"During Ylva Berg’s tenure as CEO of Business Sweden, the Swedish Trade and Invest Council has gone through a major transformation. She will leave an efficient and business-oriented operation that provides tangible value for Sweden. I regret that Ylva has decided to resign after seven successful years as CEO," says Ulrika Messing, Chairman of Business Sweden.
"This year, Business Sweden was recognised as the World’s Best Trade and Investment Promotion Organization by WTPO. This is just one of several milestones that Business Sweden has achieved under the leadership of Ylva Berg. On behalf of the entire Board I would like to express our thanks for the commitment, visionary leadership and strong bottom line focus that Ylva Berg has contributed. Today, Business Sweden attracts global top talent while the organisation’s work is rewarded with high and stable customer satisfaction from customers," explains Ulrica Messing.
Ylva Berg started her position as CEO on April 1st, 2014. She will remain in her position until March 15th, 2021.
"I joined as CEO during a turbulent period for Business Sweden. The ambitious 2020 targets I was given have now been met by the organisation. I am proud of our global business development capability on more than 40 markets, delivering real impact day after day for Sweden. Today we have a solid platform for taking the next great leap forward towards our Vision 2025. This is a suitable time to pass over my responsibilities as CEO to a successor as I move on to new challenges in my professional life," says Ylva Berg, CEO, Business Sweden.
The small and mid-sized companies in Business Sweden’s list of clients are, according to external studies, performing better in terms of longevity, export growth and number of employees than companies who have not received such support. By identifying large, international businesses globally and matching them with Swedish solutions, Business Sweden has in the last years contributed to close deals at a value of approximately 17 Billion Swedish Krona.
Source: https://www.business-sweden.com
Stronger recovery in Swedish economy than expected
Published
The Swedish economy is showing a stronger recovery than expected during the autumn. The labour market situation has also developed more positively compared with previous assessments. The employment rate is expected to be somewhat higher this year and next year compared with the assessment in the Budget Bill for 2021, while unemployment is expected to be lower. However, in the future, activity is expected to be hampered as a consequence of an increased spread of the COVID-19 virus and restrictions. This is clear from the Ministry of Finance’s most recent economic forecast, presented today by Minister for Finance Magdalena Andersson.
Swedish GDP increased strongly in the third quarter, and seasonally adjusted GDP growth increased by 4.9 per cent compared with the second quarter. The increased spread of the virus in Sweden and several other European countries, with stricter restrictions as a result, means that activity is expected to be hampered at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Overall, GDP is expected to fall by 2.9 per cent this year and increase by 3.0 per cent next year. Resource utilisation is expected to be significantly lower than normal and the Swedish economy is expected to be in deep recession in both 2020 and 2021.
“The recovery in the autumn has been stronger than expected, with strong GDP growth in the third quarter. However, we are seeing an increased spread of the virus again, which is expected to negatively impact activity in some parts of the economy. The positive news regarding vaccines gives hope for 2021, both in respect of people’s health and the economic outlook. However, there is great uncertainty, and much depends on how the spread of the virus and vaccination progress in Sweden and around the world,” says Minister for Finance Magdalena Andersson.
Following the dramatic deterioration in the Swedish labour market in the spring, developments have been more positive in the autumn, even if the situation continues to be very serious. The employment rate has been revised upwards and unemployment is expected to be lower compared with the forecast presented in August. Around 30 000 fewer people are estimated to be unemployed and around 30 000 more people are estimated to be employed this year and next year compared with the previous assessment. Unemployment is estimated to be 8.5 per cent this year, and 9.0 per cent next year.
General government net lending is estimated to be -3.9 per cent of GDP in 2020. The strong recovery in the autumn has meant that tax revenues have been higher than expected. At the same time, additional pandemic-related measures have been presented since the Budget Bill for 2021. All in all, it appears that the deficit will continue to be large in 2021.
“We have introduced historically powerful packages of measures to support Swedish jobs and businesses through the crisis. Together with falling tax revenues, the large general government deficit produces an increased national debt. At the same time, we have had a strong starting position in comparison with many other countries, with the lowest national debt since 1977,” says Ms Andersson.
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What you need to know about travel in Sweden (and abroad) over Christmas and New Year
This Christmas will be different, wherever you are. Many of us living in Sweden will stay put. But if you do need to travel, here are the rules and recommendations to be aware of.
Can I travel within Sweden?
Yes. There is no ban on travel between regions within Sweden – as long as you are completely free of coronavirus symptoms when travelling, although the message from authorities is to consider whether your journey is necessary.
You should also make sure you travel in a responsible way, limiting your risk of catching or spreading the virus.
"Any travel should take place in a way that minimises the risk of spreading the infection," the Public Health Agency said in its winter advice. "Remember to limit public transport as much as possible. Avoid making new contacts during the trip and at the destination, beyond the smaller circle that you socialise with [your bubble of no more than eight people total]."
Source and read more at The Local Sweden
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Nobel Week 2020
Nobel Week 2020 takes place on 5–13 December in Stockholm and Oslo. Many of the events will this year be streamed and possible to follow online. Traditionally the Nobel Laureates travel to Stockholm and Oslo to receive their Nobel Prizes. This year the Nobel organization has taking the medals to them and inviting you to join in all the festivities as they stream the Nobel Lectures, 2020 award ceremonies and much more online at
Photo Credits: Werner Nystrand/Folio/imagebank.sweden.se
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Klarna named the most sustainable brand in banking and finance.
In a new survey, Klarna is ranked as the most sustainable brand in banking and finance by Swedish Millennials and Gen Z consumers.
Sustainability is at the core of any brand that aspires to be relevant in the future. Not only from an environmental point of view, but also when it comes to values, business practices, and social responsibility. In a recent , 1500 Millenial and Gen Z consumers have been asked about their views on sustainability, and which brands that best live up to their expectations in this area.
273 companies in 20 different sectors are ranked in order of how sustainable they are in the eyes of the consumers. We are happy to see that Klarna, for the second year in a row, is number one in the banking and finance category, ahead of all the traditional banks and financial institutions. This is a testament to the fact that the younger generations see Klarna as the most sustainable brand in an industry that for a long time has been dominated by the incumbent players.
The survey shows that transparency, and having products and services that are priced according to consumers’ different financial needs, are highly valued aspects of a sustainable brand. At Klarna, we are working actively to provide a service that is transparent and adapted to consumers’ needs. Here are just a few examples of how we help our customers:
Read more at
- With the , consumers can manage all their purchases and get push notifications when a payment is due. In the app, shoppers can also keep track of deliveries and manage returns. By paying with our free 14-day invoice, consumers can be assured that they get the products they order before any money is drawn from their bank account.
- We are doing everything in our power to make consumers pay on time. Our recently launched “” is an additional way of educating consumers on how to avoid reminder fees. By completing the test, Klarna will waive the reminder fee to consumers who have missed the due date on a payment, to ensure that it won’t happen again.
- Our with some of the highest interest rates in Sweden.
- The “Mission Zero” () which is a long-term commitment to reduce the number of customer complaints on our services to zero. Since the launch, we have managed to reduce them from 40 complaints per 1 million purchases in 2018, to less than 20 on average in 2020. We have taken a lot of actions to achieve this, but we are not happy until we have reached our final goal.
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Welcome new Member!
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to give a warm welcome to our new Member Britta Wyss Bisang, Personal Member.
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Podcast #NordicTalks – Nordic Sustainable Fashion Days 2020 Now available
Podcast #NordicTalks - Nordic Sustainable Fashion Days 2020 Now available
Will it soon be cooler to rent, swap or buy secondhand clothes than to fanatically follow ever-changing fast fashion trends? More and more consumers are becoming aware of the fashion industry's substantial climate footprint. Some are trying to reduce their impact on the planet by buying clothes that last longer, while others are choosing to cut back on their fashion consumption. In this episode, we examine new Nordic initiatives for responsible clothes production and get insider tips on how to create a more sustainable wardrobe.
This podcast is a product of a Nordic Talk held in the Netherlands during Sustainable Fashion Days 2020. The event was arranged by the Nordic embassies and the Nordic Chambers of Commerce in the Netherlands.
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CEO Ylva Berg has decided to leave Business Sweden
08.12.2020
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After 70 successful years, IKEA is turning the page
The IKEA Catalogue has a phenomenal 70-year legacy. Over the years it has become an iconic and beloved publication, and it has been an important success factor for IKEA to reach and inspire the many people across the world with home furnishing solutions and products. But times are changing. IKEA has become more digital and accessible while embracing new ways to connect with more people. Customer behavior and media consumption have changed, and fewer people read the IKEA Catalogue today than in years past. Inter IKEA Systems B.V., the worldwide IKEA franchisor, has therefore taken the emotional but rational decision to respectfully end the successful career of the IKEA Catalogue - and look to the future with excitement.
“For both customers and co-workers, the IKEA Catalogue is a publication that brings a lot of emotions, memories and joy. For 70 years it has been one of our most unique and iconic products, which has inspired billions of people across the world. Turning the page with our beloved catalogue is emotional but rational. Media consumption and customer behaviors have changed, and IKEA is already increasing digital investments while volumes and interest in the catalogue have decreased,” says Konrad Grüss, Managing Director, Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
Life at home has never been more important. During the last few years IKEA has tested new formats and ways to distribute the content of the IKEA Catalogue. A wealth of knowledge and insights, from both customers and the IKEA retailers, have been collected and considered in the decision to say goodbye to the IKEA Catalogue. It is also clear that the inspirational home furnishing content is where the magic happens, and IKEA will continue to inspire and help people to plan their needs and dreams at home with existing and new exciting tools.
“Over the past few years, IKEA has been transforming many aspects of how to reach and interact with our customers, to meet customers wherever they are. Now the work will now continue to amplify the unique IKEA home furnishing knowledge, products and solutions in the best possible way - to inspire the many people through existing and new ways, channels and formats,” says Konrad Grüss.
The decision to say goodbye to the IKEA Catalogue goes hand-in-hand with the ongoing IKEA transformation to become more digital and accessible. Last year IKEA online retail sales increased by 45% worldwide, IKEA.com welcomed more than four billion visits - and at the same time IKEA has improved digital services, and launched new apps for a better IKEA experience – wherever customers meet the IKEA Brand.
IKEA will honor and celebrate the fantastic history of the IKEA Catalogue. As a tribute, during the autumn of 2021, IKEA will make a book available for the customers in the stores, filled with great home furnishing inspiration and knowledge. With that said, the beloved IKEA Catalogue as we know it today will not continue.
5 facts about the IKEA catalogue:
- 1951: Ingvar Kamprad himself put together the first IKEA Catalogue, and the very first catalogue cover featured the MK wing chair in brown upholstery. Printed and distributed in 285,000 copies in the southern part of Sweden, 68 pages. In Swedish.
- 1998: First catalogue "IKEA at office" available on the internet, which was a special edition only showing furniture for business/offices. The ambition this year was to present the whole catalogue online, but due to the complexity with IT-systems the launch was postponed.
- 2000: Launch of both a printed and digital version of the IKEA Catalogue.
- 2001: E-commerce is launched for the first time in IKEA history, in Sweden and Denmark.
- 2016: At its peak year, the IKEA Catalogue was distributed in 200 million copies, in 69 different versions, 32 languages and to more than 50 markets.
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