Partner Article

Swede link bolsters region’s export market

THE region’s export economy will receive a boost today with the opening of a dedicated North East Chapter of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.

Designed to forge direct business links between the north east and the growing economy of Sweden, the Chapter will facilitate inward and outward investment and fuel the region’s position as one of only two net exporters in the UK.

The Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Nicola Clase, will make her first visit outside of London to officially open the Chapter as part of one day trade seminar on doing business in the north east and Sweden.

To kick start the launch of the chapter, H.E. Nicola Clase will join Caroline Theobald, Swedish Consul in Newcastle and chairman of the new chapter, on a visit to Durham based Esh Group’s much acclaimed ‘zero energy bill’ Climat-Hus. Created in partnership with Swedish firm Trivselhus, the Climat Hus, provides a tangible example of a hugely successful north east/ Swedish joint venture.

Current growth sectors in Sweden are renewable energy or cleantech, ICT, health care, bio technologies and life sciences and therefore complement the north east region.

Imports from the UK in January 2010 amounted to 6.5 per cent of Sweden’s imports, placing the UK in fifth place after Germany (17,0%), Denmark (9.1%), Norway (8.4%) and The Netherlands (6.6%).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .