News

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Welcome New Member: Heartpace HR
The Swedish Chamber is honoured to have Heartpace HR join our Swedish-Dutch Business Community as our newest Member.   With the EU Pay Transparency Directive coming into force, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it" has become the new standard for Dutch organisations. Achieving Pay Equality & Transparency is no longer just a moral goal — it is a legal requirement that demands precise, objective data. Heartpace HR is your trusted partner in this transition. Having established ourselves as a leader in the Swedish market, where this has been a core value for many years, we are now fully active in the Netherlands. We provide the specialised tooling needed to navigate both European and local mandates with confidence. Our platform turns complex payroll data into actionable insights, identifying pay gaps and ensuring compliant reporting. As the premier solution across Europe, Sweden, and the Netherlands, Heartpace empowers employers to move beyond guesswork. Close the gap, ensure compliance, and build trust with Heartpace HR + the expert in Pay Transparency.   We are looking forward to future collaboration and to introducing Heartpace HR to our Swedish-Dutch business community!
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Brand Sweden Report 2026

According to a report from Swedish Institute, Sweden continues to have a very positive international image in 2026, strongly associated with democracy, reliability, and innovation. This makes the country attractive for investment, work, study, tourism, and partnerships, even in a time of global uncertainty. Sweden also remains ranked among the top countries in the Global Soft Power Index.

At the same time, there is a clear challenge: in many parts of the world, especially outside Europe and North America, awareness of Sweden is still relatively low. This creates a gap between being well-liked and being well-known, which means Sweden may not always be considered when important decisions are made.

To stay competitive globally, Sweden needs to increase its visibility so it becomes a natural choice for people, companies, and organisations.

  Read the report .
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Glad Första Maj from the Swedish Chamber
Glad Första Maj! May 1 is a Swedish public holiday with roots in the labour movement, officially observed since 1939. While rallies and parades still take place, it’s also a day to pause, reconnect, and welcome spring. Across more than 80 countries, May Day is marked as Labour Day or International Workers’ Day, a tradition dating back to 1890, celebrating unity and solidarity among workers worldwide.
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Happy Valborg from The Swedish Chamber
Every year on April 30, Swedes gather around bonfires to celebrate Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis), a cherished tradition marking the arrival of spring. Once meant to ward off evil spirits, it’s now a joyful moment to leave winter behind and welcome brighter days. The evening brings choral singing, speeches, and time spent with friends and family by the fire. For students, it also hints at the summer holidays ahead. And yes, you'll spot plenty of Swedish flags, as April 30 is also the birthday of King Carl XVI Gustaf.   Wishing you a warm and joyful Valborg celebration!
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The Embassy of Sweden in the Netherlands visit to Amsterdam

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Embassy of Sweden in the Netherlands to our office in Amsterdam.

While we regularly connect through digital meetings, sitting down together in real life brings an extra dimension, deepening our understanding and strengthening our collaboration. Exchanges like these help us stay aligned in our shared mission to support Swedish–Dutch business relations.

We were glad to host Promotion Officer Oskar Nielsen alongside interns Rebecca Johansson and Ebba Ek, and to share more about our work with member companies across a wide range of sectors. From our ongoing initiatives to our event calendar of 40+ gatherings each year, it was a great opportunity to showcase how we foster connections and create value for our network.

Thank you for the inspiring visit, we truly appreciate the continued dialogue and partnership!

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Change of ownership of Swedish Chamber Patron Member Noviflora
Honselersdijk, 31 March 2026 – Hendrico de Brabander has formally stepped down as CEO of Noviflora. His departure was marked during a gathering last Friday. As a result of this step, Xander van Reisen, representing the second generation within the family business, will become the sole owner of Noviflora as of 1 April.   Noviflora was founded more than fifty years ago by Hans and Letty van Reisen. Since 2006, ownership and governance of the family business have been gradually transferred, a process that has been carefully shaped step by step over the years. The transfer of shares held by De Brabander and co-shareholder Leonie de Brabander-van Reisen marks the completion of this long-term transition. This secures the continuity and independence of the family business for the long term.   The transfer has no impact on day-to-day operations, strategic direction, or collaborations with customers and suppliers. Noviflora will continue to focus on close cooperation with growers and customers, further professionalisation, and strengthening its international position within the floriculture supply chain.   Xander van Reisen: “At a time of consolidation within the sector, we are making a deliberate choice to remain an independent family business. With passion and energy, we are embarking on this next phase of Noviflora.”   During an internal gathering on 27 March, De Brabander said farewell to current and former employees with whom he has worked for decades. He looks back on his years as CEO with pride and looks ahead with confidence: “This transition was consciously and carefully prepared, and with it I close an intensive and valuable chapter. Noviflora is in a strong position, and I hand over leadership with confidence.”   About Noviflora Noviflora is an internationally operating exporter and supply chain coordinator of flowers and plants, with strong market positions in Scandinavia and Switzerland. From Honselersdijk, the family business works closely with growers and customers on an efficient, sustainable and market-driven floriculture supply chain.
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FULLY BOOKED: Executive Sustainability Breakfast
We are pleased to share that the upcoming Executive Sustainability Breakfast on April 21, 2026 is now fully booked. Hosted by H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr Julius Liljeström at the Swedish Residence in The Hague, this exclusive gathering will bring together leading business figures, policymakers, and innovators from the Swedish-Dutch community to exchange perspectives on sustainability and corporate responsibility.   Speakers: Erik Vegter, Programme Director of the National Growth Fund programme “Growing with Green Steel” Marnix van Alphen, Energy Transition Manager, Vattenfall   We look forward to a morning of meaningful dialogue, valuable connections, and shared ambition to accelerate sustainable innovation across industries. In collaboration with Embassy of Sweden in The Netherlands, SKF Group, Vattenfall, Growing with Green Steel, and Materials innovation institute M2i
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Happy Easter
Glad Påsk from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce! As we approach the Easter weekend, we’d like to wish all our members, partners, and friends a joyful holiday. Please note that the Swedish Chamber office will be closed from today, April 2nd to the 6th, and we look forward to reconnecting with you after the break. Wishing you a Happy Easter – Glad Påsk!
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