AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

TOP NEWS SUPPORTED BY Deutsche Bank: Standing firm against headwinds New Members: Elbaron SA / Dachser () Co. Ltd. School News: Job counseling and career orientation at RIS Swiss Section – Deutschsprachige Schule / Alphabet Party / Special week at Sri Sangwan School in Khon Kaen 2018

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DEAR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF THE STCC

you uneasy. However, amongst this perceived chaos, one sto- ry touched the hearts of many people, and serves as an inspi- ration in making this world a better place.

On June 23, the Wild Boars, a team of young football play- PRESIDENT BRUNO G. ODERMATT ers between 11-16 in age, SERVICE ventured into a six-mile-long Looking at the current politi- cave system with their coach STCC CALENDAR cal and business events hap- (25), after a regular weekend pening around the globe, one on the football field. Once Saturday 4th Aug 2018: Swiss National Day at could get the feeling that we inside the cave, heavy rains Embassy of , are living in an ever more com- soon lashed at the limestone start 16:00 plex world. Listening to news hills, triggering flash flood headlines, you are bombarded that cut-off their entrance Thursday 9th Aug 2018: with issues such as illegal im- and pushed them deeper into STCC Stamm at Arnoma migration; trade wars amongst the cave, where they found Hotel, 18:00 the largest economies; esca- refuge in elevated areas. They lating conflicts in North Korea, survived nearly 10 days with Thursday 13th Sept 2018: Syria and ; hostilities and only a handful of water and STCC Stamm at Arnoma threats amongst former cold snacks until they were found Hotel, 18:00, with a prior war powers, and even the dec- by two expert British cave di- presentation from PIMALI ades-long friendship alliances vers. Scores of international at 17:00 amongst the USA and Europe, experts around the world flew in particular amongst the NATO into Northern Thailand to join Thursday 11th Oct 2018: members, are put into ques- 110 Thai Navy Seals in execut- STCC Stamm at Arnoma tion. It is definitely not a pret- ing a rescue mission that had Hotel, 18:00 ty picture and at times makes been called by other experts

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THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SUPPORTED BY as risky, and highly dangerous. respect to the Thai government Alongside volunteers and Thai and Thai Army, who success- Navy Seals, many countries fully executed a complex and sent their own contingents to remarkable rescue operation, Thailand. Cave-diving experts and getting the job done with from Belgium, Denmark, Brit- helping hands from all over the TRINA ain, Laos and joined world. In my eyes they have INTERNATIONAL the Seals, as well as Australian done a marvellous job. police divers, US military Pa- cific Command personnel, and For some more enlightening even 6 rescue specialists from news, Swiss physicist Ursu- Beijing, amongst others. la Keller, head of the insti- tute for Quantum Electronics It was a Thai-led, multi-na- at Zurich´s Federal Institute tional rescue operation and of Technology (ETH Zurich), it was fantastic to see that if was awarded the European nations pull together, despite Patent Office (EPO) “Lifetime ideological differences, they Achievement” award for her SERVICE truly can make a difference. It pioneering work on laser tech- Weekend 13-15. Oct 2018: is a true celebration of human- nology. During her 30 year´s 20 Y STCC Anniversary Celebra- ity. Even US billionaire entre- career at the ETH, she has pat- tion in Kanchanaburi (details preneur Elon Mask, CEO of Tesla ented several inventions which to follow, pls reserve the date) and SpaceX, flew in with “kid- helped make ultra-fast lasers size” mini-submarine, which commonplace in industrial More details for he thought might he help the and medical application. It is a abo e events please wait rescuer to get the boys out of terrific achievement and pays for the invitation-mail or get the cave. In the end, howev- testimony to Switzerland as it from www.swissthai.com, er, it was not needed. It is an the most innovative and com- click on “events”. amazing story with a Holly- petitive economy in the world. wood-like happy ending; all the boys were saved, though Our sponsorship drive to fund MEMBER DETAIL one Thai Navy Seal, Sgt Saman the activities of the STCC 20th UPDATES Kunan, lost his life after run- anniversary in 2018 is a stellar ning out of oxygen in the cave. success and shows the commit- Do you have changes among your News of the evacuation echoed ment of our members to the delegates or changes to your around the world. Whilst I was STCC. A number of companies e-mail, mobile, telephone, travelling through different pledged their support and on or fax numbers? continents during this dra- behalf of the Board of Direc- matic period, in all the plac- tors, I would like to express our Please send all updates to es I visited one could see the gratitude to those who made [email protected] positive impact it had on peo- their pledges and to those who ple’s minds and hearts, even are still considering to join US President Trump called it “a the campaign. Our office will beautiful moment. It also pays let you know shortly about our

2 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SERVICE special activities in the coming With my best wishes MEMBERSHIP months, and we are absolute- ly delighted about this level of FEES 2018 commitment from our members. The invoices for the year 2018 will Bruno G. Odermatt-Maag be sent out by e-mail during April. If you find time during your sum- President Kindly make sure that you approve mer holidays, a good read might the invoice and forward it for pay- be Jordan Peterson´s best sell- *** ment to your accounting and make ing book, “12 Rules of Life: An Contact the President: sure that THE PAYMENT SLIP COPY IS antidote to Chaos”. A professor Bruno G. Odermatt SENT TO of the University of Toronto and President STCC a clinical psychologist, his mind [email protected] [email protected] provoking arguments for the Tel: +66 2 652 1911 importance of order has made Thanks for your support. him the most significant con- servative thinker to appear in the English-speaking world in recent history. If personal at- tachments to attitudes such as tribe, heart, home, country are still important to you, then it might be well worth reading it.

I wish you a happy Swiss Nation- al Day celebration and wherever we attend celebrations of the founding of the Swiss Confeder- ation, let us be grateful of the rich heritage we assumed from our forefathers of Switzerland.

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3 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

ECONOMY SPECIAL REPORT BY DEUTSCHE BANK ASIA ECONOMICS MONTHLY: STANDING FIRM AGAINST HEADWINDS

Economic outlook: Data point to sustain robust EU27, which also rose at a faster pace of 13.2% GDP growth of 4.8% in 02. vs. 10.2% in the same period. In contrast, ex- ports to rose at a slower pace of 13.5% in Main risks: The market may be underestimat- April/May, vs. 24.8% in 01, while those to the US ing the path of BoT policy rates, especially as also rose at a relatively modest pace of 6.3% vs. a weaker baht removes an important hurdle for 9% in the same period. rate hikes. ...while consumption and investment also Another quarter of strong growth strengthened... Thailand also enjoyed stronger growth in consumption and investment. The pri- Export growth accelerates... Exports rose vate consumption index rose 5.5% in April/May, 8.6%yoy in April/May, vs. 5.3% in 01, in volume accelerating from 2.9% in 01. We see continued terms. By destination, led this expansion support for private consumption amid improve- in Thailand exports, surging 16.8% in April/May ment in employment. The latter rose 1 % in 02, vs 0.3% growth in 01, followed by exports to the more than reversing the 0.3% decline reported in 01. Better still, the private investment index

rose at a faster pace of 3.9% in April/May vs. a 1.8% rise in 01, boding well for employment prospects ahead.

Concerns about an all-out trade war have not yet filtered down to the Thai public or businesses. In fact, consumer confidence continued to trend

4 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

ECONOMY SPECIAL REPORT BY DEUTSCHE BANK

better, with the index reaching its highest level since 03 2013 in 02. Meanwhile, business senti- ment remained positive in 02, albeit less optimistic than in 01.

While high frequency demand data suggest that Thailand’s GDP growth remained robust in 02, at high-4%, moving more or less sideways from 01, destocking poses downside risk to this view. Recall that it added 3ppts to the headline GDP growth in 01. Note that the value-added produc- tion index rose at a slower pace of 3.2% in April/ May vs. 4.2% in 01, despite stronger demand at home and abroad.

... prompting the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to con- sider policy normalization. If not for the fear of an all-out trade war that could push the glob- al economy into recession, the market appears to be mispricing the path of BoT policy rates ahead. The latest MPC minutes clearly outlined the BoT’s exit strategy. There are two conditions for its policy rate normalization - CPI inflation within the BoT target and firm growth - both of which have been met already. As noted above, data point to another quarter of high-4% growth in 02, while CPI inflation averaged 1.3% in the quarter, firmly staying within the BoT target band of 1-4%.

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ECONOMY SPECIAL REPORT BY DEUTSCHE BANK

Although the June inflation data came in below of 33.5) and next year at 34.2. A weaker baht in ourexpectation at 1.4%yoy, we have kept our turn removes an important hurdle for BoT policy annual average forecast of 1.3% on the back of normalization. Moreover, its weakness adds to rising oil prices. The latter suggest increasing imported inflation, rather than countering the inflationary pressure ahead. In response to up- impact of higher commodity prices. ward adjustments to our oilprice forecasts (see report), we have also revised up our Thailand’s 2019 CPI inflation forecast. However, assuming increase in fuel subsidies, we limited the upward revision to 0.2ppts, with an annual CPI inflation average of 1.9% for 2019. Historically, a 10% Juliana Lee, rise in oil prices left the headline inflation about Hong Kong, +852 2203 8312 0.35ppts higher.

... as the baht weakens and upside risks to in- flation rises. As noted earlier, we see EM Asia FX acting as an automatic stabilizer to any tar- iff shocks. Amid rising risk of an all-out trade war, the baht’s depreciation has already broken through our forecasts. We thought earlier that it would depreciate against the US dollar, to 32.8 by year-end, as the interest rate differential with the US widened. Looking ahead, in the con- text of a sharply weaker USD/CNY next year, at 7.2 vs. 6.8 at end-2018, we see the baht also con- tinuing its depreciation against the US dollar, ending this year at 33.5 (vs. our earlier forecast

6 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE MEMBER

Elbaron SA (Representative Office) market is the machine-tool makers who provide their machines with our devices and sale them 19/83 Sukhumvit Suite, 10th Floor, all over the world. Sukhumvit Soi 13, Sukhumvit Road North Klongtoey, Vadhana Since the 1st January, the company have opened 10110 Bangkok his own representative office in Bangkok, Thai- Thailand land, to develop and increase his activities in Asia. This rep-office is managing by the old sales Phone 02-651-0950+1 and technical director of the company in Swit- Fax: 02-651-0861 zerland who’s now in charge of the Asian market. E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.elbaron.com The principal tasks of the rep-office are:

Delegates: Mr. Robert Buchet Branch Manager 1. Promotion of ELBARON SA air cleaner solu- tion and development of his presence in the Activity: ELBARON SA is a swiss company who Asian market. develop and make electrostatic and mechanical air cleaner, since more 40 years, to eliminate the 2. Advise and support of our local partners in mist and fume produced by the cutting machine- the different Asian markets especially in Chi- tool in the industry. na, , Thailand, and , , Japan, … The company is specialist to provide and advise solution to catch and eliminate the pollution 3. Support, advise and supply of after-sale ser- which are produced by these machine-tool in vices to ELBARON SA air cleaner users in these the different industrial activities as automotive, different local markets. watch, electronic, medical, tools-maker, … We supply both the end users and the machine- tool makers.

The headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland, and employs around 20 persons. The partner factory is based in Bonn, Germany, with around 25 em- ployees.

Beside the Swiss and German markets, the com- pany is present through agents or exclusive representatives in Italy, Spain, Portugal, UK, France, and Thailand. However, our prod- ucts are used in the whole world, anywhere we’re are supposed to use machine-tool. Effectively, one of the most important part of ELBARON SA

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NEW MEMBERS

Dachser (Thailand) Co. Ltd. With its global shipping and logistics network and integrated IT solutions, DACHSER strives to offer 1768, Thai Summit Tower, 31st Floor the world’s most intelligent combination and inte- New Petchburi Road, Bangkapi, gration of logistical network services, DACHSER’s Huaykwang Bangkok goal is to optimize the logistics balance sheet of Thailand 10310 industrial and commercial customers.

Phone 02-080-3800 In Asia, DACHSER employs more than 1,670 em- Fax: 02-030-0680 ployees in 49 offices, including Bangladesh. E-Mail: [email protected] China. Hong Kong, , , Korea, Ma- Web: www.dachser.com laysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The Regional Head Office Asia Pacific is located Delegates: Mr. Jean-Michel Beyer, Head of Sales in Hong Kong. TH, Viet, Mal, Spore, and Mr. Christoph Vincent, Managing Director. With 91 employees and 4 locations, DACHSER Thailand is fully integrated in the global net- Activity: Dachser is one of the global leaders in work, providing customized worldwide logistics system logistics and moved 81. 7 million ship- solutions ments weighing 39.8 million tons in fiscal year 2017. The family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Allgaeu, Germany generated EUR 6.12 billion in revenue. The company employs about 29, 100 people at its 396 locations world- wide. DACHSER is represented with its own coun- try organizations in 44 countries.

8 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

RIS SWISS SECTION DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK JOB COUNSELING AND CAREER ORIEN- TATION AT RIS SWISS SECTION – DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK

It is an important goal for us to support our stu- This can only succeed if they have concrete ideas dents in making self-determined and competent about their future life, know their strengths and career and study choices. weaknesses, learn to assess their abilities, are

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RIS SWISS SECTION DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK

Internship Program in Grade 9

Professional orientation is an important part of our school program and therefore the stu- dents in our Grade 9 take part in an internship. For two weeks they plunge into real work life, which demands a lot of independence.

After two weeks they come back in their school uniforms again, deeply satisfied with them- selves and rich with precious experiences from work life. A detailed report and a presentation for students and parents is the final highlight of this important and successful project.

Economics Week in Grades 9 and 10

The Economics Week is a joint project offered by the Ernst Schmidheiny Foundation, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, and sup- ported by the Credit Suisse and other Swiss companies.

The students in Grades 9 and 10 of RIS Swiss informed about education and study opportuni- Section – Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok ties and have gained experience in the working take on the role of managing their own compa- world. The job counseling and career orientation ny. As in the real business world, the students at our school is organized by Rolf Nährich. have to develop strategies for their companies, The three main elements of job counseling and learn to understand the activities of their com- career orientation at our school are: petitors and the development of the market,

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RIS SWISS SECTION DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK

organise themselves, put marketing concepts agement” or “Experiences with the institution into practice and make a great number of deci- of higher education “/” Student life”). sions. The students experience the way a com- pany functions in the market in a more realistic This is to ensure that every student receives environment. the necessary support in their personal career development process. In addition, there are The instructors are managers from the world “Career Days”, where experts from various pro- of commerce and industry acting voluntarily. fessional fields give an insight in their every- Numerous companies in Switzerland, large and day work and its challenges, their career path small, are making management staff available and their study programs and qualifications. for Economics Week. The students can ask questions to the experts and make contacts. Career Counseling and “Career Days” in Grades 11 and 12

RIS Swiss Section - Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok continually receives a significant amount of information on opportunities in higher education. We also organize career counseling events and workshops and invite experts to give insights to the students on dif- ferent educational institutions, occupations and careers.

Individual guidance takes place through work on individual modules (e.g. “Time self-man-

11 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

RIS SWISS SECTION DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK ALPHABET PARTY

The Basis Level B celebrated the alphabet party was eating with an alphabet party. The our homemade ABC cakes. students now know all letters of the alphabet and can read and write them. The ABC kings and queens created their own alphabet crowns, learned the alphabet song, played alphabet games and worked at the alpha- bet stations. The highlight of

12 AUGUST 2018 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | E-NEWSLETTER #97

RIS SWISS SECTION DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK SPECIAL WEEK AT SRI SANGWAN SCHOOL IN KHON KAEN 2018

As part of their Social Project Week, the 7th grade of grade 7 were very grateful for the generous of RIS Swiss Section Bangkok – Deutschsprachige support of the social project by the whole school Schule travelled to Khon Kaen to volunteer at a community. The more than generous donations school for mentally and physically challenged allow us to support 11 students and pay all their children, doing activities such as art printing, fees and expenses for one year. sports and taking part in a field trip. The Sri Sangwan School in Khon Kaen offers edu- During the project week which took place for cation and housing for 260 children and young the 7th time the students took responsibility for people with a wide variety of disabilities. different activities and it was delightful to see all the students from both schools actively en- As most students come to that school from rela- gaged. This year the students had the chance to tively poor families and must pay tuition, there run an English workshop. On the second day they is a lack of funds available to the school for visited the Dinosaur museum together with more supplies and materials. Therefore the students 25 students from the Sri Sangwan School.

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RIS SWISS SECTION DEUTSCHSPRACHIGE SCHULE BANGKOK On the last day there was the traditional student performed two songs. It was again a very inspir- party and a chance to have fun and enjoy sweets ing and impressive Social Week in Khon Kaen and and ice cream together. Finally the students pre- RIS Swiss Section Bangkok – Deutschsprachige pared a photo presentation for the audience and Schule is looking forward to return in 2019!

Important events in the first semester of the school year 2018-19:

20.08.2018 First day of school (all grades) - Welcoming Ceremony (9:30) 29.09.2018 Open House Info Session (13:00 – 15:00) 30.10.2018 Annual General Meeting of SEA 06.11.2018 Open House Day (7:30 – 14:40) 16.11.2018 Lantern Parade (KG - Grade 3 - evening) 22.11.2018 Loy Krathong – Day 06.12.2018 St. Nicholas visit 07.12.2018 Flea Market 13.12.2018 Christmas Party (from 13:00)

Please visit our website - www.ris-swiss-section.org - and get more information about our upcoming events.

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