Earlier this week, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Ericsson, organized an inspiring and interactive Tech Table event, Tech for Good by Ericsson at the 5G Hub, at High Tech Campus Eindhoven.
The participants were all very warmly welcomed by Everth Flores, Managing Director of Ericsson NL, followed by a short word by H.E Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Johannes Oljelund. The event delved into the important role of 5G in digital transformation, showcasing how technical solutions can help improve sustainability and promote the green transition. Other highlights included insights into Ericsson’s award-winning 5G smart factories by Iris Hertsenberg, Program Board Manager at the 5G Hub, and Dassault Systèmes’ groundbreaking work on virtual twins by Robert Sjölund, Sales Representative at DELMIA. Last but not least, we explored Social XR through an exciting presentation by Hans Stokking, Senior Science Integrator at TNO, which also showed how it provides new possibilities to bring people closer together.
Following the insightful presentations, participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on demos at the 5G hub with support from Iris Hertsenberg and Edwin Dijkstra, Solution Architect at the 5G Hub, including driving a remote-controlled surveillance car and trying out full-scale XR communication.
We would like to thank all the speakers who provided valuable insights into this important and topical field and Ericsson for hosting such an engaging and eventful event. Special thanks to Patrick Blankers, Policy Director Sustainability at Ericsson, for organizing the event and to all participants for their contribution to making a very successful event.
The 5G Hub
The digital transformation is an important enabler for companies to become more sustainable: when business processes become more efficient, companies will be able to save energy and/or reduce CO2 emissions. 5G plays a key role in the digital transformation. This is demonstrated at the 5G-Hub in Eindhoven, a joint initiative of Ericsson, Vodafone-Ziggo, Brainport Eindhoven, and High Tech Campus. The 5G hub was established to promote innovation and stimulate solutions that help improve sustainability. You can read more about the 5G Hub here on its website.
“5G will bring a lot of benefits to our society; seeing is believing”
– Everth Flores, Country Manager of Ericsson NL
Speakers:
How 5G links to sustainability
In the Netherlands, 5G has been launched by the 3 mobile network operators, but the promise of high bitrates has not yet materialized. The sector is eagerly waiting for new spectrum to become available, that will provide a much higher network capacity than today. 5G is a very energy efficient technology. Ericsson has reached its target to make 5G 10x more energy efficient than 4G. Furthermore, 5G is a key enabler for the digital transition, which in its turn will be essential for the green transition.
Ericsson and Dassault Systèmes collaboration: 5G Smart Factory
Ericsson’s USA 5G Smart Factory in Lewisville, Texas, has been awarded for a second time by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for global leadership in next-generation Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) manufacturing. WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network’s (GLN) has designated the facility as a Sustainability Lighthouse in recognition of successful on-site sustainability measures.
DELMIA manufacturing and scheduling solutions of Dassault Systèmes are the “heartbeat” of the Ericsson smart factory, producing the advanced 5G systems that will unlock the potential of Industry 4.0 for other manufacturers.
Social XR: Bringing people closer together
Social eXtended Reality, or Social XR, and the metaverse are about to break through in the market. It makes the distances between people disappear forever and opens the floodgates for a flood of unprecedented new possibilities in, for example, IT, media, healthcare and mobility. The pandemic has also given Social XR development a huge boost.
We increase the inclusiveness of our society: everyone can participate more easily, even if you have a disability. We also reduce our carbon footprint because there is less need for travelling. The 5G Hub, MeanderGroep, Connec2 and TNO Media teamed up together to test XR technology in an elderly home during and after the pandemic and were happy to share the results with the participants of this event.
Demo’s:
- Connected ambulance / city model
- Remote controlled surveillance car
- Virtual Twin Experience (Dassault)
- Wheed Whacko (Odd.Bot)
- Social XR (TNO)
- Latest 5G radios and test infrastructure
ERICSSON, WINNER OF THE SWEDISH CHAMBER TECH FOR GOOD BUSINESS AWARD 2022
In 2022, Ericsson received the prestigious Swedish Chamber of Commerce Tech for Good Award for their remarkable efforts in enhancing the quality of life through innovative and eco-friendly technological solutions. “In our collective journey towards a sustainable and interconnected future, collaboration between industries and society is imperative, and Ericsson is at the forefront of these endeavors,” emphasized the award presentation.
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce Tech for Good was organized in collaboration with:
ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER TECH TABLES
Tech Tables is a platform for Swedish-Dutch tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to meet, learn, and discuss the latest trends in technology. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s Tech Tables invite Swedish Chamber Members and leading experts, exciting entrepreneurs, and challengers alongside passionate changemakers from Sweden and the Netherlands to participate in the exciting discussions on how technology will shape the future and what can we learn from each other.
An active outdoor lifestyle promotes health, reduces stress, and improves team performance!
Last weekend, experts, scientists, and business leaders from the Nordic countries presented a series of presentations showing that ‘Friluftsliv’—outdoor recreation—brings countless benefits. It increases the learning capacity of young people, promotes inclusion and social equality, and contributes to personal health.
“By activating 1,000 adults, we will prevent 10 premature deaths, 20 cases of type 2 diabetes, 50 cases of heart attacks, and 150 cases of high blood pressure” stated Johan Faskunger of the Swedish Association of Outdoor Organizations. The positive effects on work were also emphasized. “Allow your staff to exercise during working hours and meet outside—this reduces stress and anxiety levels and leads to less absenteeism” said Dane Henrik Olssen from 80/20 Toolbox coach. After his company introduced a daily half-hour collective training outdoors, profits have increased by 80% in recent years.
It does not have to be complicated. Walking, cycling, or running for at least 30 minutes a day is feasible almost everywhere, including in the Netherlands, according to experts from the five Nordic countries. Even in densely populated areas, you can find a park, meadow, or beach next to the office because the closer, the better. The advice to Dutch municipalities is, therefore, to plan green areas within a radius of 5 km.
An additional advantage is that people who are often active outdoors naturally become more environmentally conscious. Taking this aspect into account when designing cities also contributes to a sustainable future. The initiators of this event, the Embassies of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden and the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Chambers of Commerce in the Netherlands hope to inspire more Dutch people to discover ‘Friluftsliv’ with the evidence provided.
This weekend brought to light the far-reaching benefits of incorporating outdoor activities into our lives, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach to well-being. We would like to thank all the speakers, collaborators, Nordic Days, and attendees who participated in the inspiring #NordicTalks2023!
The #NordicTalks2023 Seminar was organized by the Nordic Chambers of Commerce and Nordic Embassies in the Netherlands, and we were very proud that the Nordic Ambassadors held the Opening Ceremony of Nordic Talks, and joined the presentation to share the latest insights from their countries:
- H.E. Ambassador of Denmark, Mr. Jarl Frijs-Madsen
- H.E. Ambassador of Finland Mr. Ilkka-Pekka Similä
- H.E. Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Johannes Oljelund
- H.E. Ambassador of Norway, Mr Bård Ivar Svendsen
- H.E. Ambassador of Iceland, Mr. Kristján Andri Stefánsson
Moderator and Speakers:
“Benefits of Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature” by the Swedish Association for Outdoor Organizations
At the #NordicTalks2023, we heard about the latest research demonstrating the positive impact that the Nordic culture of active and healthy outdoor life has on individual health, public well-being, and wider societal benefits. These findings were addressed in the latest report by The Swedish Association for Outdoor Organisations (Svenskt Friluftsliv) Benefits of Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature, which provided an overview of the societal effects of the Nordic connection to nature. As a main contributor to the report, event speaker Johan Faskunger shared his insights on the report and its findings.
Click here to download the report.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Photo credits: Hanne Hansen
In collaboration with SKF, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce was proud to host the third Tech Table event, titled ‘Diversity in Tech,’ on September 14, 2023, at SKF Netherlands in Houten. This event represented a unique fusion of our popular Swedish Chamber Tech Table series and our Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast series. The overarching goal of the Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast series is to inspire and empower business leaders to foster inclusive and diverse work environments.
During the event, it was recognized that diverse and inclusive teams are not only instrumental in innovative problem-solving but also in attracting top talent and ensuring long-term profitability for tech companies. Hence, delving into these critical topics was imperative for the success, growth, and well-being of tech enterprises.
A special highlight of the event was the presence of the esteemed keynote speakers, Annika Ölme and Dr. Cara Antoine, who offered their invaluable perspectives on diversity, drawing from their personal experiences as two CTOs in leading international companies. They also highlighted interesting research about the positive impacts that proactive diversity initiatives bring to tech companies:
“You have 20 percent more innovation and 30 percent less risk in a diverse company.”
– Annika Ölme“The need for role models, allyship, and visibility are key features in incorporating diversity in tech. Think about how you can shine a spotlight on the perhaps hidden figures in your organizations. Invite them, network with them, select them, mix.”
– Dr. Cara Antoine
SPEAKERS AND MODERATOR:
Photo credits event photos: Kwok-Keung Cheng / SKF Group
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce Diversity in Tech is organized in collaboration with:
ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER THE TABLES SERIES
Tech Tables is a platform for Swedish-Dutch tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to meet, learn, and discuss the latest trends in technology. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s Tech Tables invite Swedish Chamber Members and leading experts, exciting entrepreneurs, and challengers alongside passionate changemakers from Sweden and the Netherlands to participate in the exciting discussions on how technology will shape the future and what can we learn from each other.
ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER DIVERSITY & INCLUSION BREAKFASTS
Our aim is to provide a series to discuss strategies with a focus on new perspectives, share real cases and research, and to support you with concrete tools to increase and develop D&I within your organization. We will discuss how to get started, which topics to prioritize, and the business case for diversity and inclusion. This will be an interactive event on one of the top priority topics, that we all know we ”should” address, but don´t know ”how”.
On September 7, 2023, the Business Climate Survey 2023 for the Netherlands was launched at the Swedish Embassy in The Hague, in collaboration with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Team Sweden. The survey measures the economic outlook, industry trends, success factors, local conditions, and opportunities for Swedish companies in the Netherlands and how they compare to global results.
“The Business Climate Survey deepens our understanding of the current business climate in the Netherlands and gives us a sound basis for the continued business dialogue. The Swedish–Dutch business relations run deep, which is reflected in the optimism felt by Swedish companies here”, said Ambassador Johannes Oljelund while opening the launch.
Håkan Jevrell, the State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade underlined that the Swedish and Dutch markets share common features with a high level of innovation, technology, digitalization, and sustainability. “This presents further possibilities for deeper and broader business relations between Sweden and the Netherlands”.
State Secretary Jevrell also encouraged Swedish companies to continue promoting the benefits of doing business in the Netherlands: “This report shows that the Netherlands is a shining example of how things could and should be for Swedish companies abroad. I’m very confident that the Netherlands will remain an important trade partner for Sweden. The strategic location, and high level of innovation and digitalisation, also make it a stepping stone for entering new markets for many Swedish companies”.
Kerstin Gerlagh, managing director of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce presented the Business Climate Survey 2023 for the Netherlands and highlighted some of the key findings:
- Swedish companies in the Netherlands rate the business climate in the Netherlands 4.5 out of 5 which ranked the Netherlands first in Europe and third globally.
- In 2022, an impressive 83% of Swedish companies in the Netherlands reported profitability, surpassing the global average of 68%. This was the highest profitability rank globally, together with Brazil.
- The Netherlands has the highest environmental and sustainability interest from customers globally, together with the UK and Germany. In the Netherlands, the rate is at 87%.
- 34% of the responding Swedish companies report to have between 20-50% female staff in their management teams.
You can download the BCS the Netherlands 2023 report here, and the Global BCS 2023 report here.
The following panel of experts spoke at the event:
- Håkan Jevrell: State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (online)
- Johannes Oljelund: Ambassador of Sweden in the Netherlands
- Everth Flores: CEO at Ericsson Netherlands
- Bas Dubois: Managing Director at Benelux Volvo Buses
- Tomas Korseman: Trade & Invest, Commissioner of Sweden to Benelux at Business Sweden
- Patrick Blankers: Policy Director Sustainability at Ericsson Netherlands
- Kerstin Gerlagh: General Manager at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce
In the panel discussion that followed, Swedish companies based in the Netherlands elaborated on the following themes:
Sustainability
That sustainability means a lot to the Dutch customer is no surprise for Swedish companies, and many of them are confident that their Swedish roots help them to deliver on that promise. “Maybe not everyone realizes it, but Swedish companies here have a very significant presence in sectors such as energy, mobile traffic, and transportation. Our Swedish values and strive for sustainability do add to the success Swedish companies experience in the Dutch market”, on company representative underlined.
Finding talent
The survey showed that one of the few challenges Swedish companies in the Netherlands have is finding talent not least female talent in the tech sector. One suggestion was to involve school pupils to get to know tech from an early age and what it actually means to society today.
Housing
Companies recognized the difficulty in finding affordable housing in the Netherlands when having to attract talent from abroad. “Why should talents come to the Netherlands when the cost of living is so high?” one company representative said, adding one suggested solution: “We don’t move them any longer – we work online”.
Conclusion
The conditions in the Netherlands are very good for Swedish companies. Swedish values mean added value when attracting customers and talent. Sweden is leading witin equality, innovation, sustainability, and design. Sharing Swedish values more both internally and externally can help boost business even further.
June 29, 2023
09.00 – 11.00
Volvo Cars Netherlands
Stationsweg 2, 4153 RD Beesd
On June 29, 2023, we had the pleasure of launching the Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast series by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce. This event was hosted by Volvo Car Netherlands BV and aimed to inspire and empower business leaders in creating inclusive and diverse workplaces. The morning began with a delightful breakfast, followed by a presentation from Patricia van Hazendonk, People Experience & Competence and Management Team Member at Volvo Cars Netherlands, who shared insights into Volvo Cars’ Diversity & Inclusion strategy and the Volvo Family Bond Program.
Next, Wendy Broersen, CEO/Founder of Superpeople Company, took the stage. Wendy is an esteemed international expert in gender diversity and inclusion, serving as a guest lecturer at the University of Amsterdam and author of the book ‘NOT for HR.’ With her company, Superpeople Company, she assists organizations both domestically and internationally in attracting and retaining more diverse talent and fostering optimal development. During this interactive session on Diversity and Inclusion, Wendy discussed the different stages an organization goes through on the path to inclusivity, highlighting key focus areas, recommended actions for each stage, and strategies for achieving optimal results. Participants also had the opportunity to reflect on their own organizations, identify their current phase, and determine the next steps to take.
We extend our gratitude to Herrik van der Gaag, Managing Director at Volvo Car Germany GmbH & Volvo Car Netherlands BV, for hosting the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s first D&I Breakfast. We would also like to thank the speakers and Roger van Polanen Petel, PR & Communication Manager at Volvo Cars Netherlands, for his efforts in organizing and moderating the session.
We are excited to announce that our next D&I Breakfast, which will be a combination event with the Swedish Chamber Tech Table series – Diversity in Tech, will take place on September 14. SKF Netherlands will be hosting this event. For more information, click here.
We look forward to welcoming you!
PROGRAM
08.45
Doors open, a delicious breakfast will be served
09.00
Welcome by Herrik van der Gaag, Managing Director at Volvo Car Germany GmbH & Volvo Car Netherlands BV
09.15
Volvo Cars Diversity & Inclusion strategy, including the Volvo Family Bond Program, and how it has been implemented in the company by
Patricia van Hazendonk, People Experience & Competence and Management Team Member at Volvo Cars Netherlnads
09.45
How to take the first steps towards creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and how to expand it throughout your organization by
Wendy Broersen, CEO/Founder Superpeople Company
10.50
Thank you by Swedish Chamber of Commerce
11.00
End of D&I Meeting
Moderator:
Roger van Polanen Petel
PR & Communication Manager | Consumer Experience | The Netherlands
ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVE BREAKFAST
Our aim is to provide a series to discuss strategies with a focus on new perspectives, share real cases and research and to support you with concrete tools to increase and develop D&I within your organization. We will discuss how to get started, which topics to prioritize, and the business case for diversity and inclusion. This will be an interactive event on one of the top priority topics, that we all know we ”should” address, but don´t know ”how”.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
CEO, D&I, HR and Business Senior managers and everyone who would like to start the journey for Inclusion and Diversity.
This event is a collaboration between:
Would you like to host a Swedish Chamber Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast?, contact events@swedishchaber.nl for more information.
Digital Webinar by Swe-Cham Member Montae & Partners “Explore new Dutch pension law impacts: essential for employers in the Netherlands.”
June 28, 2023
13.00 – 14.00
Mark your calendars for June 28. Join our webinar to delve into the implications of the newly approved Dutch pension legislation, essential for all employers and organizations operating in the Netherlands. Initiated after 15 years, this legislation brings pivotal changes affecting all employers and employees. Particularly for international companies operating both domestically and abroad, understanding these changes is crucial.
This webinar offers a more in-depth, yet easily digestible understanding of these changes.
Don’t miss this opportunity to grasp how this new legislation might impact on your organization.
Speakers:
Martijn van Alphen, Senior Pension Advisor and Maarten Reesink, Consultant Pension
Who should attend:
- Heads of tax, Tax Directors
- Heads of Finance and Business
- Leaders from multinational groups
- Any other who is interested in national and international taxation
This is a by Member for Member event organized by the Swedish Chamber of Commerces in collaboration with our Member company Montae & Partners and is offered free of charge, registration is however mandatory.
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Date: June 14, 2023
Time: 17.00 – 19.00
Venue:
Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Edge Olympic, Fred. Roeskestraat 115, Amsterdam
On June 14, 2023, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Business Sweden were very pleased to host the event “Enabling Technology Innovation: The Role of the Ecosystem – Insights from Sweden and the Netherlands” and to welcome representatives from several Swedish business regions together with Swedish companies and members and guests of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands.
On behalf of The Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Business Sweden, we would like to give a warm thank you to our fantastic speakers: Myrthe Hooijman, Director Policy & Governmental Affairs, Tech Leap., Jan Sundelin, Partner PartInc Captial, CEO Tiekinetix, Board Member Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Chairman the Swe-Cham Tech Committee., Jelmer Wind, Co-Founder / Business Lead Team5PM, and Alexander Ljungström, Managing Director, Einar & Partners for their engaged presentations and for sharing their expertise and experiences. A special thanks to Tomas Korseman, Trade and Invest Commissioner of Sweden to Benelux at Business Sweden and Christina Härd, Business Sweden Benelux for the great cooperation and excellent networking opportunities. Finally, most importantly, we want to give a big thank you to all the attendees for joining us and contributing to the success of the event.
June 1, 2023
09:30-11:15
Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Edge Stadium
Fred. Roeskesstraat 110
On June 1, 2023 the Swedish Chamber of Commerce had the pleasure to welcome Mattias Frumerie, Director, Head of Delegation to UNFCCC Ministry of Climate and Enterprise Climate department, Stockholm, to engage with some of the Swedish Chambers Patron Members and sustainability experts on how to accelerate climate actions globally.
At the same date the Swedish Government announces that Sweden’s chief negotiator Mattias Frumerie has been appointed Ambassador for Sweden’s global climate work. The climate ambassador’s mission is to lead and represent Sweden’s international climate work. Mattias Frumerie has been Sweden’s chief negotiator for the climate negotiations within the UN climate convention, UNFCCC, for just over three years and he continues as chief negotiator also in his new role as ambassador. Sweden was one of the first countries to appoint a special climate ambassador to raise the importance and ambition of international climate work. Many other countries have now followed and appointed their own climate ambassadors.
“Happy, honored and humbled to be appointed as Sweden’s Climate Ambassador in addition to continuing in my role as Head of Delegation to UNFCCC UN. Looking forward to further strengthening the #TeamSweden effort in encouraging and ensuring more ambition in #ClimateAction globally, highlighting the urgency and opportunity of Climate Action. Proud of the solutions Swedish actors can offer to facilitate the transition in countries globally,” says Mattias Frumerie in a reaction on his LinkedIn.
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands would like to thank Mattias Frumerie for a very inspiring and insightful meeting and we wish him the best of luck in his new role as Ambassador for Sweden’s global climate work.
In collaboration with:
