WORDS FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Once again, SACC has proved to be an excellent network. With 20 regional chambers our reach expands throughout the country. Recently, SACC completed a trade mission for a Swedish company that wants to establish themselves in the U.S. The company is considering seven different potential locations in the U.S. and through our regional chambers SACC was able to contact and set up meetings with important stakeholders in each location.
The current political situation in Washington, D.C. is highly exciting with much changing and many new actors entering the scene following President Trump's recent inauguration. T
he change that the new administration is bringing to Washington, D.C. has both nationwide and global implications. SACC-USA's flagship event, Executive Forum will focus on how to navigate the new landscape, discuss the first 100 days under the new administration, specifically the new trade agenda, and explore how to take advantage of new business opportunities in the U.S.
We are very excited about the 2017 edition of Executive Forum and are looking forward to bringing together Swedish and American business leaders, politicians, political experts, and other stakeholders.
Both Sweden and the U.S. have much to gain from the exchange of talent. SACC's J1-Visa based Trainee Program is an important tool in fostering this exchange. We are currently working to expand talent mobility between Sweden and the U.S. in collaboration with the Swedish Institute.
The ties between Sweden and the U.S. are very strong, both culturally and economically. By continuing to promote trade, dialog, and talent mobility we can further strengthen the ties between our two
countries.
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EXECUTIVE FORUM
The 2017 edition of Executive Forum will examine Swedish-American business from several crucial angles and provide in-depth analyses of the first 100 days with the Trump administration. The Executive Forum will be an excellent opportunity to network and discuss different perspectives on Swedish-American trade with top business leaders, government representatives, politicians, and other key stakeholders. The event will feature speakers, panels, and discussions and will be conducted under the Chatham House Rules to encourage openness and the sharing of information.
Executive Forum will include a number of notable speakers, including Sweden's Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, Minister Ann Linde (TBC); Jonas Prising, Chairman and CEO of ManpowerGroup; Congressman Randy Hultgren, The House of Representatives (TBC); Dr. Juan José Daboub, former Managing Director of the World Bank (TBC); Maria Ranka, CEO of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce; and a representative from the Trump administration (TBA).
Please save the date, June 1, 2017!
Click here for more information, or
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THE FRIST WEEKS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
The Administration's first moves and reactions around the world
The new administration's first two weeks have been a whirlwind of news about Trump's executive orders, presidential memorandums, nominations, and tweets, as well as the public and international reactions surrounding the president's actions. After the inauguration, as with any new president, the Trump administration immediately took steps to differentiate itself from the previous administration. CNN anchor, Don Lemon said that the tempo was so high that he thought that one month has passed, when in fact it had just one week. Presidential orders that have been signed so far are, among others, a Federal Government hiring freeze, the expedition of infrastructure project approval procedures, and an order setting steps to construct a physical border barrier between the U.S. and Mexico.
The intense public reaction to many of the administration's actions and comments continues to show that the political landscape is highly divided. For trade, several potentially positive announcements have been Trump's $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan, support for cutting the corporate tax rate, and promises to remove
burdensome
regulations on small businesses. However, there have also been critical voices raised about the temporary travel ban from a number of significant teach companies.
Given the current
political
climate, insights into the future direction and long-term implications of the current policy shift are hard to come by. While there is worry surrounding many of the president's actions and comments, markets still indicate confidence in the U.S. economy, with the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and the S&P 500 posting their third consecutive monthly gains in January.
Read more about what the Trump administration has done so far here.
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ALFA LAVAL INC. CEO JOHN ATANASIO ON BUSINESS IN SWEDEN AND THE U.S.
Recent Interview with eCurrents
eCurrents recently had the opportunity to speak with John Atanasio, CEO of Alfa Laval Inc. John has been with Alfa Laval since 1982 and has served as CEO since January 2011.
With more than 130 years of experience, the Swedish company, Alfa Laval has an extensive history of business in the U.S. As the first market that the company entered outside of Sweden, the U.S. has always been one of the key areas of the company's business. Today, Alfa Laval Inc. in the U.S. is the largest single sales company for Alfa Laval, marketing products and solutions in all three of the company's core competencies of fluid handling, heat transfer, and separation.
Looking at Alfa Laval's business going forward, John expressed cautious optimism about 2017, including seeing some potential bright spots in the oil and gas market for the first time in over a year. Additionally, sustainability continues to be an important theme. As a company that offers solutions that improve the energy efficiency of industrial processes, Alfa Laval plays a unique role in the drive toward greater sustainability. According to John, the theme of sustainability is twofold. Internally, the company strives to meet the requirements that it places on itself, which guide every aspect of the business, from input materials to energy sources. Externally, Alfa Laval's products are geared to improving the overall sustainability of customers' businesses, supporting their efforts to reduce their overall environmental impact.
As the CEO of a major Swedish company in the U.S., John has special insight into the differences in management styles between American and Swedish directors. According to John, the Swedish management style tends to be more collaborative with a focus on attaining common agreement and understanding on issues. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in making decisions and notes that a strength of the Swedish style is that once a decision is made, everyone is on board and there is no second-guessing. In response to a question regarding the advice that he would give to a Swedish company entering the U.S. for the first time, John explained that the management mentality in the U.S. is more straightforward and direct. Swedish companies should expect candid dialog and feedback, since customers in the U.S. will very directly express their expectations, requirements, and level of satisfaction. John underscored the ability to accept that you will be given very straightforward feedback as an important component of success in the U.S.
Working for a Swedish company has also given John the opportunity to experience other aspects of Swedish culture. He appreciates Sweden's natural beauty as well as that people are friendly, although guarded. With some humor, he noted that while there may often be fewer choices on Swedish menus, he tried both reindeer and several different herring dishes for the first time while in Sweden. In his free time, John enjoys working outside, especially in his garden, and running.
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SWEDES LOVE THE U.S.
The most popular country for the more than 7% of Swedes
that live abroad is U.S. There are currently around 15 000 expat Swedes living in U.S. Some of the top reasons that Swedes move abroad are career opportunities, love, climate and taxes. Swedes travel a lot, which helps them to succeed in business and culture on the global stage.
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VOLVO'S NEW FACTORY IN THE U.S.
The construction of Volvo's first car factory in the U.S. is underway
The Swedish company Volvo has been doing business in the U.S. for over 60 years, but while the U.S. used to be the company's largest market, sales there have fallen over the last decade. Volvo is currently planning on reversing this trend and expanding in the US by establishing production facilities in South Carolina.
Volvo will produce all new S60s at its new factory in Berkeley County, SC, which will employ around 2,000 workers directly and create around 6,000 additional jobs in the community. In total, Sweden and Swedish companies support over 400,000 in the U.S.
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AMERICAN TALENT FOR SWEDISH TV-SHOW
Meter Television is currently looking for fun, outgoing Americans with Swedish ancestry for a reality TV-show "Allt for Sverige". The ancestor who emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden should have been born between 1846-1930. This is a great opportunity for Americans to discover Sweden and its culture.
Read more and apply
here.
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PARTNERS BOEING AND SAAB CLOSE IN ON A $16 BILLION CONTRACT WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE
Yet another competitor has dropped out of the competition to build the next generation of American jet trainers
In 2012, the U.S. Air Force launched a biding competition for the contract to build the T-X Advanced Pilot Training System, the intended replacement for the aging T-38 pilot training aircraft. The air force intends to purchase 350 aircraft with operational capacity by the end of 2024. With the withdrawal of Northrup Grumman and its partner BAE Systems last week following Raytheon's exit the week before, there are only three teams left in the competition for $16 billion T-X contract, the largest military trainer contract in over fifty years.
Lockheed Martin and its partner, Korean Aerospace Industries intend to offer a modified version of the T-50A, while the collaborators Boeing and SAAB will bid their clean-sheet T-X design, which flew for the first time this past December. Additionally, Leonardo S.p.a. recently reentered the competition with its U.S. subsidiary, DRS Technologies in place of its former partner,
Raytheon. Leonardo S.p.a will bid their T-100 design, which is based upon their previous M-346 twin-engine trainer.
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TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE U.S. IS ABOUT TO GET EASIER
This past November, Sweden and the United States signed an agreement to introduce U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance at Stockholm Arlanda airport. Preclearance, which will become available in 2019 will allow passengers on flights to the U.S. to proceed through immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections before departing. By joining a limited number of preclearance airports worldwide, Stockholm Arlanda expects to increase capacity and flight volume. For travelers, preclearance will shorten waiting times and lead to faster connections and the ability to exit the airport immediately upon landing in the U.S.
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SACC-DC - NEW DIRECTOR IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
This past November, Ylva Freihofer joined SACC-DC as its new executive director. Ylva is excited to take over the leadership role in Washington. and brings with her extensive experience, having spent over five years in various leadership positions in the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce.
In a recent interview, Ylva explained that her first couple months as executive director have been both challenging and fun. The process of taking over at SACC-DC has given her a perspicuous appreciation of how important clear procedures, structures, and goals are for organizations like SACC that experience the frequent addition of new team members. Ylva's plans for SACC-DC include increasing the chamber's focus on individual members and introducing the theme of innovation in business. She is particularly excited about SACC-DC's upcoming innovation workshop with Magnus Penker and Innovation 360° this April. Another highlight on SACC-DC's spring event calendar is their second annual Swedish Heritage Night, which will take place in cooperation with the Washington Capitals and the Embassy of Sweden on March 6th at the Verizon Center.
Learn more about SACC-DC's events here.
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TRAINEE PROGRAM & SCHOLARSHIPS
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LINNAEUS/AIFM SCHOLARSHIP SWEDEN
International Business Strategy Scholarship & European Asset Management Internship
Linnaeus University, AIF Management AB (AIFM), and SACC-USA are intr
odu
cing a scholarship to provide a
unique opportunity to study international business strategy
and get
acquainted with European alternative investment fund management as well as Swedish entrepreneurship.
This scholarship offers a combined study and training program consisting of free tuition to a one year Master Program in International Business Strategy at Linnaeus University a
nd an internship with AIF Management. In conjunction with full-time studies, the scholarship recipie
nt will do a part-time internship to learn about the regulatory framework covering the European financial markets, especially the AIFM-directive, as well as more hands-on assignments such as risk analysis and marketing strategy.
The study and training program will take place in Kalmar, Sweden from Sep
tember 2
017 until June 2018.
To apply, submit your resume and a personal letter
to
Cecilia Kullman,
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APPLY FOR SWEDISH INTERN NOW!
The SACC-USA Trainee Program offers American companies the opportunity to host interns and trainees from Sweden on a J-1 visa. Interns offer support to your company in their area of study for up to 12 months, and Trainees provide support and expertise in their occupational field for up to 18 months. A highly motivated, bilingual, and well-educated Swedish exchange visitor will contribute enthusiasm, knowledge, and a European perspective to your company.
Apply now, we have your candidate! Read more
here
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SWEDISH ENGINEERING TALENT FOR U.S. COMPANIES
Chalmers Engineering Students Available for Internships
Want a talented and motivated engineering intern? Chalmers University of Technology has 30 engineering students who are looking for internships lasting between 3 and 12 months to begin in June 2017. Chalmers University of Technology is one of Sweden's most prestigious schools, and has partnered with SACC-USA for years to provide access to highly competitive engineering students who are eager to come to the U.S. to gain practical and cultural experience. Participating students have completed at least three years of a five-year master's program.
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Offer to SACC Members from Volvo
Benefits with Volvo's A-Plan Plus membership
Volvo's transformation is in full bloom with new models and new product investments such as Drive-E power trains and connectivity that links Volvo cars to the world. Refined Scandinavian design and safety strengthen Volvo's commitment to its "Designed Around You" philosophy.
Volvo would therefore like to invite SACC members to become A-Plan Plus members, which is a level of service developed exclusi
vely for SACC members that is only available through Volvo's A-Plan Plus specialists at Volvo Cars of North America. The offer includes:
-Transparent A-Plan discounted pricing, being approximately 6% off MSRP on eligible models (
the same price Volvo Car USA employees pay).
-An additional $500 bonus on top of any local incentives and offers on eligible models.
Choose where to pick up your new Volvo in the U.S. or in Sweden through our Overseas Delivery Program.
SACC members:
to get your pin number.
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Offer to SACC Members from Orrefors & Kosta Boda
40% discount on opening order for all products
F
or almost 275 years, Orrefors and Kosta Boda have created crystal and glassware of the finest quality, influenced by the beauty of Sweden's nature. Orrefors has just released a number of fine Craft Beers and has also worked with Volvo to create a crystal gearshift for the new 2016 Volvo CX90. Kosta Boda is renowned for its ingenious and dynamic designs and is a leader in the glassware and art glass field.
Together these companies hold a strong role in the international market and are expected to continue to grow.
SACC members can enjoy a 40% discount off of retail prices on your opening order for all Orrefors and Kosta Boda products.
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SACC REGIONAL CHAMBER EVENTS
What's Happening at Our Regional Chambers
February 9th
February 15th
SACC-SF/SV: Board meeting
February 16th
SACC-COLORADO: Professionals AfterWork 2017
February 20th
SACC-SF/SV: SACC Kick off together with SACC San Diego
February 27th
SACC-HOUSTON: Annual Scandinavian Golf Tournament
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