Singapore Investments in Europe: Questions and Answers

 

Speaker

 

Mr Philipp Dupuis
Head of the Economic and Trade Section
European Union (EU) Delegation to Singapore

Philipp Dupuis is since September 2025 Head of the Economic and Trade Section of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Singapore. He joined the European Commission in 1995 and worked for its Directorate General for Trade in various positions in the Brussels headquarters and in EU Delegations abroad. During his career in the Directorate General for Trade, Philipp Dupuis was Deputy Head of the Units in charge of Latin America, North America, the Middle East, the Generalised System of Preferences as well as Multilateral Trade and Sustainable Development. He participated in various FTA negotiations and was the EU’s deputy chief negotiator for the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). He also worked as investigator in the trade defense department. In between, he was on diplomatic post as Head of the Economic and Trade sections of the European Delegations in Mexico (covering also Cuba), Thailand (covering also Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar) and the Philippines. Before joining the European Commission, Philipp Dupuis worked as a senior consultant for Andersen Consulting in Frankfurt/Germany carrying out projects in the financial sector. He studied Business Administration and, as subsidiary major, Political Sciences at the Universities of Bayreuth and Mannheim/Germany and did a Banking Apprenticeship at the Deutsche Bank in Darmstadt/Germany.

 

Speaker and Moderator

 

 

Mr Lennon Tan
President
Singapore Manufacturing Federation

Lennon Tan is an esteemed entrepreneur and leader known for his commitment to innovation and business excellence. Starting out as an engineer in the Petrochemical industry, he spent a decade at 3M gaining invaluable experience.

In 2001, Lennon pursued entrepreneurship, acquiring a small smart card business in China. Through strategic vision and technological innovation, he transformed it into one of the world’s top 10 smart card producers and expanded into AI, biometrics, automation, fintech, and data analytics, supporting banks, insurance, government, healthcare, telecommunications, and transport worldwide. His achievements earned him the ASEAN Teochew Entrepreneur Award, EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017, and the ASEAN Business Award in 2018.

Lennon is also active in Singapore’s business community, holding roles in the Teochew Entrepreneurs Club, the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, CACCI, and the Singapore Business Federation. As President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation and Group Chairman of ADERA Global, he continues to drive innovation and collaboration in manufacturing.

 

Mr Kim Demeyer
Science & Technology Counsellor
Flanders Investment & Trade  

Kim is the Science & Technology Counsellor South East Asia & Oceania for Flanders Investment & Trade. With a focus on climate, digital and health technology, the Science & Technology network supports the internationalisation of Flanders and supports business to expand into and beyond Flanders.

He has a background in energy engineering (KULeuven) and sustainability with extensive experience in Asia.

 

 

Mr Péter Martonosi
Head of Trade
Embassy of Hungary in Singapore

Péter leads Trade and Investment at the Hungarian Embassy in Singapore, connecting people and businesses across continents. Drawing from both private and public sector experience and having previously worked in Europe as well as Asia, he bridges worlds and industries with ease. Passionate about investment promotion and export growth, Péter sees the rising numbers as proof: Singapore and Hungary truly are a natural match.

 

 

Mr Eirik Behnke
Head of DEinternational and Trade Promotion
Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC)

Eirik Behnke is the Head of Trade Promotion at the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC), where he has been working for the past three years. For the last 1.5 years, he has led the department, facilitating strategic connections between German and Singaporean companies across diverse sectors including Industry 4.0, Pharma & Biotech, as well as Optics & Photonics. His work focuses on international market entry, fostering partnerships, and supporting foreign investment through targeted business matchings, spanning B2B engagements as well as collaborations between industry, government and academia. Eirik holds a Master’s degree in Digitalisation, Innovation and Information Management, and brings a strong background in cross-border business development and innovation-driven cooperation.

 

Mr Emil Akander
Trade Commissioner and Head of Region
Business Sweden

The Government of Sweden appointed Emil Akander as the inaugural Trade Commissioner to Singapore in 2015. Additionally, in October 2022, Emil Akander, was appointed as Vice President and Head of Region South and Southeast Asia and in April 2025, promoted to Vice President and Head of Region Asia-Pacific. In that role Emil Akander is overseeing 13 markets and 18 offices. Emil Akander is since 2022 a member of the global executive management team of Business Sweden and reporting into the CEO & President.

Prior, between 2020-2022, Emil Akander was the Market Area Director of Business Sweden in Southeast Asia meaning its six Trade Offices responsible for eleven markets. Emil was also accredited as non-resident Swedish Trade Commissioner to the Philippines during 2021-2022. Emil Akander as well acted as Country Manager for Malaysia between 2018-2019 and for Vietnam in 2021.

Prior, Emil was based in Brussels and The Hague as the Head of EU Affairs at Business Sweden Benelux. With extensive knowledge of International Trade and International Business Development, his primary focus areas include the Government Sector, Transport Infrastructure and Industry and Manufacturing.

Prior to Business Sweden, Emil worked at the Cabinet of the former First Vice President Margot Wallström of the European Commission. Before the Commission, he was posted in Beijing for Business Sweden.

Emil Akander holds a Degree of Master of Laws, LL M, from Stockholm University. Emil is a Board Member of the Nordic Innovation House in Singapore and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

 

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