As from 12 July 2010 Loyens & Loeff Rotterdam
will have a new address.

Our new offices are located in the centre of Rotterdam at Blaak 31, immediately next to Blaak railway station. The building boasts a unique architectural style combined with sustainable design.

We look forward to seeing you at our new location!

Our new address:
Loyens & Loeff N.V.
Blaak 31
3011 GA ROTTERDAM
Nederland

Tel. +31 (0) 10 224 62 24
Fax +31 (0) 10 412 58 39
www.loyensloeff.com Loyens & Loeff N.V.
P.O. Box 2888
3000 CW ROTTERDAM

Within short The Swedish Ambassador Mr. Hans Magnusson and Mrs. Elisabeth Magnusson are leaving the Netherlands. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Ambassador for the excellent co-operation and for his never ending support and stimulating role as Honorary Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.

It has been a great privilege for the Swedish Chamber to work together with the Ambassador at many various events during his time in the Netherlands. We especially remember the opening of the Keukenhof by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria in 2007 and the State Visit by the Swedish King and Queen in 2009. We are also very grateful for all the kind invitations by the Ambassador and Mrs. Magnusson to visit their beautiful residence in The Hague and to ejoy their generous hospitality in order to promote Swedish business and culture relations. The Swedish Chamber of Commerce wish The Ambassador Mr. Hans Magnusson and Mrs. Elisabeth Magnusson lots of happiness and success at their following assignment.

On 28 May Hans Magnusson was honoured in the Leiden Hortus Botanicus with a new tropical orchid species, Bulbophyllum magnussonianum. The species was named after Hans Magnusson in grateful recognition of his great and stimulating role in the organization of over hundred events in the Netherlands to mark the tercentenary of birth in 2007 of Carolus Linnaeus, the great Swedish genius who spent three formative years in the Netherlands.

Read more

2010-03-17 Scandinavian food quality mark gateway to a sustainable future
Kiwa opts for sustainability by taking over Aranea in Sweden

By adding Swedish Aranea’s activities to the services it offers, as of 1 January 2010, Kiwa makes promising Scandinavian standards in the field of food certification and organic agriculture available to Dutch companies. Aranea is Sweden’s leading certification body in the field of food quality and organic agriculture; it offers certification services for a quality mark that guarantees that food in Scandinavian shops is produced and offered for sale in a responsible and sustainable manner. This all-inclusive quality mark is new to the Netherlands.

Due to stimulating government initiatives, Sweden is at the forefront of organic agriculture and sustainable and responsible food production. Under the KRAV-label, a joint initiative of food producers, environmental groups and animal protection groups, certification schemes for organic production are developed and administrated. One of those schemes is the “Secure Food Products” quality mark, which was specifically developed for retail chains. ICA, the largest supermarket chain in Sweden, now has all its shops inspected and certified by Kiwa.
Read more

Amplius Coaching helps people to get more out of their life and career. Founder Lotten Kärre: ‘My job is to facilitate – encourage and set in motion – coaching processes whose main focus is the growth of soft skills. Such processes can involve, for example, “relocating” one’s belief and motivation whilst addressing key issues to do with trust and responsibility. They can also help promote paradigm shifts now vital to success in
today’s corporate world; these increasingly concern the changing balances between (self) managing and (self) leading. In addition, interpersonal skills such as perceptive listening come into play; the role of giving and receiving feedback and understanding others receive the attention needed.'

Amplius Coaching
Contact person: Lotten Kärre
Coach and facilitator
Talmastraat 18 , Veenendaal
0318-554 090
www.ampliuscoaching.nl 

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to welcome two new interns to the office in Amsterdam. Rebecca Fallegård and Ola Johansson both started their internships on February 1, 2010.

Ola Johansson is studying Business Administration at the University of Lund, Sweden. During his time at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce he will take care of the JCC – Young Professionals and we are sure that many of you will have a chance to meet him at one of the many JCC events. Email: ola.johansson@swedishchamber.nl

Rebecca Fallegård studied Media and Communication and Business Administration at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. At the Swedish Chamber she works with Communication. Her very first project has been to finish the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Anniversary Magazine. She will continue with member and press contacts for the Anniversary Year program! Email: rebecca.fallegard@swedishchamber.nl

We wish both Ola and Rebecca lots of success and a pleasant time in Amsterdam and we hope that their internship at the Chamber will bring them positive experience and give them credits for their future careers.

Grande Dame
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
Since the opening in 1867 the InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam has been celebrated as the most beautiful and luxurious hotel in the Netherlands and ranks with the best hotels in the world. The stately hotel elegantly dominates a quiet, though central section of the Amstel River bank and is within walking distance of the famous Dutch canals.

InteContinental Amstel Amsterdam
Professor Tulpplein 1
1018 GX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)20 622 6060/ Fax: +31 (0)20 622 5808
Email: amstel@ihg.com
www.amsterdam.intercontinental.com

Connaction uses ‘Business Matchmaking’ to facilitate contacts between foreign businesses and Dutch business partners.
Our network of contacts with a variety of businesses in a range of sectors within the Dutch economy and our experience with transforming companies’ individual propositions into business opportunities in the Netherlands make us the ideal partner for high-quality business matchmaking in the Netherlands. Business matchmaking can be used for individual companies and as part of a collective trade mission, in a traditional way or using the most modern techniques. The Business matchmaking process offers our client the possibility to build their own company strategy for the Dutch market.  In addition to our Business Matchmaking offering we can amongst others also perform a market scan to our clients, which can help them building their own company strategy even further. Also our 10 years experience in international banking within ABN AMRO Bank can be a great help for foreign companies who would like professional help in finding their ‘business way’ in The Netherlands.

Business Opportunity Monitor
Apart from our business matchmaking activities we also work with several municipalities and provinces in order to investigate their current and potential international activities. For this we developed a.o. the ‘Business Opportunity Monitor’, an online investigation platform on which we can investigate needs, requirements and opportunities within a chosen municipality. The monitor can also be used by a Dutch municipality in combination with a chosen area abroad, for instance partner cities.

Connaction is founded by Marleen Nieboer and Martijn Ligthart

As the name indicates, the MummyMug mug is primarily intended for parents of young children who want to minimize the risk of spills and scalds from hot drinks, and thus enjoy a safe coffee break also when their kids are around. Because of their thin skin, small children quickly suffer severe scalds from beverages even at quite moderate temperatures. Every parent realises this, but because tea and coffee are part of our daily lives at home, many children accidentally suffer scalds. In fact, in the Netherlands alone, there are over 10,000 accidents every year in which children get burned by hot drinks accidentally tipping over. As many as over 500 of these children require major treatment in the form of skin grafts.

Today, almost three years later, the MummyMug has become a reality. Cecilia has developed the idea into a viable, patented product concept together with a growing network of business partners in the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. As in most startup ventures of this kind, it has been a long and winding road. But now, the MummyMug is  a few months from launch on several European markets and has already aroused considerable interest, including an honorable nomination as finalist in an Innovation Award competition at an international exhibition for children's products in Germany a couple of months ago.

'I wanted to start my own business because I so strongly believed in my product idea', says Cecilia. 'And want to make something of it before someone else is quicker! I believe that the best thing about having my own business is the privilege to get pursue my dream, freely manage my time and meet a range of interesting people. Everyday feels like a tremendous learning opportunity: in my case, I have learned more about about design, tooling, plastics, marketing, financing, patents, investors, the internet and social media than I every thought I would. And not least, I've learned a about myself: as every entrepreneur has to grow with the task every day to cope with the challenge of moving forward."

MummyMug BV so far only employs Cecilia, but she anticipates a carefully managed expansion when MummyMug is in full production. She is currently negotiating with a large German company for global distribution. By partnering up with a strong player in the market, she hopes to reach parents in both Europe and eventually the USA and Australia, and spread the message about how much safer and more enjoyable family life becomes a MummyMug. The marketing strategy is heavily focused on social media and reaching out to mothers who surf the internet for information, community and insight. "We don't just want to tell mothers about the MummyMug on Facebook" says Cecilia. "We want to really tap into what is happening right now in social media and literally build a brand in the blogosphere. The MummyMug is for mothers, and I am not a big corporate player: I am simply one of them. That has a tremendous power that I want to tap into as much as I can."

Last but not least, Cecilia has just closed a deal with a Swedish injection moulding company, GePe Biwex AB based in Gotene, for the manufacturing. She is thus particularly proud that the MummyMug will be launched in the market as a truly Swedish safety solution.  

www.mummymug.com

Contact person: Cecilia Thorfinn
Managing Director MummyMug BV
 

How can we distinguish ourselves in real estate investing? That is the question that we ask ourselves continuously, as we want to invest in first class projects and in particular in a transparent way, with realistic expectations and without unnecessary risks.

As a result from our search for triple-a locations, Charter Real Estate discovered Sweden for distinct and special projects. We are an independent initiator of exclusive real estate investment projects. We offer selective groups of investors the opportunity to participate in high yielding real estate investments. The choice for a real estate investment in Sweden is a sensible one, especially in the regious around the big city’s, given the substantial economic activity and the strong demand for homes by Swedes and foreign investors.

Charter Real Estate BV
T. +31 (0)88-445 50 00
M. +31 (0)64-280 08 88
E. mreutelingsperger@charterrealestate.nl
W. www.charterrealestate.nl

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. and Smit Internationale N.V. have in principle reached agreement on a full merger of the two companies, whereby all the activities of Smit will be continued in the combined company.

Ehsan Turabaz, opbouwwerker en koppelaar voor Afghanistan

Van politiek vluchteling tot de facto ambassadeur in Den Haag

Het recente Nederlandse besluit om na 2010 echt uit Afghanistan weg te gaan, zal Ehsan Turabaz diep hebben getroffen. Maar de honorair consul blijft ruggen slaan.

To read the very interesting interview in Dutch with Mr. Ehsan Turabaz by Mr. Mark Kranenburg, NRC Handelsblad 12-10-09, download attachment.

The name Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam Airport is finally changed  in Radisson Blu Hotel Amsterdam Airport since September. Many people are interested: Why the name 'Blu'?
 
The change to “Radisson Blu” was chosen to preserve the continuity of our strong graphic identity and brand awareness and also to limit the implementation costs and further to sustain our unique upper upscale position that differentiates us from the American and Asia Pacific portfolio.

Read more about the name change

On September 25, 2009, Atlas Copco Nederland B.V. celebrated their 60 years anniversary in the Netherlands and the opening of their brand new office building in Zwijndrecht. Mr. Herman Matthyssen, Managing Director of Atlas Copco welcomed customers, relations and co-workers to join them in their celebrations at their new premises.

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce was very pleased to hand over the Patron banner to Mr. Matthyssen and we would like to thank Atlas Copco for the interesting presentations and for inviting the Swedish Chamber to join in their celebrations.

Dear members,

In this autumn version of Swenews, I want to share with you some information about the developments 2008-2009 in the Paper&Board sector I am working. Pulp, paper & board are traditionally a sector in which the Swedish industry is very strong represented.

Also my industry sector is affected by the financial crisis /recession. Globally, we observe a transfer of our traditional manufacturing industry from Europe/North America to Asia/Latin America. Together with this, we start to feel the increasing effects of the use of new digital media on consumptions of newsprint and printing-/writing papers. All of our important direct production costs like fibers, chemicals and last but not least energy does increase substantially and erode our margins. And finally we are faced with currency effects of the euro against dollar priced countries resulting in a loss of competitiveness. All these factors have lead to a reduced demand between 12-15%, resulting in a structural overcapacity. And this overcapacity situation will last for quite some years with new paper machines build, re-enforced by subsidies granted to former East European countries.
All in all, one can say: “tough times“ and its key to stay competitive via a mixture of management decisions

However, there is also a lot of good news to tell and we need to exploit this. We are an industry using renewable raw materials and operate to the highest standards of sustainability. When we stick to these fundamental principles, we can use these tough times also to create opportunities on innovation, cost control and product development to get through these difficult economical time. I just mention a few: work hard on energy transition/-reduction programs, explore further the Dutch strength as good shipping/transport nation to get the logistic costs down, use our good language knowledge to do business internationally and work together with customers and authorities to further develop the paper chain in the widest sense from planting trees via production, converting to recycling. To innovate in a mature industry is a great challenge, but I am convinced that we will be able to guarantee a healthy future.
As sir Winston Churchill said: Quote: “an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”

As board member, I do see an important role for The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in The Netherlands to get our organization fully active to organize different activities lined up along the current business situation. In our meetings we believe to achieve a good program to do so. 
In particular, I do remember the excellent presentation of Mr. Hans Wijers CEO of AKZO-NOBEL as an example to learn from colleagues and companies/organizations to exchange views and ideas how to cope with this. The open discussion we had afterwards on the AKZO-NOBEL plans and predictions for the economical development are very useful to support our own plans and actions.

I hope to meet you soon and recommend a high participation in our activities in the rest of 2009.

Also, we see more and more positive news that confidence in the economy is restoring slowly. I personally believe that the bottom in the recession is reached, although a big upward swing cannot be expected before the second half of 2010 with positive growth figures in consumptions and the GDP.
Let’s hope that the plans from the Dutch government on the 3’rd Tuesday in September plus the Swedish presidency of the EU first half 2010 support this positive trend.

Henk Lingbeek
Managing Director
SCA Packaging De Hoop

On Wednesday, 9 September 2009, De Baak and Amsterdam Bright City presented a unique symposium in which the essential elements of the human side of enterprise were debated.
In order to create awareness about what Dutch leadership means for the individual, the organization and society, and how this is viewed by those with a differen perspective thoughts and experiences were compared and shared together with prominent national and international speakers and a highly qualified panel form all aspects of leadership in Dutch society. One of the panel members was former Swedish Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Dr. Karin Jironet, executive coach and author at de Baak. Dr. Karin Jironet offers psychospiritual leadership development to corporate executives. Her publications include The Image of Spiritual Liberty, Sufi Mysticism into the West, and, together with David Vriesendorp, De Rol van het Geweten.

New minister Mikael Jönsson and new assistant Lena Ottosson welcomes you to the Swedish Church in Rotterdam.
For information about the Church program please visit: www.svenskakyrkan.se/rotterdam

With world-class quality, Posten Meddelande AB handles over 20 million pieces of mail and provides nation-wide postal service to 4.5 million households and 900,000 businesses in Sweden each day. Posten Meddelande AB provides the infrastructure for all those wishing to reach Swedish households and businesses by mail on a daily basis.
 
 

Please feel free to contact Posten Meddelande AB for further discussions on how cooperation with us can help your business grow in the Nordic region in the most efficient way.  
Björn Moberg 
Sales Manager International Mail
Posten Meddelande AB
Phone: +46 8 7811432

With world-class quality, Posten Meddelande AB handles over 20 million pieces of mail and provides nation-wide postal service to 4.5 million households and 900,000 businesses in Sweden each day. Posten Meddelande AB provides the infrastructure for all those wishing to reach Swedish households and businesses by mail on a daily basis. 

This makes Posten Meddelande AB a leader on the Swedish messaging market and provides a solid base for
Posten Meddelande AB´s reach in the Nordic region. This means that we can give our clients very competitive offers on international mail solutions. Posten Meddelande AB´s revenue was in 2008 SEK 16,574m with some 25.000 employees. Posten Meddelande AB continuously develops its service offer within areas such as the combination of physical and electronic communication and e-commerce business to business and business to consumer trade. Posten Meddelande AB is a fully owned daughter company of Posten Norden AB. The owners of Post Danmark A/S and Posten AB have completed all formal steps in the merger process, thereby establishing a joint group with approximately 50,000 employees and sales in excess of SEK 45 billion. Fritz H. Schur has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the new group. Lars G Nordström is appointed President and CEO. The historic merger between the Danish and the Swedish post will provide enhanced strength on an increasingly competitive marketplace. The merger also ensures first-class postal service into to the future.

Please feel free to contact Posten Meddelande AB for further discussions on how cooperation with us can help your business grow in the Nordic region in the most efficient way.  
Björn Moberg 
Sales Manager International Mail
Posten Meddelande AB
Phone: +46 8 7811432

New Swedish Chamber of Commerce new member company presents:

Amazing Sweden is the first book of its kind especially
created for an international audience

Hardcover. 300 pages. Size 23,5 x 28,7
cm. The book is locally distributed in
the Netherlands, just place your order at:
www.amazingsweden.com
Snowfling media

Contact: Gunnar Genell
Tel: +46 8 755 1140
info@snowflingmedia.com
www.snowflingmedia.com

Do you remember us? Five years ago we started out
as IJsburo with skatingtrips to Sweden. Together with
Tomas Gustafson we presented ourselves for the
first time  to the members of the Swedish Chamber
at the opening of the new IKEA headoffice in Delft.
Last year, some of you were our guest at the skating clinic we organized
in Amsterdam, again with Tommy. Meanwhile we have also discovered the
beautiful golf courses in  Sweden and started a weekly Golfsafari in the
surroundings of Stockholm. These golftrips are represented by Golfburo.
Our core business however is organizing incentive travel and special
group travel. It will not suprise you that Sweden is one of our major
destinations. IJsburo and Golfburo  are part of Kora Reizen BV.
Kora Reizen BV is owned by Martine Pronk and Heleen Rahusen.
www.korareizen.nl 

Kathy Dolk is managing director and partner of H&P Trust Company (Netherlands) B.V.  in the Netherlands since 2007. H&P worldwide provides comprehensive and efficient company incorporation and administration services in all relevant offshore and onshore jurisdictions. They administer private foundations and offshore trusts, both classic elements in international tax and estate planning. In the Netherlands they administer and manager Dutch corporate entities for mostly European private shareholders.

H&P increased their activities in the Netherlands and recently moved to a larger office reasons enough for the Swedish Chamber to visit their premises in Amsterdam Zuid Oost and have a chat with MD Kathy Dolk, member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the JCC.

Tell us about your business, what you do and how you work?
“I started the firm here in the Netherlands in 2007, says Kathy Dolk.
“We have offices in Cyprus, Luxembourg, Switzerland, The Netherlands Antilles
and Liechtenstein and are on our way to open an office in Malta. I started my
career at Holland Van Gijzen in 2000 and then I joined First Alliance Trust in 2001,
working with Henk Lokin. I decided to leave the firm after five years in 2006.

Why did you move to a larger office?
“The number of employees has increased and we needed more space.
I started alone here and shared offices with another trust firm at the other
side of the hallway and now we have grown to 6 employees and one freelance accountant.”

What do you think the reason is for your prosperous company?
“In this branch it is a lot about knowing your clients and to be entrusted
with responsibility. We put a lot of effort to get a personal contact with our
clients and work with that as a main focus within the firm. We are also not
charging such a high fee for our clients as some of our competitors do.
We are a relatively small team here at H&P Trust in Amsterdam, which
makes us very dynamic. It is also easier to have a wide overview over
the company since we all are working together and everyone is involved
in the whole process.

Have you felt that the financial crisis has affected the company?
Not really. Our clients have a great span over a variety in different
branches which is good in times like this. Of course some of our clients
have a tough time now and their business are less prosperous then before.
So far I haven’t received many signals that our clients are having any
problems that have affected us directly. This branch in general is quite
stabile and I don’t think that we will have any big consequences from
the credit crisis for our company.

Compare the business with when you started and today?
We have learned a lot along the way. I started alone and today we are six.
We have grown bigger as a business and stronger as individuals. For example,
I never thought that I would start my own business. One must have faith in
your self because you are able to do a lot more than you think.  

Do you have Swedish clients?
Yes, we have mostly Swedish clients. I never thought that we
would work with so many Swedish companies. But one of the reasons
I started at First Alliance Trust  was my interest in Sweden and most
of their clients were Swedish.  It felt natural to continue working with the
niche with Swedish companies, as I am half Swedish myself.

How do you get the Swedish clients?
Do they get to you or do you find them?
The most common is that they come to us. They heard about us
through business associates or through recommendations from
legal tax experts that we cooperate with. So far we have had no
need for marketing our business actively and the mouth to mouth
method is very confiding.
 
Where do you think H & P will be in 4 years?
We will be with 15 employees. And active in markets like Poland,
The Baltic Stated, Italy and Turkey. 

Do you see that you have a lot to gain from your connections
with  the Swedish Chamber of Commerce?
Of course I see that the membership in JCC and the Swedish Chamber
of Commerce have been very fruitful and it has worked as a door opener.
It has carried along many good contacts which have resulted in some new clients.

How do you like your new office?
It feels very good to have been moving to a bigger office. It already
feels like home. Of course we miss our colleagues that we shared our
former office with. Now we have very good furniture from Kinnarps and
a marvellous view over the Arena and on the other side we are able to
see IKEA.

You are a very active member in the Swedish Chamber of Commerce
and the JCC, does it work to handle them both?
We have a shared chief responsibility. It’s me and Annemarie van Munster.
I prefer to have a shared responsibility so that the business can always go
on and is not only depending on one person.

By Maria Tervahauta
Intern Swedish Chamber of Commerce

Cadence Marketing & Communicatie B.V.

Communication starts with the personal viewpoint. It starts with people who understand and empathise with each other. In my view, entrepreneurs – meaning you and I – must like working together to achieve our objectives. I am freelancing as a Communication Expert. I have an experience working in projects as well as on temporary basis for well-known companies like Pizza Hut, KPN, Agis Healthcare Insurance, Factor Nederland, Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, BAT and the Port of Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte 2 Project Organisation. I have also been recruited by first-rate advertising agencies like Arnek Annonsbyra, Anderson & Lembke, Aestron Design, Signum/BBDO, VBAT, Prime, PMSvW/Y&R and Brandsters.

The essence of my profession is creative communication either as an interim communication expert or as someone who dreams up original solutions. Ensuring that the message that you want to convey clicks with the target group. Read more about Cadence Marketing & Communicatie on www.wattendorff.nl.

Charter Real Estate B.V. presents investment possibilities on top location Tjörn, Sweden

Charter Real Estate B.V. was founded in 2006 by Franklin Douwes and Henk Janssen. Based in Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Charter Real Estate B.V. has real estate projects in The Netherlands, USA and Sweden. Charter Real Estate B.V. has identified Sweden as its target market for future real estate projects manily  focusing on residential development projects.

Charter Real Estate B.V. selects, structures and manages real estate investment projects. Chater Real Estate B.V. performs the function of an active capital partner while being hands on involved in its projects to ensure quality and to manage risks. Charter Real Estate B.V. works with local real estate development companies with a proven track record. 

For one of Charter Real Estate B.V.'s latest project on the magnific island Tjörn on the West cost of Sweden investment possibilities are offered to interested investors. For more information about this project please download articles from Cash and Lifestyle Magazine below or visit the Charter Real Estate website: www.charterrealestate.nl

Welcome to contact Charter Real Estate for more information:
Schothorstlaan 11
3822 WA Amersfoort-Hoogland
T. 088 - 4455000
W. www.charterrealestate.nl
E: info@charterrealestate.nl

1. What’s you connection with Sweden?
My connection is my love for the beautiful design, people and language. I started learning Swedish because I liked Swedish films so much. One of my favourite movies is the Swedish film “As it is in Heaven”, directed by Kay Pollak. After seeing that film I bought a language course with cd’s about two years ago and started learning Swedish on my own. I am no where near fluent yet but I can read books in Swedish. Also, I am a big fan of Saab and have been driving one for years. Because of this soft spot for Sweden (and my blonde hair), some people think that I am Swedish but I am hundred percent Dutch. The company name is actually derived from the question I got many times since I started the concept for representing Swedish designers: Are you Swedish?

2. What inspired you to represent Swedish fashion?
It’s because of my big interest for fashion, design and for Sweden. Swedes are cool, beautiful and always a step ahead in (fashion)design. It wasn’t that I saw a gap in the market in the fashion-industry in the Netherlands that I urgently needed to fill. It was more that I wanted to do something with my interest for, and knowledge of, the Swedish fashion scene. I wanted to share my enthusiasm for these luxurious, high end labels and capture the “Swedish feeling’’ to present to the Benelux. This is exactly what Are you Swedish? is focusing on: putting Swedish fashion design on the map. By doing that, it turned out I created a niche that raised a lot of attention and ‘’fans’’. The Swedish fashion market is very interesting and some of the labels can easily compete with the world’s top brands. We have already seen fashion from Scandinavia here in Holland, mostly from Denmark. But what we see now is what I call the “second northern fashion wave’’ and this time it contains cutting edge, exclusive Swedish brands. This high end Swedish design is very new to Benelux.

3. How and why did you choose the brands which you are representing in your agency?
I started with doing research on the internet about the Swedish high-class fashion brands. I immediately saw that Dagmar and Camilla Norrback were both beautiful, talented and promising brands. Then I approached them and went to Sweden during the Sweden Fashion Week in the summer of 2007.  I wanted to get more information, made appointments with people in the fashion scene and I met some of the designers that I am working with today. I started with Dagmar and Camilla Norrback and soon Are you Swedish? expanded with other exclusive brands. These brands are now Erica Laurell, Dagmar, Gram, Camilla Norrback, The Swedish Model, and David & Martin. When we started working together they were upcoming in Sweden and immediately they also attracted good shops and a lot of press in Benelux too. People are so fond of their designs. They make clothes and designs that I feel that I want to wear myself. That’s important for me – that I am in love with the brands - since the company is my “baby” and to be able to treat the brands well and get the best results, you have to love everything about it. Also, you have to be able to be completely open with the designers. We work closely together in order to ‘’conquer’’ Benelux. That is how I work, and it works!

4. How are the Swedish people to work with?
Dutch and Swedes are in many ways quite similar: honest, reliable, speak English well and have a sense of humour. Therefore for me its easy to work with them. It’s also very important for me that the ones I work with believe in my ideas: that is not only to go for the quick sell, but to build the brand in a careful way and look for the right shops and magazines to be in. The designers that I am working together with now are just great and we are on the same level. Although Are you Swedish? will grow soon, at the moment I am still doing almost everything myself.  That makes it even more important that I get a lot of inspiration and help from the designers. That’s something I value very much.

5. Was it hard to get into the Dutch market?
Since I am still fairly new in the business I would say that it’s still an ongoing progress. What is an advantage – I see now – is to set out and follow your business plan in your own way. I believe that my approach and passion for the brands is very authentic and spontaneous and therefore personal. Since the company stands for the best of Swedish design, I want to build a good relation with the press and retailers. It’s important that they know the story behind Are you Swedish? so they can be able to understand what I am doing and why and want to be part of that. It’s also important you work in a professional and organised way. My professional background helps in that regard and the people I work with appreciate my accuracy.

6. What is the difference between Swedish people and Dutch when it comes to fashion?
Swedish people put more effort in how they look. Swedish people are fashion leaders, not followers and they actually invent the trends. It seems like they just have it instinctively. They like luxury and they also like to show it. This while Dutch people often find it more important their clothes are comfortable rather than special. This of course cannot be said of all the Dutch. But in general it’s true, which you can also so see when you compare how people look in Stockholm to how they look in Amsterdam.

7. I have heard that your marketing idea is going to be presented in Philip Kotlers Marketing book, a bible for many business students. How do you feel about that?
Yes, that’s true. But I am not really familiar with the book so I don’t really know how to feel about it. But people around me who do know the book found it quite an achievement, haha.

8. What did you do before you started Are you Swedish?
I worked as a lawyer for eight years at lawfirm Kennedy Van der Laan. It has been a good time but I longed for some more creativity. Apart from my activities for Are you Swedish?, I am still a – part-time – freelance legal counsel outside the fashion selling seasons. At the moment I work at the legal department of ABN Amro Bank for a few days a week. The rest of the days - and often nights - I spend on Are you Swedish?, so the company keeps moving on. There is so much to do now that Are you Swedish? starts growing into being a serious platform for Swedish design. I like this combination. The legal work also enables me to create the financial space to further build on the future for Are you Swedish? in the way I want it. 
 
9. Where do you think Are you Swedish? will be in 2 years?
Interesting question!  I have big ambitions and plans and I am always trying to think outside the box.  But it is important not to loose focus. One step at the time. I want to keep the idea that built Are you Swedish?. I believe that that the company will grow even bigger in sales and PR and maybe work in different design areas. This could involve organising events in which Swedish design will be put in the spotlight, like a Swedish designer fair, maybe during fashion week. Are you Swedish? would be a good name for it, haha. I am already in contact about these ideas with the Swedish chamber in Amsterdam as well as the Swedish embassy in Brussels and the Amsterdam International Fashion Week. I also want to start with Swedish interns this summer, so we can do more. Furthermore, I see opportunities to co-operate with other Swedish companies in the Benelux – for example as sponsor or co-organiser of events – in order to continue putting Swedish design on the map. I believe other companies could profit from being related to the fantastic Swedish designer brands.

If you would like to read more about Are you Swedish?, please visit the website: www.areyouswedish.com or contact Hanneke de Boer at hanneke@areyouswedish.com.

With not many days left of 2008 and 2009 only a few days away; we asked some of our members what their expectations are for next year and how they will celebrate New Years.

Thomas Bergström, Chairman and CEO Inter IKEA Systems

1. What is new in your company 2009, and what are the expectations for next year?
"Our buildings are ready, IKEA Concept Center and the Hotel. Now we have the base for learning, training, testing, developing and transferring the knowledge of the IKEA Concept. Next year will be challenging to all of us, but together and with good cooperation with all IKEA Retailers, we will be a bit better.....again!"

2. How will you celebrate New Year?
"I will celebrate New Years with parts of the family. My family is spread; one daughter is in Chicago and one son is in Holland the rest of the family will be together in Ramundbergen with skiing and hopefully lots of snow."

3. Do you have any New Years resolution?
"It is pretty boring but I do not have any New Years resolution this year. Perhaps I will have one before New Years, but now it is far too early."

Håkan Borglund, General Manager SAS Nederland

1.What is new in your Company 2009, and what is the expectations for next year?
"We focus on improving our customer services towards our corporate clients and travel agents. A new Support Center will be introduced February the first 2009. The travel industry as total is suffering from the financial crises and we see an overall decline in bookings. However there is still a strong demand of travel from the Netherlands to the Nordic region."

2. How will you celebrate New Year?
"Since my wife is Japanese we will celebrate New Years with friends and family in Japan. The New Years dinner will consist of lots of special small dishes, it is very tasty and has a lot of tradition. Christmas we celebrate the Swedish way with all the usual ingridients."

3. Do you have a new years resolution is your New Years resolution?
"I will run the ING Amsterdam Marathon in 2009."


 Kees van Oosten, Attorney and Partner TeekensKarstens

1. What is new in your company 2009, and what are the expectations for next year?
"What will be new in TeekensKarstens Law Firm and what is very relevant to the Swe-Cham members is the launch of the brand TK Nordic. It's a one stop facility for Nordic companies of all sizes to find access to trustworthy, adequate and professional help not only for legal matters, but also for tax, financial and consultancy matters.

We are sure that some branches will experience major difficulties and others will have unexpected chances. This, I'm sure, will be reflected in our law practice. No super-optimistic take-overs, but I do think parties will tend to find each other's strength to get over difficult times. Or move across the borders because of opportunities created by the new economical balance. So yes: plenty of transactions. Also, plenty of reorganisations: our employment law department is already very busy and will become all the busier. Real estate might be a branch to slow down in the course of next year. Intellectual Property will go steady and so will Public Purchasing, Family Law and so on. TeekensKarstens Law Firm in the meantime will continue to move further up in the top 50 of Dutch law firms." 

2. How will you celebrate New Year?
I will celebrate New Year in Sweden, at our fritidshus in Skåne near the Småland border, with my family and some friends.

3. Do you have any New Years resolution?
New year's resolutions tend to come and go, but I intend to keep using my bicycle to go to work as much as I can, to keep speedskating at Uithof in The Hague once a week.



Mr. Guido Van Den Brande, Managing Director The Royal Bank of Scotland

1. What is new in you company 2009, and what is the expectations for next year?
"With the Current credit crisis, the recession, and the integration of the ABN AMRO Wholesale Business into RBS, 2009 will be a challenging year but also a year with new opportunities and a lot of experience to gain. In these times everyone will findout how important it is to have good relationships with your in- and external clients and get eachother through this crisis."

2. How will you celebrate New Year?
"With my familiy in a vactionhome in Vrouwenpolder (Zeeland), 5 minutes from the beach and very quit, this should give us time to reflect on 2008 and look ahead to 2009."

3. Do you have a New Years resolution?
"Off coures all the usual stuff like "eat less and more excercise" but also spend morer quality time with the familiy."

BNConnect, Contact person: Theo Hoefman

BNConnect is a consultancy firm.
We are very experienced senior consultants with a professional background in finance, marketing, technical, medical and social sciences. By our many years of experience and the resulting extensive business network we consider it our task to inform managers about new concepts and techniques to improve business results.

BNConnect is an innovative firm.
We focus on finding and/or designing new solutions for older or newer problems. We are convinced, that in many companies
business results can heavily improve by better conceptual, creative and integral thinking. And then consequently application of the results of that thinking. At the moment are we active in the following areas: “Money and Recreation”, “Money and LED”, and “Money and Care”.

BNConnect.
Theo Hoefman
0031-654757053 or,
Paul Paymans
0031-613910408

You can call it love, you can call it passion or you can call it crazy. One thing is for sure, for a lot of people driving a Volvo seems to have got into their system. One of them is Nils van Dijkman, chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
Click here to read the article from LIV Volvo Lifestyle.