​Region West went out with a bang! The grand finale, the last Walk & Talk of 2022, took
place at fairytale park Liseberg. Christmas atmosphere all around: snow covered trees, a
beautiful Santa village and millions of lights everywhere.

A nice group of participants, members and non-members, joined the walk and took the
opportunity to network. Many ideas were born for upcoming events in 2023. And warm mulled
wine was enjoyed after being out in the cold winter evening. And good news travels fast! Already whilst the participants were defrosting at home, the positive reviews popped up in different online posts.

”Liseberg X-mas edition with Dutch Chamber of Commerce Göteborg.  A bit ”chilly” at -10
Celsius… skipped the roller coasters to prevent arriving as an ice cube.”
(Jan-Willem Hordijk)

”Jul på Liseberg. Glögg, talks and amazing company! Coming home feeling like popsicle.”
(Jo-Anna Wagenaar-Kornegoor)

A guest-participant from The Netherlands who does not speak a word Swedish made the
most heartwarming remark of the evening: Glögg…is that GELUK in a cup? Don’t you agree, that ’geluk’ and ’glögg’ have the same tone of voice?

With that said, Team Region West wishes you a merry Christmas and all the best for 2023.
Welcome to our New Year’s drink on Wednesday the 18th of January.

/V.P.

​Can you tell us who you are and what your connection is between Sweden and the Netherlands?
My name is Eva Struving, born and raised in Eindhoven the Netherlands.  My Swedish mother and Dutch father met each other in Stockholm in 1954 when my father was working as an intern at Ericsson. I have spent all my Christmas holidays and many summers at the farm of my aunt in Skåne.  I live in Amsterdam, 3 boys in their twenties and a husband, who all love Sweden.
Have been part of the exciting journey of the Postcode lottery in different roles and have been involved with the Svenska Postkodlotteriet since the start in 2005. The past 4 years as Managing Director in Stockholm, working in Sweden. 
 
What is the connection between Svenska Postkodlotteriet and de Nederlandse Postcodeloterij?
The Postcode Lottery was launched in the Netherlands in 1989. The mission of the Postcode Lotteries is to contribute to a better world for people and planet. All net proceeds are donated to charitable organisations across the world. Participants win together with their neighbours, while they support charitable organisations like the Red Cross, Save the Children, the Cancer Foundation and WWF at the same time.
Since the start of the Postcode Lottery in the Netherlands in 1989, Postcode Lotteries have been set up in Sweden, Great Britain, Germany and Norway. Thanks to the 13 million subscriptions, more than USD 13 billion has been raised for civil society, making the Postcode Lottery the world's third largest private charity donor.

Are there differences in market approach in both countries?
The Postcode lottery was launched, with what we call, a ‘big bang’ in Sweden, with a weekly prime time TV show and nation-wide marketing campaigns.
In Holland we had to build it up very slowly because the lacks of funds. Regulations are different in every country, so that is something we have to deal with in every country.
 
What are your expectations with regard to your membership of the Dutch Chamber?
I already enjoyed a very interesting first corporate lunch on sustainability in November. It is of course very helpful to meet other people in similar situations. And it is always good to, even after many years, discuss cultural differences. Sweden, with its trust-based society, Holland somewhat more clear in their communication, which can be helpful sometimes as well.
It feels that both countries can learn from each other and could take a leading role in some of the challenges the world is facing today. I’d like to be part of that.

​/E.B.

Who are the people behind BQ Accounting? 

Everything started on a rainy summer night in Stockholm, two driven accountants sat down and were wondering why the bookkeeping felt complicated and time consuming. There must be an easier and more efficient way.  At that moment, the seed to BQ was planted.  A few months later, BQ was born by the driven accountants, Luis Botero and Hadil Qatanani.
The vision is to digitalise all accounting and to help clients to understand, have updated KPI’s, and in the same way help companies to reduce the paperwork and work towards a green world.
 
Where are you located, what type of clients do you have/aim for?

Our headquarters are located at Kungsgatan 29 in Stockholm, Sweden. The advantage to be working digitally is that we can help companies without restrictions of locations. It doesn't matter if you are a foreign company that wants to start a business in Sweden or want to know about the rules, liabilities, and laws. Hopefully, we will meet companies that need a complete solution that includes everything from current accounting, financial statements, salaries, annual account closing. BQ´s vision is “we help customers into the future!".
 
 What are your expectations towards the Dutch Chamber? How can our network be of help to you?
 
We are happy to be a part of the Dutch Chamber, to broaden our network and be able to assist our clients with their daily challenges. Whether, if one of the members need to expand to Sweden or facing some challenges while starting up a company. BQ is here to help!

/E.B.