Month: August 2019

Happy Birthday to Sergey Edrenkin!

Dear Sergey!

On behalf of the Russia-Singapore Business Council and on my own behalf, please accept the sincerest congratulations on your birthday!
We wish you further development, implementation of creative ideas, interesting and fruitful projects. Let your professionalism in combination with energy realize all your plans.
We are proud of our cooperation. We are grateful for your personal support in holding Youth Forums within the framework of Russia-Singapore Business Dialogues, Russian Film Week in Singapore and other events.

Yours sincerely,
Nikolay Volobuev

Singapore National Day

Modern Singapore, despite its relatively small territory, belongs to “Asian Tigers” – four countries of Asia Pacific region with the most dynamically developing economy. Today Singapore is a country of innovations and fascinating technologies, skyscrapers of glass and steel and high-speed internet. In several decades Singapore managed to become not only a gateway to South East Asia, but a real heart of the whole Asia Pacific, the key financial and logistic hub of the Eastern hemisphere.
However, it was not always like that. For a long time Singapore was a part of the British Empire. The English perfectly understood the advantageous geographical location of the island and founded there a trading post. It prospered more than one hundred years – from 1819 until 1942, when Singapore was occupied by Japan. After World War II Singapore came back under British control, but it was already impossible to stop the collapse of the colonial system. In early 1960s, Great Britain declared its readiness to recognize the independence of Malaysia. Singapore, in its turn, was supposed to become a part of Malaysia. In 1962 Singapore really became a part of the Federation of Malaysia, but not for a long time. It became clear soon that there were irreconcilable contradictions between the governments of Singapore and Malaysia. The Singaporeans were dissatisfied with the disproportionately small number of seats that were given to them in parliament, while the Malays, in turn, were afraid of the increased influence of the Chinese living in Singapore. The situation gradually grew tense, and finally, on August 7, 1965, Singapore resigned from the Federation of Malaysia, and two days later, on August 9, proclaimed state independence. From this moment begins the history of modern Singapore, which managed in less than half a century to accomplish the impossible – from a backward city-state of the Third World it became a metropolis, a world financial and business centre. The Soviet Union was the first state to recognize Singapore’s independence, and Singapore signed the first International Trade Agreement with it.
National Day is the greatest and most widely celebrated holiday in Singapore. Solemn processions, fireworks and the parade are very similar to the Victory Day’s celebration in Russia and other countries of the former USSR. Indeed, there is a similarity here – and not only external. Like May 9 in Russia, August 9 in Singapore is a day of a national triumph, a day when the strong spirit of an independent nation prevailed, a day when obstacles that seemed insurmountable were overcome. It is also a day of unity of all generations, which are united not only by the memory of the past, but also by the desire for a happy future.
In 2019 the theme of the holiday is “Our Singapore”. “Our” means several generations: those who defended Singapore’s freedom in the 1960s, those who have created its wealth from scratch after independence, and those who are ready to step with the country into its future. “Our” means all the peoples who have found their home on this earth: the Chinese, Malays, Indians and everyone else who has proudly called themselves Singaporeans for more than fifty years. “Our” means all those who are interested in Singapore and who are ready to bring something new to its life: after all, as the founder of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, said, the key to the success of the young state was trust, namely openness, the constant development of international cooperation and human capital.
The upcoming National Day is planned to be celebrated especially solemnly because in 2019 it is 200 years since the foundation of the first English colony on the island and, therefore, this is the year of Singapore’s bicentennial. Playing field Padang, located in the Business Centre in the Central District of Singapore, was chosen as the venue for celebrations. The huge stadium seats up to 26,000 spectators. Events in honor of the National Day have already been held there twice, and in 2010 in Padang took place the opening ceremony of the Summer Youth Olympic Games. There will be provided another 25,000 seats on a special floating platform to provide an opportunity to see the parade for everyone.
Organizers of the celebration are not going to reveal too much, but it is already known that in addition to the traditional parade and fireworks, a spectacular air show and a navy show are planned.
Russia-Singapore Business Council sends the warmest congratulations to the people of Singapore on the National Day and wishes happiness and prosperity to this fabulous country. For 51 years, Russia and Singapore have been linked by close bonds of friendship, which, we hope, will become even stronger and more reliable over time.

Our partner’s news: Gazprom celebrates the 20th Anniversary of its trading activities

Russia-Singapore Business Council is glad to congratulate PJCS Gazprom with the 20th Anniversary of its trading activities. “Gazprom” is one of the most prominent and reputable Russian companies, and we are happy to have them among our partners. For 10 years Russia-Singapore Business Council and Gazprom have been working together to develop trustful and friendly relationships between Russia and Singapore, and our collaborative efforts have been fruitful and efficient.

Russia-Singapore Business Council wishes every success to Gazprom team and hopes that the next twenty years will bring more fascinating projects and prospective partnerships.

 

We are honoured to publish a congratulation letter of Serguei Edrenkine, General Director Gazprom Marketing & Trading Singapore.

 

“Dear all,

In line with 20th Anniversary of Gazprom’s trading activities, I am writing to share my reflections on what it means personally for me.

As I have mentioned before, I strongly believe that only through the common effort we could have reached this moment of success. I really appreciate hard work of each and every one of you through all these years.

Of those 20 outstanding years, I have been with Gazprom for 15.5.

Those years with the Company have served me a perfect opportunity to be exposed to large number of exciting events and, what I value the most, to some fascinating people. This, of course, includes communication with the top management of Gazprom, heads of various major Global companies, Ministers and dozens of Ambassadors of partner countries; or even with the Prime Minister of Singapore.

But my most thrilling experiences have come from having a privilege to get to know some of the most talented professionals and unique personalities – people of GM&T team.

I’ve closely worked with many outstanding colleagues like Iouri Virobian, whose powerful energy and experience led to the creation of GMT France. We started with a tiny office composed of two people; and now it is a full-fledged company consisting of two offices in Paris (one of which is at Champs-Elysées, with French, Russian and Gazprom flags fluttering at its balcony).

Olga Solovieva from GM&T France – who is able to solve the unsolvable, even when it comes to arrange a personal meeting with the President of France. Valery Giscard d’Estaing once called Olga a “treasure addition to GM&T France team”.

Daniel Gornig from GM&T London – one of the most talented leaders and a genuine TRADER.

Fatima Djienova – the most trusted, loyal and hardworking professional. I remember once, one of the top Managers of Keppel has invited her to work for them. However, I do not think Fatima would ever want to leave Gazprom.

Liz Getman – extremely capable multi-talented professional; there is no task she could not solve.

Maxim Drogaytsev – a person you could always rely on. His contribution is huge, even though not always noticable.

Katerina Pervak – a talented organiser and writer; efficient problem-solver, even when the problem is in Singapore and she is on vacation in Australia. I have no doubts, in the near future she will get a new role with greater responsibilities, where all her talents and abilities will be revealed to the fullest extent.

There are many great people and talented professionals at our office in Singapore, who have spent many years contributing to Gazprom’s success. The longest with the Company, as I recall, are Pavel Smotritskiy, Delia Proteasa, Ekaterina Belovitskaya… long list of members of a large and friendly team. Every one of you deserves my deepest respect.

Once again I want to congratulate you all and end it up with a famous quote by Napoleon’s mother after one of his victories: “Pourvu que ça dure” (which means: I hope it lasts).

 

Warm wishes,

 

Serguei EDRENKINE

Country Chair”