrup slows down and says with a
little less power and enthusiasm:
“But again, you should ask the ones who
come here what they would do if the church
wasn’t here.”
Like a politician she makes sure she has
backing. The Danish people in Singapore decide
whether there’s a need for a church in Singapore
and right now it seems as if Kirsten Eistrup has all
the backing she needs.
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 11

Swedish Virtual
Fitting Solution
expands
to Singapore and
Southeast-Asia
By Joakim Persson
As a Swedish innovation for virtual
fitting of clothes is being rolled
on the market, now reaching
customers also in Southeast Asia,
online shopping of garments are
seeing much improvement in terms of enhanced
sales results and happy customers.
Haven’t we all concluded that there is no
such thing as a standard size when it comes to
clothes! Just compare a ‘Large’ in Sweden with
any country Southeast Asia! This is a struggle
when browsing for a size that fits one’s body in
the store. Then, take this challenge to even higher
heights - as consumers are increasingly buying
clothes also online!
But now there is remedy in the form of the
award-winning virtual fitting solution Virtusize,
which reached Southeast Asian shores in May
2014, when the region’s leading online fashion
e-tailer Zalora launched the consumer tool on a
large scale in the region.
Virtusize, which has been introduced across
the full range of brands and garments sold by
Zalora, makes it easier for shoppers to find the
right size and fit of clothing before making a
purchase, a function called “Fit Visualizer”. Zalora
also launched the new mobile version of Virtusize
in the end of July 2015, making it possible for
shoppers to use Virtusize while shopping on their
Smartphones.
Virtual closet
Virtusize lets the online shopper compare
garments they want to buy with garments they
already own, by overlaying the silhouettes of one
onto the other. This 2D garment comparison
solution thus illustrates the difference in size and
fit of clothes online.
“We give the opportunity to take a garment
one already owns and compare that with a
garment that one would like to buy,” explains
Andreas Olausson, Regional Manager of Asia
Pacific at Virtusize to ScandAsia.
“If you have previously bought a product on
any of our affiliated web shops we store the data
and product image automatically and give you the
opportunity to use that item, a product that you
already own and know, to compare with products
you are interested in buying. And you can also
register own favourite garments that you have not
bought online but have in your wardrobe back
home. In order to do that you measure it manually
according to our guide, and add the data into
Virtusize, saving it in your virtual closet with us.”
“Normally consumers know their garments
and their favourites: they know how these fit and
want to buy something similar. Then we allow the
user to do that comparison; you can see exactly
how it will fit you and precisely any difference
between the two,” Andreas elaborates.
This function overcomes the problem that
size and fitting are not standardized.
12 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

“The brilliant thing with Virtusize is that it
makes a direct comparison of two garments and
then it matters less what size they are given; you
compare garment against garment. So it may fit
with an XL in Singapore, but shopping in USA
Medium might be enough.”
“Compare with categories of online products
that are standardized, for example electronics: you
don’t have to worry whether it will work or not. All
standardized products sell very well online, while
clothes and other things have had it tougher,” the
Japan-based Swede describes the market. “And
that is where we can add something and really
accomplishing the goal of turning clothes into
something more standardized online. It would
change everything for this category – if you
compare with for example consumer electronics,
they sell over 60 per cent online. Clothes are only
selling about 10 per cent - though it is still a large
category online.”
Increased orders, less returns
According to market research from Reportlinker
clothing has in fact been the most purchased
physical product in recent years in many countries
across the Asia-Pacific region, including China,
India, Indonesia, Vietnam and others.
Clothing is one of the largest segments
of the B2C E-Commerce markets worldwide.
Clothing rivals closely the consumer electronics
category for first rank among product categories
by share of online shoppers buying worldwide.
Pure online, store-based mass merchants and
clothing specialists compete for a share in this
booming market.
In terms of customer success in using Virtusize,
there are two sides to that, according to Andreas;
the consumer’s experience and also commercially.
“We’re getting very good feedback among
consumers. About 90 per cent of those–we have
performed usability studies across many markets–
want to use it repeatedly. And almost the same
volume sees Virtusize useful in order to find the
right size.60 per cent says it is very useful to find
the right size for the clothes.”
In the case of Zalora it has led to less return
goods and increased orders.
“We typically see between 20 - 40 per cent
order value increase for shoppers using Virtusize
compared to those who purchase without using
our solution.”
“It has to do mainly with consumers buying
more items, including items in their orders that
they might previously have been unsure of with
regards to size.”
Tokyo base for Asia
In Asia the Swedish innovation was introduced
simultaneously at several markets; India and Japan
and then Singapore/Southeast Asia (Zalora)
The Swedish company has landed deals with
seven of the top 15 online sellers in Japan.
“We’ve had a clear business model from the
beginning and it is mostly about gaining traction, a
momentum on the market. So we have aimed at
the top 20 and especially those who will influence
other companies,” says the Swede who was
recruited over to the company from Sweden’s
export promotion agency in Japan.
“In 2012 I met them for the first time in my
role working for Business Sweden in Asia. After
discussing where to establish on other markets
outside Europe they started working with us in
Japan. And along the route we have collaborated,
where I helped them as consultant in contacting
customers and doing strategies for their Japanese
expansion.”
Once a few customers had been established
in Japan they wanted a more solid setup there,
and with Tokyo as a base for Asian expansion.
And then they were looking for a person. Andreas
was then offered to run this operation and he
accepted the challenge.
In the continued growth plans for 2015
Virtusize will continue their efforts in gaining
market share in Japan, aiming at reaching 20 per
cent of the market, and also building more clients
among Clicks and Mortar brands.
“Looking at retailers, Japan is advanced, and
China is coming strong. I think their way of running
e-commerce is actually quite sophisticated and
underestimated. We target those who are large
at e-commerce first of all. We know which ones
the big players are and we are busy.
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

The great escape to
Cambodia - why?
By Bjarne Wildau
There are several good reasons
why you should consider
relocating to Cambodia,
writes Bjarne Wildau
Pick any restaurant in Cambodia where
you see some white people looking like
regulars guests sitting with their daily
“Happy hour” beers. Sit down with
them and notice how the conversation
soon will be about Thailand. Make a head-count
and most likely you will find that at least half of
your new friends are “refugees” from Thailand.
So why is that? Thailand is the “land of smiles”
would it not be better to stay there? Well, let
me take you trough a few god reasons why
Cambodia is far more attractive.
The best visa in the world
Cambodia’s biggest attraction for 95% of the
Barangs (Westerners in Khmer), is perhaps the
visa and work permit rules which are maybe
the most convenient anywhere in the world. In
Cambodia they have two different kinds of visas. I
have no count on the jungle of different types of
visas they have in Thailand.
Cambodia’s Tourist Visa is what most people
buy. It costs around 25 dollars and gives you
permission to stay 30 days. You can extend it
at the nearest travel agency. They will charge
14 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015
a small amount, three maybe five dollars, and
you will have your passport back two or three
working days later. However, you can only extend
a tourist visa inside Cambodia once. The fine for
overstaying is 5$ a day - but don’t even consider
calculating if a ticket out will cost you more than
paying a fine for overstay. Overstaying may end
you in jail. Don’t go there!
The other kind of visa in Cambodia is normally
called “Business visa (EI)”. You can buy the Business
Visa arrival in an airport or at a border crossing.
The price is between 30 to 60 USD depending
on the boss of the local immigration office where
you are trying to enter the country.
Be prepared, that most of the bad experiences
you will have in Cambodia may very well happen
here on the Cambodian side of the border. The
Cambodian side of immigration is typically very
open. Everybody can enter. There will probably
even be people helping you filling out the health
formula. But afterwards they will demand money
for their effort. Other people will probably help
you make your most valuable belongings - cameras,
smart phones, wallet, etc. - disappear. Especially the
Poi Pet border crossing is notorious for theft.
Question: What papers do you need to get
at business visa?
Answer: You need your passport and the
money it costs.
That’s it. You don’t need to prove how much
money you have, neither in your pocket, nor in
any banks abroad or in Cambodia. All of the hassle
that some people have been through in other
countries is gone. It can be hard to believe, but...
it is as simple as that.
The business visa (EI) can be extended up
to one year at a local travel agency. Never, n e
v e r, try to go to the immigration department i
Phnom Penh to save 5$ or a little more. Be good
to yourself and do it locally.
Be aware that you have to buy at least a 6
months business visa extension inside Cambodia
if you want to be able to leave the Kingdom
without having your visa cancelled at the border
crossing. If you have at least a 6 months business
visa you can cross the border every day, until
there is no more space in your passport.
If you want to work in Cambodia, you should
buy a Work Permit. Once again. Nothing to prove,
just pay 100 $ a year. And there is no limitations

which job you can have. Bartender, pancake-baker
and seller with a cart, a restaurant, a factory, run
and drive a minibus service.
Despite the small cost,thousands of Barangs
has for years skipped buying the work permit
and just used the business visa. But recently, the
immigration police has started to implement the
rules. They estimate that only 30% of the working
Barangs in Cambodia have paid the early 100$.
Currently, there are 75 foreigners in jail i
Sihanoukville for visa, work permit or passport
problems. Don’t become one of them when you
can so easily avoid it.
Who should settle in Cambodia?
More and more retired couples stay permanently
or part of the year in Cambodia. Typically when
the weather back home is cold and rainy. They
will soon get to know other couple who have
retired here too.
Some young couples with children also settle
and even open a business.
And then you have a big group of foreigners
who are here on long term stay because of the
easier visa, the cheaper prices, and the cheaper
girls. Before you think bad about “your granddad”,
relax, they will be punished sooner or later.
What are the risks?
Some, but not that many, think about the risks.
Illness and accidents do happen. Cambodia is one
of the countries, where you should consider how
you can safeguard yourself. New hospitals open,
old hospitals are renovated, and the prices go up.
The problem is not the planned situation.
When you know well in advance that you need
an operation for an illness you just go to one of
the private hospitals and they will find a time for
one of the literally flying doctors, specialist who
know their trade.
The problem is the acute stuff. A long term
Scandinavian had the yearly visit of his father. After
a few days he got a heart attack or a stroke and
fell unconscious. The son rushed him to the best
hospital in town but here they said they had to
wait untill they could find a doctor who could
speak English - with the unconscious patient!!!
Luckily, the pensioner from Denmark survived,
but it was not thanks to the English speaking
doctor, who arrived 45 minutes later.
For the last three years, the best hospital
in Cambodia has been the Sonja Kill Memorial
Hospital on the Eastern side of the South coast.
Its run by the the HOPE worldwide foundation.
If you get at health problem, worse than a
cold or trivial infections, it is advisable to go to
Thailand or if possible go back home. Without
hesitation. Many rookies are unaware the the
little seemingly innocent infection on their foot
or shin bone may develop into some nasty life
threatening blood infection much faster out here
than it would back home. On top of that, some of
the same people are often unaware that alcohol
and whatever medicine they take could be a bad
cocktail in the heat.
Do they have schools?
Parents with small children seems to do OK. But
what about when children reach the age of preschool?
It seems to be no problem. You will find
the words “International School” on almost every
corner i towns like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville,
Koh Kong, Siem Reap, Kampot, etc.
In reality the only town that comes close
to having a real International School is Phnom
Penh. But you can forget that unless you have an
employer who is ready to pay the school fee, or
you yourself happen to be a dollar millionaire.
Where is it best to settle?
Infrastructure in Cambodia is like in Thailand 30
years ago. But as in Thailand, things are fast getting
better. As an example, they just opened a new
fantastic road from Kampot in the south, close to
the Vietnamese border, to Phnom Penh.
In fact, if you haven’t been to Cambodia for
five or ten year you may think the plane has
landed in the wrong country. The Asian World
Bank calls Cambodia for the “new small Asian
tiger”. They financed and pushed forward for
the renovation and extension of the Cambodian
railways. Three four times a day, trains now arrive
at the trainstation in the harbour city Sihanoukville,
full of goods that would otherwise have had to be
trucked down there on the roads.
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

Power supply is still a huge problem. It
improved a lot when a new power plant was
started up one year a go. But you still have
to consider where you settle, and if you will
save the money and stay in a house without
a generator. In short, Phnom Penh, Kampot,
Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap, and maybe -
repeat: maybe - Battambang.
If you plan to do business, here is a website
that may help you:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/
exploreeconomies/cambodia/starting-abusiness/
Nightlife in Cambodia
In Cambodia, new casinos pop up like
McDonald’s did 10 years ago in China. They are
everywhere. Close to the Vietnamese border,
to the Thai border, and in almost every town in
between with more than 50.000 citizens.
And yes, 90% of the tourist coming to
Cambodia, or long term stayers, are also here
because the prostitutes. Especially the guys
who over in Thailand have spend hundreds
of nights sleeping with prostitutes thinks it is
same-same here.
NOT!
There are places in Cambodia where
men can hire a girl and feel reasonably safe
and secure, but just like you have Pattaya
in Thailand, then in Cambodia a lot of the
16 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015
sex trade happens on the Octual Beach in
Sihanoukville, at places like Dolphin or JJ bar.
Here, the secret weapon of the freelance
prostitutes is Ketamin, also called horse
medicine. A Scandinavian sex tourist went in
to have a breakfast at a Scandinavian restaurant.
He talk with the owner about freelancers on
the beach. And was warned. Still, 36 hours
he woke up, not naked, but everything else -
including the sweet lovely lady he had brought
home two nights ago - was gone. He even had
to go to Hanoi to get a new passport.
Better stay away?
So should you stay away from Cambodia?
No way if you can live with the standards of
hospitals and education. But yes, please stay
away if you are too smart to listen to other
people’s free advice.
Here is some more of that free stuff: Never
loose control over your mind and your body.
If you walk like a snake at four in the morning,
you are asking for trouble. And don’t buy the
bad stuff, amfetamin, ice, heroin, cocaine, weed,
or whatever they offer you. Cambodia is still
a poor country and some people will do
whatever it takes to survive. The children who
sell bracelets are so nice, cute, and their English
is so good. Oops! Where is my wallet? Or my
brand new Iphone?
This is my restaurant!
Where is my girlfriend?
A
hard working Scandinavian carpenter I knew
was a very very happy man. He lived in
Sihanoukville with his his girlfriend “Mom”.
She was 38 years younger and weighed 38 kilos less
than him. Mom was so nice, both in the bedroom and
in their restaurant, which he had bought in her name
of course.
The carpenter made their restaurant one of the
nicest places in town. The Americans say: Location
location, location, and the restaurant was the first they
saw on their left hand side when they arrived on the
beach.
Mom and the carpenter had a high season, and
a low season, and everything was fine. Then he went
home to Scandinavia to work his socks off so he could
buy some land and build a house for his new family.
Foreigners can not buy land in Cambodia so it would
have to be in her name once again.
Back in Cambodia again, he bought the land,
started to build the house, the restaurant was still OK,
but his girlfriend had changed. One night he saw her
shaking or twitching like on drugs, he confronted her
with his suspicion, but she denied, they made love and
he believed her.
Then one afternoon she came back screaming that
she had been robbed. She was bringing the money
to pay the people who were building their house
and now it was all gone. The carpenter took her in
his strong arms and she calmed down. Then he went
back to Scandinavia to earn some more money to his
wonderful wife.
Back in Denmark, something unusual happened.
She phoned him and asked him to send money.
Normally the restaurant made enough money during
the peak season to make it through the low season. But
her mother had had a bad accident and if she didn’t get
money big big, mama would die.
So the good carpenter transferred the money
and worked one extra month in Denmark. Finally, he
could return. In the tax free in Bangkok he bought her
a bracelet of silver, and some fancy perfume. He even
missed her so much, that he took a taxi straight from
Phnom Penh airport to the restaurant in Sihanoukville.
Stepping out of the taxi, he got his first shock. The
walls were painted white, he could not recognise one
single waiter, and behind the bar there was this big
khmer man ordering the staff to do this or that.
“Who are you? What are you doing behind my bar.
Where is my girlfriend?” the carpenter was screaming.
The man did not answer, just brushed the
carpenter aside. Some 10 minutes later, after 25 bottles
were smashed and the Khmer behind the bar had a
broken nose and two black eyes, the police arrived
and slammed a pair of handcuffs on the wrists of the
carpenter.
On the way to the police station, the police officer
stole the bracelet that the carpenter bought for his
lovely girlfriend.
The short story was that the mother had never
been in any accident but lovely Mom had gone back
to smoking ice 20 minutes after the carpenter had left
for the airport and her boyfriend from since she was
eighteen told her to sell the restaurant.
And I got a good story to tell.

LOOKING FOR A HAIRSTYLIST
WITH EXPERIENCE CUTTING
CAUCASIAN
MEN’S HAIR?
Dominic, from Visage The Salon is trained
in London and has over 25 years experience
in hairdressing.
He uses a scissor-cutting technique on
men’s hair, instead of electric hair clippers,
giving the haircut a more natural look that
will still look great as it grows out.
Haircuts start at $50 and include a
relaxing hair wash and blow-dry.
Tel: 6735 6357
(Strictly by appointments)
402 Orchard Road #02-11/14
Delfi Orchard
Open Monday to Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Closed on Sunday & Public Holidays
www.visage.com.sg
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

The Nordic
countries and
China’s AIIB
Q&A
Reader profile
of the month
Fredrik
Sterner
China has welcomed
Denmark’s application
to become a founding
member of Asian
Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB). Danish
Minister of Trade and Development
Mogens Jensen called China’s
establishment of the AIIB “a
significant and exciting development
in the world order.”
“Since many Danish trade
interests as well as development
cooperation interests will be at
stake in the AIIB, there are many
reasons to engage in and influence
the AIIB’s investment decisions from
its beginning,” Jensen said. Denmark
became itself a founding member on
12 April 2015.
Sweden is interested in joining
the China-led Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB), but has not
made an official decision yet, Swedish
Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said
during his speech at The Brookings
Institution in Washington, D.C.
“We haven’t decided, but we are
very close and we think we will be
interested in joining too.”
Prime Minister Lofven pointed
to the need for infrastructure
investment in Asia over the coming
decade, estimated to be $70,000
billion.
“Of course, many companies,
many countries want to be part of
those investments,” he noted.
Norway has meanwhile
confirmed its intention to join AIIF
as a prospective founding member.
‘Norway is a substantial
contributor to global development
efforts, and wishes to join countries
from Asia and other parts of
the world in further refining the
structure and mission of the AIIB,’
said Foreign Minister Børge Brende.
‘The establishment of the AIIB
will be important for Norwegian
development priorities. Norway
will work to ensure that the AIIB
embodies the best standards of
governance, accountability and
transparency. We expect it to work
closely with and complement the
efforts of other relevant institutions
such as the Asian Development
Bank, the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund,’ said
Mr Brende.
Norway will take part in
discussions with the other
founding members on the AIIB’s
Articles of Agreement, which will
set out the terms of governance
and accountability for the new
institution. The final decision on
Norway’s membership of the AIIB,
together with the structure and level
of Norwegian financial support, will
then be made.
Starting AIIB is aimed at helping
to fund infrastructure projects in
poor Asian countries. The Beijingbased
bank, which will support
infrastructure projects in Asia, is
expected to be operational by the
end of 2015, with China expected to
foot the bulk of the money needed
to get the bank started. Donations
from other members could increase
the size of the overall fund to more
than US$100 billion.
Fredrik Sterner is 29 years
old, originates from Sweden,
lived in Beijing for six years
and now in Shanghai for the past
six month. He works for Per
Linden, CEO of Scandic Foods
Asia. They have several web shops
where they sell Scandinavian
food and beverage products.
From time to time Fredrik misses
Sweden, but it is mainly his family
and friends that he misses. At the
moment he does not have any
plans of moving back.
The best thing about working
in Shanghai is...
the incredibly fast-paced working
environment and all the things
you learn by just going with it.
It has taught me never to slow
down. However, I used to live in
Beijing for six years and it took
me a while to adjust to the speed
of the city.
When I am not working I...
workout, travel with my girlfriend
that I met while I lived in Beijing.
I also study for future challenges,
since it is a good idea to always
stay on top of career pursuits
and what matters to your field.
Especially in China.
My biggest concern before
moving to Shanghai was...
making enough money to get by
long term.
In Shanghai I could do
without...
freezing in the winter due to lack
of heating.
Living outside of Scandinavia
has made me realize...
that the world is a lot less
organized and prosperous
than we realize. Scandinavia is
wonderfully organized, but we
sometimes forget our own history
has it’s periods of chaos. Societies
develop through different stages,
China is just catching up.
I use the Scandinavian
community in Shanghai to...
network, socialize and stay in
touch with our culture. I have a
large network of Scandinavians
that I socialize with mixed
together with people from all
over the world. It is mainly the
food that keeps us together.
In Shanghai I have picked up
the habit of...
planning my life in careful detail. I
always stay on top with my health.
Workouts are regular. I cook on
my own. My girlfriend lives in
Beijing, which requires careful
planning to make everything
work. I like it that way.
My best advice to a newcomer
in Shanghai is...
get ready to work hard.
Compared to Sweden, there
is not a social safety net, which
makes life easier.
18 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2015

Enjoy
Naturism
in Asia
Danish naturist
boutique resort
in Bangkok
85 Soi Prasert-Manukitch 29, Yaek 7
Lad Prao district, Bangkok 10230
Location: 13.841978, 100.616500
www.barefeetnaturistresort.com
MB: 096 889 1112
August 2015 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

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