Journal 2012
The German business delegation spent altogether four days in Singapore: Apart from a group meeting with the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), DEinternational fruitfully arranged close to 40 individual business meetings for the delegates to discuss potential business and co-operation opportunities. The feedback from both sides was very positive with both, the German and Singaporean companies looking forward to leveraging synergies to further market growth in the future. On behalf of the Martin Braun Group I would like to thank you very much for the perfectly organised delegation trip to Singapore which ended yesterday evening. It has been a lot of work for all involved people from the AHK in Singapore with a lot of overtime and ahead planning. Therefore we would like to thank you very much for the perfectly organised briefings, transportations, visitings, customer appointments and gathering dinners. Well done!!!! Highlight of the delegation trip was a food tasting event where the German companies showcased their products. Over 60 representatives of the local gastronomy, food manufacturers, distributors and the media joined to taste the German products. The delegation trip was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) and supported by the German Export Association for Food and Agriproducts (GEFA) in Germany. n AHK-Geschäftsreise German beer & dairy products 2 At the beginning of 2012, DEinternational successfully organized for the first time a AHK-Geschäftsreise business delegation from Germany in the field of beer and dairy products. Eight German companies from the beer and dairy industry participated in the delegation trip to Singapore to explore the market and find business opportunities and partners. In the forefront of the delegation trip, DEinternational national compiled an in-depth market study of the food industry in Singapore as well as the market potential for German beer and dairy products, which proved to be a useful tool for the companies to prepare their business trip. 3
E-Mobility Round Table Talk on 11th April 2012 Within the scope of a Transport Delegation, which was led by Parliamentary State Secretary Jan Mücke, DEinternational was appointed by the Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) to organize a round-table discussion with 40 experts from Singapore and Germany in the field of E-Mobility. Presentations on E-Mobility were held by Germany s National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH), Bosch Software Innovations and TUM CREATE Centre for E-Mobility, followed by a fruitful Q&A session and discussion. n German Food & Beverages at the Food n Hotel Asia 2012 German-Singaporean Business Forum 2012 DEinternational supported the German-Singaporean Approximately 120 participants from Germany and Business Forum (GSBF), which took place in Singapore came together to talk about business and Singapore from 3rd to 7th July 2012. partnership opportunities. Mr Klaus Borig, president of the SGC, and Dr Tim Philippi, Executive Director The GSBF is a biennial event, which aims to promote of the SGC, participated with presentations and a business and capability partnerships between German panel discussion on Singapore as a business hub and Singaporean SMEs. The platform is co-chaired and German-Asian partnerships. Further discussions by Mr Philip Yeo (Chairman, SPRING Singapore) focused on key industries like Precision Engineering, and Dr Axel Stepken (Chairman of the Board Medical Technology and Environmental Technology. of Management, TÜV SÜD AG) and organized by the co-secretariat SPRING Singapore and Asia- On the second day, participants were able to visit Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) in cooperation with the Singaporean-German Chamber Furthermore, the forum offered various opportunities of Commerce. for networking and mutual exchange. industrial sites in Singapore, Jakarta and Batam. n 4 For the Food and Hotel Asia, DEinternational was assigned by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) to support the Ministry and the German delegation with organizing a briefing, group meetings and store checks. Furthermore, DEinternational wrote a market report about the food and beverage (F&B) industry in Singapore to give the exhibitors first impressions and insights. n 5
Tea & Talk Session Invest in Germany Delegation from the Metropolitan Region Bremen-Oldenburg in Singapore The cooperation with the respective persons in Singapore was very pleasant and target-oriented. There was always a regular exchange of information. We were very satisfied with the arranged meetings and the quality of the contacts at the trade fair. We would therefore always use the services of DEinternational Singapore again. Hauraton GmbH & Co. KG On the 5th September 2012 DEinternational organized a special Tea & Talk event for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Mr Christoph Besch, Tax Partner with the International Tax Group of PwC in Hamburg, and Mr Alexander Lehnen, Tax Senior Manager within PwC and Tax Leader of the South East Asia German Business Group, presented the topic Invest in Germany. The audience, mainly Singaporean SMEs with an interest in the German market learned about chances and risks of investments in Germany, got insights on tax and legal implications as well as the current status of the European and German economy. n In November 2012, DEinternational organized a delegation trip for 22 companies and political representatives from the Metropolitan Region Bremen-Oldenburg. Aim of the trip was to inform the companies about the Singaporean market and to arrange meetings with Singaporean companies. Among others, the delegation participants visited PSA Corporation Ltd, the new international cruise terminal and Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing (SAM). One of the key events was a joint meeting with the SGC Mittelstand committee, which led to a fruitful exchange of ideas and experience among all participants. n DEinternational promotes Bavarian companies in Singapore From 10th to 12th October 2012 the SGC hosted a delegation of 21 Bavarian companies from the precision engineering / automation, environment technologies and healthcare industry. The trip was headed by Ms Dr Ulrike Wolf, Head of Department of Foreign Trade and Location Marketing of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology. DEinternational organized the entire delegation programme including company site visits, networking events and individual business meetings. Highlight of the delegation trip was three industry workshops during which the delegates could exchange knowledge and ideas with local experts from the same industry. n Ministry of Science and Economic Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt in Singapore We were warmly welcomed and courteously received. The communication was very helpful for our positive decision on a future cooperation with the AHK Singapore. The individual support and introduction to selected clients was highly beneficial. If required, we will certainly use their services again. August Töpfer & Co. (GmbH & CO.) KG 6 On the 25th November 2012, DEinternational arranged a one-day programme for a delegation from Saxony-Anhalt. The trip was headed by Mr Marco Tullner, State Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Economic Affairs. Among others, the seven German participants obtained a detailed briefing from the German Ambassador, HE Angelika Viets and Dr Tim Philippi, Executive Director of the SGC. n 7
German business delegation explores Singapore s transport and infrastructure industry R & D Delegation trip to Germany From the 9th to 13th December 2012, DEinternational organized a R&D delegation trip to Germany funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The mission trip aimed at enabling Berlin, Darmstadt, Saarbrücken, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. During all meetings, the participants got deep insights into the R&D structure in Germany, German technology, innovation processes and knowledge exchange with German R&D institutions collaboration opportunities. The main topics and open up opportunities for future cooperation. Participants were from Singaporean academic institutions, government agencies, and companies of the delegation were interactive and digital media, environmental and water technologies, nanotechnology and e-mobility. such as A*STAR, SPRING, JTC Cooperation, IE Singapore, National Research Foundation, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Rodyk & Davidson LLP. The delegation started off with a very successful half day information session at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology with presentations from the Ministry, the Singaporean DEinternational organized numerous meetings with over 50 German multipliers and partners in Ambassador to Germany and the law firm GSK Stockmann. 8 Another successful delegation trip, organized by DEinternational in co-operation with the IHK Stuttgart and the IHK Exportakademie took place from the 2nd to 5th December 2012. The companies from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, had the opportunity to visit the most relevant government agencies such as Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), meet companies such as Keppel Corporation Ltd and SMRT Corporation Ltd and participate in an industry roundtable talk. Apart from this exciting programme, DEinternational organized individual meetings with potential business partners for all participants. Purpose of the delegation trip was to give the six German companies a deep insight into the transport and infrastructure industry as well as to expand their regional network. All participants were very satisfied with the fruitful outcome of their meetings and visits and took many positive impressions and ideas back home to Germany. n 9
10 Project continued from page 9 R & D Delegation trip to Germany This was followed by an exciting programme including meetings and site visits at the Innovation Centre for Mobility and Social Change, Tegel Projekt GmbH, Fraunhofer Insittute, the Ministry of Economy, Labour, Energy and Transport of Saarland, Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Center for e-learning Technology, Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, University Stuttgart and Robert Bosch GmbH. Furthermore, the Ministry of Saarland hosted a networking dinner for the delegates at the famous Schloss Halberg, where reputable guests such as IZES GmbH and Helmholtz Institute attended and mingled with the participants. All in all, the delegation was a great success with much potential for future collaborations between the Singaporean and German participants. n We are well and truly content with our decision to develop our business activities in the Singaporean market with the support of the SGC. The Symposium and individual meetings within the scope of the Energy Efficiency Delegation (AHK Geschäftsreiseprogramm) didn t only help on with our existing contacts. We also established ties with new business contacts and explored further collaboration opportunities. - SICC GmbH - ThermoShield Europe DEinternational: The service unit of the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce One of DEinternational s core competences is the promotion of trade between Germany and Singapore. Within this frame the SGC consults well over 150 German and Singaporean companies yearly regarding market entry opportunities and strategies in Singapore and Germany, provides information and contacts for trade related enquiries and thus paves the way for successful business relations between Singapore and Germany. To serve this purpose, DEinternational provides a wide range of services including: Business Partner Search: We support German companies with identifying and approaching potential business partners in Singapore, arranging meetings and support on-site. DEinternational regularly organises individual Business Partner Search for German companies in Singapore. This involves thorough research for suitable business partners in a multitude of industries. SGC staff set the meetings and accompany the German firms during their stay in Singapore. In 2012, DEinternational organised Business Partner Search for multiple sectors such as precision engineering, food and beverages, landscaping, manufacturing and management consulting. These companies have given very positive feedback and many have successfully found a business partner via these meetings. Office in Office: We offer the option of representing a company in the region as a first step to its market entry. One staff in the chamber is dedicated to handling administration and communication matters on behalf of the company. Company Pool: The company pool is an excellent way to support smaller set-ups of German companies in Singapore. The aim of the company pool is to strengthen the regional network and sales activities. One of our employees represents and consults as a company pool manager up to four firms from related industries which are interested in expanding their business at the Asia Pacific region. The most recently created company pool, namely German Food Industry started operation in 2010. Office Set-up: We provide practical help for companies to set up a new office branch in Singapore. This service supports companies in searching for suitable office facilities, in designing and furnishing office configuration, preparing everything for your office s grand opening including opening ceremonies and business launches. Supporting your Staff Search: The SGC JobXchange is an electronic platform that enables a fast, efficient and professional search for personnel. It supports companies looking for new staff members. At the same time, we support job seekers looking for new opportunities by matching them with those companies. Event Organisation: We take over the whole organization of events and advise on venue, guest lists, programme flow, protocol questions and press relations. Market Study/Research: We conduct comprehensive market study and indepth interviews with relevant business contacts. We also conduct research to obtain desired information and provide companies with relevant documents, publications, addresses and offer mailing services. 11
Your DEinternational Team Singapore Eva Puchala Head Trade Promotion, DEinternational Tel: +65 6433 5339 Email: Eva.Puchala@DEinternational.org.sg Dorothee Lienau (until 31st March 2013) Senior Consultant Trade Promotion Tel: +65 6433 5340 Email: Dorothee.Lienau@DEinternational.org.sg Naomin Tan Senior Consultant Trade Promotion Tel: +65 6433 5341 Email: Naomin.Tan@DEinternational.org.sg Jens Martin Senior Consultant Trade Promotion Tel: +65 6433 5340 Email: Jens.Martin@DEinternational.org.sg Sofhian Suratman Manager Fairs & More Tel: +65 6433 5343 Email: Sofhian.Suratman@sgc.org.sg Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce 25 International Business Park German Centre #03-105 Singapore 609916 Tel.: +65 6433 5330 Fax: +65 6433 5359 www.deinternational.de www.deinternational.org.sg DEinternational is the service unit of the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce