ScandAsia Singapore - August 2012

AUG 2012
Singapore
SEB
Appoints
New
General
Manager
ScandAsia.dk ScandAsia.fi ScandAsia.no ScandAsia.se
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 1

For Scandinavians,
God is in Nature
Opinion
Recently, my husband, baby-son and I went on a weekend-trip to the Malaysian
island of Tioman. Only 45 minutes by air from Changi airport, it’s an easy
getaway from Singapore. So far, the island has been relatively spared of large
resorts, the water there is emerald green and the nature is wild.
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We arrived at the small hotel and settled in our bungalow. Behind us were
massive rocks, lush greenery and in front of us, there was the clear wide
emerald sea.
During the day, my husband was snorkelling in the water in the cove, while I
watched the turtles with my baby. Evenings, we watched the staff feed the fish
from the pier. At night, we could hear the sounds of the jungle and monkeys
scratching our balcony door.
One day, I was sitting on the sundeck watching some kids playing in the water.
There was a girl who caught my attention. She swam like a fish, she was as
gutsy as the boys and seemed very free. The girl wasn’t afraid of anything.
It turned out that the girl was local, the daughter of the British owner of the
hotel who had lived on the island for nearly twenty years. He told us he practically
threw his daughter in the water when she was a baby, much to the locals’
initial shock and fear.
What a childhood, I thought. What freedom. To grow up on a tropical island,
surrounded by monkeys, rainforest and the sea.
Then I realised that this need and emphasis on nature, the recognition of it as
something sacred, is a very Northern idea.
Perhaps the most important thing for a Scandinavian parent is for their children
to be able to roam freely in the countryside. Nature is the first and the
most fundamental teacher for life.
Whether it’s the dramatic Norwegian fjords, the sandy dunes of Denmark,
the Finnish lakes and forests or the islands of the Swedish archipelago, for the
Northerner, God is in nature.
It’s what we carry in our souls from home and it’s what we miss the most
when we live abroad, particularly in Asian cities.
Being a people of nature, this is also the reason why Scandinavians want to
save the earth. We might not be as entrepreneurial as the Asians yet, in this
regard. But if we work towards fusing the Asian drive with the Nordic passion
for the environment, the green solutions for a sustainable future could indeed
come from Singapore.
Andrea Hessmo is a Swedish freelance
journalist and writer, currently based
in Singapore. She has been a regular
journalist for ScandAsia Singapore
since September 2011. She holds a
Master’s degree in English.

Coming Events
Meet the New
Ambassador to
Singapore
Berit Basse
Danish Ambassador
Talked About
Myanmar in Singapore
Date: Friday 17 August 2012, 6.30pm
Location: Singapore Cricket Club, Connaught Drive,
Singapore 179681
Danish Business Association of Singapore (DABS) is organising a welcoming
event for the new Danish Ambassador to Singapore Berit-
Basse, where she will share with participants the latest development
in Denmark as well as her experience as an Ambassador for the Danish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fee: Members SGD 95, Non-members
SGD 125. Register at dabs@dabs-singapore.com
Annual Boat Trip
with Cheng Ho V
Date: Friday 14 September 2012
Location: Marina South Pier,
31 Marina Coastel Drive,
Singapore 018988
The Norwegian Business Association is organising their annual boat
trip again. The event aims to gather residing Norwegians and newcomers
to Singapore to enjoy mingling and sightseeing around the city.
The three-hour trip begins at the Marina Pier and sets out to Sentosa
and back again. The vessel used is the Imperial Cheng Ho which sits
around 200 people. Fee: Member: $80 / Non-member: $80. Please
contact the NBAS for further information - admin@nbas.org.sg
The Danish Ambassador to Thailand, Mikael HemnitiWinther, visited
DABS - the Danish Business Association of Singapore on Monday
June 4.
The Ambassador made a briefing about the current situation and positive
developments in Myanmar.
The Ambassador also mentioned to about 35 guests at the event about
the upcoming event that the Embassy in Thailand is organizing, which will
take place in August this year.
Swedish National Day
Celebrated in Singapore
Nordic Golf Tournament
Date: Thursday 20 September
Location: Masters Course at Laguna National Golf & Country Club
It’s time to grab those clubs, tees, balls, and get ready for The Golf
Tournament of 2012!
Get ready for another fun filled day in the company of Scandinavian
business community and friends in Singapore. The course is
booked, the menu is being set, and the format tweaked to ensure
a day not to be forgotten. To register, please contact dabs@dabssingapore.com
Over 200 people gathered at the Polo Club in Singapore to celebrate
the Swedish National Day and the Swedish Flag Day on June 6.
Ambassador IngemarDolfe welcomed the Swedish community
in his opening address and GudmundErling, the Swedish priest, also gave a
speech. After the talks, guests were entertained by PippiLongstocking who
sang with the children at the event.
A light summer buffet with a Swedish touch and various fun activities
were available for guests to enjoy.
The National Day celebration was collaborated between the Embassy
of Sweden, SBAS (Swedish Business Association of Singapore), SWEA, the
Church of Sweden in Singapore and the Swedish Supplementary Educational
School.
4 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

Norwegian Students Mingling with
Singaporean Entrepreneurs
In regards to this year’s launch of the Norwegian Entrepreneurship
program (Gründerskolen) in Singapore, a large
number of Norwegian students and Singaporean entrepreneurs
gathered at the Ambassador’s residence on 7 June 2012.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Singapore H.E. JanneJulsrud
held a welcoming speech for the guests. In her speech
she emphasized the importance of innovation, and small to
medium-sized businesses to ensure economic growth in a
developed economy. Among the listeners were students, entrepreneurs
and faculty members from different universities
in Singapore.
Many of the participating students are currently pursuing
their degrees, whereas others have already finished. In the
following three months, they will sharpen their entrepreneurial
skills at a highly innovative and dynamic Singaporean startup.
These companies are involved in a range of industries
such as IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and renewable energy.
Thus, the event offered good opportunities both for interns
and employers.
The Norwegian Entrepreneurship program (Gründerskolen)
is a co-operative project between several higher educational
institutions in Norway. The program was launched
in 1999, and is coordinated by Center for Entrepreneurship
at the University of Oslo. An important goal of the program
is to give students additional knowledge about business development
and start-ups. Currently, about 150 students are
spread across locations such as Boston, Houston, San Francisco
and Singapore.
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 5

ScandAsia News Brief
Singaporean and Norwegian
Company in Huge Vessel Deal
Norwegian Farstad Shipping has ordered the design and construction
of two Platform Supply Vessels from Singapore listed STX OSV
Holdings Limited, shipbuilders of offshore and specialized vessels.
The total value of the contracts amounts to approximately 93 million euro.
The first vessel, of STX OSV’s own PSV 07 design, is scheduled for delivery
in 2014 from STX OSV Langsten in Norway. The second vessel will
also be delivered in 2014 from STX OSV Vung Tau in Vietnam.
The vessels are 94.5 meters long and 21 meters wide, with deadweight
of 5,600 tons.
They will be built to comply with the strictest “Clean Design” class notation
requirements to reduce environmental impact, and are designed for
effective and safe operations in harsh conditions.
Photo: Lars Grunwald
Swedish Café Fika
Millennia Launch
New Danish
Ambassador
to Singapore
H.E. Mrs. Berit Basse took on 1. August 2012 over as
Danish Ambassador to Singapore. Mrs. Basse’s previous
posting was in Munich in Germany, where she
held the position as Consul General.
Mrs. Basse succeeds Ambassador Ole Lisborg who is retiring.
The Ambassador is not entirely new to South East Asia.
Early in her carreer she worked with Environmental Assistance
to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia while based back in
Copenhagen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shortly after her arrival to Singapore, the Danish Business
Association of Singapore will host a dinner for both members
and non-members where the Danish community in Singapore
will get a chance to meet the new Danish ambassador.
Swedish Café Fika launched its second branch on Millennia Walk in
the heart of Singapore’s luxury hotel area on 30 May 2012. The
new branch features all the Swedish signature dishes the café has
become known for, as well as several new additions.
The opening of the café’s first branch on Arab Street was three
years ago. Its business has since expanded and led them to a diverse
group of customers.
Co-owner of Fika Joakim Smidhagen stated in a press release that
both the cafés were designed to give customers a full Swedish experience.
The first one has a feel like a country home, while the second, as
a chic city home.
“Instead of replicating the country-style interiors of our first branch in Arab
Street, we decided to go with a nostalgic Swedish mid-century feel,” he said.
On Fika’s menu are items that you would typically find in many cafés
in Swedish cities.
The opening hours of the café are 11:00 to 22:00 Sunday through
Wednesday and 11:00 to 23:00 Thursday through Saturday. For reservations
at the Fika Millennia, call +65 6336 7234.
6 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 7

ScandAsia News Brief
Swedish
Ambassador
in Business
Seminar
Swedish Ambassador Ingemar Dolfe participated
in a full day seminar titled ‘Doing
business in Europe’, organized by the Singapore
Polytechnic. Among the speakers were
also the young Swedish entrepreneur Ms. Claudia
Olsson and Ambassador Marc Ungeheur,
Head of the EU Delegation to Singapore.
The Seminar started with the welcome address
Mr Lee Chong Hwa, Deputy Director
Business School. His address was followed by
the first speaker for the morning His Excellency
Ingemar Dolfe Swedish Ambassador to Singapore
who gave a general Introduction to Europe
and Sweden & Singapore Relations. After
that, His Excellency, Marc Ungehuer Ambassador
and the Head of the Delegation of the European
Union to Singapore gave an overview
of the European market and its business challenges.
Ambassador Dolfe provided an overview
of Sweden’s business climate, and noted Sweden’s
emphasis on innovation and creativity as
integral parts of the Swedish business success.
The students noted with interested that close
to 400 Singaporean exchange students study in
Sweden every year.
The presentations provided the students
with a nuanced overview of the business opportunities
and challenges in Europe and the
cultural differences between Europe and Asia.
Photo: Carin Thomsen
Legoland Warming
up to
Opening
Legoland launched an innovative Lego building competition on 17 July 2012 challenging
school children in Singapore to build national icons out of Lego bricks in celebration of
Singapore’s 47 th National Day on 9 th August 2012.
The contest was widely supported by teachers and parents alike amidst the growing recognition
that children primarily think and learn through experiences rather than through abstract
calculations and generalisations.
On 19 August, once the selection process is complete, ten finalists will be announced and in
the second round, they will be asked to promote their designs online.
Public voting to decide the winners will close on 31 August.
On 3 September, the teams with the highest number of votes per contest category will be
announced and every member of each winning team will receive five-day passes to Legoland
Malaysia which is set to open its doors officially on 15 September 2012. The theme park has
seven unique areas developed especially for children promoting fun in learning and combining the
experience with interactive features.
Liv Ullman
at IIFA
Singapore
Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann was
in Singapore on 7 -9 June 2012
to attend the Indian Film IIFA
Awards which was held in Singapore this
year.
Liv Ullmann on 8 June also showed
the film, ‘Liv and Ingmar’, that is based on
her life story, to an exclusive audience.
The film is an affectionate yet truthful account
of the 42 years and 12 films long
association between Ullman and master
filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, conceived,
written and directed by London-based Indian
filmmaker Dheeraj Akolkar.
Ullmann, 73, has contributed in the
form of two interviews and readings from
her book ‘Changing’.
“’Liv and Ingmar’ is not made by me but
by the young and very creative filmmaker
from India, Dheeraj Akolkar. He allowed
even me to see many of the most important
times of my life in a new and thought
evoking way,” the actress said.
“It somehow changed some of my
own memories,” Liv Ullman said.
8 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

ScandAsia and
Thai Property Guide
in Cooperation
ScandAsia and Thai Property Guide (TPG) - a book published
by Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce - will join forces to
approach Scandinavians in Singapore and China to promote
second home and residential property investment in Thailand. The
Thai Property Guide is the only project of its kind with official
support and operated by a Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.
Scandinavians, in particular the ever-increasing number of Scandinavians
living and working in China and Singapore, are very potential
investors in the Thai real estate market where a large number of
Swedes, Norwegians and Danes have already bought a home.
Executive Director Peter Björk of the Thai-Swedish Chamber
of Commerce sees a clear trend of Scandinavians settling down
permanently in Asia because of their current businesses, the many
opportunities and the strong growth here.
“Many Scandinavian corporate employees have been in Asia a
long time and prefer to invest here rather than back in Scandinavia.
Also, they prefer the warm and friendly people in a country such
as Thailand with its world-renowned hospitality. Here they can
enjoy higher quality of life than back home and at a reasonable
cost,” he added.
Gregers Moller, publisher of ScandAsia, sees teaming up with the
initiative of the Thai-Swedish Chamber as an obvious partnership.
“Our ScandAsia Singapore and ScandAsia China editions
combined with our weekly newsletter reaches the large majority
of Scandinavians in these countries,” he says.
By the end of this year a promotional events will be held in Singapore
as well as in Shanghai and Beijing to present the new edition
of the Thai Property Guide, which is expected launched by then.
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 9

SEB Appoints New
The new General
Manager of
Skandinaviska
Enskilda Banken’s
Singapore branch
for Private Banking
is one of the bank’s
foremost experts in
‘Wealth Structuring’,
which is a wider
term than wealth
management - taking
into account taxation
factors for the clients
when advising on
how to manage their
private funds.
By Miklos Bolza
Cover photo by Terrence Lim
In an exciting move, the Swedish
Private Banking executive Fredrik
Lager has been appointed General
Manager of Private Banking
& Wealth Management at the
Singaporean branch of Skandinaviska
Enskilda Banken S.A. (SEB).
Mr. Lager brings to his new position
especially his expertise in wealth
structuring.
“Wealth structuring is a technical
term for private and corporate tax
structuring, emigration and repatriation,
cross-border issues, succession
planning, etc.,” Mr. Lager said.
“Basically, it encompasses everything
that has to do with tax
planning.”
Since 2006, Mr. Lager has helped
SEB offer this service within Europe,
and he is now keen to provide the
same high level of service to clients
in the Asia Pacific Region.
“If you want to compete in the
higher segments of international private
banking today, it’s not just about
portfolio management. It’s also about
being positioned correctly when it
comes to holding companies, strategic
exits and cross-border planning.”
In a recent interview, Mr. Lager
shared with ScandAsia his career
path so far and his goals for the new
position.
If you want to compete in the
higher segments of international
private banking today, it’s not
just about portfolio management.
It’s also about being positioned
correctly when it comes to
holding companies, strategic
exits and cross-border planning.
ing in London, Mr. Lager was ideally
suited for the role.
From 1999 to 2006, he helped
grow the law firm from six to fifty
staff, was made Partner in 2003 and
ended up as Head of the Nordic
Desk. In this role and in addition to
helping individuals and businesses
relocate to the UK, he advised clients
on various international tax related issues,
such as the setting up of holding
companies, trusts, insurance solutions
and generation planning.
New Ground at SEB
As a Swedish advokat in London, Mr.
Lager was frequently instructed and
retained by Nordic banks, including
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. During
this time, SEB was interested in
expanding its private banking offering
to also encompass wealth structuring.
Mr. Lager joined SEB in Luxembourg
in 2006, enticed by a new challenge
in his career and eager to start a
family with his wife in a more childfriendly
city.
At SEB Mr. Lager began to offer
the same international wealth structuring
services to the bank’s private
banking clients as he had previously
done at the law firm in London. At
the time this type of service was quite
unusual in the banking industry, but
ultimately made the bank more attractive
publicly.
From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Lager
worked as Head of Wealth Structuring
at SEB in Luxembourg where he
had direct contact with clients, many
of which were in Singapore and other
Global Beginnings
Mr. Lager is certainly no stranger to
the international scene. Born in Gothenburg,
Sweden, he and his family
followed his father, a shipmaster, to
Saudi Arabia and to the US when he
was young. He returned to Sweden
to further his studies, eventually
graduating from the University of
Stockholm with a Masters degree in
shipping law. After this, he moved
to London where he completed
another Masters, this time in International
Trade and Transportation after
which he took a job as a lawyer for
a City law firm.
In 1999, he was approached by
the senior partner of what is now
McGuireWoods LLP, Mr. Anders
Grundberg, who was interested in
hiring a new lawyer to cater for the
growing number of Nordic clients
moving or setting up businesses in
the UK. As a Swedish lawyer workparts
of the Asia Pacific Region. He
provided tailored and effective advice
to clients of SEB’s private bankers.
“Clients tend to open up a bit
more to a lawyer rather than to a
private banker. This is because, in order
for me to properly advise them,
I need to know the bigger picture,”
he said.
He also worked hard to raise
the level of competence of SEB’s
private bankers so that they could
confidently discuss topics such as
generation planning and tax structuring
with clients.
From Europe to Asia
On May 1 2012, Mr. Lager moved
to Singapore to take up the position
of General Manager of Private
Banking & Wealth Management.
His predecessor, Mr. Ole Hamre,
was asked to become Head of the
Wealth Division in Norway, leaving
this SE Asian position wide open. As
Mr. Lager had done so much for the
Luxembourg office, it was time to
try something different. Furthermore,
his legal expertise was seen as an
asset which could complement SEB’s
already strong banking reputation in
the region.
His family has moved over as well,
finding that Singapore was a relatively
easy country to settle down in. Locating
an apartment, schools for their two
children and Swedish supplementary
tuition were all simple to accomplish.
Even the family dog came along,
although this proved to be the most
difficult part of the transfer.
10 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

General Manager
Fredrik Lager in a busy city setting during a recent visit to Baangkok.
Building the Singapore
Office
Mr. Lager’s primary aim in his role
as General Manager is to target the
larger Nordic families in the region.
Although SE Asia is seen as a low tax
region, tax and corporate structuring
is still highly important, especially
since most clients are so mobile.
Long-term planning, especially with
regards to moving countries, is
emphasised so as to protect and
enhance client assets.
Additionally, Mr. Lager has to
combine his past legal experience
with the new managerial role, raising
awareness among the staff and
consulting with clients. Wealth structuring
in combination with the more
traditional private banking services to
build relationships is hoped to boost
SEB’s Asian reputation even more.
There are currently ten staff members,
including four bankers, within the
private banking division at SEB’s Singaporean
office. This will grow to twelve
over the summer, with the addition of a
new client assistant and a Senior Private
Banker, Mr. Lars Arleback, joining from
SEB Private Banking in Geneva. There
are also hopes for further expansion in
the future.
From Sydney to Tokyo
Covering an area from Sydney to
Tokyo, SEB’s bankers have to deal
with clients in a range of jurisdictions.
Given that the law differs from country
to country, Mr. Lager believes
in a general wealth structuring approach.
If a more detailed strategy
is required, however, the bank has
several specialists on hand to deal
with these issues.
SEB is already one of the most
successful Scandinavian banks in Asia
thanks in part to its highly competent
Singapore office which was established
in 1979. It also has offices in
Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing;
some of the largest business hubs in
the region. As a bank, SEB has been
around for more than 150 years and
is well-known for its stability, honesty
and dependability.
Brand Planning
As for reaching out to new clients,
the main attraction is the competence
of the SEB staff. With Mr.
Lager onboard, this level of skill and
expertise increases even further.
The fact that the bank can legally
hold assets in Singapore provides a
psychological benefit.
“Although much of today’s
world is digital, there’s still that
feeling that you want to keep your
money close to you, which is why
SEB, as the first Nordic private bank
in Asia, started to offer fully fledged
private banking services locally
from Singapore in 2005,” Mr. Lager
pointed out.
As for plans for expansion,
opening up additional branches
can be time-consuming and legally
difficult, due in part to the complex
nature of international banking. Mr.
Lager stated that taxation, regulatory
and political stability are important
from a private banking point
of view, which is why SEB chose
Singapore as their base. Thus for
the time being, there are no plans
to open up any new private banking
offices in the region.
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 11

Combining Marriage
Entrepreneurship in
Maybe we are
creative in Sweden
but we don’t have
the guts to actually
do something with
that creativity, as
opposed to here.
Celebrating wedding anniversary
at Raffles Hotel.
Outgoing, sociable and full of initiative, Anna,
30, and Mikael Wanland, 33, are well known
in the expat community in Singapore. Since
2007, they have successfully combined
marriage with entrepreneurship in the
Swedish company Unfors Raysafe.
Mikael is also one of the organizers of the
Swedish Business Association’s (SBAS)
Midwinter ball as well as other communitybuilding
gatherings in Singapore.
By Andrea Hessmo
In order to function in a globalised
world you have to know your roots
and where you come from.
When Anna
and Mikael
met through
friends in Johannesburg,
South Africa in 2002, it marked the
beginning of a relationship with an
international focus.
Anna, having previously studied
the Developing world (U-landskunskap)
at the University of Lund,
Sweden, wanted to see the world
and do something different.
“I got in touch with a Swedish-
South African family via the internet
and then left for Johannesburg to
work for them as an au-pair,” Anna
said.
Mikael was working at the Swedish
Trade Council in Johannesburg at
the time. He had spent his late teens
and early twenties in Johannesburg
where his father now lives and where
he also did a BBA in business administration
at Thames Valley University.
Having spent his childhood years
aged 2-8 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
where his father worked for the
Swedish company ABB, then named
ASEA, Mikael is used to life as an
expat.
“I don’t know of any other life
really,” Mikael said. “And I don’t think
I want another life either, although
I’m grateful for my school-years in
Västerås, Sweden when I was 8 to 18
years old. They were crucial for my
sense of being Swedish. I am a bit of
a “third culture kid” but I do have a
Swedish identity,” he said.
A brief interlude
in Gothenburg, Sweden
In 2004, the couple found themselves
back in Sweden. Anna studied at
Europa-programmet at Gothenburg
University and Mikael found the job
at Unfors Raysafe through an ad in
the local newspaper. They spent 2,5
years in Gothenburg but found it
hard to re-adjust and to meet people.
“Socializing felt difficult and we
said to each other that if we got the
chance to go abroad again, we would
take it,” Anna said. “Luckily, that’s exactly
what happened. Not long after
we talked about this, Unfors Raysafe
offered Mikael the job-opportunity in
Singapore.”
They said yes to the opportunity
and yes to each other, getting married
in 2006 before leaving for Asia.
Being married also made the arrival
to Singapore easier.
12 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

and
Asia
The Wanland duo relaxing in the Swedish archipelago.
Expanding Unfors Raysafe
Unfors Raysafe manufactures products
that help people in the medical
sector to avoid unnecessary radiation.
Mikael manages the whole Asia
Pacific region while Anna heads the
marketing and communications,
internal sales, finance and everything
operational at the office in International
Business Park in Jurong East.
The couple is enthusiastic about
the opportunity to develop and
expand the business in Singapore
and China, India and Japan. Sharing
both work and private life with your
spouse can be a challenge, but with
five years of experience they have
learnt to strike a good balance.
“Sometimes family has to come
first”, Anna said.
With headquarters in Sweden,
the company also has branches in UK,
Germany, China, Japan, India and US.
Unfors Raysafe employs 150 people
in total and has three employees in
Singapore.
“Here in Asia, I’m a cultural interpreter,”
Mikael said. “I interpret Asia
to Sweden and vice versa. When I
say something, the Swedes get it.”
The couple also had to adapt
their management style to Asia
where codes are different and communication
is not so direct.
“The atmosphere at work is
more formal and interestingly, people
don’t get irony here,” Anna said. “It’s
not as personal as back home and I
think people change jobs more often
here.”
They are both excited about
participating in Singapore’s growth and
think the island is a great springboard to
explore a happening and vibrant Asia.
“Maybe we are creative in Sweden
but we don’t have the guts to actually
do something with that creativity, as
opposed to here,” Mikael said.
“It’s not so much what Singapore
is but what it offers that is unique,”
he said. “There is a multicultural
environment here which is dynamic
compared to the West that seems
finished and fully developed.”
Sweden – past and future
The Wanlands go back to Sweden
twice a year for work and to see
their families. Preserving the Swedish
heritage is important, as seen in the
celebration of Christmas and Easter
in Singapore, where they stun international
friends with their traditional
and innovative Swedish cooking and
baking.
“In order to function in a globalised
world you have to know your
roots and where you come from,”
Mikael said.
Both miss the Swedish nature,
something they think is deeply
rooted in all Swedes.
“I also miss silence,” Mikael
muses. “Silence and space. Not just
the physical silence but for example
in Scandinavian music, there can be a
lot of silence in the sense that there is
an absence of noise, a certain simplicity,
a purity.”
They say, however, that after
so many years abroad, they would
find the Nordic introvert mentality
difficult.
“Yes, I do want my future kids
to have the freedom to roam in the
countryside,” Mikael said. “But at the
same time, I want them to have a
larger mental freedom than is available
in Sweden.”
And of course neither of them
miss the infamous “jantelagen.”
“People’s envious comments in
Dagens Industri of articles on successful
Swedish entrepreneurs is the
best cure against homesickness,”
Mikael said.
Anna and Mikael’s
top tips for
a career in Asia
• Just being Swedish is not
enough. Start working for
a company at home first
and learn the global way
of working, then go to
China. There’s a mentality
that we are so developed
and ready just because
we’re from Sweden or
Europe. But a 30-year-old
in Beijing has been through
much more change than a
30-year-old in Sweden.
• Make sure to create
your own opinions and
experiences.
• Keep your identity but be
tolerant and respectful at
the same time.
• Set professional and
personal goals, be
prepared to work hard but
also know what you work
for.
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 13

Swedish Export Credi
Promoting Swedish Exp
By Andrea Hessmo
We provide
export and
project financing
solutions to
support the
Swedish export
industry. We
are owned by
the Swedish
government, even
though we are
a commercial
enterprise.
Carl Engelberth in SEK’s office at
TripleOne Somerset in Singapore.
The SEK-office in Singapore,
managed by Executive
Director Carl
Engelberth, is the firstSEK
office outside of Scandinavia.
Founded in 1962, SEK offers
financial solutions for the Swedish
export industry. Engelberth, recruited
from SEK in Stockholm for his extensive
international experience
withSEK, ABB and SEB bank,is looking
forward to a strong future for Swedish
companies in Southeast Asia.
What exactly does SEK do?
We provide export and project
financing solutionsto support the
Swedish export industry. We are
owned by the Swedish government,
even though we are a commercial
enterprise, and we have been operating
in Singapore for three years now.
This is a representative office; we
find the businesshere, butthe actual
business deals are bookedin Swe-
den. Being in the same time zone,I
can meetmany Swedish companies,
their customers, banks and more
partners directly,and I can travel on
short notice. It all helps to bring in
more business.Being a government
owned financial company, we also
work closely with the Swedish embassies
here.
Why Singapore?
Asia is a booming market and Singapore
is a financial hub for the whole
Southeast Asian region. Also, the
former Swedish ambassador Pär
Ahlberger was very active in encouraging
the establishment of SEK here.It
was an experiment, but it has turned
out very well. We cooperate with
banks and financial institutions. I’m a
member of the SBAS board here in
Singapore, but SEK is also a member
of the Thai-Swedish Chamber of
Commerce in Bangkok, MBAS in
Kuala Lumpur and SBA in Jakarta.
These business associations provide
good networking opportunities with
Swedish companies.
What is the difference
between SEK and a bank?
We borrow all our money on the
capital markets, we do not have any
deposits from the public. However, in
most of the transactions we cooperate
with international banks.We only
have corporate customers and we are
the only financial institution in Sweden
authorized to grant credits in the
state-supported export credit system.
Your advantage is also
that you can lend in certain
local currencies.
Yes, for example we are allowed to
issue our bonds in Thailand and we
can offer loans in Thai Baht. Quite
recently, we also borrowed funds in
Chinese currency, Renminbifor the
first time, which we usedfor longterm
lending for Volvo’s operations
in China.
So SEK complements
the banks.
Yes, our strength is that we can offer
long term financing at attractive rates.
Especially if we have a recession or a
financial crisis, there is a reluctance to
take in long term assets in the books
of the banks. New regulations also
make it more difficult to lend long
term for banks, which makes it even
more important for us to team up
with them.
You spend a lot of time in
Indonesia.
Yes, it is a promising country. The
image of Indonesia is not very nuanced
in Swedish media. Indonesia
has a growing middle class, it’s the
world’s 4thmost populous country
with 250 million people, there is a
strong growth since many years, it’s
14 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

t Corporation (SEK)
ort in Southeast Asia
Carl Engelberth
and his family
relatively stable politically andthere’s
plenty to do. We havea strong presence
with Ericsson and ABB there.
Scania and Volvo are growing too
and many other Swedish companies
are expanding.
Who are your clients?
Our clients are large Swedish companies
and we support them with financings
for their exportprojects. We
are actively working on strengthening
our relations with the 100 largest
export companies. In the years to
come we will continue to expand the
number of companies we work with,
but also find solutions for smaller and
medium-sized ones.
How has the Euro crisis
affected Asia?
Europe is an important market, although
Asia is strong on its own.Of
course the crisis in Europe affects us
here. One consequence of the crisis
can be that Asians will be more careful
in buying European bonds and
investing in Europe.
Have you experienced any
cultural shocks yet?
Sometimes everything is not said
openly. People might say that they
agree with you even though the
negotiation is not over yet. Or there
are situations such as being in a cab
in India; the driver says he knows the
way and it turns out he doesn’t, and
then he stops here and there to ask
local people about the way. I guess it
has to do with not losing face, which
is an important thing here.
As for cultural fusion, I experienced
a good example recently with
a fantastic combined Midsummer and
National Day celebration indoors
arranged by the Swedish embassy
in Indonesia. There were Muslim
women with veils wearing midsummer
wreaths. People enjoyed it very
much.Our ambassador Ewa Polano is
very active there in approaching our
countries to one another, and the
event was sponsored by a number
of important Swedish companies.
Another cultural fusion we can
observe here every day is IKEA,
where Singaporeans eat Swedish
meatballs.
How is family life here in
Singapore and how long
do you plan to stay?
I have just prolonged my threeyear-contract.
My wife Ingrid works
as Client Executive at SEB here in
Singapore. We have three children;
our oldest daughter Caroline, 25 is
studying medicine in Hungary, Axel,
23, is a photographer in Sweden and
our youngest Christina, 21, is studying
at Stockholm School of Economics.
What do you enjoy most
about living in Singapore?
Life is easy here. Things work well
and we like the climate.
Is there anything you miss
from home?
I miss some Swedish dishes like fresh
Swedish prawns, they taste differently
and better than prawns in Asia. And
we miss our kids of course. It is
amazing, though, how well it works
to be in touch these days with Skype,
and Viber.We go back home twice
a year, which is a nicechange too.
Nowadays, though, the kids prefer to
spend Christmas here in Singapore.
And plans for the future?
Right now, I’m a one-man-showhere
but we are expecting an additional
employeein autumn. SEK is becoming
more and more international and
gradually, it wouldn’t surprise me if
we establish ourselves in a couple of
other places in the world.
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 15

Formula 1 Night Ra
Finns Racing in to
With the return
of Kimi Räikkonen
to the Formula1,
Scandinavia is
represented by
two Finnish drivers
this season; Heikki
Kovalainen racing
for Caterham being
the second Finn.
By Joakim Persson
16 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

ce
Singapore is gearing up for its
fifth edition of the Formula
1 Singtel Singapore Grand
Prix on 21 – 23 September.
The 2012 Formula 1 season
is proving to be the most competitive
- now with seven different drives
having won a race out of the eight so
far - which makes the interest in attending
and watching the races grow.
With the return of Kimi Räikkonen
to the Formula 1, Scandinavia
is represented by two Finnish drivers
this season; Heikki Kovalainen racing
for Caterham being the second Finn.
Also, with Sebastian Vettel added
as the most recent new champion, F1
now has six world champions on the
grid – more than any other season
in F1 history. Statistics also show that
Formula 1 is much more competitive
now than it was ten years ago.
Healthy competition is what the
audience wants, with surprising and
action-filled races that makes the
result much less predictable and not
only with the same driver as winner
every time.
The closer races have shown
that on a good day any team can
claim a victory. Of the two Finns the
former world champion Räikkonen
has already come close to winning a
race with a second place in Valencia
and a fifth at Silverstone. So of the
two Finns he certainly stands the
best chance to win a race and might
already have achieved that by the time
you are reading this and with less than
a month to the Singapore race.
Meanwhile, the many talented
drivers in the formula one teams in
2012, a couple of tenths either way
on any race day can make a profound
and enormous difference.
Great entertainment
The 2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore
Grand Prix also offers a lifestyle
and entertainment event of sorts,
with caters also to people with less
interest in the cars and the drivers.
Pop sensation Katy Perry is confirmed
as Sunday’s ‘Main Stage’ headliner.
And once again Singapore Grand Prix
invites artists from the ‘80s based on
previous successes.
Three of the era’s celebrated
performers, namely Bananarama,
Pretenders and The Proclaimers, will
make in-circuit concerts.
“At our previous events, ‘80s
artistes were phenomenal crowd
favourites,” says Michael Roche,
Executive Director of race promoter
Singapore GP Pte Ltd.
“The ‘80s is an era with some of
the greatest hits that inspired countless
musicals and cover interpretations,
and since it appeals to a large
portion of our audience demographic,
Bananarama, the Pretenders and The
Proclaimers are the perfect complement
to this year’s entertainment
programme,” Michael Roche ads.
Previously, Ace of Base of Sweden
also visited Singapore connecting
to the F1 race.
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August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 17

DISCOVER THAILAND
Thailand is a magical place where you
can just as easily get off the beaten
trail and find special places where you
will be welcomed with a smile. Just
ignore when people say that Thailand
has become “too touristy” - these
same people probably never left the
banana pancake trail.
By Gregers Moller
18 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

Living in Singapore, no vacation
destination has so much
to offer like Thailand, only
two hours away by plane. The
warm climate, the beautiful
scenery with fantastic beaches and spectacular
rain forests, friendly people and
not least the affordable prices makes it
an ideal destination when you are looking
for a break from daily life in Singapore.
Besides being inexpensive, Thailand
is also easy to move about in from one
place to another. If at all possible you
should not limit your holiday to a single
place. That way you will get a much richer
experience than if you limit yourself to
one destination.
ScandAsia will on the following pages
share with you a few of the more unusual
experiences that Thailand has to offer.
Discover Thailand
by Apps
Tourism Authority of Thailand has developed
19 apps that can help you plan your
trip and find exciting experiences once in
Thailand. These English-language apps
are all compatible with iPad, and most
also with iPhone. The most popular apps
are also available for Android, BlackBerry
and Nokia Ovi. They can be downloaded
free here:
http://mobile.tourismthailand.org/
The most popular app is Speak Thai,
which serves as your personal translator
on your trip. Select an English term or
phrase from a category in your mobile
phone to find out the corresponding
word or phrase in Thai, e.g. ‘How much
is it?’: ‘Raakhaa thaorai?’
The Lifestyle Thailand app provides
selected tips for unique experiences to
make your trip extra special. Regardless
of whether you want thrilling outdoor
adventures, advice on child-friendly accommodation
by the beach or trendy
shopping in the city, Lifestyle Thailand can
provide a wealth of information.
Green Thailand is an app developed
to showcase the many environmentallyfriendly
and sustainable options available
to tourists in Thailand. The app lists ecofriendly
destinations and accommodation
options both in the country side and
close to cities and beaches. You also have
the option of sharing your favourite ecotourism
tips with others.
Green Thailand is what Scandinavia
experts believe will have the greatest
appeal to Scandinavian travellers in the
years to come.
Flying in from Singapore
Flying in from Singapore is easy. Singapore is extremely well
connected to all parts of Thailand. There are direct flights from
Singapore to the following cities by the following airlines:
Bangkok
Phuket
Chiang Mai
Koh Samui
Thai Airways Intl., Singapore Airlines,
Air Asia, Cathay Pacific
Thai Airways Intl, Jetstar, Air Asia
SilkAir
SilkAir, Bangkok Airways
If you don’t mind one stop, you can fly to all these cities:
Hat Yai
Krabi
Chiang Rai
Surat Thani
Udon Thani
Khon Kaen
Ubon Ratchathani
Trat
Tiger Airways, Air Asia
Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Thai Airways
Thai Airways, Air Asia
Thai Airways, Air Asia
Thai Airways, Air Asia
Thai Airways
Nakhon Si Thammarat Air Asia
Trang
Thai Airways, Air Asia
Bangkok Airways
Air Asia
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 19

THE VIJITT RESORT PHUKET
Some of the best things in the world cannot be seen
or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.
Most Scandinavian come to Phuket
looking for an accommodation
where they can really pamper themselves,
rather than go crazy in the seedy
nightlife of Patong. That may be the destination
for a one night trip, but when you wake
up you want to stay in style.
This is one of the reasons the Vijitt Resort
Phuket is so popular among Scandinavians
and other visitors with a healthy appetite for
luxury and yet enjoy simple pleasures like a
boat trip out to coral islands for scuba diving
among myriads of fish cut right out of Disney’s
The Little Mermaid. Or how about trying
out kite surfing? The beach off the Vijitt
Resort is ideal for this!
Not fancy enough? Well, then how about
some aqua aerobic or a yoga lesson?
The Spa is also really a must – go experimental
and try out various treatments focusing
on different parts of your body and different
benefits. Actually, if you ask for it at the
reception, they can even arrange for a massage
lesson for you!
Fun as this all is, we all know that the core
satisfaction is a great in-room experience
and tasty restaurants serving everything from
a well assorted breakfast buffet to a romantic
dinner set in the tropical night under the stars
20 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

– maybe even on the balcony outside your
own room.
Your accommodation
The choice of accommodation at Vijitt Resort
fits all tastes and budgets. The resort
features 92 spacious stand alone villas, strategically
placed among the gently, sloping,
forested land. Guests will enjoy stunning sea
views and at the same time privacy.
They all come with spacious bathroom
with twin wash basins, large balconies and/or
terraces, sun loungers on a private sun deck,
mini bar, flat screen TV, DVD players, highspeed
internet, air-conditioning and ceiling
fan, tea and coffee making facilities, in villa
safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, umbrella, slippers
The website lists the prices
for the five categories:
• Deluxe Villas 70 sqm
• Deluxe Pool Villas 90-100 sqm
• Prime Pool Villas 178 sqm
• Two-Bedroom Pool Villas 182 sqm
The most extravagant of them all are the Vijitt
Pool Villas, 4 luxurious single story villas
(162sqm) located on the beachfront comprising
a large bedroom, one bathroom with
bath and out door shower, terrace, an 11
metre infinity edged pool with state of the art
fibre optic lighting, and an integral Jacuzzi.
These villas also have a separate living room
leading to an expansive private garden that
runs down to the beach.
Family friendly
All this luxury may sound like the resort is
more suitable for honeymooners but reality is
that the Vijitt Resort is great for kids as well as
their parents. There is a spacious Kids Club
complete with indoor playground, a large
outdoor playground, activities programme,
Playstation games room, 3 depth level swimming
pool and experienced staff on hand if
you are going out.
The resort has also paid attention to the
little details like offering plastic crockery and
cutlery in the restaurant, special kids menus,
kids under 4 eat free on buffets and the older
ones from 4-12 eat at 50%.
The beach is perfect for kids too. There is a
very shallow shelve that runs almost flat, meaning
that at low tide the sea goes out a long way
and makes a fun place to watch crabs and
other tidal sea life. This also means that even at
high tide the water is quite shallow. That makes
sea in this area very safe, no under-currents or
Vijitt resort spreads over 73,000 square meter of prime beach front land in Rawai on the
South Eastern tip of Phuket. The resort includes a 250 metre stretch of the secluded
Friendship Beach with stunning views across Chalong Bay to Cape Panwa, Lon and
Coral Islands. The site retains much of it original charm by incorporating the mature
palms, fruit and other indigenous flora into the overall design. Travelling time from the
Airport is 50 minutes, Phuket town is 25 minutes, and Patong Beach is 30 minutes.
The Vijitt Resort Phuket
Friendship Beach 16 Moo 2, Viset Road, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0)76 363600 l Fax: +66 (0)76 363699
E-mail: reservation@vijittresort.com
beaches dropping away very quickly.
Above the tidal zone, he beach is short
and best suited for gentle walks or horse riding.
It is a public beach, so the resort does
not put sun chairs on the beach itself but
they are available in the gardens that run
alongside the beach. If the beach chair experience
on the sand is a must, Nai Harn
beach about 10 minutes from the resort is
the place to go.
The resort also offers free transportation
to Coral Island as a day trip and free shuttle
bus to Phuket Town and Patong Beach.
What else can you do?
Within the resort, sampling the various restaurant
outlets is a pleasure in itself.
The Spa is also a must – trying out various
treatments focusing on different parts of
your body and different benefits.
Regularly, the resort also offers Thai boxing
class, aqua aerobic, yoga class, massage lesson,
Thai cooking class, kayaking and more
Outside the resort, the uncountable offers
of Phuket are available. Starting from nearby
is the Chalong Bay only 8 minutes away
where most of the dive shops are located.
Here you will also find the Seashell museum,
horse riding and the Big Buddha.
Further away, my personal favorite is the
Phuket Marine Biological Centre with its huge
aquariums and many interesting species including
the big sea turtles. The centre has a strong
relation to Denmark as it was initially founded
as a research station funded by Danida.
If you are one of the quizzical people who
want to learn something about Thailand beyond
the touristic surface, then you should
ask the reception if they can arrange for a
rubber tapping demonstration. It can take
place on the resort ground itself.
Rubber plantations are an important part
of the local economy of southern Thailand.
Every morning around 3 AM, an army of local
farmhands wake up and go out to walk from
tree to tree in these plantations, cutting a new
wound in the stem, collecting the rubber that
has dripped down in the cup since yesterday
and then take their buckets back to be processed
into door-mat like rubber plates.
Your breakfast after this experiences just
tastes better!
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 21

Pearl in the South:
Sea, Sand - Phuket!
What comes to mind when Scandinavians talk about sea,
sun and sand? Phuket will most definitely be among the
top answers!
Phuket has a lot to offer its visitors in terms of a rich natural heritage
of sea, sand, jungle, culture, nightlife and many world renowned
diving sites.
There are only two seasons in a year the green season ( May to
October) and the hot season (November to April). The beaches of the
south coast are typically crowded, while the north is far more tranquil.
All the major beaches - such as Patong beach, Kata beach, Karon
beach, Nai Han beach, Mai Khao beach , Nai Yang beach - offer instruction
and equipment for diving, snorkling, wind surfing and sailing.
Phuket also offers an abundance of accommodations ranging
from renting a pool villa up in the hills over luxurious resorts, to
humble backpacker bungalows. In addition, a number of vacation activities
can also be found on this island.
Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travellers to
the city, while Phuket style of hospitality has never failed to impress
visitors from all walk of life.
Don’t!
A few warnings are in place: A strong undercurrent costs the
lives of tourists every year! If you plan to go swimming in the
sea, check if the red flag is up! If it is, don’t.
And if you think of renting a water scooter, then change your
mind. Scams take place all the time where tourists are forced
to pay heavily for scratches they didn’t cause.
Steeped in history
In the early Christian Era, the cape of Phuket was referred to as Jung
Ceylon. Locals called it Thalang, which evolved to the name of the
main town to the north of the island.
As the perfect stopover sheltering traders from monsoons, Jung
Ceylon welcomed merchants from India, Persia, Arabia, Burma, China
and aslo Scandinavia.
During the 16 th century, the island was also a popular trading port
for tin. Chinese and foreign businessmen migrated to Phuket and
soon enjoy thriving wealth based on the mining industry.
Natural Kuiburi:
Khao Sam Roi Yot
How To Get There
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Amphur Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77150
Thailand
The coast of Prachuabkhirikan only gets more beautiful the further
south, you go. It is clean and unspoilt simply because it
takes a few hours longer to drive there from Bangkok. But
coming from Singapore? Hey! that’s no problem!
Kuiburi is a small town smack in the middle of this stretch. One
of the most awazing natural wonders in this area is the unique Khao
Sam Roi Yot National Park. The whole area located 40 km north of
Kuiburi is of prime ecological importance for Thailand. Limestone
mountains rise up to 605 meters from the coastal marshes making it
a topographical wonder.
You can make your way up to caves of spectacular sizes through
forest trails, rest on fine white sandy beaches, take boat excusions to
outlying islands, enjoy the food that is on offer throughout the park
and maybe, just maybe you might be lucky enough to see the pods
of dolphins that inhabit the bay.
In 2010, 300 tourists visiting Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
were interviewed to find out their satisfaction. The result showed
that tourists were highly satisfied toward Eco-tourism services at
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Most of tourists in the study were
female, aged between 26-35 years, bachelor’s degree, professional
employees/private.
It is recommended that you wear good walking shoes as the
terrain is hilly and it can be very dry or wet underfoot depending on
the time of year. Try to ascend the 430 meter hill to the main cave.
You’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display of stalagmites around
the pavilion built by King Rama V.
22 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 23

Sangkhlaburi in the West:
A bridge between cultures
Sangkhlaburi maintains a uniquely pleasant simplicity and tranquility
How To Get There
There are buses leavingfrom Bangkok’s Mo Chit BusTerminal
to Sangkhlaburi daily.You can also take a van from the Victory
Monument to Kanchanaburi and then catch another van to
Sangkhlaburi. The ride takes about 6-7 hours.
Sangkhlaburi is a little town in the far western
corner of Thailand that has much to
offer in terms of culture, landscape, and activity.
It is located less than 20 km away from the
Thai-Burmese border in a straight North West
direction from Bangkok beyond Kanchanaburi
and its ‘Death Railway’.
Many of its local attractions today are a result
from the Vajiralongkorn Dam’s construction
in 1979. This reservoir submerged the whole
Mon village and, ironically, created the famous
“sunken temple” that has become a renowned
attraction. Most of the accommodations stand
by the reservoir. There are a couple of hip, bohemian
cafes, which makes it comparable to Pai
but in a more measured manner.
The Thai and Mon sides of the village are
joined by the celebrated “Uttamanusorn” Bridge.
This is the longest wooden bridge of Thailand,
an assemblage of unpolished wooden boards
and planks spanning over 800 metres. The rickety
feel and rawness of the material somehow
makes it beautiful and picture perfect. At 6:30
a.m. every morning, monks make their daily procession.
You can participate in this rite at the
entrance of the bridge on the Mon side. It is a
good way to get a glimpse of the local culture.
Ko Chang in the East:
Tree Top Adventure
How To Get There
The park is located south east on Koh Chang
after lonely Beach on your way to Bang bao. You
cant miss the sign on the side of the road.
This recreational activity itself makes you feel like being kids again.
Ko Chang remains a green traveller’s paradise.
Beyond the forest of billboards advertising
resorts and fast-food chains that
you will see upon your arrival, you will soon
find that the island indeed has preserved its lush
mountainous landscape.
A great way to immerse yourself in all this
natural luxury is a visit to the “Tree Top Adventure
Park”. In this patch of the forest, 30 tree-top
platforms make it possible for you to be airborne
among the trees in a variety of ways.
Hidden from the main road, the Park blends
so well with the forests you can barely see it
from afar. When you arrive, you’ll climb some
stairs as an overture to your adventure. The reception
lounge is an elevated wooden platform
with a thatched roof. There you will sign a disclaimer,
which asks you to be mindful with the
trees and offers insurance. The staff will then get
you geared up and take you on a short trial run
to familiarize you with the equipment.
The games awaiting you include rope bridges,
zip lines, Tarzanswings, the ‘flying skateboard’
and many more, which can be quite physically
demanding at some stages - at one station, you
need to climb up a narrow ladder that is almost
perpendicular to the tree.
Very often, local and international companies
based in Bangkok bring their employees
here for team building activities. An idea to have
in mind if you area human resources manager or
a community leader.
Remember to wear shoes and it is a good
idea to visit the park early in the day because of
the heat. The entrance fee is 950 Bath and 1.100
Bath if you call and buy a round trip transfer to
Tree Top from your accommodation.
24 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

Use sun screen lotion
Sun screen lotions are a must in Thailand, even if you come
from Singapore and believe you have a natural strong tan to
protect you. Especially on the beaches, the sun can really give
you a burn.
SPF factor 30 is reasonable on the body, but maybe your forehead
and shoulders need stronger protection. You will have to reapply
several times during the day as the factor wears off and you also
sweat a lot. Buy a brand you know in a professionally looking drug
store. There are some no-name products that don’t help - even may
aggrevate your burns.
The lotions are a bit more expensive than in Europe, but so is a
hospital treatment.
August 2012 • ScandAsia.Singapore 25

Medium
Swedish
Pancakes
Evil
Swedish pancakes or “plättar”
served with whipped cream
and raspberry jam is one of
those simple pleasures everyone
should enjoy at least once...a week.
To make them the right size,
the best is definitely to use a castiron
or cast-aluminum pan with
shallow, round indentations. If you
don’t have one, you can “cheat”
by using the round shapes used
for frying eggs that prevent the
eggs from flattening out on the
frying pan.
The main difference that
make the Swede prefer plättar
from American pancakes is the
texture of crepes - thin, flexible
and eggy - rather than thick, fluffy
and bready.
Are you done?
When you have completed the above puzzles, please send your
solution by fax to +66 2 943 7169 or scan and email to puzzles@
scandasia.com. We will make a lucky draw among the correct
answers. Five lucky winners will receive a ScandAsia polo shirt.
Name:
___________________________________________________
Age: ________________________ Mobile: ___________________
Address: __________________________________________________
Email:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 September 2012
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and half the
milk. Add the flour and mix until a smooth batter
is formed. Add the rest of the milk, the salt, sugar,
baking powder and the melted butter.
Grease the hot pan cups with butter. Spoon 2
rounded tablespoons batter into each greased cup.
Remember... thin! Cook about 1 minute on each
side or until golden brown. Serve immediately with
jam or jelly and whipped cream or sour cream.
Serves 2 hungry kids or 1 Swedish husband.
• 2 eggs
• 2.5 cups whole milk
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• whipped or sour cream
• raspberry jam
“If I had to eat one kind of food every day
for the rest of my life, it’d be pancakes.”
26 ScandAsia.Singapore • August 2012

When it’s time to do business,
we’re exceptionally open.
Every business has a different story and a different goal. We understand that.
Over many years in this market of unique opportunities, we’ve developed the
local knowledge, resources and connections needed to turn ambitions into
reality. That’s why we’re one of the most well-established northern European
banks in the region. For corporates, financial institutions and private banking
clients, we’re ready to listen and cater to your needs – in Beijing, Shanghai,
Hong Kong, Singapore and New Delhi.
Welcome to contact us at
Tel: +65 63 57 08 95
singapore@sebprivatebanking.com.sg
www.sebgroup.com/privatebanking