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Honorary Member, Gerard Perik
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1960, has always been a cornerstone of collaboration and friendship between Sweden and the Netherlands. From the beginning, our mission has been to exchange experiences, learn from one another, support each other, and create lasting business opportunities. Last week, at our 62nd Annual Lucia Dinner we celebrated this enduring mission, as well as the strong bonds that unite our two nations. It was both an honour and a privilege to recognize one of our esteemed Honorary Members, Mr. Gerard Perik, who has been with the Chamber since nearly its beginning. Mr Perik has served in many leading roles within the Chamber over the years, and his contribution to supporting Swedish and Dutch Trade relations has been the reason the King of Sweden acknowledged him with the Order of the Polar Star many years ago. We offered him a heartfelt round of applause in gratitude for his remarkable support and unwavering commitment to the Chamber over the years and look forward to welcoming him for many events yet to come.
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Thank You to Our Generous Goodie Bag Sponsors
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce extends its sincere appreciation to our generous sponsors for their contributions to the Sustainability & Innovation Summit: “AI Driving Sustainable Transformation” and the Exclusive Annual Lucia Dinner on 6 December 2024. Special thanks to Hästens, Kosta Boda, Inter IKEA Systems, and DIG for showcasing the best of Swedish innovation, design, and quality. Your support added a thoughtful and memorable touch to the events, leaving a lasting impression on our guests. Thank you for helping make these occasions truly exceptional.   Photo credits: Hanne Hansen Photography
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Young Professionals 100th Member
Last week, the Young Professionals had the pleasure of surprising their 100th member at HEUSSEN, one of the Chamber's patron company members, with flowers and balloons in celebration. Reaching this incredible milestone of 100 members highlights the vibrant, ambitious, and dynamic network that has been built over time. This achievement reflects the collective effort of all members who have contributed to shaping the future of Swedish-Dutch business relations. The Young Professionals extend their gratitude to all 100 members for their continued engagement, inspiration, and collaboration. Together, they are helping to create an environment where connections are made, growth is nurtured, and the future of business between Sweden and the Netherlands continues to thrive. Looking ahead to 2025, the Young Professionals are excited about the upcoming events and networking opportunities that lie ahead, as they continue to foster professional growth and development within the community.   Not yet a member of the Young Professionals? Join today and elevate your professional journey. For more information, press .
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The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands and Saab Nederland launch the Sustainability Scholarship
Amsterdam, December 6, 2024 – The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands, in collaboration with Saab Nederland, proudly announces the launch of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands Sustainability Scholarship – Powered by Saab. The announcement was made during the Chamber’s flagship event, the Sustainability & Innovation Summit: AI Driving the Sustainable Transformation, held in Amsterdam on December 6, 2024. The partnership between the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands and Saab Nederland was formalized by signing a collaboration agreement at the event. This innovative scholarship underscores a shared commitment to fostering academic excellence and advancing sustainability initiatives between Sweden and the Netherlands. The Sustainability Scholarship – Powered by Saab is designed to support Swedish and Dutch Master’s students who are enrolled at universities in either country and are pursuing research on sustainability-related topics. Eligible students can apply for funding to conduct a special research project in Sweden or the Netherlands, provided their Master’s thesis demonstrates relevance to both nations. This initiative not only provides financial support but also seeks to:
  • Strengthen long-term collaboration between Sweden and the Netherlands.
  • Enhance academic and business relations for the next generation of leaders.
  • Promote knowledge exchange in sustainability and innovation.
  • Leverage the high global rankings of both nations in sustainable practices.
  • Build on established academic ties between Swedish and Dutch universities to facilitate mutual learning and shared insights.
Jan Sundelin, Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands, expressed the importance of this milestone: “This scholarship reflects the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands’ vision of fostering trade and cultural exchange between our two countries. It aligns perfectly with our mission to empower future leaders by advancing academic collaboration and sustainability efforts, while strengthening the ties that unite Sweden and the Netherlands.” Eva Axelsson, Chief Sustainability Officer Saab: “Climate change and pollution are amongst the biggest threats of our societies. The significance of this for defence cannot be underestimated, since security and sustainability are mutually dependent. Therefore, Saab has decided to financially support the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for The Netherlands, allowing them to award the best students in Sweden and The Netherlands dedicating their Master of Science work to this subject.”         About the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands serves as a dynamic Swedish-Dutch business platform dedicated to strengthening trade relations between Sweden and the Netherlands. As a non-profit organization with over 60 years of experience, the Chamber offers first-class business services, networking opportunities, and development programs to its more than 200 members, which include startups, SMEs, unicorns, and multinational corporations and Young Professionals across various industries. About Saab Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 24,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations. Photo text: Jan Terlouw, General Manager of Saab Nederland and Jan Sundelin, Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands sign the collaboration agreement for the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands Sustainability Scholarship – Powered by Saab. Photo credentials: Hanne Hansen Photography Media contact:  +31 20 320 3226. For more information and how to apply:   Swedish Chamber of Commerce in The Netherlands | Fred. Roeskestraat 115 1076 EE Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Younium – Winner of the Entrepreneurship Award 2024!
At the exclusive Swedish Chamber Business Awards 2024, hosted on December 6 at the Hilton Hotel Amsterdam, Younium was proudly announced as the recipient of the Entrepreneurship Award. "We are very honored and proud to have won this award. It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team, both in the Netherlands but also from our people in the Nordics and North America. Also, a big thank you to all our customers who trust us and our solution." - Emelie Linheden, Vice President of Marketing "The rapid growth of the global company (23 quarters of growth in a row) is also visible on the Dutch market, where more than doubling of the turnover has been achieved between 2021 to 2023. This was possible based on the quality of its products, shortened sales cycles and by increased awareness on LinkedIn of 50% last year." - Ruth de Jager, Vice President of Global Content Development, Storytel, Chairwoman of the Jury A heartfelt congratulations to Younium for their entrepreneurial spirit and remarkable success! Want to discover the full list of winners? Visit
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Student Winners at the Sustainability & Innovation Summit 2024!
On 6 December 2024, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomed the winners of our Student Essay Contest to the Sustainability & Innovation Summit: AI – Driving the Sustainable Transition at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam. Highlights from Our Winning Essays: “A sustainable AI-powered world in 2030 is one where technology serves humanity and nature, advancing global equality, enhancing well-being, and safeguarding the planet for future generations.” “AI has the power to map global financial flows, uncover inefficiencies, and spotlight regions where funding fails to address critical social and ecological needs. By valuing unpriced resources like clean air, wetlands, and community health, AI can turn the vision of Doughnut Economics—balancing human well-being within planetary boundaries—into practical, actionable metrics.” Our Inspiring Student Attendees: Muheti Mbazima – Hogeschool van Amsterdam Albert Szabo – Eindhoven University of Technology Ella Ekberg – UIBS – United International Business School Zurich Mila Ayazyan – Eindhoven University of Technology Mariia Babii – Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School Tamara Kanuchova – University of Amsterdam Your forward-thinking ideas and innovative perspectives enriched the Summit, demonstrating the important role young leaders play in shaping a sustainable future. We are looking forward to seeing how you continue to shape a better tomorrow! For event photos, key insights, and more—  press ! Please ensure to give photo credits to Hanne Hansen when using pictures. Photo credits: Hanne Hansen Photography
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Thank You, Exclusive Annual Lucia Dinner
On December 6, 2024, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce had the pleasure of hosting its Exclusive Annual Lucia Dinner at the Hotel Hilton in Amsterdam. The night was filled with festive spirit and Swedish traditions, and we celebrated the long-lasting friendship between Sweden and the Netherlands. The night began with a luxurious three-course seasonal dinner by Executive Chef Franz Conde and his talented culinary team that set the tone for an evening to remember. Guests enjoyed an enchanting Lucia procession, performed by the Svenska Högtidskören, bringing the warmth of Swedish holiday magic to the room. A special highlight of the evening was a spectacular tribute to ABBA’s 50 Years of Music, performed by the talented Kim-Lian van der Meij. The celebration continued with live music by Anne-Lie Persson and her band, Stockholm Tivoli, which kept guests dancing into the night. Another unforgettable moment was the Swedish Chamber Business Awards Ceremony, where we celebrated the outstanding achievements of: Volvo Cars Netherlands – Achievement Award 2024 SKF – Tech for Good Award 2024 Younium – Entrepreneurship Award 2024 The evening also featured an exhilarating Charity Raffle, which successfully raised €2,070 to benefit the organization’s mission of creating better play spaces for children. Guided by our brilliant Master of Ceremony, Rebecca van Dorrestein, the event was a joyful reflection on the achievements of the past year and a wonderful way to connect and celebrate with our community. Thank You: To everyone who attended, performed, sponsored, and supported this special evening—thank you for making it a night to remember. Your presence and contributions are what make our community so extraordinary.      Find all photos in our exclusive Lucia Album, and be sure to credit Hanne Hansen Photography.
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Volvo Cars Netherlands – Winner of the ‘Achievement’ Award 2024!
On December 6, 2024, during the exclusive Annual Dinner, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in The Netherlands and Business Sweden, was delighted to announce Volvo Cars Netherlands as the recipient of the prestigious 'Achievement' Award at the Swedish Chamber Business Awards 2024. "It was another challenging year for Volvo, influenced by geopolitical developments and economic fluctuations. Despite this, we set records this year in the Netherlands with the number of Volvo cars sold and new models delivered to our customers. We look back on a year full of success with the relaunch of the new EX90, the continuing success of our EX40/XC40 and the customer deliveries of over 10,000 EX30s by our retailers. But we also achieved excellent performance in after-sales and used Volvo cars. For us, this year has been not only the year of growth, it is also the year of collaboration, adaptation and innovation. Together, we got the best out of our organization! My thanks and appreciation for everyone's contribution to our great result!" - Herrik van der Gaag, Managing Director "Volvo Cars' achievements in the Netherlands, including multiple awards for their vehicles, demonstrate its dedication to excellence. The jury compliments Volvo Cars Netherlands for its remarkable contributions and is honoured to recognize them with this award." - Tomas Korseman, Head of Business Sweden in the Netherlands We are proud to celebrate Volvo Cars Netherlands for their exceptional contributions and remarkable achievements. Read more about the other award winners and see photos from the event by pressing ! Photo credits: Hanne Hansen photography
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