Since August 1, 2007 I’m the Swedish representative for the Regional Development Agency One NorthEast in NorthEast of England.
NorthEast of England is an area with 2.8 million inhabitants along the North Sea coast, south of Scotland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the commercial capital.
The Regional Development Agency One NorthEast has more than 300 employees and is responsible for all economic and regional development for the Northeast of England.
The English marketPersonally I believe that the United Kingdom is the easiest market for Swedish companies, which are interested in expansion and entry to the global market.
England is close – only around two hours flight from Sweden.
And because the language – English is the second language for most of us Swedes.
And also because the market size – the English market is 2.5 times the Nordic market.
England and Sweden have also a long tradition and history of common business and trade. The opinion to Sweden and Swedes is very positive. Swedish products have a good reputation and there are great opportunities for Swedish companies interested in a new market and new customers.
My role is to assist Swedish companies, which are interested in entering the UK market through establishing a new business operation based in NorthEast of England.
One NorthEast offers among other Swedish companies a free office place during a six months period in the European Business Centre in Newcastle.
Please have a look at the European Business Centre’s website
www.europeanbusinesscentre.co.uk below Services and you will find information about the assistance available there.
SEAGULL – The North Sea ConnectionI’m also working in a close cooperation with the Swedish authorities NUTEK, VINNOVA and ISA, which recently together with One NorthEast have started the collaboration project SEAGULL - The North Sea Connection.
The project is the first in its kind and the purpose is to create and develop new business opportunities in the NorthEast of England and in Sweden through collaboration and synergies.
The new Northeast England
During the autumn I have been travelling all over Sweden visiting and meeting many of the clusters and innovation systems supported by NUTEK and VINNOVA and also some of the ISA regional offices.
I have always asked the people I have met: What do you think about when you hear Northeast England? There are many associations from football (there are three teams in the Premier League in NorthEast of England) to beer (Newcastle Brown Ale) and to the symphonic orchestra in the new concert hall in Gateshead (The Sage close to the Millennium bridge).
But most of the answers tell me about a grey and heavy industrial city …… and most of us have also learnt the name Newcastle upon Tyne during one of our geographic lessons in school.
But Newcastle belongs to the cities in Europe, which had to rethink and transform early and the area is today consisting of many small and middle size companies in the service sector. There are also lots of contemporary facilities for business development in among other the ICT business with focus on digital media, in health & life sciences, in energy & environment and in new technologies as bio- and nanotechnology.
The new Newcastle is also a city with great opportunities for entertainment and amusements – there are many restaurants and attractions in the experience industry. Here is the city close to the nature. The location is in the middle of the home of the golf history. The location is also close to the North Sea and offers lots of sport activities.
In other words it’s a place with a high quality of life and with great opportunities. I’m now very much looking forward to be able to introduce Swedish companies in NorthEast of England.
A happy and prosperous 2008.