On the 30th of March we were invited to join the webinar: Global Impact of The Dutch Elections that organised by International Chambers and organisations in the Netherlands, The elections were held in March 2021. 
The Netherlands is traditionally a country with a strong focus on export.  Ingrid Thijssen, president of VNO-NCW gave her reflections on the elections, this was followed by a panel discussion of three experts. The panelists agreed the impact was limited given the size of our country. 
Read more on the website of the Swedish Chamber.

/Frank Cleeren
 

In cooperation with the French Chamber in Sweden, we successfully organised a webinar on 14 April with focus on the airline industry with its current challenges under Covid-19 and opportunities for the future. Almost fifty participants joined the event.

Our speakers Mr. Gijs van Popta, General Manager North Europe at Air France KLM and Mr. Gauthier Le Masne, Commercial Director North Europe at Air France KLM  shared with the audience how the company has managed the current crisis and their view for the future of travelling in terms of sustainability.

The pandemic has hit the airline Industry dramatically. Air France KLM is facing greater challenges than anytime before. The company has taken several measures to ensure consumers' rights and has shifted the focus to cargo. Despite these challenges under Covid-19, Air France KLM continuously explores sustainable energy for the new future of travel.

Els Berkers, the Chair of theDutch Chamber and Virginie Ferraton, the Chair of French Chambe  in Sweden gave a short speech during the event. 

/Norah Jing Chu

Inge Vriese has recently moved to Stockholm and will join Stefanie Brinkman as regional director for DC Team Stockholm.  We asked her to introduce herself to our members:

Can you tell us more about yourself and background?
I am a "people's person" and I have always worked in customer-focused management roles, for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, AP Moller-Maersk and now Klarna. I am unmistakingly Dutch with my background in psychology, and that tells you quite a lot about my style of work; engaging, empathetic, eager to learn and sometimes a bit direct.
 
​​What are your ideas and ambitions?
I believe that the past year has taught us a lot about the importance of being connected. I am therefore very happy that I get the opportunity to contribute to creating even more sustainable and valuable connections as Regional Director Stockholm. 
 
Why did you join the Dutch Chamber as regional director?
This is my second expat experience, and during my first years abroad in Dubai I experienced the power and added value of building a global network. For me The Dutch Chamber is the organisation par excellence to facilitate building meaningful relationships between individuals and companies. 

What do you think of living in Sweden?
I absolutely love it. For me the Swedish people are masters in finding balance in the things they do. A healthy work-life balance, a great combination between lots of sports and outdoor-activities, but always keen to reward themselves with fika and sweets or a good glass of wine. 

/M.N.

On Thursday the 18th of March we held our second Mingle & Online quiz. Participants were once again quizzed on a variety of topics such as What is the National Flower of Sweden? One kilo of saffron requires how many flowers?
 
We congratulate Calette Terhaerdt Losic for winning the quiz. After this there was time for a new mingle concept on Gather Town. This platform enabled the participants to see and speak with one and another on a rooftop terrace. 
 
Your quizmaster will be back later this year with episode 3. 

​/Frank Cleeren

On Wednesday 10th of February, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Sweden has successfully held its Annual General Meeting online. With about 29 participants including the Dutch Ambassador and all board members of the Dutch Chamber.
During this online meeting, Els Berkers, Chair of the Dutch Chamber, reviewed the activities in the past year and presented the future outlook for the coming period. Moreover, the financial statement and budget planning was shared with the attendees as well.
The ambassador gave a short speech at the beginning of the meeting. He was pleased to see  the fruitful and creative works of the Chamber. He encouraged the members to come to the Embassy and exchange ideas regarding business and investment in Sweden.
We also welcomed our new Treasurer Manuel Harmsen as one of the Executive Board Members. And of course, we held a great farewell for our previous Treasurer Rex Schothorst and thanked him for all his efforts. 
 The Annual General Meeting was moderated by the Secretary Håkan Westin.
 The recording of this online Annual General Meeting is on demand, please send your request to  Nora Jing Chu.

/Nora Jing Chu

​On 4 February a group of curious members (and several non-members) gathered online to meet the coaches, trainers and counselors in our network for an event focused on enriching insight on the impact of leadership. During this dynamic evening the group was presented with different insightful exercises varying from meditation, exploring the connection to oneself, the benefit of changing perspectives and listening for values in yourself and other people. An evening to remember!

Coaches: Gigi de Groot, Helen Lettinga, Ilse Wicherts, Nanda Jansson and Stefanie Brinkman
​
/Nanda Jansson

Picture from left to right: Viveka Andersson (moderator), Annika Berglund and Marianne Hamilton, Norah Chu.

Thanks to the initiative of Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, we were very pleased to co-host the Webinar “Corporate Gender Diversity” on Tuesday 26 January.
 
Live from our Innovation house in Stockholm, moderator Viveka Andersson interviewed the Swedish author of the book “Advice to my dear daughters “ mrs Marianne Hamilton , which followed by a great panel discussion from both Swedish and Dutch perspective, together with mrs Ruth de Jager, mr Peter Møllgaard and mr Ruben Brunsveld from the Netherlands, who are the experts on the topic “gender diversity”.

Key take away from moderator Viveka Andersson: "Besides Marianne’s 46 pieces of advice,  was that gender diversity and inclusion are complex questions that still cause lots of frustration, primarily as we lose out on so much competence and creativity that it would bring on. There is still a long way to go, but by having a positive mindset we untapped some keys that will make a difference as the discussion revealed a number of concrete examples and initiatives that will contribute to real change. We need to further elaborate the topic and look forward to doing that in the close future.“
 
Did you miss this webinar and want to learn more? Please e-mail marion.norman@dutchchamber.se to receive the recording of this webinar “ Corporate Gender Diversity” .

​/Norah Chu

Nora Jing Chu has recently joined the Dutch Chamber team as Webinar Event manager. We asked Norah to  introduce herself:

" My name is Norah Chu. I live in Stockholm since 2017 together with my Swedish partner and our daughter.  I was born in China and grew up in the Netherlands. I have worked in different cities and countries. Intercultural life has always been an important aspect of my life. Moving to Sweden has added further international experience, which I have enjoyed."
 
What is your professional background?
"With a master of Communication Science, I have worked more than 10 years in the field of public diplomacy, public relations and event management for Dutch government and multinational companies, both in China and in the Netherlands.
Since 2016, I have specialized in branding and marketing through digital media and e-commerce, especially towards Chinese market. Working together with Swedish and Dutch brands, my role is to set up suitable social media strategies, create content for different target groups, and optimize advertisements on various social media platforms."
 
In what way would you like to contribute to the Dutch Chambers activities?
 "I would like to support the online activities of the Dutch Chamber. I am more than happy to co-organize interesting and engaging online webinars and meetings for both members and non-members, to get more business people from the Netherlands and Sweden connected."
 
For what subjects and expertise can members and network contact you?
"Being an independent digital marketing consultant, I would love to share ideas on social media branding and marketing. Feel free to contact me for related projects or topics.
Furthermore, I am experienced in project management and events management."

/E.B.

 On Thursday 21 January the Dutch Chamber in Sweden and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands jointly held a new year's reception for their members in the presence of both Ambassadors.
The meeting started with a short quiz on peculiar national habits which, although most members seem to know their host countries very well, raised an eyebrow with some of the zoom participants.
After that both Ambassadors shared their reflections on national developments, policy and EU cooperation. The Swedish Ambassador to the Netherlands highlighted a.o. the good cooperation of the two countries in the EU and the importance of continued cooperation in fields such as innovation, digitalisation and sustainable development.
The Dutch Ambassador to Sweden spoke a.o. about the good examples he has noticed in Sweden on cross sectoral cooperation and in relation to that the need for companies to cooperate and look for win-win scenario’s. Before closing both embassies graciously extended an open invitation to all members to make use of their networks and facilities and expressed the hope that we would soon be able to mingle and meet in real life again.
 
/Ruben Brunsveld

On Thursday the 7th of January we held our first Online quiz. It was time to turn the page to 2021 with a fun little quiz.  Participants were quizzed on a variety of topics such as how many blueberries does a Swedish brown bear eat? to What was the most streamed song on Spotify in 2020? 
We congratulate Esther Meulenberg with the 1st place! After the quiz there was time for a brief digital mingle with fellow members from Stockholm, Tilburg, Malmö and Göteborg.  Your quizmaster will be back later this year with episode 2. 

​/Frank Cleeren