Dear Members and Friends

We had an excellent session on intellectual property and brand protection last Friday. The key learning points were as follows:

• Brand equity lies with consumers not the owners of brands
• Consumers deserve choice guaranteed by clearly branded packaging
• All legal businesses deserve intellectual property protection
• Plain packaging does not meet health promotion aims because it encourages counterfeiting and smuggling. It also puts an unfair, increased burden on Customs Departments and law enforcement
• Plain packaging is targeted at tobacco products in the first instance but has other industries like alcohol, fizzy drinks, sweet and salty snacks in its sights
• Increased health education on the German model is the effective alternative to ineffective plain packaging

Have a great week ahead.

Best regards
Victor Mills
Chief Executive

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The Chamber, including its Certification Services Department, will be closed on 7 December 2017 (Thursday) from 11.30am to 2.30pm for an annual staff lunch. Please take note of this closure and advise all relevant colleagues to minimise any inconvenience to your company.

ATA Carnet Seminar: The Passport for Goods, 23 November 2017
Understand how the ATA Carnet works, and how your business can benefit from using it. This half-day seminar will equip participants with all they need to know to apply for and use the ATA Carnet.  Read more

The Rise of Digital Global Business Services, 24 November 2017
Join us for a panel session at Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore, as we discuss the latest trends in global business services, shared services and outsourcing technologies. Read more

Distinguished Speaker Series: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
27 November 2017
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will share his thoughts on ASEAN as it marks its golden jubilee this year. This closed-door dialogue is exclusive to members. Chatham house rules apply.  Read more 

C-Suite Networking Night: Non-transferable Invitations,
29 November 2017
The Chamber's last networking reception for the year takes place at Skysuites @ Equinox, Level 69 of Swissotel The Stamford.  Read more

Enabling Strategy Execution, 1 December 2017
Following a fruitful first session in October, we will dive deeper into the topic of strategy execution at this panel discussion. Hear from leaders of top global companies like Oracle and Schneider Electric who implement strategy every day.  Read more

Distinguished Speaker Series: Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, 
10 January 2018
The Honourable Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice of Singapore, will deliver a keynote address on the critical role which the rule of law plays in the growth and development of business interests in Singapore. This closed-door dialogue is exclusive to members. Chatham house rules apply. Read more