Doing business in the Baltic Sea countries

The Baltic Sea Region is our home market

In the restructuring process of Eastern Europe and the fast development of particularly the countries on the eastern Baltic, this region is opening up a tremendous potential for all kinds of new business. The need for investments is virtually unlimited, especially in such areas as infrastructure, environment and energy projects, and many more. In the long-time perspective new techniques, modern machinery and equipment will be vital to turn the Baltic Sea countries into modern, industrial nations in the years to come.

The Baltic Sea Region comprises ten countries and a number of metropolitan areas. With openings to the west into Norway and to the east into mainland Russia, the region encompasses Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, northern Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the western Russian area surrounding St. Petersburg.

Diversity creates opportunities

The unique diversity of the Baltic Sea Region enhances its economic potential and creates greater business opportunities. The transition from state-controlled socialist economies to western-type market economies has meant a radical change in the trade pattern in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea Region. Rising living standards and growing purchasing power in the emerging economies, for example, are building up a strong consumer base, furthered by the the already exisiting high level of education.

Many international companies consider the Baltic Sea Region to be a natural business region. A unique combination of features has made Sweden a particularly attractive base and point of departure for business operations in parts of or throughout the region. Several of the world's largest companies are already managing their regional business from Sweden.

We are participating!

In the BASE region we are already actively involved in this work. We have foreseen the needs for a long time and we have established well-functioning contacts and ways to take a very active part in this process of transition. Through the Baltic Trade Arena official and private interests are working together to establish business relations and to further the expansion of industry and trade.

The Baltic Trade Arena, managed by the Chamber of Commerce of Central Sweden, has concentrated on a number of varying business concepts. These projects, which have been subject to far-reaching discussions and agreements with our counterparts in the Baltic Sea countries, are considered the most urgently actions to be taken in the future.

The projects which make up the platform for the Baltic Sea connection, include education, wood, logistics, energy and recycling. A first important, common denominator is a symposium planned to take place in Gävle in the spring of 2001. This event will highlight the connections between the BASE region and the Baltic nations including Russia, and will obviously be an excellent means to develop and strengthen the contacts initiated by new as well as established companies in the area.

A pre-study to create an effective logistic network for transports to and from the BASE region to Western Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, is already well under way.

Source (in part): Invest in Sweden Agency (ISA)