Gapuma Group Strengthens Asian Presence with Singapore Branch; Makes Senior Appointment
6th Janaury 2026 We are delighted to announce that Gapuma Switzerland officially opened its Singapore branch on 2nd January 2026, marking a significant milestone in our strategic expansion across the Asian markets. The new office will serve as our regional hub for bulk chemicals and biofuels trading throughout Asia-Pacific, positioning us to better serve our clients and partners in this dynamic and growing region. Welcoming Paul Kim as Trading Director, Asia Region To lead this exciting venture, we are privileged to welcome Paul (Hyoung Jin) Kim as Trading Director, Asia Region. Paul brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in petrochemical trading, with deep expertise in aromatics, naphtha, base oils, and renewable energy commodities. A Singaporean of Korean origin, Paul’s career includes leadership roles at Trammochem Asia, where he served as Asia Regional Business Leader and PX Global Product Manager, successfully growing the regional team and expanding operations across multiple markets. Prior to this, he honed his trading acumen at Samsung Corporation and founded Questum Trading Pte Ltd, demonstrating both entrepreneurial vision and operational excellence. Paul’s extensive industry networks across Singapore, Korea, and China, combined with his strategic insight into Asian petrochemical markets, make him ideally positioned to drive Gapuma’s growth ambitions in the region. His appointment represents a significant strengthening of our trading capabilities and market intelligence in Asia. Looking Ahead This expansion reflects our commitment to serving the evolving needs of the bulk chemicals and biofuels sectors in Asia. With Paul’s leadership and our established global network, we are well-positioned to deliver value to our partners throughout the region. We look forward to introducing Paul to our wider network and to the opportunities that lie ahead as we deepen our presence in Asian markets.
Gapuma Strengthens Industry Ties at ChemExpo 2025
08th May 2025 Gapuma was proud to participate in ChemExpo 2025, South Asia’s premier international exhibition for the chemical industry, held in Mumbai last week. The event brought together over 500 exhibitors and thousands of delegates from across the globe, offering a vital platform for knowledge exchange, commercial collaboration, and industry insight. Representing Gapuma at the event, our Channel and Product Manager, Sunil Bahl, engaged with a broad range of suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers operating across key sectors — including pharmaceuticals, personal care, polymers, textiles, industrial coatings, and more. Among the many constructive conversations was a detailed exchange with senior representatives of Sarex Overseas, a respected name in the speciality chemicals space with a strong international reputation built over more than sixty years. Their focus on diversified application areas closely reflects Gapuma’s own commitment to providing integrated solutions to clients across complex global markets. Participation in ChemExpo 2025 reaffirmed the value of physical industry gatherings in building trust, uncovering innovation, and fostering long-term relationships. As demand continues to rise for reliable, ethical, and sustainable chemical sourcing, Gapuma remains at the forefront of efforts to connect world-class producers with end users across emerging and established economies. We extend our thanks to the organisers of ChemExpo for curating such a vibrant and forward-looking event. We look forward to building on the many conversations started in Mumbai and to continuing our mission of delivering value through global trade, sectoral expertise, and partnership-led growth.
UK–India Trade Deal Opens New Horizons
07th May 2025 On Tuesday, the United Kingdom and India finalised a landmark free trade agreement aimed at increasing bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040. The deal significantly reduces tariffs on a wide range of goods, including British exports such as cosmetics, medical devices, and aircraft components, while 99% of Indian exports — including textiles, foodstuffs, and jewellery — will face no import duty in the UK. For British commodities trading companies like Gapuma, which operates across sectors including, coatings, cosmetics, extractive industries, food and drink, manufacturing, and packaging, the agreement presents substantial opportunities. The reduction in tariffs on British goods exported to India, particularly in cosmetics and medical-grade products, aligns with Gapuma’s supply capabilities and could enhance its competitiveness in the Indian market. Furthermore, the removal of duties on the majority of Indian exports to the UK may benefit Gapuma’s sourcing strategies, particularly in textiles and food-related sectors, by reducing costs and broadening product availability. The deal’s provisions for goods and services trade, along with modest improvements to business mobility — including simplified visa access for Indian professionals — may further facilitate smoother operations and cross-border collaborations. As the global trading environment continues to evolve, Gapuma’s diversified portfolio and well-established international presence leave it well placed to take advantage of the new opportunities emerging from this UK–India agreement — a strategic move that could shape the future of commodities trading between two of the world’s largest economies.