Dear all et Bonjour à tous,

 

I am extremely honoured to have been re-elected as President of CanCham for the 2024-2025 term, having previously served as President during 2021-2023 and Chairperson between 2023-2024.

 

During my previous tenure as President of CanCham, I endeavoured to ensure that CanCham not only continues to be a great platform for drawing together the Canadian and Singapore business communities but - in addition - to widen our reach to other Canadian Chambers in the Asia Pacific (and beyond) as well as to host unique, diverse and exciting events for all our members (and non-members) to participate and enjoy.

 

Among my most memorable and proudest moments as past President as well as Chairman were:

 

1. Welcoming and working alongside a Canadian trade delegation led by the Honourable Mary Ng as part of implementing Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy alongside other Canadian Chambers of Commerce in the APAC region;

​

2. ​Co-ordinating and hosting a 4-part G20 series which included important global topical conversations such as food security, climate change, energy transition and environmental and social governance alongside representatives of various Embassies / High Commissions and Chambers of Commerce in Singapore, including: AustCham Singapore, British Chamber of Commerce of Singapore, EuroCham Singapore, Latin America Chamber of Commerce, Mexico Chamber of Commerce, South African Chamber of Commerce, British High Commission of Singapore, Embassy of Brazil in Singapore, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and the South Africa High Commission to Singapore;

​

3.Holding a number of events / luncheons, including with a variety of experts in fields such as education, AI and governmental relations; and

​

4.Convening a meeting in Singapore between CanCham and our fellow Canadian Chambers of Commerce of China, Hong Kong, Korea and Thailand as part of the Canada in Asia Conference.

 

For the upcoming year, I intend to further enhance the visibility and effectiveness of CanCham as the base of our Canadian business community in Singapore for all our existing and new members alike. Among my aims as President for CanCham between 2024/2025 include the following:

​

1.Continuation of our previously successful CanCham G20 series, in which worldwide Chambers of Commerce / Embassy / Consular presences in Singapore join us to discuss important pressing / global issues of the day;

​

2.Holding two behind the door executive luncheon event with senior officers;

​

3. Organising roundtable on the topics of education, fintech and HR;

 

4. Convening an annual women luncheon to promote and collaborate among our Canadian female business / entrepreneurial community;

 

5. Continuing growing our ties, connections and collaborations with our neighbouring Canadian Chambers of Commerce in Asia;

 

6. Collaboration and joint events between our chamber and other stakeholders, including the Trade Commissioner of the High Commission of Canada, including Medical Fair Asia 2024, Singapore Fintech Festival 2024 and Singapore Maritime Week 2024;

 

7. Increased contributions from organisations to our bi-monthly CanCham newsletter to keep our members up to date on important local / regional and global developments / news including updates from the World Trade Organisation and Trade Commissioner of the High Commission of Canada;

 

8. Organise and convene a welcome breakfast around the start of the membership year for our newly joined Corporate / Individual members; and

 

9. Continuing our CanCham Canadian Alumni Membership initiative, aimed at recent Canadian graduates / alumni in Singapore to increase connectivity between graduate talent and out Canadian / Singapore business community.

 

I would further like to welcome three new members who will be serving on CanCham’s Exco this year:

 

Amira Berrada, Investment Manager at International Finance Corporation who is our new Treasurer, Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer & President (APAC) at Collinsons and Heather Ungerman, Principal Corporate Counsel at Microsoft.

 

I am sure all members wish Amira, Heather and Todd well in their new roles for our chamber.

 

Finally, I will continue to increase CanCham’s collaboration and continued relationship with our Corporate Membership, 5-Pillars of Canada as well as our strategic partners in both Canada and Singapore and I welcome all constructive ideas and remarks to continue growing our impact as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

 

Feel free to reach out to me any anytime et au plaisir de vous rencontrer tous cette année au cours de mon mandat!

 

Warm regards/Amicalement,

 

Caroline