Screengrab of Mr. Jesper Svenningsen Executive Director of NordCham Philippines during the Nordic Ambassadors’ Forum 2020 by THEPHILBIZNEWS
By Monsi A. Serrano
There is no doubt that 2020 has affected the whole world’s economic activities more disruptive and destructive than the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
In the Philippines, the nationwide lockdown forced upon us by the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the lives of everyone we know. Needless to say, it has caused anxiety as health and safety concerns coupled with economic and income uncertainties weighed down to every Filipino setting back a broad spectrum of businesses.
To their credit, the government has been endeavoring to strike the perfect balance between lives and livelihood as they promulgate certain rules and regulations that will be enforced in various cities and municipalities across the nation.
On the part of the current Executive Director of NordCham Philippines Mr. Jesper Svenningsen, who assumed the office just last March 16, 2020, the handover did not go as planned as President Rodrigo Duterte declared ECQ the same afternoon, and everybody hurried home.
“It was something I never expected and I was even excited to roll out exciting activities for 2020 that would benefit our members and all those who have been following the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines,” Mr. Svenningsen revealed.
“The NordCham was overtaken by the pandemic, and this prompted us to realign our plans and went digital with everything. Since that first half day in the office, I have only been in there 26 times, and I have physically met with my staff and the Board of Directors less than 40 times (mainly for document signing or events),” he explained.
If the show business has its expression of “the show must go on”, the NordCham Philippines coined its own witty phrase that they called “Business As Usual” which has an inspiring impact on all the members of the chamber and followers.
Using their famous hashtag #BusinessAsUsual, Mr. Svenningsen elaborated this phrase further.
“We did our best to help our community by quickly adapting and embracing the new reality, and always keeping the focus on providing value for our Partners. BTW: “Partner” is a new term implemented in 2020 together with our new benefit matrix. In 2019 we managed 24 events and interestingly, this 2020 despite the unique and challenging situation we have done 161, the Executive Director of Nordic Chamber proudly shared.
“Our Partnership and Event Manager, Maan Yu, has done an outstanding job helping NordCham managing all of these events, and thus helped NordCham to make a difference for our members and community by providing insights, new perspectives, connections, and training. Many of these events were in cooperation with our fellow European Chambers in the Philippines and Nordic Chambers in the region, with whom we have excellent cooperation,” Mr. Svenningsen added.
Apart from that, Mr. Svenningsen expresses utmost gratitude to those who made these record-breaking events such as the speakers, and especially to PSA Consultancy for the 17 events with Updates on the COVID situation in the Philippines.
Welcoming NEW GOLD BUSINESS PARTNERS
FLSmidth Philippines, Inc.FLSmidth provides innovative engineering, equipment and service solutions to the global mining and cement industries. We help our customers to improve performance, drive down costs and reduce environmental impact.
With our sustainability ambition, MissionZero, we enable our customers in mining and cement to move towards zero emissions by 2030.
Interior Synergy Solutions, Inc.
Interior Synergy Solutions, Inc. (iSynergy) is a regional design house specializing in commercial interior turn-key solutions. As part of Trends Group, Inc. (TGI), we have the capacity to provide both local blue-chip companies and multinational corporations with Design and Construction, large-scale consultancy services on Information Technology, IT Manpower Services Outsourcing, and IT Certification and Training Services. Our flagship company, Trends and Technologies, Inc. (Trends), has been operating since 1993 and belongs to the country’s top 350 corporations.
GREETINGS TO ANOTHER AMAZING YEAR TOGETHER
Antrak Philippines Transport Solutions Corporation Antrak Philippines Transport Solutions Corporation is part of the Antrak Logistics Group based in Perth, Australia, which is part of the Bollorè Logistics Group under the Bollorè group of companies. Bollorè is a French multinational company.
The company is comprised of two main groups namely FORWARDING AND PROJECT GROUP and OVERSEAS EXPEDITING GROUP and is composed of a senior management team with over 20 years of Logistics and Project Management experience and a second tiered management team with over 10 to 15 years of experience in the Logistics and Project Management industry. All have worked together previously and build one integrated team.
Global Process Manager, Inc. The GPM Team is a crack team of experts dedicated to finding the key to your specific interest. Whatever your business needs: systems, manpower, or technology-related, let us be your solutions partner of choice.GPM prides itself on having a wealth of Best Practices in the Human Resource Discipline.
The Magsaysay Group, one of the world’s largest Human Resource Groups, deploys in excess of 40,000 talented individuals globally. As part of it, GPM has access to a 120,000-strong pool of talent, updated daily. With our versatile HR programs, not only do we serve the business requirements of our clients, we also manage the career paths of our employees. Our amazingly low attrition rate says it all.
Glue UpGlue Up, previously EventBank, was founded in 2013, started with the idea of how to bridge the gap that event organizers had in managing events with technology. Two years later, we’ve built membership management tools and a few years later, EventBank was more than just “events”.
The brand grew up to become an all-in-one engagement platform.Fast forward to 2020, Glue Up expanded its portfolio to bring communities and engagement to the center of attention, making clients’ success our mission.Today, Glue Up empowers organisations, revolutionizing relationships, delivering long-term business value, and making modern engagement more purposeful.
Imperial Homes Corporation Imperial Homes Corporation was established on September 16, 1983, and is primarily engaged in the development of modern leisure villages, middle income as well as low-cost housing projects. Founded and headed by Ms. Emma Imperial, President, and CEO, the scope of IHC’s present activities include investing in land for housing development and the construction and sale of housing units.
IHC’s strength lies in its aggressive marketing that adapt to global changes. It currently has links to 50 local real estate brokers and 400 agents and has lead agents in US, England, Scandinavian Countries, Italy, Spain, Singapore and Hongkong.
Oxford Business Group Founded as a research publishing firm in 1994 by Oxford graduates and originally based in the university town, OBG is today a British company with worldwide reach, employing more than 200 staff and continuing its commitment to producing detailed emerging markets analysis. The Group publishes authoritative reports and online economic briefings covering 34 countries around the world from its offices in Istanbul, Berlin, Dubai and London, and a network of local bureaus in the countries in which it operates.
Through its range of products, the group offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, tourism, energy, transport, industry and ICT. OBG provides business intelligence to its subscribers through multiple platforms: Economic News and Views, CEO Surveys, Roundtables and conferences, Global Platform – exclusive video interviews, The Report publications and its Advisory division.
PSA Philippines Consultancy Inc.PSA was originally founded in November 1999 as a risk consulting firm. PSA grew to become a leading Asian-focused business risk consultancy firm.
PSA Philippines Consultancy enables its clients to succeed in complex operating environments. Our services are intended to inform and assess client exposure to threats and opportunities whilst also providing strategies and services to increase operating resiliency.
SM Prime Holdings Inc (Conrad Manila)Conrad Manila offers 347 beautiful Filipino influenced guest rooms equipped with WiFi access, Bluetooth-enabled entertainment technology, espresso machines and hydrotherapy rain showers. Our suites and executive rooms offer great views, plus access to the Executive Lounge with complimentary breakfast and refreshments. For extra space and privacy select a luxurious Presidential Suite with a spacious outdoor terrace, a private swimming pool and stunning Manila Bay views. Our hotel received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2017.
At the end of the day luxuriate with a selection of nourishing body rituals, massages and facials at the spa, with special treatments available for couples. The Health Club at Conrad Manila embraces the latest in fitness equipment and offers personal training, aerobics and fitness classes. Inspired by the coastal seas of the Philippines, our infinity swimming pool is coral shaped with separate sections for kids and adults.
Breaking in the clouds, seeing the basking sunlight
Given the fact that the resounding success of events and other activities for the benefit of the community, Mr. Svenningsen expressed optimism for the year 2021.
“For 2021 we have prepared the calendar with lots of events, as we see this as one of the main ways of providing value for all of you. Mark your calendar for the AGM on February 1 and the Nordic Sustainability Awards Nights on February 23. We will also spend significant time connecting you with the right business partners and other ways of helping you to grow your business. Advocacy work, using our connections with the Philippine and Nordic governments and key organizations, is again a key activity in 2021 – examples: we are currently in the process of helping 7 essential workers with an exemption to enter the Philippines. And we are in dialogue with the government on how we can help to ensure the COVID vaccine for our Partners! By end of January, we expect to release our new website and with it, we will be able to provide even more benefits for all of you. As of today, our system shows 100 active partners. In 2020 we added 18 new but also lost some due to the COVID situation. We remain the largest Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Asia, but obviously, we expect to further grow in 2021,” he added.
“We have increased to almost 5000 active friends of NordCham and more than 3000, who follow and interact with us on Social Media. We want to thank all of you for your support in 2020 and we are looking forward to helping you further in 2021,” Mr. Svenningsen noted.
“Lastly, I wish and pray that the New Year bless you with health, wealth and happiness,” the Executive Director of NordCham PH concluded.
The Philippine Business and News is a proud media partner of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.