- Our role is to prepare the market for Swedish parties and spread knowledge about the region, says Thomas Johansson, unit manager at the Baltic Sea unit.
The Baltic Sea unit primarily addresses municipalities, regions, authorities and individual organisations. In addition, they support companies owned by Swedish municipalities, authorities or non-profit organisations and business trade associations, like chambers of commerce. Financial support is allocated to projects including seminars, pre-studies, study tours etc together with partners in the region. The unit is also assisting in creating and developing Swedish business network in the Baltic Sea area.
- For example, arranging a seminar on business opportunities in Latvia or a trade show for small businesses in the Baltic Sea area where knowledge transfer is mixed with business meetings, explains Piret Hedin, regional advisor and responsible for international relations and development issues at the Baltic Sea unit.
There are three main focus areas at the Baltic Sea unit, ie the environment, social and health issues and civil security. Other areas that could benefit from financial support are, contracting and networking in R&A, innovation, leadership and education from a local and regional development and integration perspective.
Despite a slower financial growth in the area, Thomas Johansson is very positive:
- I believe it is one of the ten most interesting regions in the world. There is strong innovativeness and good development opportunities.
Together with Nutek, the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning and Swedish municipalities and county councils, the Baltic Sea unit is working on spreading experience in EU related joint projects around the Baltic Sea.
- In EU countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, there is a lot going on right now when it comes to funds from the EU. SEK 800 billion is earmarked for Poland and we would like Swedish companies and public actors to pay attention to this fact, says Thomas Johansson.
Piret Hedin’s advice to Swedish companies, interested in setting up business in the Baltic Sea area, is to spend time and energy in getting other parties interested.
- Remember that there are many other foreign competitors, but Sweden has a good reputation. Be well prepared and don’t take anything for granted. Respect your counterpart and be humble. Learning a few phrases in their language, preferably something untraditional is positive. Make written agreements rather than verbal, the Jante Law is everywhere.