5th Anniversary of the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce

XII. Swedish Business ClubXIII. Swedish companies in PolandSwedish companies in PolandThe history behindas integrating the management of companies withPoland is not only a country neighbouring Sweden, itEU funds to Poland during 2007-2013, with a projectThe Swedish Business Club (SBC) was establishedSwedish share capital and companies co-operatingis also an enormous market for Swedish companies.value of over 100 bln EUR, generate very large businessin 1995 as an association operating for the benefitwith Sweden in order to exchange experiences. TheThese are two reasons why Poland is so attractiveopportunities for Swedish companies investing inof Swedish citizens, Swedish companies and SwedishSBC also takes care of Swedish traditions by arrangingin the eyes of a Swedish businessman. Others arePoland or looking for customers benefiting fromor non-Swedish leaders of the above mentionedseveral events such as Santa Lucia, Midsummer, thethe future growth potential, the strategic locationEU funds. Limited knowledge in Sweden on thecompanies.Crayfish party, etc. Another important part of this areoften used as bridgehead to new markets in furtheropportunities and unused potential makes EU fundsSince March 2004 the SBC has been an integratedthe meetings with Swedish cultural personalities andexpansion, and the large pool of educated labourone of the focus areas of the Swedish Trade Council inNational Section of the Scandinavian-Polish Chamberpolitics as well as visiting the member companies.force. Finally, the cost of personnel is still relatively lowPoland. Another focus area is the EURO 2012 footballof Commerce (SPCC). The SBC operates within theSPCC and runs the events of a clearly Swedish profile- supplementing the SPCC’s activities.Our activities:• SBC Annual Meeting• National Day of Swedencompared to Sweden, while productivity is increasing.Sweden is currently the 7 th largest investor in Polandand more than 300 Swedish companies havesubsidiaries in Poland. Poland is expected to be achampionship, which is creating many opportunitiesin the infrastructure sector for Swedish sub suppliersand contractors. Regardless of the opportunity, whendoing business in Poland, Swedish businessmen canThe Vision of the Swedish Business Club:• Midsummer celebrationprioritised market for future Swedish investments asexpect to be very positively received. Swedish-PolishThe Swedish Business Club will be the first-choice• Crayfish partywell, although the focus is expected to shift. Firstly,relations have a long tradition and the picture oforganisation to join for Swedish related business,• Nobel Dinnerfrom pure low cost near-shoring to investmentsSweden in Poland is in general very positive.being an authoritative voice for a diverse and fruitful• Santa Lucia celebrationfocusing more on quality, and secondly, more subbusiness environment in Poland.Membership in the Swedish Business Clubsuppliers are expected to follow their Swedishcustomers that already have established productionApart from using all the opportunities on the Polishmarket, Swedish companies can benefit from PolishThe Mission of the Swedish Business Club:Membership is open to all Swedish or non-in Poland. Finally, more investments in establishingbusiness culture by learning the Polish spontaneityTo take active part in supporting Swedish and PolishSwedish representatives of acompany being SPCCown sales companies are expected in order to comeand creativity in finding alternative solutions. Polesbusiness relations, promote Swedish culture in Polandmember. Members of the SPCC Swedish Section arecloser to the growing market.can on the other hand learn from the Swedish long-and act to develop mutual social activities.automatically members in the SBC.term thinking. These business cultures complementApart from being an attractive destination foreach other and have a positive impact on futureOur Purpose:investments, Poland is Sweden’s largest tradingdevelopment of Swedish-Polish cooperation.The objectives of the SBC are promoting Polish-partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Swedish tradeSwedish economic and business co-operation as wellwith Poland has experienced rapid growth in recentThe SPCC is an important player in creating a richyears and is expected to recover next year from thePolish-Swedish network in Poland. We look forward tocurrent slowdown.further developing the Swedish presence in Warsawand all over Poland.There are many opportunities for Swedish companiesinvesting in Poland. The emerging middleclassDaniel Larssonis a suitable target group for Swedish high qualityCountry Managerproducts and services - today around 10 millionSwedish Trade Council, WarsawPoles live on a similar level as Swedes. Looking inthe opposite direction, sourcing from Poland hasfurther increased in attractiveness due to the currentfavourable exchange rates, the closeness and thehigh quality of Polish products.Santa Lucia celebration in Warsaw, photo: Magda RzymanekPhoto: Vera Ljungberg205th Anniversary of the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce5th Anniversary of the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce 21