November 2018 – Russia Singapore Business Council

Experts of the Council taking part in Days of Economy of Moscow in Seoul

Today, on November 30, 2018 in the capital of the Republic Korea the International Economic Conference has taken place within the framework of Days of Economy of Moscow. The experts of the Russia-Singapore Business Council have taken part in it. The conference has gathered over 200 participants.

Executive director of the Council Sergey Pronin has familiarized the delegates with the work of trade and service B2B platform RSTrade, which is currently being integrated with the Singapore trade and logistic platform CamelOne by vCargoCloud. Today the platforms work in about 30 countries. Their integration will make it possible for EAEU and ASEAN companies to increase the collaboration within logistic, customs and contract manufacturing electronic services. The platform is already available in 4 languages (Russian, English, Chinese and Indonesian), and it is possible to broaden up the language services. The platform is being integrated with the Eurasian technology transfer, industrial cooperation and subcontracting net created under the auspices of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Platform services are used cca 82000 companies. RSTrade Platform operator is the managing company of the Council – RSTradehouse LCC.

Head of International Business and Marketing of RSBC Kirill Solntsev together with Director of the Singapore company Progression (S) Engineering Pte Ltd Winnie Teo have told about the opportunities provided by the use of industrial engineering services and the development of international industrial cooperation with the use of the Center for Overseas Promotion of Russian High-Tech Companies and the Presentation of investment projects founded in Singapore. Very recently the same Conference within Days of Economy of Moscow in Singapore was hosted by the Center.

The key partner of the Council – Rostec State Corporation – has also been represented at the conference. Asia and Africa project manager of the International Cooperation and Regional Politics Department Anton Stelmachonok has told about the development of the Corporation and its international projects in the area of civilian goods and technologies. He has payed the main attention to special emphasis of the Corporation to export in relation to Rostec’s Development strategy implementation and its commitment to become one of the global leaders in innovative industry.

There have also been listened presentations of other Russian and Korean speakers.

The participants of the Conference have shown a great interest to the presentations. This will make it possible to increase the international cooperation between Russian, i.a. Moscow enterprises with South Korea, which is one of the leaders in innovative development.

Global Mass Consumption Trends Discussed in Moscow

On Tuesday 27 November, Moscow hosted an industry breakfast for owners and executives of large Russian and international businesses titled ‘The Digital Transformation of the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry’. The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of CROC and was held in the CEO Club format – a club for CEOs and Chief Digital Officers (CDOs). The business breakfast was attended by over 30 CEOs and CDOs from large Russian and international companies, including: L’Oreal, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, MARS, Orimi Trade, Trading Company Blago, as well as other leading chain and online retailers. The event was moderated by Danny Perekalsky, an expert in digital technologies.

The breakfast was opened by special guest speaker Scott Amyx, consultant for Coca-Cola’s global office on the digital transformation of business and expert on the fourth industrial revolution, with a presentation on ‘Navigating the Rapidly Changing FMCG Landscape’. After the lecture on topical global consumption trends, the event participants took part in an informal discussion on the risks and opportunities facing the FMCG market. “It was nice to see the advanced thinking of executives and marketers in the Russian FMCG market. Consumer behavior in the market of mass-produced goods is constantly changing, at a growing pace, and as these consumers change, so do companies and brands”, said Scott Amyx, wrapping up the business breakfast.

Commenting on the event, Boris Bobrovnikov, CEO of the breakfast’s innovation partner CROC, noted that the consumer goods industry doesn’t just need IT solutions from information technology: “Digitalization is the global challenge of our time. The consumer acts as a driver of all digital changes – today they are purchasing goods and services from those places that offer them in the fastest, most comfortable, and most convenient way possible. That’s why companies need new approaches, which requires flexibility and a quick reaction time. Today customers come to us not for our technologies, but for our new approach to solving traditional problems using innovative solutions and ideas. Sometimes, finding these solutions is only possible with the help of special consultants, and, among other things, our company helps our clients find these implicit assets”, said Boris Bobrovnikov.

The series of business events will continue on 5 December with the industry breakfast titled ‘The Digital Transformation of the Banking and Finance Sector’, during which Chris Skinner, author of the bestsellers Digital Bank and ValueWeb, and the man behind TheFinanser.com, will share his views on what the digital future means for the banking sector and listen to current forecasts from Russian bankers in attendance.

Should you have any questions regarding the business breakfasts, please contact the Roscongress Foundation’s Innovation Project Management Directorate:

Dmitry Sryvkov: +7 (916) 268 0468; dmitry.sryvkov@roscongress.org

Mane Grigoryan: +7 (916) 040 2207; mane.grigoryan@roscongress.org

The project’s innovation partner is CROC, a new kind of systems integrator.

The company has strengthened its traditional areas of expertise in building ICT infrastructure with new strengths, such as digital consulting in developing a digitalization strategy, organizing a client’s internal transformation, digitalizing separate functions, and developing digital products and services based on customer experience.

https://www.croc.ru/eng

The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of international conventions, exhibition and public events.

The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential and strengthening the country’s image by organizing international conventions, exhibitions, and public events. The Foundation develops substantive content for such events, providing companies and organizations with advice, information, and expert guidance, and offering comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and coverage of the Russian and global economic agendas. It offers administrative services and promotional support for business projects and helps to attract investment, including in the form of public-private partnerships.

Today, its annual programme includes events held from Montevideo to Vladivostok, offering an opportunity to bring together global business leaders, experts, the media, and government officials in one place, creating favourable conditions for dialogue and the promotion of new ideas and projects, and assisting in the creation of social enterprise and charity projects.

www.roscongress.org

Russian Musical Days took place in Singapore with the support of Rostec

As a part of the commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of Russia-Singapore diplomatic relations three concerts of Russian military orchestras took place in Singapore. The performances were organized by the Russia-Singapore Business Council (RSBC) with the support of the State Corporation Rostec.

The first two performances were made by the students of the Moscow Suvorov Military Orchestra, named after Lieutenant-General V. Khalilov. On November 25 their open-stage concert in Botanic Garden drew a great interest of the local audience – the event attracted cca 1500 viewers.

The second concert of these orchestra took place on November 27 in NUS Theatre. Among the eminent guests of the event there was Andrey Tatarinov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Singapore.

Before the beginning of the concert Nikolay Volobuev, Chairman of RSBC and Deputy CEO of Rostec made a speech. “These days we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries – Singapore and Russia as the successor of the USSR. This year the intensity of our contacts has qualitatively increased for a reason. A short time ago Russian President Vladimir Putin came to Singapore with the official visit and had meetings with the leaders of the republic – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long and President Halimah Jakob. Besides that, Rostec and RSBC signed agreements with their Singapore partners . These agreements give new opportunities for the increase of the cooperation between companies and enterprises of our countries. However, I would like to note, that the increase of cultural interaction between Russia and Singapore is equally important as the development of business cooperation”, – mentioned Nikolay Volobuev.

The third concert took place on November 28 again in the NUS Theatre. The Exemplary Military Band Service of the National Guard of Russia performed such compositions as “The Solemn March” By P.I. Tchaikovsky, a fragment of the opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, “Flight of the Bumblebee” by D. Ellington, Russian national songs “Vyidy na ulitsu”, “Ah ty, dushechka” and many other popular Russian and international compositions.

“In our concert programmes everyone can find something personal, something which is close to him. The international collaboration is an important activity of the orchestra. The popularization of great Russian music, of world-known masterpieces and obligatory something special – some compositions in a language of the country we are visiting. In Singapore there were performed compositions in Russian, Chinese and English. The tour of the Russian military orchestras in Singapore will be remembered by all those, who had a luck to become the spectators of the Russian Musical Days in Singapore”, – mentioned the Chief of the orchestra, the Honoured Artist of Russia colonel Igor Levandovsky.

The Russia-Singapore Business Council was created in 2009 on the initiative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation was created in 2009 with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development and the State Corporation Rostec. One of the main goals of the Council is bringing together and providing the meaningful dialogue between business societies of Russia and Singapore, which are interested in progressive development and increase of efficiency.

The presentation of the book for the 50th anniversary of Russia-Singapore diplomatic relations took place in Singapore

The presentation of the book “Russia-Singapore Relations: Essays on History and Modernity (for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Singapore)” took place in Singapore on November 27 in NUS Theatre and on November 28 in the Center for Overseas Promotion of Russian High-Tech Companies and the Presentation of investment projects. The book was written by the group of authors from Russia and Singapore. It was published both in Russian and English by Rosspen Publishing house by Russia and Syarikat Evergreen by Malaysia.

The initiative of the publication belongs to the Russia-Singapore Business Council. It was sponsored by RSTradehouse LCC – the managing company of the Council.

We hope this book to become one more friendship link between our countries.

Rostec Expands Cooperation with Southeast Asian Countries

Russian State Corporation Rostec and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) have signed an agreement aimed at promoting Russian high-tech products in Southeast Asia. The document, which has been developed with the active participation of the Russia-Singapore Business Council (RSBC), will enable more than 3000 SMF member companies and more than 700 Rostec enterprises to expand opportunities for cooperation and joint production.

The contract manufacturing market of the EAEU and the ASEAN is approaching 4.5 billion US dollars in terms of volume, with a development trend that is exceeding the production growth rate. Southeast Asia is one of Rostec’s most important partners with which the State Corporation intends to expand foreign economic relations.

“The signed agreement on cooperation opens up new horizons for mutually beneficial bilateral technology transfer, and also the exchange of industrial, engineering and research competencies. I am confident that, in conjunction with other tools and formats for cooperation and promotion, Rostec’s agreement with the SMF will lead to qualitative changes in the positions of our enterprises, both in Singapore and in Southeast Asia as a whole,” said Nikolay Volobuev, Chairman of RSBC and Deputy CEO of Rostec.

The agreement, among other things, includes the use of RSBC infrastructure, such as the Singapore-based Centre for Foreign Promotion of Russian High-Tech Companies and the Presentation of Investment Projects established at the initiative of the Council and with the support of Rostec.

“Today, the SMF is an advanced federation serving the industrial community through the introduction of digital data processing, innovative productivity, business transformation and internationalization in order to increase the competitiveness of its member companies. Recently, we have begun to actively develop contacts with major partners in the former Soviet Union. The Russian market is undoubtedly of particular interest to Singaporean partners, and Rostec State Corporation is the largest industrial association of Russian enterprises. I am confident that the signed agreement will lay a solid foundation for expanding and strengthening cooperation between SMF members and Rostec enterprises,” said Douglas Foo, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation.

Rostec continues to implement a large-scale program for promoting high-tech products of its enterprises abroad in accordance with its approved Strategy-2025,the main goals of which areto increase the share of civilian products in the revenue to 50%,improve operational efficiency and enterfast-growing global markets.
Source: https://rostec.ru/en/news/rostec-expands-cooperation-with-southeast-asian-countries/

Rostec expands cooperation in Southeast Asia

The Russia-Singapore Business Council (RSBC) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), representing the interests of the country’s manufacturing companies, have signed a cooperation agreement. The parties have agreed to expand the multilateral cooperation between companies of the two states, primarily Rostec’s enterprises, in high technology areas that are most relevant for the Singaporean partners.

The agreement has been signed by Deputy Chairman – Executive Director of the Russia-Singapore Business Council Sergey Pronin and President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, candidate to the Parliament of Singapore Douglas Foo. The document also provides for establishing joint certification centers to promote Russian manufacturers’ products in Southeast Asia. “I firmly believe that this agreement will boost expansion and intensification of the cooperation between Rostec’s enterprises and companies of the Southeast Asian countries,” stressed Rostec Deputy CEO, RSBC Chairman Nikolay Volobuev. “Singapore is a leading financial center in rapidly developing Southeast Asia. Therefore, by strengthening our presence, we are laying the foundation for long-term collaboration between our enterprises and companies of all states in the region.”

The official ceremony of signing the agreement took place within the Exhibition of Russian Technologies being held in Singapore on November 12–29. The exposition is organized at the facilities of the Center for Foreign Promotion of Russian High Technology Companies and Presentation of Investment Projects located in TechPlace II – a largest industrial park of the country.

Within the event, the parties have also signed a trilateral agreement between the executive body of the Business Council – RS Trade House, Singaporean company Progression Engineering (S) Pte Ltd and Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “Far East Investment and Export Agency”. The partners have agreed to jointly promote high-tech companies and investment projects of the Far East in Southeast Asia. Promotion will be supported by the Center for Foreign Promotion established by the RSBC with the support of the Rostec State Corporation and RSTrade – international electronic information and service B2B Platform.

Rostec continues implementing the large-scale program for promoting the State Corporation’s high tech products abroad in accordance with the approved Strategy that includes 17% average annual rouble revenue growth, increase in the share of civilian products in revenue up to 50%, improvement of operating efficiency and entry into international markets.

Source: https://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/rostec_expands_cooperation_in_southeast_asia.html?fbclid=IwAR3hgVp-c360MlzmK64sAykPGVHQCprYn0nLeYl0tO7vWLQ4t_5GqJVR1aE

The first concert of the orchestra of the Moscow Military Music School named after Lieutenant General Khalilov in Singapore

The concert was held at the Singapore Botanic Garden, gathering over a thousand spectators. The concert consisted of two parts. On the grass, where the Suvorov orchestra made a show with the movement, and on stage. The audience was delighted, welcoming the musicians with thunderous applause and exclamations “Bravo!”. The concert was organized by the Russia-Singapore Business Council with the support of Rostec State Corporation. The next concerts will be held on November 27th and 28th on the University Cultural Centre Theatre of the National University of Singapore, where the youth orchestra conducted by Yuri Bashmet performed two months ago.Cultural cooperation accompanies the intensification of diplomatic relations and the growth of trade and mutual investments.

The General Meeting of the Council

The General Meeting of the Russia-Singapore Business Council was held in 21 November 2018. 2018 work results were considered and approved as well as the work plan for the year 2019. Two new companies were accepted to the Council, which filed their applications after the previous General Meeting in May. Thus, now the Council includes 67 enterprises, associations and organizations.

Separately, attention was focused on two major projects implemented under the Council – the electronic international B2B Platform RSTrade and the Center for Overseas Promotion of Russian High-Tech Companies and Investment Projects that is actively operating in Singapore.

In addition, the participation of Council members in the project for the construction of the Russian Cultural Center in Singapore, participation in upcoming events scheduled for November-December (business mission to Singapore, tours of Russian orchestras in Singapore, participation in the activities of workers of the Eurasian Economic Commission and others) were discussed at the Meeting.

The work of the Council in 2018 was found to be excellent. Representatives of the companies-members of the Council was interested in expanding interaction with counterparts from South-East Asia through Singapore using the tools provided by the Council. It was especially emphasized that the next year – 2019 – will be an anniversary year again. Our Council will be 10 years old in October 2019. Therefore, it is important that the events will be held based on this factor.

Singapore, China sign several agreements, including free trade agreement upgrade

SINGAPORE: China and Singapore have signed a slew of agreements, including the upgrade of a bilateral free trade pact, which will allow greater market access for Singapore companies.

This comes as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Singapore for a five-day visit on Monday (Nov 12).

It is Mr Li’s first bilateral visit to Singapore since becoming premier in 2013, continuing a series of high level exchanges between the two countries.

The Chinese premier was hosted to a welcome ceremony at the Istana by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, where both men held talks and witnessed the exchange of several agreements.

This includes an upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which was concluded after eight rounds of negotiations over three years since Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Singapore in 2015.

The agreement grants Singapore businesses preferential treatment, which leads to lower tariffs, for exports of certain petrochemical products and greater access to China’s legal, maritime and construction services sectors.

Investment protection, customs procedures and trade remedial measures will also be improved, while new areas of cooperation, including in e-commerce and the environment, will be forged.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said Singapore and China are like-minded partners in many areas, even though the two countries have different circumstances and constraints.

“I believe that we can continue to tap on our complementary strengths, deepen cooperation, and make sure that our all-round cooperative partnership continues to progress with the times,” he said.

The Chinese Premier’s visit comes as the country marks its 40th anniversary of reform and the opening up of its economy.

Mr Li said China has seen transformative change over the years and Singapore has been involved in this process.

“We share many common beliefs. We both want to safeguard multilateralism and free trade, we also want to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Mr Li said.

“China, I have to emphasise once again, is still a developing country. There’s still a long way to go for China to realise modernisation. China will continue to unswervingly press ahead with reform and opening up, this is the only way for China to realise modernisation.

“We welcome you, our friends from Singapore, to participate in our progress, we will together attain win-win, and benefit China and ASEAN, as well as the region and the world.”

The countries’ leaders also witnessed the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding on the Southern Transport Corridor.

The project, which aims to connect western China and Southeast Asia through rail and sea links, will be renamed the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), to better reflect two-way trade.

Singapore and China will cooperate in several areas – financial services, transport and logistics, as well as information and communications technology and other modern services. These are the priority sectors of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI) – the third government-to-government project between the two countries.

“The signing of this MOU marks a significant milestone for the CCI,” said Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing.

“It demonstrates the strong commitment by both governments to develop the CCI-ILSTC into a multimodal and multifaceted economic link that catalyses conventional trade connectivity and new dimensions of connectivity like finance and professional services in China’s western region and Southeast Asia, resulting in greater integration of both regions.”

Another agreement was signed to elevate the private sector-led China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City (CSGKC) to a state-level bilateral cooperation project, which means it will receive greater attention by both governments.

“The elevated CSGKC will serve as an important bilateral cooperation project between both countries, and contribute towards our collaboration in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, who signed the agreement.

The Chinese project aims to integrate the economies of Hong Kong, Macau and nine other mainland cities to form an innovation powerhouse, to rival the likes of Silicon Valley.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/singapore-china-sign-free-trade-agreement-upgrade-10922790?fbclid=IwAR2IbHYTGnxCdaHk7U6VH6fly_B5IQo0355XexARVK7XOubsTWkgLy_M36g

The economic conference of the Moscow Government took place in the Center for Overseas Promotion in Singapore

On November 16 the Economic conference has taken place in the Center for Overseas Promotion of Russian High-Tech Companies and the Presentation of investment projects in Singapore. The conference has taken place within the Days of Economy of Moscow in Singapore with the support of the Russia-Singapore Business Council and Russian Asian Business Union.

The key subjects of the discussion have been economic cooperation between Moscow and Singapore, development of business relationships in conditions of digital transformation, and increase of international manufacturing cooperation.

The conference has been moderated by Tatiana Sheremetieva (CEO, Russian Asian Business Union Pte Ltd). The key speakers have been Sergey Cheremin (Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Government Department for External Economic and International Relations) and Sergey Pronin (Deputy Chairman, Executive Director, Russia Singapore Business Council, CEO, RSTradehouse).

Sergey Cheremin has told about investment potential of Moscow, the biggest current and planned projects as well as about the urban infrastructure digitalization program currently being implemented in Moscow.

Sergey Pronin has represented international engineering cooperation potential and tools. He has also mentioned that this direction has become one of the main in the development of Industry 4.0 infrastructure.

The Economic conference has also included the speeches of Mr Eg Kah Yee (Founder and Chairman of KeyASIC, UCH), Zlata Sheve (President, Russian Club in Singapore) and others.

The guests and participants of the conference have visited the Exhibition of Russian Technologies, which also takes place at the base of the Center for Overseas Promotion in Singapore. There have been demonstrated the opportunities of Russian companies as well as joint integration projects of Russia and Singapore.

In the evening there will take place the official reception of the Government of Moscow. This reception is going to gather the representatives of the leading companies and organizations, which are the most actively involved in the extension of Russia-Singapore trade and economic relations.