Thank you to Justin, Liv, Malin and Julia – the fantastic International Management Trainees and intern of 2024-2025
Heartfelt Thanks from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Justin Rundcrantz, Liv Månsson, Malin Alders, and Julia Gotliebsson—our exceptional Management Trainees and Intern—for their outstanding contributions over the past year.
Justin, Liv, and Malin have each played an important role within the Swedish Chamber team, significantly advancing not only their individual areas of responsibility but also enhancing the overall efficiency and impact of our daily operations. Although the year has flown by, the accomplishments achieved during their tenure are remarkable.
Their contributions include, among many others:
• The successful execution of the Swedish Chamber Sustainability Scholarship powered by Saab,
• The collaborative delivery of the Business Climate Survey in partnership with Team Sweden,
• Inspiring leadership within the Young Professionals community,
• Project management of major events and summits,
• Elevating our communications strategy and strengthening member visibility through enhanced use of social media and Swedish Chamber Insights,
• Administering and implementing findings from the annual member survey,
• Supporting membership acquisition and engaging with Swedish businesses in the Netherlands to explore new market opportunities,
• Active participation in the Swedish Chamber Committees, offering valuable insights and strategic recommendations,
• And developing a forward-looking LinkedIn strategy that will guide our presence and engagement for the future.
This impressive list could go on. Beyond their professional achievements, we are deeply grateful for the positive energy, dedication, and friendship they brought to the office each day.
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce extends its very best wishes for success in their future careers.
In addition, we wish to express our warmest thanks to the Scholarship, d and School of Business, Economics and, whose generous support makes it possible for us to engage with such talented and driven young professionals.
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Swedish Chamber of Commerce Expresses Gratitude to Ambassador Oljelund Upon Departure
Following the announcement by the Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund, of the conclusion of his term in the Netherlands later this summer. Chairperson Jan Sundelin expressed heartfelt appreciation to Ambassador Oljelund on behalf of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, for his dedicated service as Honorary Chairperson and unwavering support and valued collaboration throughout his tenure.
Photo Credit: Hanne Hansen Photography
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Scania Production Zwolle Celebrates Milestone: 1,000,000th Truck Rolls Off the Line
We are proud to highlight that our patron member, Scania, has reached a remarkable milestone at its Zwolle production facility: the completion of the 1,000,000th truck. This landmark vehicle, a powerful V8 770S, was symbolically handed over by Peter Magnusson, Managing Director of Scania Production Zwolle, to Janko van der Baan, Managing Director of Scania Netherlands. During a brief ceremony, Mr. Magnusson expressed his sincere gratitude to all colleagues for their dedication, craftsmanship, and ongoing commitment to excellence.
The celebrations continued with a dynamic and festive event for employees, where the milestone truck was unveiled. The occasion featured fantastic music, production footage, and an impressive drum performance, all highlighting the theme "Made in Holland", a tribute to the outstanding skill and innovation of the Dutch production team.
The 1,000,000th truck is now set to receive a custom transformation, complete with unique accessories and a bespoke design. Its official public debut will take place at the Truckstar Festival in Assen on 26 & 27 July.
"This achievement not only marks a proud legacy for Scania Production Zwolle but also represents a powerful promise for the future of Scania in the Netherlands and beyond." - Peter Magnusson, Managing DirectorPhoto credits: Niels Zomer
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AGM – New Board Members
On May 28, 2025, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce proudly held its 65th Annual General Meeting, generously hosted by Patron Member AKD at their prestigious premises in Amsterdam.
During the meeting, the Chamber had the distinct honour of welcoming five new Board Members, representing Cindy Kroon, Vattenfall, Ellis-Jan van der Hout, SKF, Wiebe Schmitz, Saab, Peter Magnusson, Scania Production Zwolle, and Ashkan Danaei, Tetra Pak. Their appointments underscore the continued strength and diversity of the Chamber’s leadership. We extend our sincere gratitude to all Board Members, past and present, for their invaluable commitment and contributions, which enable the Chamber to maintain its role as a vital business platform within the Dutch market.
The meeting also marked a moment of appreciation for several retiring Board Members, who were warmly thanked for their long-standing service and dedication to the Chamber’s mission.
“We sincerely thank you for your loyal commitment to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and your continued efforts in strengthening the vital relationship between Sweden and the Netherlands. Your dedication and support are truly invaluable to our shared mission and greatly appreciated.” – Chairperson, Jan Sundelin
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Tech Table: M&A Forum Recap
On June 5, Partinc, Patron Member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, proudly hosted the Chamber’s first Tech Table of the year: the M&A Forum.
Moderated by Kerstin Brodin, Innovation Manager at nlmtd, the event brought together thought leaders and experts to explore the current and future state of the European investment landscape, with a focus on M&A, software, cloud infrastructure, and growth equity.
A special thank you to our brilliant speakers:
- Jan Sundelin, Partner at Partinc, compared the M&A landscape in Europe and the U.S., noting a narrowing gap outside of U.S. mega-cap SaaS companies. He also highlighted persistent challenges around regulation and exit environments.
- Björn Håkansson, Business Development Manager at TNO, spoke on Europe’s push for cloud sovereignty, emphasising initiatives like IPCEI-CIS and Gaia-X, and the strategic importance of reducing reliance on U.S. tech infrastructure.
- Ivy Chen, Private Equity Practice Lead at Software Improvement Group, shared insights on software due diligence, AI readiness, and the hidden risks in tech investments, stressing the need for a business-aligned, data-driven approach.
- Sam Myhrman, Private Market Advisor (Nordics), highlighted Sweden’s rise as a hub for innovation, driven by a strong equity culture, robust policy support, and standout companies in AI and legal tech.
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Navigating the Vacuum: Implications of the Dutch Cabinet Collapse
An update on the Dutch political situation by Swedish Chamber Member IvCB Publilc Affairs & Stakeholdermanagement.
The Dutch cabinet, led by Prime Minister Schoof, formally resigned on June 3rd following Geert Wilders’ decision to withdraw the PVV (Party for Freedom) from the ruling coalition. This collapse places the Netherlands under a caretaker (demissionary) government, now operating without PVV ministers. The rupture is rooted in domestic politics: escalating tensions over immigration and asylum policy proved unsustainable within the fragile four-party coalition. Although there is no clear evidence that Wilders was influenced by foreign actors, the volatile pre-election climate is likely to attract efforts by far-right groups, potentially including those connected to Russia or the American alt-right, to exert influence. With key ministerial posts now vacant and the legislative calendar shifting, this transition opens both risks and opportunities for strategic public affairs engagement.
Key developments
- On 3 June, the four-party PVV–VVD–NSC–BBB coalition government collapsed. Internal tensions over immigration and asylum policy reached a breaking point.
- Wilders may also be capitalising on declining poll numbers for coalition partners BBB and NSC, seeking to consolidate right-wing voter support ahead of new elections.
- PM Schoof’s cabinet resigned only 11 months after it was formed.
- 9 PVV (under-)ministers have stepped down; their responsibilities will be temporarily handed over to the remaining (under-)ministers.
- Remaining ministers continue in a limited caretaker capacity.
- The House of Representatives will determine which pending policy items are deemed “controversial”—and thus suspended until a new coalition government is formed.
- No new political decisions will be taken unless explicitly endorsed by parliament.
- Reactions across the political spectrum have been mixed. Former coalition partners expressed frustration over the collapse, with some viewing the move as politically opportunistic. Opposition parties have signalled cautious optimism, hoping for a shift in political direction, but are wary of voter fatigue and instability.
- On 4 June, the Dutch Electoral Council issued formal advice to the (now demissionary) Minister of the Interior, recommending Wednesday, 29 October as the earliest feasible date for national elections. The recommendation accounts for candidate registration timelines, municipal preparations, and school holidays. Earlier dates were ruled out due to scheduling conflicts.
- Technology: Digitalisation and AI investment programmes are unlikely to advance.
- Energy & Climate: Progress on grid congestion, energy reform, and national climate goals will slow.
- Agriculture: Ongoing debates around nitrogen and transition financing remain unresolved.
- Healthcare & Infrastructure: Ministerial gaps freeze strategic decision-making, creating operational and investment uncertainty.
- Elections are not legally possible. Political parties begin drafting manifestos behind the scenes.
- Parliament recess starts (until 1 Sept.)
- Formal political activity slows; party manifesto writing intensifies.
- Royal decree dissolving Parliament expected. By Dutch election law, this triggers an 83-98 day election countdown.
- Political parties hold congresses and adopt final manifestos.
- Unfit for elections due to registration timelines and municipal preparations.
- School holidays limit the feasibility of elections earlier in the month.
- Most likely national election date: 29 October.
- Secure visibility in political party manifestos and pre-election platforms;
- Reassess stakeholder maps and anticipate shifts in political leadership.
- Build or reinforce coalitions of support across sectoral and regional lines;
- Prepare a first-mover strategy for post-election engagement.
- Keep you updated on parliamentary decisions and relevant debates;
- Advise on messaging and outreach toward manifesto teams and party influencers;
- Develop tailored positioning strategies for both caretaker governance and new coalition scenarios.
- Ensure your organisation remains visible, future-proof, and politically well-positioned.
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Office Closed for Whitsun
Please note that the Swedish Chamber of Commerce office will be closed on Monday, June 9, in observance of Whitsun (Pingst).
We’ll be back on Tuesday, June 10, recharged and ready to support our members and partners.
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Presentation of the Business Climate Survey Netherlands 2025
On May 28, 2025, Team Sweden, comprising the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, presented the Business Climate Survey Netherlands 2025 in Amsterdam. Attended by Ambassador H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund and Ms. Camilla Mellander, Director General for Trade at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the event highlighted key insights into Swedish business performance in the Dutch market.
This year’s survey reports a 55% answering rate among Swedish companies, reflecting both optimism and ongoing challenges. The findings were presented by Malin Alders and Alice Frykhammar, followed by a panel discussion, including Mr. Douwe Dirks of NORNORM, Ms. Ruth de Jager of Storytel, Mr. Hans Vos of FlexLink, and Mr. Cees Westera of Public Matters, led by Mr. Tomas Korseman of Business Sweden.
Ms. Mellander underscored the importance of EU unity and free trade amid rising global protectionism.
The event was hosted at AKD’s Amsterdam office, with gratitude extended to all participating companies for their valuable contributions.
Full report: https://www.business-sweden.com/49bde8/contentassets/43fdd7c5092149c4973a645a8c21a444/business-climate-survey-2025-the-netherlands.pdf
Event photos: https://swedishchamber.nl/events/may-28-presentation-of-the-business-climate-survey-in-the-netherlands-2025/
Photo Credit: Hanne Hansen Photography
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