|
|
 |
Business
Business Profile
Quite simply, Stockholm is the financial, business and economic hub of Sweden, with most major business transactions and major Swedish companies – such as Ericsson, Electrolux, Ikea, Saab and Volvo – all based in the capital. Further afield, Stockholm is also a major regional player, principally in the merging Baltic markets and within the EU. Although Sweden has opted to stay out of the EMU (European Monetary Union) and thus not adopt the Euro as its currency, the city’s major trading partners are all European. The offices around Sergelstog and Hamngatan manage one of the most powerful economies in Europe.
Both Stockholm and the larger Swedish economy have adapted to the decline in its traditional engineering base by diversifying into telecommunications and other ideas- and design-based industries, especially mobile communications and information technology (IT). In 2000, an IDC survey put Sweden ahead of the US as the world’s leading IT nation. However, 2001 was a less positive year for the economy than expected, with GDP growth of only 1.5 % compared to 3.6% in 2000. The country is heavily dependent on exports and the rapid downturn in the IT and telecom sectors affected the economy, particularly in the Stockholm region. Among the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD), Sweden devotes the highest percentage of its GDP to research and development.
Standing at 2.4%, unemployment in the city is considerably lower than the national average of 3.8%. The main employers in the city are Stockholm’s municipal authorities and county council, with 67,600 employed, followed by Ericsson with 12,375, the post office (Posten) with 10,575 and AstroZeneca with 8275.
Roughly 75% of the Swedish information and electronics industry is located in the Greater Stockholm area. Global companies with a presence in Stockholm include KPMG and Sheraton. Stockholm’s place in the top ten of international congress and conference venues further reinforces its position in the global trade circuit. Translation services are available from Activator RW-Consult AB, Storhagsv 23 (tel (08) 749 0925; website: www.activator.se).
The Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Vastra Tradgardsgatan (tel: (08) 5551 0000; fax (08) 5663 1600; website: www.chamber.se), can provide information on many aspects of doing business in the city.
Business Etiquette
Swedes pride themselves on their co-operative, egalitarian spirit in the workplace. In theory at least, issues of status and hierarchy are far less important than in many other countries – most people use their first names in the workplace and elaborate deference is definitely out of fashion. Management style is consensual rather than authoritarian. Since Stockholm is the capital, the city sees itself as setting the tone and pace for the rest of the country. Nevertheless, however relaxed Swedes are about power and authority, they are strict timekeepers and punctuality is expected for both work and play. Standard working hours are Monday to Friday 0900–1800 but flexible hours are common practice. Swedes also tend to stick to the point – personal chat is generally left until the real business is done and dusted. Smart dress is still the norm, although more casual attire is being adopted in the new industries such as IT and Internet businesses. Most business socialising is done away from the home, at bars and restaurants. Dinners tend to be quite boozy affairs, although at lunches water is often substituted for alcohol.
Business Services
Business Contacts: Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
Västra Trädgardsghatan 9, PO Box 16050, 103 21 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 5551 0000. Fax: (08) 5663 1600.
E-mail: info@chamber.se
Website: www.chamber.se
Swedish Chamber of Commerce (UK)
73 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AZ
Tel: (020) 7486 4545. Fax: (020) 7935 5487.
E-mail: link@swedish-chamber.org.uk
Website: www.swedish-chamber.org.uk
Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce (USA)
119 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 836 6560. Fax: (703) 836 6561.
E-mail: admin@sacc-usa.org
Website: www.sacc-usa.org
Swedish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Canada)
Suite 504, 2 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2
Tel: (416) 925 8661. Fax: (416) 929 8639.
E-mail: mail@sccc.ca
Website: www.sccc.ca
Swedish-Australian Chamber of Commerce (Australia)
25th Floor, 44 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9262 1077. Fax: (02) 9290 3907.
Website: www.swedishtrade.org.au
Business Library
Stockholms Stadsbibliotek
Sveavägen 73, PO Box 6533, 113 83 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 5083 1100. Fax: (08) 5083 1007.
Website: www.ssb.stockholm.se
This is the main public library in Stockholm, with over 700,000 books, and other amenities.
Convention and meeting planners
Stockholm Convention Bureau
PO Box 7542, 103 93 Stockholm
Tel: 46 8 789 24 00 Fax: 46 8 789 24 50
E-mail: congress@svb.stockholm.se
Website: www.congressstockholm.se
Organises meetings and conferences
Stockholm Visitors Board / Congress Stockholm
PO Box 7542, 103 93 Stockholm
Tel: 46 8 789 24 00 Fax: 46 8 789 24 50
E-mail: mailto:congress@svb.stockholm.se
Website: www.congresstockholm.se or
www.stockholmtown.com
Organises congresses
Convention and meeting venues
Stockholm City Conference Centre
Barnhusgatan 12-14, 107 26 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 5061 6600. Fax: (08) 216 971.
E-mail: marknad@stoccc.se or info@stoccc.se
Website: www.stoccc.se
An established venue that caters for 800.
Stockholm International Fairs
Mässvägen 1, 125 30 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 749 4100. Fax: (08) 992 044.
E-mail: info@stofair.se or staff@stofair.se
Website: www.stofair.se
Large international convention centre able to welcome up to 15,000 delegates.
Office equipment hire
Konferensteknik Svensk Kulturfilm AB
Hantverkargatan 11b, 112 21 Stockholm
Tel (08) 650 5760. Fax: (08) 653 3270.
E-mail: konfteknik@konferensteknik.se
Website: www.konferensteknik.se
Allkontorsmaskin Kurt Hyllendahl AB
Gustavlandsvagan 175, Bromma, Stockholm
Tel (08) 802 430. Fax: (08) 259 978.
Secretarial services
Manpower
PO Box 6446, 113 82 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 736 1900. Fax: (08) 736 1924.
E-mail: info@manpower.se
Website: www.manpower.se
Olsten
Drottningholmsvägen 22, PO Box 12127, 102 24 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 100 500. Fax: (08) 5989 8297.
E-mail: stockholm@olsten.se
Website: www.olsten.se
Experienced secretaries available for one day, one week, or more.
Translation services
Interverbum
Hälsingegatan 40, PO Box 6016, 102 31 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 457 8800. Fax: (08) 457 8861.
E-mail: info@interverbum.se
Website: www.interverbum.se
Unusual conference venue
Cirkus
Djurgårdsslätten, PO Box 27821, 115 93 Stockholm
Tel: (08) 5879 8755. Fax: (08) 5879 8749.
E-mail: info@cirkus.se
Website: www.cirkus.se
A hundred-year-old circus, converted to a modern conference and exhibition venue accommodating up to 2000 visitors.
|
|
