Recent Blogs Posts

In the middle of reporting live the 2nd Nordic Region Trade & Export Finance Forum. Taking pictures, live blogging trying to listen to the speakers. A bit stressful I tell u. But it is great fun. Hope that the members like it and that they feel it gives some value. Give me your opinion pls!

Gotta go!

There are two regions of the world with which Sweden has increased its trade, despite the ongoing crisis. Trade with countries in the Middle East and Africa has shown growth, and in some cases the figures are quite high. Trade with Saudi Arabia, for example, has increased by more than 130 per cent.

These two regions were also highlighted as focus areas in the Government’s Statement on Trade Policy in March 2008. There is still a lot of potential, so Swedish companies have great opportunities to do good business in Africa and the Middle East.

On the Government’s part, we are trying to make it easier for Swedish companies to engage in international trade. Here, the EU is a good tool in negotiations on new free trade agreements. Such negotiations are currently in progress with several countries, involving various areas of trade, and in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Negotiations on economic partnership agreements are also under way with a number of developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Apart from organising trade delegations together with the Swedish Trade Council so as to open doors for Swedish companies, the Government has also increased opportunities for companies to engage in international trade during the economic crisis by lending more money via the Swedish Export Credit Corporation and by providing economic guarantees for international business deals via the Swedish Export Credits Guarantee Board.

As holder of the Presidency of the European Union we are also deeply involved in the business summits organised in connection with the summits between the EU and countries around the world. These meetings offer good opportunities for companies to develop business relations and meet new business partners and to discuss free trade agreements, and so on. I have just recently returned from the summit in India. Many companies were present and described the visit as very successful, which I hope will also be true of the Nordic Region Trade and Export Finance Forum in Göteborg.

On my way to Gothenburg for the 2nd Nordic Region Trade & Export Finance Forum and for some live blogging from the conference. Well it is not until tomorrow, but need to be there in time for some testing. First time for the Benche to do this type of online event so let us hope the mighty Technique is with us.

Also wonder if the Benchers will appreciate the initiative? Guess it is up to us to see to that the material feeded to the Benche is interesting enough. On the other hand will Benchers located outside of the Nordic area find this type of event interesting. I guess the they should or at least part of it. Companies in the Nordic area are large exporters and the topics discussed during the day should be valid for most companies who are exporting and importing. No matter where you are located in the world.

But, it would be really nice if the Benche could also cover some of the other large trade events around the world. There will never be enough money to send someone from the Benche team around the world to cover a conference live, but would it be possible to have a trusty member from the Benche who are located in that country/city to cover such an event? Maybe, but who? Are there any volunteers out there??