On 6 December 2022, the German Embassy Singapore conducted a book reading session to promote the book “Germans in Singapore” at Goodwood Park Hotel. The book “Germans in Singapore”, written by Sabine Hein, deals with the relations that have existed between Germany and Singapore for 200 years. Singapore has established itself as a gateway into Asia for German companies, and on the other side, the Germans have helped Singapore grow into the futuristic city it is today. The interaction between the two countries is based on trust and friendship, and the connections continue to grow to this day.

On 1 November 1840, Theodor August Behn and Valentin Lorenz-Meyer founded Behn, Meyer & Co., the oldest German company in Singapore. The two young men shared many ties, as both came from Hamburg merchant families, and they later established headquarters in Hamburg. After the Second World War, Behn Meyer became the most prominent German trading house in Southeast Asia. The reputation of German business people grew, and today Behn Meyer employs more than 1,200 employees across 14 countries. Due to the importance of the Germans in Singapore and Behn Meyer, the company is extensively mentioned at the beginning of the book.

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, Dr Norbert Riedel and Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, also wrote the book’s foreword.