Diplomatic Network (Asia) hosted on Wednesday members from both the foreign diplomatic and Singaporean business communities at the DNA September networking lunch.
The lunch was held at hotel Andaz Singapore’s 665F venue.
Distinguished guests
The diplomatic contingent featured esteemed figures including Her Excellency Gabrielle Rush, New Zealand’s high commissioner in Singapore; HE Michaela Fronkova, the Czech ambassador to Singapore; and HE Mario Duarte, the Portuguese ambassador.
Representing the private sector were prominent guests including Kelly Koh, chief executive officer of Ngee Ann Academy, a private tertiary education institution; Christine Chok, business development director for Panahon Marine Surveys Services, a company offering marine industry expertise in the region; Johnny Voon, financial advisor at Great Eastern Life, specialising in insurance and financial planning; and Claudio Nuti, director of Mr. Wine, a wine company.
Topics tackled
The lively conversation centred primarily around sports diplomacy, with the ongoing Rugby World Cup in France being a hot topic, particularly the popularity of New Zealand’s All Blacks.
Soccer also found its place in the discussion, with mention of the upcoming Under-17 World Cup scheduled for November in Indonesia.
Interestingly, the diplomats highlighted their involvement in cycling and sailing as competitive hobbies, alongside the more traditional favourites of golf and tennis in Singapore.
The business sector representatives discussed the significance of Singapore’s maritime industry and the diversity of financial services available.
Education played a vital role in the discussion, with Ngee Ann’s Koh sharing insights into their collaborative experiences with Australia and the United Kingdom. Mr. Wine’s Nuti also elaborated on the variety of wines his company offers and how they are embraced by Singaporeans.
The event featured wines sponsored by the South African Wine Cellar.
