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| Ambassador Reichlin at the Royal Palace ©FDFA |
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Dear readers,
It gives me great pleasure to be contributing to
this edition of the Embassy newsletter.
After having spent the last four years in the
Philippines, I am eager to engage with you and learn from Malaysians at this
particular important conjuncture in the country’s history. It is indeed
exciting to gain a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s diversity,
its economy and its culture.
Malaysia is a significant bilateral, regional and
global partner for Switzerland. Moving forward, I hope to strengthen cross
sector collaboration.
Shortly after arrival, I had the privilege to
present the letter of credentials to His Majesty the King. And I have also had
the opportunity to gain first-hand insights through meetings with authorities, Swiss
and Malaysian private sector representatives and civil society organizations.
I hope you enjoy this reading about the Embassy’s
activities and I certainly look forward to meeting with many of you in the time
to come.
To keep connected with Swiss news, please follow
our Facebook Page.
Last but
certainly not least, the Embassy team wishes you and your loved ones happy
holidays, bonne année, felice anno nuovo and “en guete Rutsch”!
Sincerely,
Andrea Reichlin
Ambassador of Switzerland
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| Celebrating Swiss National Day 2019 |
| Swiss National Day 2019 ©FDFA |
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Members of the Malaysian and Swiss business circles, foreign diplomats, friends of Switzerland and the Swiss in Malaysia gathered on 1st August 2019 at the Residence to celebrate the 728th Anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. This event was graced by the Honourable Dr. Lee Boon Chye, Deputy Minister of Health.
The crowd’s high spirit has certainly contributed to the festive mood of this evening. The Embassy would like to take this opportunity to thank ABB, Belimo, DKSH, George Fischer, HACO, Huber + Suhner, IMI, JUST Essentials, Nestlé, Novartis, Omya, PMCC, PX Swissmet, Roche, Rail Systems Engineering, RUAG, Sarnatec, Schindler, SGS, SR Technics, Straton, Unisto, Zuellig Pharma and Zurich Airport for their generous support to make this delightful event possible. |
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| Visit by the College of Higher Education in Foreign Trade |
| Swiss participants and the Embassy team ©FDFA |
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The students, alumnis and their supervisors from the Höhere Fachschule für Aussenwirtschaft in Aarau who were on their field study trip visited the Embassy in October. The Swiss participants were briefed on the bilateral relations between Switzerland and Malaysia by the Embassy team, focusing mainly on trade. This was followed by a very engaging exchange on how the participants, who are working in Swiss companies are connected internationally through cross trade.
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| An afternoon with the Royal Malaysian Police |
| The Royal Malaysian Police delegation ©FDFA |
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The Embassy team welcomed a batch of master class students from the Royal Malaysian Police Academy at the Residence. An address by the Superintendent of Police, Rohana bt Abdul Rahman on behalf of the delegation expressed the wish to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries and to learn about how other nation’s police system works. They were briefed about Swiss police organisation and mission in preparation for their field trip to Switzerland. |
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| A beneficial company-business school exchange |
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An informal platform for exchange between the business community and students was organised by the
University of St. Gallen (HSG) and their partner, Singapore Management University (SMU). The annual business dinner over Swiss cheese fondue
has become a tradition of the HSG/SMU Business Study Mission in Malaysia.
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| The first Swiss design contemporary furniture store in Malaysia |
Ambassador Reichlin and Andrea Bonardi, Vitra's head of Asia ©FDFA
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The Swiss family-owned
furniture and design company, Vitra launched their first retail store in Malaysia. The
opening was hosted by Haus Living Concepts which offered an
insight to the exclusive and latest novelties from Vitra’s
collection, which incorporates main characteristics of Swiss design. We are glad
to welcome a representative of Swiss design in Malaysia! |
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| Presentation by the participants ©FDFA |
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Congratulations to the team from the University of Notthingham Malaysia for winning the ABB Intervarsity Innovation Challenge 2019. This competition, which was organised by ABB Malaysia Sdn Bhd was to encourage creative thinking amongst undergraduate students in both public and private universities in Malaysia. The core theme of this year competition is 'Writing the Future of Digitalisation and Sustainable Technologies'. |
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| Meeting the unmet needs @Roche Innovation Day |
| Launching of Roche Innovation Day ©FDFA |
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Switzerland
is known for its innovative power in several aspects. When it comes to the
future of health, Swiss-founded company Roche always has a reliable solution.
At the company’s Innovation Day, the Embassy team got a real taste and
understanding of Roche’s research-based innovative efforts in life science. In line with this event's theme 'Simplicity meets Excellence', Roche took the opportunity to launch the Cobas Pro integrated solutions designed to help labs deliver faster results to patients.
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| Swiss firm expand plants in Penang |
| VAT Phase 2 Grand Opening ©FDFA |
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Leading global developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-end vacuum valves, VAT Group AG, has officially ushered in its upgraded Malaysia manufacturing facility from 6,000sq m to the current 24,000sq m in Batu Kawan, Penang. VAT's investment in Penang was its largest ever capital investment to expand production, and its first vacuum valve manufacturing factory outside of Switzerland. The grand opening ceremony was graced by Y.A.B Mr Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang.
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The Embassy team has been received by a few companies in Malaysia with headquarters in Switzerland aiming to strengthen the links with private sector and fostering the culture of exchange. It is fascinating to get the insights of visions, activities and projects of these Swiss-linked companies to serve the Malaysian customers and others in this region. We are proud to see the efforts implemented to translate Swiss corporate value in the local contexts, engagement in capacity building, knowledge exchange, providing training and offering thousands of high qualified jobs in Malaysia. |
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| Roviva Factory in Switzerland ©FDFA |
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Our trade officer Siau Wei had the opportunity to visit Roviva factory, a 271 years old company in Switzerland and witnessed how quality mattresses are made. During the visit, they had a good exchange about strategies on potential distribution in Malaysia. We are excited and looking forward to their internationalisation plan to Asia. |
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| Calling all producers and filmmakers in Malaysia! |
| At the cocktail reception ©FDFA |
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Locarno Film Festival - Open Doors is focusing on the cinematographic landscape of South East Asia and Mongolia. During these 3 years, the project will spotlight film projects and films producers from Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines and Mongolia. Early this month, a cocktail reception was held at the Residence where representatives from the Open Doors met Malaysian talents from the film industry to promote the initiatives and to exchange constructive ideas. |
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| Is Switzerland Malaysian tourists' favoured European destination? |
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Check out the latest statistics which underscore Malaysian's growing interest in Switzerland. From January to October 2019, Malaysia market has contributed roughly:
- 37,000 visitors to Switzerland
- 68,000 overnights in Switzerland
- 8% increase in overnights compare to 2018
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| Roadshow for the Northern States |
| Presentation of certificates to the Switzerland Travel Experts ©Switzerland Tourism |
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The third Switzerland Tourism Experience in Penang was held in August this year at E&O Hotel. The networking dinner and the workshop have provided a platform for the buyers and sellers to meet. This has been a good opportunity for the Swiss partners to meet travel agents and tour operators from Northern Malaysia as well as to boost the market interest to promote Switzerland. |
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The South East Asia Roadshow in September 2019 organised by the Switzerland Tourism & Convention Bureau (SCIB) is to promote the top meeting and incentives destination in Switzerland by creating a platform for the Swiss partners to meet and update the coporate's meeting and incentive planners. |
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| SMBA's action-packed excursion to Penang – 11th & 12th October 2019 |
| SMBA Visit to Kemikon ©SMBA |
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The visit started at VAT Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. VAT is a leading global developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves. Mr. Bernd Kirchhöfer, Managing Director, welcomed the SMBA group and gave a short introduction about VAT and its manufacturing activities in Penang. The presentation was followed by a tour through the impressive manufacturing facilities of VAT. The second company visit brought the SMBA group to Kemikon Sdn. Bhd. Kemikon is a contract manufacturer specializing in the semiconductor and high tech equipment industry. Mr. Marcel Wismer, CEO, shared some information about Kemikon and offered a tour through the brand new office and manufacturing facilities, including a lunch and a cocktail. The highlight of the evening was the visit of Penang Rendezvous 2019 - Southeast Asia's most anticipated luxury lifestyle event; organised by our member, World of Rewards and Heart Media.
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| Melting Swiss glaciers to Fuel Conflicts over Water |
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The ice covering the surface of the Swiss mountain region will continue to provide enough water throughout the year but one day, it will probably dry up altogether during the summer months. But Switzerland will never face a shortage of drinking water if there are no more glaciers. A major problem is a foreseeable conflict of interest between the agricultural sector and the hydropower plants – in other words, between those who want to use water from a river at the bottom of a valley to irrigate the fields during dry spells and those who want to store the water in reservoirs in the mountains to produce electricity to cover the peak demand during the winter. It is also foreseeable that the smaller amount of melting water will make these major European streams less suited for river vessels. - swissinfo.ch, November 19, 2019 |
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| Smartphone Typing Speeds Approaching Keyboard Typing Speed |
| A study of over 37,000 users shows that the difference typing speeds between mobile devices and physical keyboards is decreasing, and 10–19-year olds can type about 10 words-per-minute faster than their parents' generation. The participants reported spending an average of six hours per day on their mobile devices. The study observed that users typing with two thumbs achieved 38 words per minute on average, which is only about 25% slower than the typing speeds observed in a similar large-scale study of physical keyboards. The best predictor of performance is whether one finger or two thumbs are used to type. Over 74% of people type with two thumbs, and the speed increase it offers is significant. - ETH Zurich, October 02, 2019 |
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| AI-Designed Bike Breaks World Speed Records |
An aerodynamic bike designed using software from Neural Concept – a spinoff from EPFL’s Computer Vision Laboratory – has broken two world records for cycling speed. At the 2019 World Human Powered Speed Challenge held in Nevada in September, pilot Ilona Peltier bicycled down a 200-meter track at 126.5 km/h, setting a new world record for women’s cycling speed across all categories. Her teammate Fabian Canal set a new men’s university world record at 136.7 km/h. Peltier and Canal rode the pod-like Altaïr bike – housing two wheels and pedaled by a reclining pilot – that can travel faster than many motor-driven vehicles thanks to an optimized, aerodynamic shape proposed by Neural Concept’s AI-driven computer program. This novel technology accelerates simulation processes, allowing companies to increase efficiency and decrease costs. - EPFL, October 10, 2019
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| Until 5 January 2020 - The Swiss Museum for Design, Zurich |
| SBB CFF FFS Exhibition |
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Switzerland is a country of railways and has the busiest rail network in the world. For over a century, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have ensured a high level of mobility and have shaped public life in large parts of the country. Their stations and trains are striking and internationally renowned signs of public transport. Their high-quality design, which is part of careful branding, makes the national railway company an outstanding example of Swiss design history. For the first time, an exhibition at the Museum für Gestaltung will comprehensively present SBB’s achievements in the fields of architecture, industrial design, and visual communication. Original objects, photographs, posters, video installations, and a model railway invite visitors on a journey through time—from the company’s beginnings to tomorrow’s mobility. |
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| Until March 15, 2020 - Forum of Swiss History, Schwyz |
| Joggeli, Pitschi, Globi… Popular Swiss Picture Books |
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| Switzerland looks back on a long tradition of picture books. Pitschi, Joggeli, Globi, and Schellen-Ursli are just some of the figures to have delighted generations of readers. The family exhibition allows children immerse themselves in the world of picture books and adults to look back on beloved picture books of their own childhood, while explanations concerning the conditions under which the books were written and illustrated shed light on a number of societal issues as well as aspects of the history of education and the development of graphics. For more information: www.forumschwyz.ch |
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| March 2020 - Kuala Lumpur |
| Mobile Consulate |
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| Kindly be informed that the mobile consulate for the biometric exercise will be at the Embassy of Switzerland in March 2020. The Regional Consular Centre in Bangkok will be sending out individual invitations to all Swiss citizens registered in Malaysia with the confirmed dates by email nearer to date. |
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| An unforgettable trip starts with appropriate preparation! |
| Travel Admin - the new FDFA app ©FDFA |
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Do you have a concern ahead of or during your trip? Travel carefree with «Travel Admin»! FDFA's new travel app was developed with the needs of the Swiss travelers in mind and provide supports before or during your trip. It is now available for free in App Store or in Google Play.
Please share this news with your fellow travelers, family
and friends. |
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| Stammtisch at Chalet Suisse Restaurant |
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The Swiss owners from Chalet Suisse keep the ball rolling in organising the periodical "Swiss Stammtisch" in Kuala Lumpur. The next meeting dates are as follows, starting from 18:00 hrs onwards:
(43rd) Tuesday, January 07, 2020
(44th) Wednesday, February 05, 2020
(45th) Tuesday, March 03, 2020
(46th) Wednesday, April 01, 2020
(47th) Tuesday, May 05, 2020
(48th) Wednesday, June 03, 2020
Chalet Suisse offers you the first drink as well as some finger food. Please make your reservation directly with Chalet Suisse at www.chaletsuisse.com.my or +603 42514852.
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| R to L: Evelyn Ly, Candey Lim ©FDFA |
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We are pleased to introduce our new team members - Candey Lim and Evelyn Ly. Candey Lim joined us this month as the Head of Administration and Office Manager. Evelyn has taken up the role as an academic intern in the political section since September. Our warmest welcome to these two ladies!
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| Noor Habiba Sulaiman ©FDFA |
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With a heavy heart we bid farewell to our wonderful colleague of 11 years whom we fondly addressed her as Noor. We would like to wish Noor Habiba Sulaiman and her family lots of happiness and success for the future. |
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