On September the 6th the top management of about 100 foreign companies established in the Stockholm area together with representatives of 20 municipalities in the region were invited to a summit in the City hall of Stockholm. Organizer of the event was Stockholm Business Region Development in cooperation with the French and other foreign Chambers of Commerce.

In his welcome speech, Sten Nordin, the Mayor of Stockholm, he pointed out how important the foreign companies established in the Stockholm region are to the growth and development of the Stockholm region. He also talked about the visions to meet the needs of the companies enabling them to grow.

Thereafter followed a debate with a panel composed by Andrew Allen, CEO Bosch Nordic and Baltic countries, Philippe Jombart, CEO Renault Nordics, Kathleen Fiorello, Vice President American Express, Nordic Countries, Paul Lucier, Managing Director Research in Motion (RIM) Northern Europe & Russia, Anna Törnerud, Head of marketing Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulla Hamilton, vice Mayor for Enterprise, Traffic and Labour Market, City of Stockholm. Moderator was Johan Hallsenius, Kreab Gavin Anderson.



The panel discussed questions such as: What is it that makes the Nordic countries in general and the Stockholm region specifically, so attractive? What can be improved to keep and strengthen Stockholm’s position?

The panel agreed on the need of developing the infrastructure. Amongst many of the positive things said about Stockholm the panel said that access to skilled and well educated personnel is good and that it’s easy to attract top talents, even foreigners are easy to attract thanks to the image of Stockholm. To conclude the panel discussion all participants confirmed that they are good ambassadors for Stockholm.

Ulla Hamilton and Sten Nordin responded by promising continued investments in infrastructure projects. Stockholm is growing by 20.000 persons/year and the region by 40.000 persons/year so the needs are a fact. The 2020 vision for Stockholm is to be Europe's premier sustainable growth region and the development of the infrastructure will be done with this focus in mind. Ulla Hamilton also promised measures to improve the education system as well as measures to make it easier for foreigners to move to and live in Stockholm.

The event ended with a mingle cocktail allowing the participants to network in the beautiful Gallery of the Prince at the City Hall. Here below some more photos from the event.

The aim of the event is to strengthen the position of Stockholm as
Half of all multinational companies with activity in the Nordics have their Nordic hub in the Stockholm region. 

In connection with the event a short survey was sent out to the invited persons and below the photos you can see the main answers of the 50 persons answering the survey.

Marcel de Vries from Regus, Jean-Louis Manera from Crédit Agricole CIB, Katarina Barter from CCFS and Jean-Marc Pouchol from Air France KLM

Isabelle Ducellier from Pernod Ricard, Kristina Hulteberg from CCFS and Björn Åkerblom from Alexander Hughes

Olivier Coutin from Unibail-Rodamco together with Kristina Hulteberg and Katarina Barter from the French Chamber of Commerce

Suvey answers:
What could be improved in Stockholm considering your business needs?

Infrastructure should be developed. Infrastructure by road and rail is critical, the traffic situation very bad.
Public transport is a weakness for our employees.
More direct flights from/to Stockholm
It’s difficult to find housing to rent.

Which are the strengths of Stockholm considering your business needs?
The central position in the Nordic region and also the biggest market in the Nordics. Good gateway to the other Nordic countries and the Baltics. The true hub of the Nordic region.
Skilled and well educated people with great language skills. Easy to attract top talents, both local and foreign.
Centre for large corporations end financial institutions.
Very business oriented city.
Swedish companies are at the forefront of technology.
Very international in general.
Good test market.
Safe environment and strong political leadership.
High quality of life and social climate.