Singapore to host 6th Asean-EU Business Summit

Editor
-
0
Singapore to host 6th Asean-EU Business Summit

European Union: Singapore shall host the upcoming annual ASEAN-EU Business Summit taking place on 2 March 2018, which coincides with the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meeting with the European Union Trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, said the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC), the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (EuroCham), and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) in a joint release published on Tuesday, 12 December 2017.

Now in its sixth iteration, the summit will feature addresses by senior government and business figures from both Singapore and the EU, and will also be addressed by a ministerial panel consisting of several ASEAN economic ministers.

The summit’s programme will include: advancing the ASEAN Economic Community, driving more FDI (foreign direct investment) from the EU to ASEAN, ensuring sustainable development across ASEAN with high rates of urbanisation, and establishing a digital economy in ASEAN.

For further information: 

EU-ASEAN Business Council: https://www.eu-asean.eu

Brexit in Focus: Future Hong Kong – UK Cooperation

Editor
-
0
Brexit in Focus: Future Hong Kong – UK Cooperation
Not only is the UK Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner in Europe, it is also a principal source of and destination for the city’s foreign direct investment. How well the UK can weather the impending Brexit economic storm and how Brexit would redefine UK’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the world, will not just determine the country’s future growth and prosperity. It will also be crucial for the prospects of Hong Kong -UK trade and investment. Many British companies are beginning to look towards non-EU markets for export opportunities and investment to replace those they may lose following Brexit. Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Research’s Brexit Survey published in November showed that 35% of the responded UK companies have had plans in place to focus or invest more in non-EU markets and Asia’s developing economies are high on their list of targets. The opportunities stemming from mega development projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area Initiative are set to be a major pull to the UK companies, and will be of paramount importance to future HK-UK co-operation. Targetting Asia, Staying Engaged There is still, however, a great deal of uncertainty over what form the UK’s post-Brexit relationships will take. There is a strong possibility that the country will leave the EU without striking a new trade deal (a so-called ‘hard Brexit’) and debate continues to rage about whether losing full access to the European Single Market will cause the UK economy to collapse, or whether Britain can prosper with a more independent, autonomous trade policy that plays to its economic strengths. Only time will tell which vision is more grounded in reality, but few would disagree that Britain’s post-Brexit prosperity is likely to hinge on the country’s ability to maintain and strengthen its global economic relationships. Hong Kong, as a free port and a major business hub in Asia, and with its special historical links to the UK, is in a prime position to partner with British businesses in exploring the dynamic markets of Asia. This is particularly true in the services sector. Hong Kong is the world’s most services-oriented economy, while the UK is the largest service exporter in Europe. Hong Kong services providers, from financial intermediaries and investment consultants to marketing firms and technology specialists, are ideally placed to link up with their UK counterparts in order to take advantage of the structural economic transformation underway in many Asian markets, as their governments rapidly gear them towards a service-based or post-industrial economy. Much of the potential for future HK-UK collaboration comes from the BRI, which requires a global network of open business hubs to facilitate the complex cross-border transactions required for financing and building physical infrastructure in many of the 60-plus countries involved. The huge untapped potential offered by these prospective Belt and Road markets could help compensate the UK for the loss of EU trade and deliver increased prosperity for Britain in the post-Brexit era. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area Initiative also offers plenty of opportunities for Sino-British collaboration. The project is designed to help China’s most affluent region spearhead the BRI development, by transforming and upgrading the Bay Area into a comprehensive logistic hub and an innovation centre. Expertise in regional infrastructure connectivity and support businesses in areas like trade, professional services (financial and legal services), innovation (FinTech, biotech and education technology) and creative industries (film, design and architecture) will be needed to achieve this, providing a new window of opportunities for industry-based tripartite co-operation between the UK, mainland China and Hong Kong. With an eye on expanding into the highly-competitive European markets and beyond, the Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation (MTR) has already made inroads into Mainland China, while also having taken on a range of rail-related projects far further afield. In London, for instance, the company now operates TfL Rail, a Crossrail concession serving Heathrow, Central London and East London and due to be renamed the Elizabeth Line next year. In addition, it also manages the South Western Railway franchise in association with a UK-based transport group. Its success in running these UK rail services has boosted MTR’s reputation across Europe, a development it hopes will pave the way for further expansion and the opportunity to implement its well-established trains+property strategy across the continent. At the same time, many British service companies are looking to the rapidly-expanding economies of Asia as potential new markets as part of their post-Brexit strategies. A number of these businesses already have robust connections to Hong Kong’s own service sector, having partnered with local companies to deliver several domestic and regional development projects. Given the wide range of trade and infrastructure initiatives already underway across Asia, many of these UK businesses are optimistic that their experience and expertise will align with the needs of the Belt and Road economies, as well as with the objectives of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area programme. In addition to the more conventional sectors, such as logistics, finance, sourcing or trading, the experience of UK-based businesses when it comes to high-tech manufacturing and digital innovation is also expected to be widely sought out. Banking on a Free Trade Future Unless the UK can reach a free or preferential trade agreement with the EU (and also roll over all the preferential market accesses it currently enjoys thanks to the bloc’s trade deals with more than 50 non-EU economies) before its scheduled departure in late March 2019, the UK will cease to have unfettered, tariff-free access not only to the EU’s internal market, but also to all the other markets trading with the bloc under preferential trade agreements. To compensate for that potential trade loss, the UK will have to work out new trade arrangements with different partners further afield. According to the latest Annual Business Survey on Importers and Exporters compiled by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), only 5% (104,600 out of a total of 2,129,800 businesses) of UK companies were merchandise exporters in 2015. If service exports are also included, that number doubles to 10% (216,000). A more extensive, far-reaching web of free or preferential trade agreements, especially with countries in Asia, the world’s growth engine, could help take the UK’s external trade to a higher level. This could see post-Brexit UK companies acting as middlemen as trade with Europe becomes more restricted, driving the need to service more geographically-disparate markets. Once it leaves the EU, the UK will have greater autonomy to negotiate free or preferential trade agreements with other countries/territories and should have more opportunity to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, like food labels, customs clearance procedures and service standards, on its imports. It will be in a position to complete a fully-fledged free trade agreement (FTA) with Hong Kong, which should help to liberalise trade, enhance competitiveness and facilitate innovation. Such a trade deal could also be used to showcase the UK’s new-found agility in working with non-EU partners to explore opportunities worldwide. As a stepping stone, the Hong Kong and UK Governments have agreed to launch a Strategic Dialogue on Trade Partnership, in which they will examine the existing trade environment of both markets and identify priority areas for strengthening their mutual trade interests and encouraging future collaboration. On the back of a closer UK-HK partnership, UK traders could also gain better market access to Asia by riding on Hong Kong’s FTAs with the Chinese mainland and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Early efforts to identify priority areas and build on the existing strong HK-UK economic ties have led to the FinTech Bridge Agreement, signed in September 2017. As a comprehensive financial innovation collaboration agreement, it covers government-to-government, regulator-to-regulator and industry-to-industry co-operation, providing a solid framework for FinTech firms to use the facilities and assistance available in both markets to explore new business opportunities. Filling the Funding Gap It’s not just the potential fall-off in EU trade that is likely to negatively affect the UK post-Brexit. It will also lose most, if not all, of the EU funding it is currently entitled to. The majority of EU funding goes to the agricultural sector in the form of subsidies and support for rural development. Much of the rest, known collectively as structural funds, is used to develop regional economies and improve employment opportunities, by supporting job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development. The European Commission also provides around £1bn-£1.5bn of funding directly to UK organisations, often following a competitive bidding process. Much of this is channeled through Horizon 2020, a research and innovation programme to coordinate and pool research efforts across the EU, and currently the UK’s main source of competitive funding from the bloc. Pending negotiations over the UK’s continued participation in European Commission programmes, the UK government has pledged to match the potential loss of EU R&D funding with a £2bn annual fund and a review of tax incentives for innovative corporations. This, it’s hoped, will maintain the UK’s attractiveness for foreign scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and tech companies post-Brexit. Whether that will be sufficient for the UK, and London in particular, to maintain its status as a global R&D leader remains to be seen. But it is clear that foreign participation, which is already estimated to account for more than half of total UK business R&D expenditure, will become increasingly crucial to the UK if it is to maintain its status as a global innovation front runner after Brexit. All this has promising implications for cash-rich Hong Kong entrepreneurs and investors who are ready to fill the impending funding gap for R&D and other futuristic regional development projects in the UK, while helping UK start-ups look for new capital, new market and growth partners. The UK is already the leading destination in Europe for finance from Hong Kong, with as much as US$32bn[1] invested in the country’s major economic sectors by the end of 2015. Areas such as energy, transport infrastructure, water supply, retail, real estate and even Premier League football have all been recipients of funds from Hong Kong. Meanwhile, some 650 British companies have set up businesses in Hong Kong, and more than half are using the city as their regional headquarters or regional office. On the whole, British firms are well represented in trading, finance, insurance, retailing and many other services sectors of the Hong Kong economy. These firms are already in a position to support new-to-the-market UK businesses in their search for growth partners and investors in Asia, and in particular in mainland China, which uses Hong Kong extensively to channel its outbound investment.
Content provided by  HKTDC

Synthetic drug trafficking dismantled

Editor
-
0
Synthetic drug trafficking dismantled
International criminal network involved in synthetic drug trafficking dismantled On 12 December 2017, a coordinated international operation supported by Eurojust and Europol took down an organised crime group (OCG) involved in the production and trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances and in money laundering. The law enforcement and judicial authorities of Iceland, the Netherlands and Poland carried out joint operations against this organised crime group mainly consisting of Polish nationals. The operations were coordinated via a Coordination Centre established at Eurojust with the active participation of Europol. As a result of these operations, 8 suspects were arrested, 30 locations were searched and different types of drugs seized. Moreover, cash and other assets (such as cars, apartments and bank accounts) in excess of EUR 1,8 million were seized. The high value of asset seizure is also the result of the simultaneous financial investigations initiated from the beginning of the case and targeting the proceeds of crime. These successful joint operations are the result of the continuing and fruitful cooperation amongst the law enforcement and judicial authorities of Iceland, the Netherlands and Poland, facilitated by Eurojust and Europol. Over the last twelve months, Eurojust and Europol organised several operational meetings to ensure the coordination of parallel investigations opened in Iceland, the Netherlands and Poland against this crime group. Eurojust also facilitated the simultaneous execution of mutual legal assistance requests and European Arrest Warrants, and the development of coordinated strategies for the joint operations. Europol provided in-depth operational analysis and supported the joint operations by deploying mobile offices on the ground and participating in the Eurojust’s Coordination Centres.      

Celebration of the Centenary of the birth of Oliver Tambo

Editor
-
0
Celebration of the Centenary of the birth of Oliver Tambo
By Roy Lie A Tjam. “Man of magnitude”, words that cannot get uttered without the name Oliver Reginald Tambo coming to mind. A man whose valor tokened the freedom of black South Africans and gracefully fueled the birth of a united South Africa. A South Africa that would, as in his words, belong to all of its people just as all its people belonged to it. On 31 October 2017, a memorial lecture held by Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, Minister of Water and Sanitation, took place in Wassenaar, in celebration of the centenary of the birth of this African maverick. Oliver Reginald Tambo, affectionately known as O.R. would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. An excerpt of Minister Nomvula Mokonyane’s speech now follows: “It was only last week on the 27th October 2017 that South Africa and the rest of world celebrated the centenary of Oliver Reginald Tambo, the longest serving President of the African National Congress – a patriot par excellence and a real leader of the national liberation movement in its broad sense. It was the generation of leaders such as Luthuli, Mandela, Sisulu, Tambo and many others who led the ANC during the momentous decades of the 1950s and the 1960s which saw the ANC leading the Defiance Campaign of 1952 and the adoption of the Freedom Charter by the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1955.” 
H.E. Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, South African Minister of Water and Sanitation.
H.E. Ambassador Bruce Kolane’s invitation,  was honored by many ambassadors as they believed that the South African luminary was nothing short of deserving of celebration for the bridges, of unity, that he had built in his country and across the world. Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, who was also the guest of honor, held a very stirring lecture. One that had tears welling up in the eyes of those who were engrossed in her speech. To cement the depth of her words, a diplomat exclaimed, “I was never told such details before”, shortly afterwards.   As a conclusion very suited to point, the guests were treated to a  South African style reception, complete with the famous boerewors and other snacks. After all, what better way is there to know someone better if not through their food? “Oliver Tambo, a great giant who strode the globe like a colossus”. ——— Pictures by the Embassy of South Africa.

Russia cultural diplomacy

Editor
-
0
Russia cultural diplomacy
H.E. Madame Martine Van Loon-Labouchere, the Mistress of the Robes to the Queen,  together with H.E. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Netherlands. The Embassy of Russia in the Netherlands made a strong and meaningful accent on its cultural heritage and special ties with the Dutch people. It was a successful year of multiple exhibits, concerts and commemorations round the Netherlands. An array of high quality events demanding professional logistics and resources on their cultural agenda 2017. Amongst other events, one can mention: the Dutch Master collection from the Hermitage, to the exhibition of Pavel Vaan’s collection of pictures, the 200th Anniversary of the Russia Orthodox Church in the Hague and the magnificent Don KosakenChor Russland  presented at the World Forum Theatre at full house. “Art and culture are the precious little that has remained untouched by the global political situation. Art has always been a diplomatic mission of peace”, says H.E. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of Russia.
Rembrandt, Young Woman with Earrings, 1656 from Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, now at Hermitage Amsterdam.
The invaluable collection of Dutch Masters from the Hermitage was showcased for the first time at Hermitage Amsterdam, a very special and memorable event. It was also the first time in history this magnificent collection left their home gallery in Saint-Petersburg to the Netherlands. “We would like to express gratitude to all those who have worked hard to organize this outstanding exhibition – the State Hermitage Museum in Saint-Petersburg and particularly its director Mr. Piotrovsky, and the host museum, personally the director Catelejn Broers and the deputy director Paul Mosterd”, said Ambassador Shulgin. “The exhibition not only demonstrates the greatest works of all time, but also tells about our bilateral ties and cultural cooperation with the Netherlands. Looking back to the history of Russia, we always remember Peter the Great. During his trips to the Netherlands he did not only learned shipbuilding, visited factories, arsenals and schools, but showed as well a great interest in the Dutch culture. Tsar Peter built a western-oriented city of St. Petersburg, which later became the host city to one of the greatest museums in the world – the State Hermitage. He contributed a lot to the museum collection itself. During his stay in the Netherlands the Tsar bought several masterpieces of the Dutch «Golden age» and brought them to Russia, which has become their home for centuries. One of the first customers at the Dutch art market appeared to be Tsar Peter’s diplomat Andrey Matveev, who was assigned Ambassador to the States General from 1699 to 1712.” Empress Catherine the Great was also an admirer of the Dutch art. She owned one of Russia’s most outstanding picture galleries: «Portrait of a Man with Beard and Beret» by Rembrandt, «View of the Canal and City Hall in Amsterdam» by Gerrit Berckheyde and many others were acquired. During the reign of Alexander I was bought the famous “The Glass of Lemonade” by Gerard ter Borch. One of the leading collectors was a Russian geographer Petr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. During his frequent visits to Europe he had amassed a considerable collection of old Dutch masters that was later donated to the Hermitage Museum in Saint-Petersburg. The collected art had enormous influence on Russian painters. Many Russian masters found their inspiration on Netherland’s artists. The European method of realistic depiction, techniques of light and shade were revolutionary for the Russian art. The outstanding Rembrandt’s style influenced Russian painters, such as Ivan Kramskoy, Ilya Repin and Karl Brulov. The unique Dutch technique was also emulated in the works of Vasily Tropinin and Pavel Fedotov. Even the Russian porcelain manufactory produced superb vases which were decorated with copies of easel paintings by famous Dutch masters.”
The Holy Mary Magdalene Russian Orthodox Church in the Hague.
The 200th Anniversary of the foundation of the Holy Mary Magdalene Russian Orthodox Church in the Hague was celebrated on October 21th 2017, in the presence of The Most Reverend Archbishop Simon, The Very Reverend Archimandrite Nikon, The Most Reverend Carel ter Linden, H.E. Madame Martine Van Loon-Labouchere and H.E. Nikolai Borysevich, Ambassador of Belarus to the Netherlands. It was attended by hundreds of  guests despite the limited size of the church; a historical celebration of tradition and faith, commitment and respect. The congregation starting preparing the event a year before, settling a special committee to help the religious authorities on their work overload. Ambassador Shulgin honoured the presence of His Majesty’s Court of the Netherlands and said that “We consider it as a true sign of friendship and mutual respect between our nations. Could I humbly ask you to pass the words of our most profound admiration and the highest consideration to His Majesty and the Royal Family for their unchangeable, unwavering support of the rich heritage of the historic and cultural ties between our countries?” During his speech the ambassador Shulgin remarked: “In 1816 Anna Pavlovna Romanova married the Prince of Orange, who as we all know later became King William II of the Netherlands. They married at the Chapel of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. After the marriage Anna Pavlovna came to live in the Netherlands but remained a Russian Orthodox follower. After her arrival, she established a Russian Orthodox Church at the Court. She even brought her own priests and cantors from Russia.” Throughout the 200 years of its existence, the Russian orthodox church of The Hague changed its location several times from one place to another. It is truly emblematic that its very first location was on the premises of the Peace Palace. Ambassador remarked: For as the Lord said: “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew, Chapter 18, Verse 20). “ At the moment the Diocese of The Hague and the Netherlands of the Russian Orthodox Church was under the administration of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Archbishop Simon of Brussels and Belgium includes two monasteries and seven parishes, this church being one of them.
The Very Reverend Archimandrite Nikon and Ambassador Shulgin. Behing the Ambassador of Belarus, H.E. Nikolai Borysevich.
“Our deepest gratitude goes to the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nikon, who has been the archpriest of the Church since 1984 and has always actively participated in the life of his parish protecting and preserving the common heritage of the Netherlands and Russia – the Holy Mary Magdalene Russian Orthodox Church in The Hague” A wonderful reception organized by the Embassy of Russia followed the religious ceremony.    

Pakistan Ambassador leaving The Hague

Editor
-
0
Pakistan Ambassador leaving The Hague
One of the most active ambassadors in the Netherlands is leaving The Hague after one very active year of service to her country. H. E. Mrs Iffat Imran Gardezi, a career diplomat, is known by her activism on causes related to Pakistan / India/ Bangladesh bilateral and multilateral relations. Ambassador Gardezi’s “I have focused my activities in the organisation of high profile events on Human Rights violations in the modern occupied Jammu and Kashmir and interfaith harmony meetings, including speakers from diverse philosophies.” She organised well attended gatherings, which was appreciated by expats and the public in general. “The Netherlands has been for me a great posting; I loved the comfortable friendship feeling of the country and its people. My mission here was able to improved bilateral economy and trade relations. I’m proud to note that over 40,000 Pakistanis living in the Netherlands have been openly accepted and are able to contribute positively to the economy of this country. Since my arrival, I had the mission to support and reinforce the presence of my community and make them more visible in the Dutch landscape”, expressed Ambassador Gardezi. In her memorable twelve months of duty in The Hague, Ambassador Gardezi hosted a Diplomat Meet & Greet, Pakistani mango and promotional Rice Dinner event in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine. Nine Pakistan projects took place in 2017. She diffused several sport and cultural events, such as a hockey tournament, a Cricket Cup, a golf match, and the successful Pakistan Cultural Festival 2017 in collaboration with the City of The Hague. More than 7000+ people attended this festival. “I’m thankful to the Pakistani community who provided me full support in different ways, notably attending massively to every event we organised. I’m also thankful to my officers and staff at the embassy who provided unconditional support and facilitated my work.” “I’m grateful to all the parliament members I met; I had the privilege to meet the Dutch Foreign Minister, the Secretary General Yoka Brahn and the inter division of South Asia and colleagues in the economy ministry and in the Prime Minister office. The year I was here I spent it in the most useful, constructive and productive way; a big achievement is that the trade rose by 16% during the year I was here specially at the time commerce with other Europe countries were on the decline”, says ambassador Gardezi. “In the commercial sector I organised trade delegations agenda in both ways, and the Dutch conformed the biggest European trade delegation to the famous Expo Pakistan in November 2017, by far even bigger that the traditional UK delegation.” “I’m especially proud to strengthen the credibility of the positive contribution of Paksitan to the aims and objectives of the OPCW and the convention. My personal contribution is winning the membership of the executive council to the OPCW again for the tern 2018 to 2020. I personally believe that the tremendous amount of work been undertaken by OPCW has the higher value for promoting peace and security in the word. I take this opportunity to sincerely congratulates our colleague Fernando Arias in his new position as Director General at the OPCW”. After a productive, exciting and meaningful year Ambassador Gardezi is in her way to USA, new challenges in her horizon.

2nd “Pariser Platz Allocution”

Editor
-
0
2nd “Pariser Platz Allocution”
Baron Erst Ulrich von Weizsäcker – Picture by Stephan Röhl, Heinrich Böll Stiftung through Wikipedia free licence. Tuesday, 5 December 2017, Allianz Forum, Pariser Platz, Berlin: The second “Pariser Platz Allocution” was held by the German politician and scientist Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker.

Allianz Forum is located adjacent to the world-renowned Branderburg Gate. Just after the Bonn Climate Conference, the participants were interested in discussing its implications, between freedom and public welfare, between prosperity and sustainability.

After hosting Peace Prize Winner, Prof. Muhammad Yunus for the first round, the “Pariser Platz Allocution” was able to win for the second tour, the natural scientist and Social Democratic politician, Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker. He is founding president of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, which is deemed as rather prestigious in questions of environmental and sustainability matters. He used to head a parliamentary (Bundestag) commission on globalisation, former Director of UNO Center for Science and Technology in New York as well as Co-Chairman of the Club of Rome.

In 2015 all UN state members voted for the “Sustainable Development Goals”  to pave the way for a sustainable world economy and social development. For Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker such goals require profound changes in the economical growth expectations. 

Der Pariser Platz, east of Brandenburg Gate, laid during the German partition in the middle of the Berlin sectors’ border. Thus was the location a symbol of partition yet since 1989 a symbol for unity, politics and tourism. So it is a duty for the community around the Pariser Platz to protect its heritage in a special manner. This second allocution was supported by acatech – German Academy of Technology, Academy of Arts (Akademie der Künste), Allianz Stiftungsforum Pariser Platz, AXICA Kongress- und Tagungszentrum, CAMPUS Pariser Platz Veranstaltungs GmbH, Commerzbank, DZ BANK, ICUnet.AG, Informational Bureau of the European Parliament in Germany, Genisis Institute for Social Innovation, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, Foundation Brandenburger Tor, Representation of the European Commission in Germany. 

For further information :

The New Bet of Chilean Wines

Editor
-
0
The New Bet of Chilean Wines
Viñas de los Valles del Maule, Itata and Biobío, located in southern Chile, producers of some of the so-called heritage varieties, is part of the plan to promote Chilean wine in Europe in 2018. Hidden in the old vineyards of Maule, Ñuble and Biobío, red and white grape varieties such as Cinsault, Carignan, País, Moscatel and Semillón, among others, have gained great international recognition worldwide. had recently a valued take-off by critics and consumers, and this year they are main part of the promotion of Chilean wine in the world. In Amsterdam, a marketing activity was carried out ferw weeks ago with eleven Chilean wineries, accompanied by the Chilean sommelier and patrimonial strains expert, Hector Riquelme. It was a business round with Dutch importers and a networking with wine-tasting for special guests.  “Some talk about new vines, but the truth is that they are part of the history of Chile and fundamental in our wine cultural heritage. There are some wines with over one hundred years and their production process has been inherited from generation to generation. This time ProChile wanted to work with them to give a new boost to Chilean wines and our exportable offer. Today our country is fourth world exporter of wines and we want to complement the already known offer with products and varieties that are part of our identity “ said ProChile director Alejandro Buvinic. For his part, the Commercial Attaché of ProChile in the Netherlands, Osvaldo Marinao, said that “We see a great opportunity with these vineyards. Consumers in the Netherlands are looking for new experiences and wine bets, and these strains are perfect to enter that segment. “ After the Netherlands, the Chilean delegation continued with promotional activities in Ghent, Bruges and Paris. What are heritage wines? According to the Foundation for Agrarian Innovation (FIA), the agricultural heritage are all those products and / or processes that have a social and symbolic significance. They are part of the legacy and development of a communities associated with a specific territories. This definition includes grapes or winemaking processes that meet these characteristics, but more than “heritage grapes” the transcendental lies in the traditions and the rescue of its history, which embraces several generations. In Chile these strains correspond to Semillón, Carignan, Cinsault, País, Moscatel de Alejandría and Malbec, from the Inland Secano Valleys of Maule, in the Maule Region and Itata in the Ñuble and Biobío regions.    

Wonderful Christmas at Hotel Des Indes

Editor
-
0
Wonderful Christmas at Hotel Des Indes
It was the obvious choice and the best place to start Christmas celebration in The Hague. Beauty, tradition and class with Des Indes’ signature at Hotel Des Indes Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 6th, in The Hague. As never before, Des Indes combined its historical glam and savoir-faire to celebrate the new season in the most classical way, going back to the bases what is Christmas all about. Christmas decoration was impressive, elegant, and immaculate. Coen Masselink, General Manager of the emblematic hotel,  played safe inviting a select group of guests, to celebrate with champagne and a profusion of divines hord’heuvres. The tree appeared taller than ever with all new decoration and lights; an impressive Ahhh….! escaped from the public at the always magical moment of lighting. For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157688825602572
Mr. Coen Masselink, Des Indes’ General Manager together with the lighting angel, Ms. Bo van den Biggelaar.
After a brief welcome words from Mr Masselink,  the American school choral interpreted the most beautiful Christmas carols from the gorgeous Des Indes stairs, at the other side of the salon Mrs. Carla Bos wearing a gorgeous long red dress fill it up the scene with the sounds of her harp. Of course there was Santa Claus, with his joyful Merry Christmas to each guests and a magnificent ginger house creation of Marta Orban, from Sweet and Spice. Marta Orban is the hit of the year with her delicious monumental cakes designed especially for each occasion. Some embassies rely on her creativity to interpret their national day cake, nothing comparable to a traditional ginger house by Marta Orban for Des Indes.
Marta Orban, from Sweet and Spice with Santa Claus. Photography by Catherine van der Loos.
Beside the beauty and the impressive size, the smell of cinnamon, ginger and spices filled it up the room, thus the ginger house this time was especially appealing and more than one tried to still a cookie.
American School Choral ensemble.
Many diplomats attended among then the Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Mr. Yun Young Lee and the Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Mr.  I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja , Ms Tamar Gvinadze, Consul and  Legal Counsellor and Mrs. Nino Kvantrishvili, Press Officer of the Georgia Embassy with her child and Embassy of Malta  Secretary, Ms. Danae Parmaki.
The Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Mr. Yun Young Lee, Mr Masselink and the Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja.
But the great encounter was Haim and Linda Divon; Chairman of the Israel/Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former ambassador to the Netherlands, who decided to stay in The Hague to pursuit his second endeavour and from here travel around the word.
Linda and Haim Divon, at Des Indes Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
Des Indes opens with charm and character, elegance and grandeur its more than 132 years of tradition to offer to locals and internationals the most traditional Christmas celebration season ever. The restaurant provides the perfect ambiance for a cup of coffee or an aperitif, High Tea or a sumptuous dinner, the ultra chic hotel is without any doubt the place to be and to be seeing during the holidays.
Mrs. Nino Kvantrishvili, Press Officer of the Georgia Embassy with her child and Ms Tamar Gvinadze, Consul and Legal Counsellor also from the Embassy of Georgia.
       

Panamanian Exhibition in The Hague Vù Cumráp

Editor
-
0
Panamanian Exhibition in The Hague Vù Cumráp
On the picture, H.E. Willys Delvalle, Ambassador of Panama to the Netherlands. By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Hague, 3o November 2017. On the heels of Panama’s 114th Independence Day reception, an enlightening art presentation Vù Cumráp – The Banana Republic by the Panamanian artist Aristides Ureña Ramos opened at Humanity House. The expo is an integral part of the 114th celebrations of Panama’s Independence. It was an initiative promoted by the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Panama, in line with government policy of what is called Cultural Diplomacy. In his welcome address, His Excellency Ambassador Willys Delvalle indicated, November is a month of numerous ( cultural) celebrations. We have much to celebrate in Panama. Remember Panama is the Grand Connection. Furthermore, Panama is going to participate in the world championship football games of 2018 in Russia. Starring, Panamanian master artist Mr. Aristides Ureña Ramos, who is touring in Europe along with the Dutch-Panamanian artist Antonio Jose Guzman. Aristides Ureña Ramos is a graduate of the San Marco Accademia Delle Belle Art, Florence Italy. Ureña also studied cinematography, lithography and engraving. The Dutch-Panamanian artist Antonio Jose Guzman is a lecturer at ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem (NL) Curator Latin America: The Paleis voor Schone Kunsten, Brussels (BE) – Temporarily. What is more, Guzman has been lecturing at renowned institutions such as the New School New York; the Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem; the DAI Artez Master School program, Tent Rotterdam; the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, Det Jyske Kunstakademi, Aarhus, Denmark; and besides his individual art practices, Guzman is the founder and Creative Director of The State of L3 Contemporary Arts & Film Collective The objective of Aristides Ureña Ramos visual artwork presentation, Vù Cumráp is to draw the attention of the international public to the plight of the thousands of migrants from Senegal and other African countries who are flocking Italy and Europe. Vù Cumráp is an accepted terminology in the Italian language. Senegalese street merchants, use it to do business. Passersby are invited to purchase their wares. Ureña Ramos deals with the complex migratory flow subject by means of contemporary art. Vù Cumráp is a presentation animated by paintings, music and videos. A powerful eye-opener (irregular street vendors) It’s message cuts deep, producing indelible impressions as a result. Aristides Ureña Ramos is considered one of the few Latin American multidisciplinary artists that accompany each of his presentations with paintings music and video. His work ranks amongst the most representative and innovative of Latin America, as he has managed to build over time a network for pictorial cycle expressions. Since his return to Panama in 2013, his latest cycles of paintings are Creole Albrook, Creole Panama and RPP, Republica Popular de Panama. Some of his work is on permanent exhibition in galleries such as the Institute Italo-Latino-Americano in Rome, the “Wilfredo Lam” Museum (Cuba) and the Contemporary Art Museum of Panama. There are also several private collections. Aristides Ureña Ramos has great narrating skills, capable of capturing his audience attention. It has been an enormous pleasure watching his live performance.              
1...501502503...858Page 502 of 858