Swedish firms, community in S’pore upbeat about stronger ties after King Carl XVI Gustaf’s visit

SINGAPORE – The state visit to Singapore by Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, which ended on Nov 21, signalled that both countries have the desire to strengthen business and community links.

Swedish firms and expatriates, and Singaporeans who have dealings with Sweden, said more tie-ups could help make Singapore a more secure and environmentally sustainable place to live in.

Singapore could also learn how to be more innovative and productive through the blossoming relationship the trip aimed to cement, they said.

Mr Chew Chun Chau, Singapore country head for the Swedish defence firm Saab, said its strong presence in Singapore stems from shared values and priorities between the two countries that transcend physical distance.

“Both countries share similar demographic challenges and are constantly at the forefront of technological innovation to overcome their demographic constraints.”

He said the firm, which has been present in Singapore for more than four decades,

sees opportunities to contribute to Singapore’s defence and security

across land, sea and air, including in aviation and civil security.

Ms Jerrica Chooi, country holding officer for Swiss-Swedish automation firm ABB here, said the firm first entered Singapore in 1971.

While it has divested its power grid business, Ms Chooi noted that much of Singapore’s grid still runs on ABB equipment.

She sees strong opportunities in electrification and charging infrastructure, she told The Straits Times on the sidelines of a Nov 20 business forum held in conjunction with the state visit.

“We blend perfectly into Singapore’s Green Plan,” Ms Chooi said.

But she added that Singapore could still improve in terms of how sustainability is valued and recognised, including in procurement tenders from both the public and private sectors.

Swedish engineering firms such as ABB excel in ensuring the entire production chain, including suppliers, is sustainable, beyond the emissions of the final product, she said.

While their products can cost more as a result, the potential long-term benefits are sometimes not sufficiently valued by decision-makers, Ms Chooi added.

Singapore could also learn from Sweden’s engineering ability to translate research into real products, she said.

Similarly, Mr Mats Nilsson, Volvo Buses’ vice-president for the Asia-Pacific, said: “The value chain advantage is a bit hard to communicate, but I think it’s something that we have to keep communicating.

“I think there is still a good fit (in Singapore) with our core values: quality, safety and care for the environment, not just through the tailpipe... but also how you treat workers and take care of materials until the very end of the life cycle.”

Mr Nilsson told ST that it would be interesting to see how Volvo Buses’ Swedish headquarters could work with the newly launched Stockholm node of Enterprise Singapore’s Global Innovation Alliance network.

The 24th and latest addition to the network, in which the trade agency provides acceleration programmes with partners for Singapore businesses, was launched on Nov 20 during the state visit.

Mr Nilsson said: “In Singapore, you’re very good at taking it from the vision to actually... executing (it).”

He added that the state visit has set the tight-knit Swedish community here of about 2,000 abuzz.

“It’s the first that most of us here got to see our King, and the King is very symbolic in Sweden,” he said.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, who is head of state but plays a mostly ceremonial and representative role, met members of the Swedish community at an event held at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador to Singapore on Nov 21.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans who have lived in Sweden highlighted the work ethic, productivity and education system of the Swedes as worth emulating.

Mr Cyril Lee, a retired naval officer, 64, lived in Sweden from 1996 to 2000 and from 2006 to 2009. He was part of Singapore’s team of pioneer submariners sent to Baltic Sea port Karlskrona for training.

“The pace of life in Sweden is so much more relaxing, but people there are very focused. When it’s work, it’s work. When it’s your own time, it’s your own time.”

Mr Oh Chyi Haur, 52, echoed Mr Lee’s sentiments.

Mr Oh, who was born Singaporean, acquired Swedish citizenship seven years ago following a long-term posting to furniture giant Ikea’s headquarters.

He said the reason for Sweden’s innovation and productivity despite the abundant work-life balance is the focus Swedish workers have.

“When Swedes work, they really work. Yes, there’s some small talk, but I’d say the downtime is very minimal,” he said.

“Swedes also start early by default; in Sweden, I’m already at my desk at 7.30am and most people are there by 8am. By 5pm, everyone is going home and nobody works overtime.”