Dear Members,

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s New Year’s Reception on January 16, 2025. Your presence truly made the event a memorable occasion, and it was a pleasure to celebrate the start of the new year with such a distinguished community.

A special thank you to H.E. Ambassador Johannes Oljelund for graciously hosting us at his beautiful residence in The Hague. We are deeply grateful for your hospitality and support.

We look forward to another year of continued collaboration and growth within our vibrant community.

A Heartfelt Thank You for an Unforgettable 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 and recap in our exclusive Lucia Album, and be sure to credit Hanne Hansen Photography.

November 21, 2024
19.00 – 22.00 
Venue: 
Residence of the Swedish Ambassador 
The Hague

We are delighted to invite our Patron Members to the prestigious Patron Dinner, one of the Chamber’s most exclusive annual events. Hosted by the Swedish Ambassador at the Swedish Residence in The Hague, this gathering brings together Patron Members alongside distinguished senior business leaders, entrepreneurs, and politicians from Sweden and the Netherlands.

Keynote Speaker: Jurriën Norder, Head of NEXIS I NCC-NL

Jurriën Norder finished his Peace & Conflict Studies studies in 2010 at Uppsala University, Sweden. Since then, he has served as a civil servant for the Dutch government. Initially, he worked on migration issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was posted between 2012 and 2015 at the Dutch embassy in Khartoum, Sudan. In 2018, he joined the Ministry of Interior Affairs, focusing on national threat issues as a coordinating analyst. Those were his first steps in the cyber domain. In 2020, he started working for the Netherlands National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). At the NCSC-NL, he was the team leader of the international team. Only since September 1, 2024, he has been appointed as the new Head of the NCC-NL. The NCC-NL, or National Coordination Centre on Cybersecurity Innovation, is the organization set up under the European Act to establish the European Cyber Competence Centre and the NCCs in the EU member states. The NCCs aim to foster market development in the area of cybersecurity at an EU level as well as stimulate the development and uptake of innovative cybersecurity products.

The Patron Dinner serves as a platform to address significant trends and challenges while fostering new connections and synergies among attendees. Over the years, this event has featured esteemed keynote speakers within the Swedish-Dutch community.

The event is hosted by:

For photos, scroll down!

Swedish Chamber of Commerce Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast – Gender Diversity
November 12, 2024

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast, hosted by Patron Member Heussen, opened with a welcoming address from Nils van Dijkman, the event’s host and board member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity & Inclusion committee. Nils emphasized his personal belief in the importance of gender equality, noting that both his daughter and son should have the same opportunities in life.

H.E. Johannes Oljelund, Ambassador of Sweden, then took the floor, outlining Sweden’s approach to gender equality. He focused on both the legal frameworks and cultural shifts that shape Sweden’s policies, noting that while substantial progress has been made, more work is needed. The Ambassador presented four key areas of focus: access to affordable childcare, individual taxation, equal sharing of parental responsibilities, and the cultural right to ownership and heritage. While these elements are core to Swedish policy, the Ambassador acknowledged that full equality is still a work in progress. He also emphasized that gender equality requires a transformation not only in legal terms but also in societal norms and shared responsibilities. Lastly, Johannes underscored the economic benefits of inclusion, referencing studies that suggest gender equality could add as much as 10% to global GDP.

The event’s keynote speaker, Dr. h.c. Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen LLM ACII shared her journey, citing Pippi Långstrump as her first role model. She emphasized the importance of diverse teams, which not only promote social good but are also more sustainable and profitable. Marguerite discussed the gender gap in leadership, pointing out that while there has been progress, the representation of women in top corporate roles remains insufficient. She shared statistics revealing that 54-55% of female graduates are still underrepresented in the boardroom, with many companies failing to report on gender diversity. Marguerite stressed the need for businesses to align with values of equality and inclusion, noting that 60% of people today would not want to work for a company that does not uphold these principles.

Marguerite also presented data from the Gender Gap Index, ranking Sweden at 5th and the Netherlands at 28th. While improvements are being made, there is still a noticeable gap, particularly in leadership roles. The challenge of the “pipeline gap” was also discussed—where there is a lack of women advancing to higher levels within organizations, a trend that only worsens over time. She encouraged private businesses to take action, noting that the private sector has a significant role to play in achieving gender equality.

In closing, Marguerite called for a mindset shift, encouraging women to focus on their strengths and believe in themselves. She shared personal anecdotes to highlight the importance of women supporting one another in their professional journeys. Marguerite concluded by emphasizing that companies and individuals must not wait for government intervention but instead take proactive steps to create a more inclusive and gender-equal future.

Thank you to our host, Heussen, our esteemed speakers, and all attendees for contributing to such a meaningful discussion on gender diversity and inclusion.

For event photos, scroll down!

On 7 November, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Patron Member AstraZeneca, hosted the “Tech Table: Tech for Good” event—a unique opportunity to delve into how advanced technology is transforming healthcare for the better.

During the event, our speakers generously shared their expertise, offering insights into the groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping the future of medical care.

Ad Antonisse, Director Market Access and Corporate Affairs
Ad presented AstraZeneca’s approach to building a more sustainable future, dedicated to people, society, and the planet. Leading in key therapeutic areas, the company focuses on developing novel treatments for cancer, chronic, and rare diseases—where they believe their work can make the most significant impact for patients. In oncology, AstraZeneca is pioneering a transformation in cancer care with the aim to redefine treatment possibilities. In biopharmaceuticals, their objective is to advance care for billions managing chronic diseases and to strengthen immunity with durable solutions. Through an ongoing commitment to scientific advancement, AstraZeneca continues to extend the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare innovation.

David Coelingh Bennink, Head of Policy
David provided insights into the future healthcare landscape, projecting that by 2060, healthcare expenditure could account for up to 18% of global GDP, up from 10% in 2020. This increase is driven by factors such as an ageing population, the rise in chronic conditions, and the continued advancement of medical technology. He emphasized the need for political decisions to ensure that high-quality care remains accessible, particularly as healthcare systems face growing demand and rising staffing costs. To manage these challenges, David highlighted the importance of disease prevention, categorising it into four levels: primary prevention (preventing disease onset), secondary prevention (early detection of disease), tertiary prevention (minimising the effects of disease), and quaternary prevention (protecting patients from unnecessary medical interventions). He also stressed that early detection and preventive strategies, such as lifestyle interventions, could significantly reduce the burden of diseases like lung disease, potentially preventing up to 90,000 cases annually. David pointed out that technological advancements in healthcare must be supported by strong policies and investments, both at national and local levels, to fully realise their potential in alleviating future healthcare burdens.

Bo Willems, Franchise Head Oncology and PhD candidate
Bo discussed the role of AI in radiology, specifically its potential to enhance early lung cancer detection. Given that lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, early intervention is crucial. AI-powered tools, such as 3D imaging and predictive markers, can help radiologists identify incidental pulmonary nodules with greater precision. Currently, a significant number of these nodules are missed due to healthcare system pressures, but AI technology has the potential to improve detection rates, potentially preventing thousands of cases of late-stage lung cancer annually. Bo also highlighted that AI could play a key role in improving follow-up care, addressing challenges in tracking and managing patient data more effectively. In the Netherlands alone, missed incidental pulmonary nodules could contribute to 340 to 1,169 preventable late-stage lung cancer cases each year.

Nico Stam, Vice President Research EU at Acerta Pharma B.V

Nico provided an overview of the complex biology of cancer, particularly regarding gene mutations and cellular diversity, which contribute to the challenges of treatment. In addressing haematologic malignancies, he noted that despite advances, achieving remission remains a global health priority. Nico underscored the importance of early detection, explaining that treatment outcomes are generally more favourable when intervention occurs before significant disease progression.

Thank you once again to our amazing speakers and attendees!

For event photos, scroll down!

On October 17, the “Discover the Power of Brand Sweden” event brought together leaders from iconic Swedish brands to share how Swedish values continue to inspire and elevate global success.

We would like to extend our gratitude to H.E. Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Johannes Oljelund, for his insightful opening remarks, setting the stage for a day of exploration into the power of Swedishness.

Our speakers generously shared their knowledge and experiences about powering Brand Sweden:

• Christian Biller, Swedish Institute, highlighted how Swedish values—such as problem-solving and collaboration—are core strengths in today’s complex global landscape. He emphasized, the Swedish approach is all about improving people’s lives and creating sustainable solutions.

• Nina Bogstedt, Inter IKEA Group, shared how IKEA’s philosophy “To create a better everyday life for the many people” is deeply rooted in the Swedish values of resourcefulness, sustainability, and functionality for the many people. She highlighted how IKEA’s design principles are inspired by Sweden’s natural landscape, prioritising affordability and quality. By combining Swedish ingenuity with a commitment to sustainability, IKEA creates solutions that improve everyday life for everyone, regardless of the season.

• Marieke Bax, Fagerhult Benelux, highlighted the unique Swedish relationship with light, often referred to as Scandinavian light. She explained that sustainability is central to Fagerhult’s mission, which aims to create positive change for people and the planet through innovative lighting solutions. With a focus on energy efficiency and smart controls, Fagerhult strives to reduce its environmental footprint and enhance well-being, supported by the Fagerhult Lighting Academy, which conducts research on the impact of light. This commitment reflects the broader values of Brand Sweden, emphasizing sustainability and quality in every aspect of design.

• Jasper Sundh, Hästens, emphasized how Swedish culture values well-being and balance, embodying the brand philosophy of “sleeping to perform.” He highlighted that high-quality sleep is essential for a healthy, productive life, positioning Hästens beds as investments in well-being rather than just luxury items. By manufacturing all products in Sweden, Hästens reinforces transparency and authenticity, with “Made in Sweden” symbolizing genuine quality. This commitment to Swedish craftsmanship builds trust with customers and strengthens the brand’s reputation for integrity and excellence, aligning with the core values of Brand Sweden.

• Arthur van Es, Volvo Cars, highlighted the brand’s unwavering commitment to safety, sustainability, and mobility. He pointed out that, for Volvo, it’s not just about technology—it’s about people. Their brand promise revolves around protecting lives, an integral part of their Swedish identity.

Finally, a special thank you to Lawrence Masle, UP THERE, EVERYWHERE, our moderator, for expertly guiding the discussions and encouraging attendees to reflect on how Swedish values like equality, no-nonsense approaches, and a deep connection to nature create strong, authentic brand stories.

The event offered new perspectives on how Brand Sweden is more than just a cultural identity—it’s a strategic asset in today’s global marketplace. Branding is deeply connected to a company’s origin and heritage, offering authenticity, differentiation, and emotional connection. But balancing local identity with global appeal is key.

Thank you once again to our amazing speakers and attendees, and to Herrik van der Gaag, Roger van Polanen, Carmen Vingerhoets, and Volvo Cars for their generous hosting of this insightful event.

This event is generously hosted by:

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“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Evaluation and Final Dinner”

At our final session, we gathered for a relaxed evening of pizza and drinks while reflecting on the Mentorship Program. During this dinner, we took the opportunity to evaluate the overall experience, discussing whether the initial expectations were met and how to apply the lessons learned for future development and personal growth. It was a valuable session, filled with meaningful feedback and insights that will help us continue to improve the program.

Stay tuned for more information about the Mentorship Program 2025!

About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Programme
The Mentorship Program was launched in October 2012. Since then, more than 100 Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber have followed the program and benefited from their future personal and professional growth. The many Mentors have benefited from meeting the new generation leaders of the future and learning more about their insights and values. The Mentorship Program is made possible by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with AIMS International Netherlands B.V., a member of AIMS International. Read more here.