Dear Subscriber,
Happy new year!
According to the Chinese calendar, 2025 will usher in the Year of the Snake. Representing wisdom, elegance and mystery, the snake is also linked to transformation and adaptability - qualities that will undoubtedly be crucial as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. In facing the uncertainties of 2025, we can only hope these traits will help guide us as we adapt to the changes in our fast-evolving world.
Regardless of any external challenges that may arise, rest assured that your Swedish Chamber is here to support you throughout 2025. We remain committed to providing valuable insights, fostering meaningful connections, and facilitating collaborations that help you thrive in the year ahead. Together, let’s navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities this transformative year has to offer.
Please find below the latest news from our business community.
Your dedicated SwedCham team,
Lisa & Anna |
|
| New SwedCham Partner Member |
|
|
|
We would like to welcome Spotify as new SwedCham Partner Member.
Founded in Sweden in 2006, Spotify has grown to become one of the country’s most prominent global brands, with over 640 million users worldwide. The impact Spotify has made on the music industry is truly transformative.
In addition to their core business, Spotify is widely recognized for its innovative and purpose-driven approach to leadership and employee development. The company’s commitment to employee value spans every aspect of the employment experience, from compensation and benefits to work environment, equity, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance. To learn more, click here, and stay tuned for further updates on SwedCham’s collaboration with Spotify on this topic.
Chief representative: Gustav Back, Managing Director Southeast Asia. |
|
| New SwedCham Gold Sponsor |
|
|
|
We would like to welcome Turkish Airlines as new Gold Sponsor for 2025.
As a proud member of Star Alliance, Turkish Airlines is the world’s most internationally connected scheduled passenger carrier, flying to 130 countries and ranking as the largest carrier by countries served. It provides convenient connections to Sweden from Istanbul, offering five daily flights - three to Stockholm and two to Gothenburg.
We are looking forward to our collaboration with this esteemed airline which is significantly expanding its services in Southeast Asia, with substantial investments in the traffic between Singapore and Europe.
|
|
We are pleased to announce that SwedCham's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Thursday 13 March from 5:45 to 9:00 pm. We invite our corporate members to join us for this key event, which not only offers a recap of the past year’s activities and the election of our new board members, but also serves as a valuable networking opportunity to connect and engage directly with SwedCham's Board of Directors.
This year, we are excited to welcome Dr. Taimur Baig, Managing Director & Chief Economist at DBS Bank, as our keynote speaker. For those who have heard Dr. Baig before, you know we are in for an insightful presentation and discussion. Together with us, he will explore the trends and strategies critical for navigating Asia’s ever-evolving economic landscape in 2025.
The AGM will take place at The Standard, a brand new stylish and contemporary hotel renowned for its Hollywood heritage, which opened in Singapore in December 2024.
Register for the AGM here. A light dinner will be served. The event is free of charge and limited to 45 guests. |
|
| Building your brand on LinkedIn |
|
|
|
The social media revolution has transformed how businesses connect and grow, with LinkedIn leading the charge. In Singapore alone, LinkedIn has seen an incredible 61% surge in users since 2019.
In this interactive workshop, Sorelle Henricus, founder of Executive Writer, will dive deep into how LinkedIn is evolving and how individuals can maximise their presence. You will gain practical strategies on how to engage, inspire, and position yourself as a thought leader.
Register for this event here. |
|
|
| Sweden Open - a new innovative SwedCham initiative |
|
|
|
SwedCham Singapore is launching a new initiative focused on Brand Sweden from an employer perspective. This project addresses several key issues raised by our members: - Talent Acquisition Challenges: SwedCham members face difficulty accessing a targeted talent pool in Singapore, where competition for candidates is fierce. A strong value proposition is essential to stand out.
- Shifting Workforce Priorities: The pandemic has shifted workforce expectations, with job seekers now seeking purpose-driven employers who uphold high standards. Companies that align with these values are in high demand.
- Leveraging Brand Sweden: Many Swedish companies in Singapore may not fully recognize the power of Brand Sweden to enhance their employer brand. A collaborative approach could provide a competitive edge in attracting talent.
- Internal Branding: Promoting Brand Sweden internally can improve talent retention and foster a sense of belonging, aligning employees with a larger, purpose-driven ecosystem.
What are the objectives of the initiative? - Strengthen Employer Brand: Support SwedCham members to strengthen their employer brand in Singapore.
- Position the Swedish Business Ecosystem: Position the Swedish business ecosystem as providing a unique value proposition compared to other businesses with regards to a) business excellence; b) people development, and c) business culture.
How will we do it? Mark your calendars for 12-13 April! During this weekend, SwedCham, in partnership with GED Sports, will host Sweden Open - the first-ever career fair in Singapore blending competitive sports with Swedish innovation, business culture and business excellence. Over two days at OTH, an intra-university floorball/innebandy tournament will serve as the backdrop for connecting Swedish companies with university students and young professionals. This dynamic event offers: - Learn from Industry Leaders: Engage with decision-makers from leading Swedish companies across various industries.
- Connect with Future Leaders: Meet students and young professionals and hear what they seek in employers.
- Career Opportunities: Access exclusive internships, on-the-spot interviews, and networking sessions.
- Celebrate SG60: Be part of a milestone event that bridges Singaporean and Swedish cultures through sports and business.
Why floorball/innebandy? - Here’s something Singaporeans may not know: Floorball was invented in Sweden in the 1960s and is one of the most iconic Swedish sports. It is a game almost everyone in Sweden has played at some point, and our national teams are ranked #1 globally for both men and women.
- And here’s something Swedes in Singapore might not realise: Since its introduction to Singapore in 1996 by GED Sports, with support from Ericsson and the People’s Association, floorball/innebandy has become one of Singapore’s top three sports, alongside football and basketball. Around 300,000 students play it regularly, and it is now the most popular team sport in Singapore’s university inter-hall tournaments.
By (re-)connecting floorball with Brand Sweden, we are not just celebrating a Swedish sport but also strengthening the ties between Swedish companies, local talent, and the broader Singaporean community. This exciting combination of sport and business creates a unique opportunity to build connections and foster mutual growth in a fun and engaging way for everyone involved.
The following universities and post-secondary institutions in Singapore and Malaysia will participate in Sweden Open: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIM, SIT, SUSS, Singapore Polytec, Ngee Ann Polytec, Nanyang Polytec, Temasek Polytec, Republic Polytec, ITE Central, ITE East, ITE West, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
More information will follow in the coming weeks, but if your company is keen to get involved in this unique initiative, do reach out to Lisa Ferraton at lisa.ferraton@swedcham.sg at your earliest convenience. |
|
SPONSORING PARTNERS (TO DATE): |
|
SUPPORTING PARTNERS (TO DATE): |
|
| Member news: Web Manuals drives growth in APAC |
|
|
|
Web Manuals, a Swedish company specialising in digital document management solutions for the aviation industry, has been making significant strides in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years. The company is revolutionising aviation manuals and regulatory compliance by simplifying the digitisation, authoring, and distribution of operational documentation, making these processes accessible to operators of all sizes.
Since establishing Web Manuals Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore in 2018, the company has expanded rapidly. By 2021, two Swedish team members had relocated to Singapore to open the first APAC office, and by 2023, the team grew to eight employees and hosted its first “Go Digital” customer event, attracting attendees from across the region.
In 2024, Web Manuals’ regional expansion continued with a team of 11 in APAC and the successful launch of its second “Go Digital” conference in Singapore, doubling the attendance of the previous year. The company’s customer base in the region has grown to 70, reflecting the increasing demand for their innovative solutions in the aviation industry. As a result, the Singapore office is planning to open a satellite office in Sydney, Australia, in 2025. Web Manuals’ success in APAC highlights the company’s growing recognition and its commitment to supporting aviation operators with efficient and user-friendly solutions.
Web Manuals was recognised as a Master Gazelle at the DI Gazelle 2024 Awards, following six years as Gazelle winner. The prestigious award, granted by Sweden's leading financial newspaper Dagens Industri, is given to Swedish companies that have achieved organic and profitable revenue growth, doubling their earnings over the past three years.
|
|
| Heads up Swedish students in Singapore! |
|
|
|
Are you a Swedish business student studying in Singapore during Q1-2 2025? Would you be interested in working part time with SwedCham on a Team Sweden project during your semester here?
Team Sweden is looking for support to produce the Sweden in Singapore Business Directory for 2025 and would like to find a self-driven and hands-on student to be part of the team. During this project, you will have the opportunity to interact closely with the Swedish business community in Singapore and learn about the market.
Check HERE if you are eligible to work on your student visa whilst in Singapore. If you are, welcome to contact us at info@swedcham.sg to find out more about this job opportunity. |
|
| Get recognised as a Company of Good |
|
|
|
Applications for the Company of Good (COG) Recognition System are now open! Be recognised at national level for your organisation’s commitment to corporate purpose and impact, under the NVPC COG Recognition System.
To our knowledge, only two of our SwedCham member companies have achieved COG recognition: AstraZeneca - Champion of Good (highest accolade) and ABB - Company of Good 3 Hearts (the second-highest accolade). Given the exceptional work many of you are doing, we encourage more Swedish companies to seize this opportunity for national recognition through this prestigious award! To be future-ready, businesses today need to look after their employees, adopt sustainable practices, and be a force for good in society. Having a clear purpose enables them to do so - not only creating positive impact but also delivering business performance. Purpose-driven companies are better positioned to navigate challenges, innovate solutions, attract talent, and resonate with consumers who prioritise ethical practices. The NVPC is the steward of the City of Good vision for Singapore, where individuals, organisations, and leaders come together to give their best for others. Through their brands, programmes, and initiatives, they facilitate partnerships with non-profits, organisations, public sector bodies, and individuals to enliven the giving ecosystem within Singapore. The COG Recognition System is designed to be inclusive in recognising organisations for their varying progress towards Corporate Purpose and the five impact areas.
Applications close on 3 March 2025. For more details about the application process, reach out to NVPC at cogrecognition@nvpc.org.sg. |
|
| WorkWell Leaders Awards 2025 |
|
|
|
Local mental health charity WorkWell Leaders (WWL) has opened nominations for the national WorkWell Leaders Awards 2025. Recognised as Singapore’s standard for workplace and leadership wellbeing, the Awards acknowledge organisations and leaders who drive business performance by fostering environments that prioritise the holistic wellbeing of their employees.
At last year’s Gala, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam inspired 450 CEOs and their teams, alongside government and community leaders, by urging leaders to: “Make your company a role model, a beacon, of a culture of empathy.” Entering the Awards is a chance for organisations to stand out as employers of choice and an opportunity to applaud and motivate teams and leaders who have worked hard to support the wellbeing of their employees. They are the only awards in Singapore and APAC that recognise excellence across distinct categories, including CEO and Wellbeing Partner commitment, organisational strategy (aligned with ESG priorities), corporate culture, and innovation.
Award submissions are free of charge and close on 21 February 2025. For more information, click here or contact WWL at hello@workwellleaders.org. |
|
Tuesday 11 February: C-level roundtable discussion on de-carbonising the supply chain. By invitation only.
Thursday 6 March: Cross-chamber women's AW to mark the IWD 2025, hosted by BLCC. More information will follow.
Tuesday 18 March: Lynxeye on purposeful branding of B2B businesses: The Sandvik case. More information will follow.
Thursday 27 March: Team Europe Networking Series hosted by SwedCham. More information will follow.
Thursday 3 April: Leveraging Swedish leadership principles to succeed in Asia with Toby Karlsson, Korn Ferry. More information will follow.
Weekend of 12-13 April: Sweden Open. More information will follow. |
|
 | | Women4Women After Work | | A New Year, A Fresh Start | 
| Jan 23, 2025
(6:30 PM - 9:00 PM) (GMT+8) |
|
| 
| The Standard
12 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|  | | SwedCham AGM 2025 |
| Mar 13, 2025
(5:45 PM - 9:15 PM) (GMT+8) |
|
|
| The Standard
12 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
