On May 28, 2025, Team Sweden proudly presented the Business Climate Survey Netherlands 2025 in a collaborative effort between the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce. The event took place in the presence of H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Netherlands, and Ms. Camilla Mellander, Director General for Trade at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
This year’s survey revealed a business confidence rate of 55%, a figure that reflects both opportunities and challenges for Swedish companies operating in the Dutch market. We look forward to further analysis and comparison during the upcoming global presentation later this month.
Following the opening remarks by Carlos Pita Cao, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Johannes Oljelund formally inaugurated the session. Ms. Camilla Mellander then delivered an insightful keynote presentation, highlighting key trade priorities and the broader geopolitical context.
The survey findings were jointly presented by Ms. Malin Alders from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Alice Frykhammar of Team Sweden. Their presentation offered valuable insights into how Swedish enterprises are navigating the Dutch business landscape. A dynamic panel discussion, including Mr. Douwe Dirks of NORNORM, Ms. Ruth de Jager of Storytel, Mr. Hans Vos of FlexLink, and Mr. Cees Westera of Public Matters, moderated by Mr. Tomas Korseman of Business Sweden, followed, exploring the practical implications of the survey results.
Addressing the evolving international trade environment, Ms. Mellander remarked:
“As protectionist winds blow from our very important trade partner, the United States, free trade is more important than ever. We must stand united within the EU, focusing on proportional, targeted, and mutually beneficial arrangements.”
We extend our sincere thanks to Business Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden in The Hague for the collaboration, as well as to AKD for generously hosting the event at their stunning Amsterdam office. We are also deeply grateful to all participants and the many companies that contributed by completing the survey, making this year’s report possible.
The Business Climate Survey Netherlands 2025 is available here
Photo Credit: Hanne Hansen Photography
Team Sweden
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting and the Business Climate Survey 2025 were generously hosted by Swedish Chamber Patron Member:
On May 22, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands hosted a breakfast session with Volvo at The Dutch Golf Club. The event focused on how Volvo is navigating big changes in the car industry, including new rules, world events, and growing competition.
Opening Remarks
Herrik van der Gaag, Managing Director of Volvo Car Netherlands and Volvo Car Germany, opened the event by reminding everyone that real character is shown when no one is watching. He encouraged everyone to “keep on paddling” and not lose sight of what matters.
Volvo’s Story and Vision
Arthur van Es, Consumer Experience Director, spoke about Volvo’s strong focus on people and safety—calling Volvo “the safest car on the planet.”
Product Story
Robert explained that Volvo aims to make car collisions as rare as possible and that Volvo is proud of its Swedish roots and wants to stand out, not just be “lagom”.
Introducing the Volvo ES90: For a Life in Balance
Merel van de Fliert gave everyone a first look at the new, fully electric Volvo ES90. The ES90’s slogan, “For a life in balance,” captures its design philosophy: a modern, safe, and sustainable car inspired by yacht design and Swedish simplicity. The ES90 offers a long electric range, fast charging, and a spacious, practical interior—making it ideal for people who value both style and responsibility.
Networking
After the presentations, guests enjoyed breakfast together and had the chance to see the ES90 up close.
Conclusion
The session highlighted how Volvo is staying true to its values of safety, sustainability, and Swedish design, even as the car industry changes quickly. The new ES90 is a perfect example of Volvo’s vision for the future—a car designed “for a life in balance.”
Thank you to Volvo and all attendees for a great morning!
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue: The Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam, NL
“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Personal and Professional Branding”
This time, we were excited to welcome keynote speaker Swati Narwal, who led us through an engaging and interactive session. Through group discussions and self-reflective exercises, we explored how to:
- Identify and articulate our unique value
- Align our personal values with our professional identity
- Build authentic connections that reflect who we truly are
- Understand how our brand influences the opportunities we attract
During this session we also welcomed Mentorship Program Alumni. Looking ahead, we’re excited to extend an open invitation to all alumni for future keynote lectures. We warmly welcome you to join these inspiring presentations and discussions. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
September 18: Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance with Cole Groom, Co-Founder of Balance Breathing
Keynote Speaker: Swati Narwal,
Organisational Design & Development Leader IKEA
About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program
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
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Venue: Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Edge Olympic,
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam
On Monday, May 12, 2025, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrate its 65th anniversary in the Netherlands. For over six decades, the Chamber has served as a vibrant platform for networking, promoting business exchange, and strengthening the bond between Sweden and the Netherlands.
To celebrate this amazing milestone, we are delighted to invite our members to a Swedish fika at the Chamber’s office, located at Edge Olympic in Amsterdam. Join us for fika with Swedish treats and warm conversations with fellow members and the Chamber team.
Whether you can stay for a brief moment or linger a bit longer, we look forward to celebrating this special occasion together with you.
You will also have the opportunity to win a Cocktail cruise for two persons and a Pizza cruise for two persons, generously offered by Stromma!
Date: May 9, 2025
Time: 14.00 (CET)
Venue: Online
Dear Members of the Swedish Chambers across Europe,
Have you ever wondered who the other members of the Swedish Chambers in Europe are? In today’s rapidly changing world, fostering strong European connections is more important than ever. On May 9th, you have the opportunity to connect virtually with fellow members of the SCI network as we come together to celebrate International Europe Day!
And what better way to honour unity, friendship, and collaboration than by embracing a cherished Swedish tradition – fika?
What to Expect:
- Virtual Fika Gathering: Join us online for an engaging and interactive fika session, where you’ll have the chance to network and connect with fellow members from Swedish Chambers across Europe.
- Fika Box Delivered to Your Door: To make this experience even more special, all participants who register will receive a fika box filled with Swedish treats—delivered straight to your doorstep, whether you’re in Lisbon, Berlin, or Stockholm!
Please note: The number of fika boxes is limited. Register early to secure yours—availability is on a first-come, first-served basis!
Sign-Up Deadline: To receive a fika box, please register by April 15. Spontaneous registrations are welcome until May 9, and all members are invited to join the virtual fika session.
Let’s come together to celebrate Europe Day, strengthen our cross-European connections, and enjoy the warmth of fika—because nothing brings people together like good conversation and a cup of coffee (or tea!).
We look forward to seeing you there
To register, press here!
Photo Credits: Lieselotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue:The Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam
“Mastering Leadership for the Future –Sustainable Leadership”
Welcome to the second session of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program on April 24, 2025. The theme of this session is Sustainable Leadership, with the speaker Gabriele Hamm Adler. This dynamic session will not just be a talk—it will be an interactive experience, inviting the audience to participate actively in thought-provoking discussions and practical exercises. Together, we will explore how leaders can foster sustainable growth, adaptability, and a thriving organisational culture in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Insightful Session on Sustainable Leadership:
Gabriele Hamm Adler, Owner GHA Development – Growth for People & Business
Program
18.30 Arrival, welcome drinks, and light refreshments
18.45 Welcome by Hendrik Jan Guitink, Mentorship Program Coach and Managing Partner AIMS International Netherlands B.V.
19:00 Arrival and welcome for Mentorship Program Alumni
19.15 Insightful Session on Sustainable Leadership – Gabriele Hamm Adler, Owner GHA Development – Growth for People & Business
20.30 Drinks and Discussions
21.00 End of Meeting
Alumni Members of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program
This session is open for alumni members of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program, with their participation beginning at 19:00.
Alumni are kindly asked to register using the guest registration form below.
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
Date: April 23, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 19:00
Venue: Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Edge Olympic, Fred. Roeskestraat 115
Thank you for joining “The Ins and Outs of Employment Background Screening”
Dear members and guests,
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us at the Swedish Chamber of commerce for The Ins and Outs of Employment Background Screening event held together with Validata. Your presence and engagement made it a truly insightful evening.
Special thanks to Harm Voogt, Managing Director of Validata and our esteemed Patron Member, for leading us through an engaging session filled with expert insights, interactive discussions, and meaningful dialogue on the future of employment screening.
From the warm welcome and registration to the closing networking drinks, we explored key industry topics, including:
- The growing necessity of background screening across sectors
- Challenges and solutions in implementing effective screening processes
- A competitive look at screening practices in the Netherlands vs. Sweden
- How global trends, including AI and remote work, are shaping the future of screening
We also got to hear the inspiring journey of Validata, from its founding in 2009 to its recent integration with DISA Global Solutions, marking a new chapter of growth and innovation.
This event highlighted the cultural, regulatory, and technological factors that influence background screening, as well as the importance of clear communication and policy consistency across regions.
We hope you left with valuable insights and new connections. We look forward to welcoming you to our future session
For Photos – Scroll down
On April 15, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce welcomed members and invited guests to the Executive Sustainability Breakfast at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague. This exclusive gathering served as a platform for exchange between business leaders, policymakers, and experts from Sweden and the Netherlands on the pressing topics of sustainable development and environmental innovation.
The Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund opened the morning with a warm welcome and expressed his appreciation to the Swedish Chamber and the Embassy team for their preparation.
We were happy to welcome Lorenzo can Haelst, Managing Director at Tetra Pak France and Benelux, and keynote speaker Eija Hietavuo, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Tetra Pak, whose presentation marked the company’s 70th anniversary in the Netherlands. Moderated by Anne Korthals Altes, Manager Sustainability at Vattenfall and member of the Chamber’s Sustainability Committee, the session highlighted Tetra Pak’s heritage and ongoing role in shaping the future of food systems.
Keynote speaker Eija Hietavuo, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Tetra Pak, shared how the company continues to be guided by its Swedish roots and founding purpose: to make food safe and available, everywhere. She highlighted the often-overlooked “hidden middle” of agrifood systems—processing, packaging, and distribution—as critical levers for reducing environmental impact and improving food resilience.
Eija presented Tetra Pak’s Sustainability Agenda, structured around Food, People, and Planet, and outlined four focus areas: decarbonising dairy, innovating for new food sources, reducing food waste, and scaling access to safe nutrition. She also announced a new recycling facility launching in 2025 in Limburg, developed in partnership with Yellow Dreams, as part of Tetra Pak’s commitment to circularity.
The session closed with an engaged Q&A and concluding remarks by both the Ambassador and Kerstin Gerlagh, General Manager of the Swedish Chamber, who extended thanks to all contributors and participants.
Lastly, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands was proud to present the first-ever Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Scholarship – Powered by Saab to Lotte Nijhof, a Master student at TU Delft and Leiden University, currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Ecology.
The scholarship award of €4,000 will support Lotte’s upcoming research visit to Sweden, where she will conduct fieldwork over the course of two to three months—further strengthening the bridge between Sweden and the Netherlands in the field of sustainable innovation.
We extend our sincere thanks to H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund for graciously hosting this occasion, to Eija Hietavuo for her inspiring keynote, to Anne Korthals Altes for moderating the session with clarity and insight, to Jovana Mitrovic, Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Tetra Pak, for her support and engagement, to Ashkan Danei, Sales Director at Tetra Pak and Chairperson of the Chamber’s Sustainability Committee, for his continued leadership—and most importantly, to all attendees for their presence, thoughtful contributions, and dedication to driving sustainability forward together.
Photo Credits: Hanne Hansen Photography
The event is a collaboration between:
