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Global Business Climate Survey 2024: Cautious Optimism in the World Market with New Investment Opportunities
The Global Business Climate Survey 2024 reveals that Swedish companies, despite increasing challenges in the global market, maintain their ability and continue to perform well internationally. Positive Outlook Amid Challenging Times Swedish companies operating globally are less optimistic about the current business climate compared to the previous year. Demand for goods and services has weakened over the past year, and the global economy is slowing down. Despite this reduced optimism, the outlook remains relatively positive in most markets. Over 1,700 Swedish companies participated in this year's survey, responding to questions about the local business climate in 24 different markets for their global sales. "The survey shows that Swedish companies have managed to navigate well and adapt to geopolitics, war, conflict, and international recession," said Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden, in a India Stands Out This year's survey shows that over 70 percent of the 195 Swedish companies that responded find the business climate in India to be good or very good. According to Sara Larsson, CEO of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India, strong growth, increasing consumption, a focus on infrastructure investments, and rapid transition to sustainable solutions are contributing factors to the positive business climate. Additionally, India's digitalization is aiding continued investment expansion. "Swedish companies are building robust businesses in India. Over 80 percent of the surveyed companies expect their turnover to grow in the coming period, and 68 percent report a profit. This is in line with the previous year and indicates that the global economic downturn and geopolitical tensions have not significantly affected businesses in India," said Sara Larsson. India, the world's largest country by population, is projected to become the world's third-largest economy within a few years. "In the aftermath of the pandemic, regionalization and risk reduction within supply chains have become more important, and India is a strategic alternative when companies consider redistribution. India is also geographically well-positioned, with access to the growing economies in both Asia and Africa," added Sara Larsson. Expectations of Increased Global Investments The survey shows that over 60 percent of companies expect increased turnover in the coming year. Nearly half of the Swedish companies plan to increase their global investments over the next 12 months. The proportion of companies that consider climate and environmental aspects an important factor in customer purchasing decisions remains at 43 percent from the previous year. Furthermore, over 80 percent of companies feel that the Swedish brand is beneficial for their business abroad. "A major strength of Sweden and the Swedish brand is the companies' ability to innovate, adapt, and be creative. Swedish companies are sustainable and resilient, which means we stand strong in a new trade climate. Our brands, products, and services are in good hands. There are challenges, but the opportunities are even greater, indicating a bright future," said Andreas Hatzigeorgiou, Chairman of Swedish Chambers International (SCI) and CEO of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, in a press release. Four Insights from the Global Business Climate Survey 2024
  • Demand for goods and services has gradually weakened over the past year, and the global economy is slowing down.
  • Germany and China, traditionally two regional economic engines, have slowed down, and there are questions about the American economy.
  • Last year's high inflation figures have had negative effects on households' real incomes, consumption, and demand.
  • High interest rates are pressuring households, delaying corporate investments, and slowing the world economy.
At the launch of the Global Business Climate Survey 2024, participants included Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Trade Johan Forssell, Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden, and Andreas Hatzigeorgiou, Chairman of Swedish Chambers International (SCI) and CEO of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
 
Photo: Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
For more information about the Global Business Climate Survey 2024 please visit:
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EUROPEAN NETWORKING COCKTAIL SEPTEMBER 10, 2024  
  The Swedish Chamber, in collaboration with the European Chambers in the Netherlands, warmly invites you to our European Networking Cocktail, in partnership with Loyens & Loeff. Join us for this exceptional opportunity to connect with fellow European professionals!     Collaborating Chambers:              
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Welcome to our new member Markedly!
The Swedish Chamber is very proud to present Markedly as the newest member of our business network! Introduction from Markedly We are a trademark agency and specialize in the protection of intellectual property such as trademarks, designs, copyright, tradenames etc. Our work consists of assisting companies on clearing their marks (and other assets) in Benelux and Europe, assisting with the entire registration process and – if needed – assisting if an infringement of our client’s rights occurs. We furthermore help in devising IP strategies and effecting due diligence searches. Our clients consist of foreign companies who are expanding and wish to protect their rights in NL/Europe, as well as local companies who wish to protect their rights internationally. Due to our Amsterdam base, we also assist a considerable number of Dutch startups and scaleups, particularly those in the field of sustainability and renewable energy. We are very happy to participate in the Chamber and look forward to get in touch with other members and connecting our respective networks. Our offices are a 5 minutes walk from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and our doors are always open for a good cup of coffee and an introductory meeting. Learn more about Markedly .  Would you like to get in touch? Contact Rinder Pietjouw (IP Consultant) at Rinder@markedly.nl or Peter van der Wees (IP Consultant and partner) at Peter@markedly.nl or call: +31 20 280 6008.  
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Welcome to Proact, our new Patron!
The Swedish Chamber is excited to introduce Proact as a new Patron member in the network! Proact is Europe’s leading specialist in data and information management, with a focus on cloud services and data centre solutions. Wherever you are on your digitalisation journey, we can assist you in propelling your organisation forward through the power of data. The Swedish Chamber looks forward to meeting Proact at upcoming events. to learn more about Proact, and to read about the Swedish Chamber Patron membership. Welcome Proact!
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Swedish Chamber welcomes the Svalner Atlas Group as Patron members!
The newly formed Svalner Group, consisting of tax and transaction advisory firms Svalner and Alder, is excited to announce its union with the Dutch tax advisory firm Atlas Tax Lawyers. The ambition is to form a new premier advisory group, Svalner Atlas Group, that offers high-end tax advisory, transaction services, and related services in the Nordics and Benelux. “We are excited to unite with Atlas, forming a Tier 1 independent advisory group in the Nordics and Benelux. This marks a major achievement for both organi sations, laying the groundwork for us to enrich our collective service portfolio, extend our influence, pursue accelerated expansion, and deliver even greater value to our clients”, stated Viktor Sandberg, CEO of Svalner Atlas Group. With operations in Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands the group aims to broaden its market presence and increase the capacity to invest in the future with new service lines, expertise, education and technology. “We look forward to the journey ahead alongside Svalner and Alder. Together, we’re well-positioned to forge a robust and agile organisation, challenging industry norms and spearheading success for both our clients and team mem bers, said Roelof Gerritsen”, Partner at Atlas and Deputy CEO of the new Svalner Atlas Group. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome the newly united Svalner Atlas Group as Patron members of our business network. We look forward to future collaboration with the Svalner Atlas Group!  
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Introducing Forvis Mazars

The valued Swedish Chambers member Forvis Mazars, previously Mazars, is pleased to share that as of today, they will continue under their new name, Forvis Mazars.

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network. The network operates under a single brand with just two members: Forvis Mazars, LLP in the United States and Forvis Mazars Group SC, an internationally integrated partnership operating in over 100 countries.   ​ 

With a legacy spanning more than 100 years, Forvis Mazars is a natural extension of both firms’ heritage. At our core is our commitment to providing a different perspective and an unrivalled client experience that feels right, personal, and natural. As a network of just two, allied organisations, we act fast, to deliver consistent and agile audit, tax and advisory services worldwide.  ​ 

We nurture a deep understanding of our clients’ industries, delivering greater insight, deeper specialism and tailored solutions. Together, our combined teams of 40,000+ professionals have the experience and skills to best serve organisations of all sizes, both locally and globally, now and into the future.   

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Meet Hendrik Jan Guitink: A Passionate Coach and Mentor and sponsor of the Swedish Female Hockey 5 Team
We’re thrilled to introduce Swe-Cham member Hendrik Jan Guitink, the Managing Partner at AIMS International Netherlands B.V. Hendrik isn’t just a leader in Executive Search and Leadership Consulting—he’s also the driving force behind the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program, where he helps nurture young professionals by connecting them with seasoned business execs. Hendrik’s passion for coaching extends beyond the boardroom. He’s a big supporter of the Swedish women’s field hockey team. Field hockey might be huge in the Netherlands, but it’s also growing in Sweden, thanks to efforts from teams in Göteborg and Stockholm. Last year, the Swedish women’s national team in the fast-paced version of the sport, Hockey 5’s, debuted at the Euro Championships, finishing in 8th place—a fantastic achievement given their lack of official ranking. This team, made up of young women from across Europe with Swedish passports, is gearing up for another shot at the Eurohockey 5’s Championships in Poland this July. Hendrik is super proud of the team and supports them however he can. Despite their dedication, these athletes often fund their travel and training. The Svenska Landhockey Förbundet, which oversees the sport in Sweden, doesn’t have the financial resources to support the team fully.
“That’s where AIMS International Netherlands B.V. steps in. We’re backing the team and following their journey with immense pride. We’d love for more members of the Swedish Chamber to join us in supporting these fantastic athletes. Any help is welcome—whether it’s sponsorships, donations, or simply cheering them on during their training camps in the Netherlands. Let’s rally together and support the next generation of field hockey stars!”
- Hendrik Jan Guitink For more information or to get involved, contact Hendrik Jan Guitink at h.j.guitink@aims-netherlands.com or call him at +31 6 24866395.
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Business Climate Survey 2024 in the Netherlands
At the heart of Europe, the Netherlands is a key springboard for Swedish companies in their international expansion. The political ties between Sweden and the Netherlands remain robust, and the like-mindedness between the countries in the EU is striking. The Netherlands solidified its position as Sweden’s seventh-largest trading partner in 2023, with exports of goods exceeding 115 billion SEK. Swedish companies in the Dutch market have shown resilience. Despite a slight decline in profitability and increased losses since 2022, their financial performance in the Netherlands stabilised in 2024. Swedish companies remain optimistic about the future: 72% of respondents expect industry turnover to increase, and over half of Swedish respondents consider increasing investments in the Netherlands. As seen throughout this report, sustainability is a key priority in the Netherlands. This trend has not gone unnoticed by Swedish companies in the market, with 73 per cent of respondents confirming that customers in the Netherlands consider environmental aspects when making purchasing decisions. The view of the Swedish brand is still positive but is losing significance year by year. This is not necessarily negative, and the report gives some ideas of the reasons why the importance of the Swedish brand is declining.      
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