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Jon Abrahamsson Ring, speaker for the Sustainability & Innovation Summit 2023
We are delighted to present Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO at Inter IKEA Group, as one of the esteemed panelist speakers for the upcoming Sustainability & Innovation Summit “Driving the Green Transition Together” on December 15, 2023. With over 20 years of experience at IKEA, including being Ingvar Kamprad’s assistant for four years, Jon will share his unique perspective on leadership in global businesses. Jon became CEO of Inter IKEA Group in 2020.
  • Save the date: December 15, 2023
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The summit will unite business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and academics from Sweden and the Netherlands, graced by the presence of H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Johannes Oljelund. Following the Summit is the Swedish Chamber Annual Lucia Dinner, an evening of entertainment, live music, and dancing. Take advantage of this chance to be inspired by business leaders like Jon and gain insights from his latest perspectives.
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Revolutionizing Sustainable Transportation: Lynk & Co Takes the Lead in Car Sharing
The Swedish Chamber member Lynk & Co takes the lead in car sharing, as a part of their strive towards sustainable automobility. Read their of the exciting news from November 14, 2023. "Revolutionizing Sustainable Transportation: Lynk & Co Takes the Lead in Car Sharing To the mobility company Lynk & Co, car sharing is fundamental. While traditional automakers flood an already saturated market, Lynk & Co’s approach is simple and future-facing: Car Sharing. In a society where the average car stands still 96 percent of the time, Lynk & Co has recognized the opportunity for change. Through Lynk & Co's award-winning app, they empower every 01 owner and subscriber to safely share their car with others and earn money in the process. The idea is that cars can and should be used more efficiently, increasing the access to mobility for all, without adding new vehicles to already congested urban spaces.
"Car sharing isn't just a service – it's about enabling mobility and committing to sustainability, says Alain Visser, CEO of Lynk & Co. It's our way of revolutionizing the very essence of car ownership, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive tomorrow, one ride at a time." Alain Visser CEO Lynk & Co
Sharing is deeply rooted in Lynk & Co’s DNA, and every 01 comes pre-equipped with integrated car-sharing technology. In every sense, they are built to be shared. Lynk & Co is committed to reshaping the landscape of car ownership, using its creative car-sharing program to drive the industry forward into a new era of mobility. Lynk & Co's Car-Sharing Community Booms with 1.5 million Hours of Shared Mobility Lynk & Co is dedicated to fostering a community centered around car sharing for the long-term. To ignite this community, it’s been crucial to develop an easy-to-use interface that provides incentives for lenders beyond just reducing carbon footprint. All bookings and transactions are simply and securely conducted through the user-friendly app, and all shared cars are fully insured by Lynk & Co. Since its launch, the interest in car sharing has steadily increased each year, leading to Lynk & Co's cars collectively being shared for a promising 1.5 million hours until October 2023 – truly transforming idle time into valuable shared mobility experiences. You Share, You Earn – shifting focus from the car to the people Sharing isn’t just about caring, it’s a money-maker too. In the last 12 months, Lynk & Co’s car lenders earned 850,000 Euros from sharing their cars. Each month, more and more Lynk & Co subscribers are now covering their monthly fees with money made from sharing – emphasizing that at Lynk & Co, the people steer the change, not just the cars. Lynk & Co Car Sharing in Europe– By the Numbers Lynk & Co cars have been collectively shared for over 1.5 million hours, and the total number of carsharings has exceeded 18,000. 16% of Lynk & Co’s B2C customers are actively using car sharing, with car bookings increasing by 136% in the last 12 months. In the last year alone, Lynk & Co’s car lenders earned 850,000 Euros from sharing their cars. The Netherlands is the leading market for car sharing, with an impressive 22% of car owners actively participating in vehicle sharing programs. The lenders are able to set their own hourly prices, with the lowest average price found in Sweden (9 Euros/hour) and the highest in Italy (30 Euros/hour)."
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The Guardian: Fika, four-week holidays – and zero overtime: Sweden’s stunningly healthy work culture
"From wellbeing allowances to generous parental leave to a bonus in your pay packet when you take a break, the Scandinavian country has a lot to teach the rest of the world". Read the Guardian's article Fika, four-week holidays – and zero overtime: Sweden’s stunningly healthy work culture to learn more about Swedish workplace culture. Read the full article .  
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Swedes in the World presents “Swede of the Year” 2023 Awards
On November 10, 2023, Swedes in the World (Svenskar i Världen) hosted the prestigious "Swede of the Year 2023" Awards Ceremony, honoring two of Sweden's most esteemed war correspondents: SVT's Elin Jönsson and DN's photographer Paul Hansen. Access the full interview and award presentation via , as well as an exclusive insight into the daily lives of war correspondents. Photo Credits: William Grote
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Douwe Dirks, Speaker for the Sustainability & Innovation Summit 2023
We are very proud to present Douwe Dirks as one of the esteemed speakers at the upcoming Innovation & Sustainability Summit 2023 on December 15, 2023. Douwe is the Chief Commerical Officer of Nornorm, the flexible and fully circular office furniture subscription per square meter per month, and previous Managing Director of Swedish co-working operator Epicenter Amsterdam, now Edge Workspaces. Join us for “Driving the Green Transition Together,” where Douwe will bring insight from NORMORM’s pursuit of building a circular business model and challenging old patterns of consumerism within the furniture industry.
  • Save the date: December 15, 2023
  • Discover more and secure your spot .
The summit will unite business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and academics from Sweden and the Netherlands, graced by the presence of H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Johannes Oljelund. Following the Summit, indulge in the Swedish Chamber Annual Lucia Dinner. Don't miss this chance to be inspired and gain insights from valuable perspectives. Curious to learn more about NORNORM’s unique sustainability strategy? Read about NORNORM's ways of transforming linear thinking into an inspiring circular approach in their Sustainability Insight feature with Swedish Chamber Insights .
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Meet our new member Global Loud Out Solutions
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to welcome Global Loud Out Solutions to the Swedish Chamber member community and look forward to introducing them to our Swedish – Dutch business network. "At Global Load Out Solutions, we are convinced that every ton counts. Therefore, we want to contribute to the change in the construction industry through easy-to-use, digital services that make work easier. Our product. Efficient Load Out (ELO), is an easy-to-use, cloud-based subscription service that puts you in total control of loading out material in infrastructure and construction projects. With no long-term contract, it helps you to use operational data to boost your profitability and sustainability. Efficient Load Out makes the process easier and optimizes transport, which immediately affects CO2 emissions". Read more about Global Loud Out Solution and ELO on their website.
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Beyondo: Recruitment in times of inflation
The Swedish Chamber's valued member Beyondo shares their insight on recruitment and inflation with the Swedish Chamber member community. Learn more about Beyondo on .

Recruitment in times of inflation

According to SCB, the Bureau of Statistics in Sweden, The inflation rate according to CPI (Consumer Price Index) was 9.3 percent in June 2023. Recruiting during times of inflation can seem counterintuitive because inflation typically increases the cost of goods and services, including wages. However, there are several reasons why businesses may still choose to recruit during inflationary periods: Think about your Business Growth. Regardless of the economic climate, if you as a company are growing, it will need to hire more employees to handle increased demand for its products or services. Also, the Skill Gaps are to be taken into consideration. Inflation doesn't change the fact that companies may have skill gaps they need to fill in order to remain competitive. This can mean hiring new employees with the necessary skills. What about Turnover and Retention? Inflation can increase the cost of living, leading some employees to leave for higher-paying jobs elsewhere. This can necessitate recruitment to replace departing employees. Hence, you need to recruit! One should not forget to look into the future. Investing in the Future is important, even in times of inflation, companies need to think about their future. This may mean hiring for positions that will drive future growth and profitability. If your company is financially stable, you have a Competitive Advantage, where you can take advantage of an inflationary period to attract top talent, especially if other businesses are hesitant to hire. Also, with the ongoing advancements in technology, new positions are being created that didn't exist before. Even in times of inflation, businesses may need to recruit for these roles to keep up with industry trends. While inflation can complicate recruitment efforts due to increased costs, strategic hiring decisions can help ensure a company's growth and success during challenging economic times.  

About Beyondo

, one of our valued members, based in Stockholm Sweden, is a top-notch recruitment company with a special focus on connecting businesses and international talents in both Sweden and the Netherlands. Beyondo stands out by helping clients break into these markets and providing expert guidance to individuals looking to experience life abroad. Their wealth of knowledge and top-notch services make the journey smoother for everyone involved, bridging the gap for companies and individuals seeking success in these vibrant markets. Join us in recognizing Beyondo as an essential partner in the world of international business and talent acquisition when doing cross-border business. Feel free to reach out to for more information and contact with Beyondo.   Photo credits: Beyondo
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Gloomy times for Swedish exports- Export Managers’ Index, fourth quarter 2023
Gloomy times for Swedish exports- Export Managers’ Index, fourth quarter 2023 On November 9, 2023, Business Sweden published the report “Gloomy times for Swedish exports- Export Managers’ Index, fourth quarter 2023” conducted by Statistics Sweden (SCB). This report is a key indicator of Sweden's economic development. Unfortunately, the report conveys a pessimistic outlook, as the Index dropped to 44.4 from 46.7 in the previous quarter, the lowest since the pandemic's outbreak. The level has only been lower three times before, which happened during the financial crisis of 2008/2009 and the following European debt crisis in 2012. The decline is primarily driven by a decrease in the current subindex, falling from 50.7 in Q3 to 44.3 in Q4. Despite this, the forward-looking subindex shows a modest rise from 42.8 in Q3 to 44.5 in Q4, indicating a slightly improved outlook for the next three months. As both subindices are below the 50-mark, it is an indication that the export companies have a gloomy view of the development. Distinct for these results are that the view on the present times has become worse, while the outlook on a three-month horizon has become better in comparison with previous surveys' results. The level for the view of current export sales also fell from 54.5 in Q3 to 44.2 in Q4 as well as the one for export order stocks declining from 45.7 in the previous quarter to 38.5 in quarter four. The index also showed that the view of profitability of export sales fell by 1.8 points compared to the previous quarter to 50.1 in Q4. These results highlight that the export companies have a gloomy perception about export sales and export order stocks, but a more neutral view of the profitability of export sales. On a three-month horizon, the level, however, increased for both the view on expected export sales and the profitability of export sales, and both indexes are close to the 50 mark, which suggests a more neutral view when looking forward. Notably, the Index is below 50 in Western-, Central-, and Eastern Europe, indicating a more pessimistic outlook compared to other regions in the world. In summary, while current conditions are perceived negatively, companies express a more confident outlook for the future. Read the full report .  
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