Last Thursday on 15 October, the Dutch Chamber hosted the event “Doing Business in the Netherlands” at the Dutch Embassy in Stockholm. We were delighted to welcome our members for an insightful afternoon filled with valuable information, supported by the Swedish Chamber in the Netherlands, NFIA, BDO, Eversheds Sutherland, and Montae & Partners.

The afternoon began with a mingle and lunch at the residence of the Ambassador. After a warm welcome by Joost Reintjes, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sweden, and Manuel Harmsen, Chair of the Dutch Chamber, we kicked off with a Round Table Discussion.

The discussion centered on key considerations when starting a business in the Netherlands, with a particular focus on employee benefits. Our business partners shared their expertise on the various aspects entrepreneurs should consider before establishing a business in the Netherlands — including how to attract and retain talent.

Among the topics discussed were:
• The Dutch Expat Ruling — its current status and possible future changes.
• The Dutch pension system, including crucial rules and regulations relevant to new businesses.
• The importance of understanding sector classification and collective labour agreements in the Netherlands.
• The sometimes complex interplay between Dutch national law and EU regulations.
After the break, we took a closer look at these subjects through presentations by our partners:
• Swedish Chamber in the Netherlands – Better Relations, Better Business, Petra Beets
• NFIA – Support for Your Growth in the Netherlands, Anne Jansen
• BDO – Tax and Social Security, Robin Schalekamp
• Eversheds Sutherland – Employment and Pension Law, Bas Dieleman & Thijs Dalmolen
• Montae & Partners – Benefits, Insurance and Pension, Ron van Overhagen
The inspiring afternoon concluded with an opportunity for networking and specific questions, accompanied by drinks and light refreshments.

We extend our sincere thanks to Joost Reintjes and all our speakers for their preparation, time, and contribution to the engaging discussions during both the round table and the presentations.

Finally, we warmly invite all our members and network to join us for our next seminar, “Leading Through Uncertainty,” on November 14. 
Feel free to bring colleagues, clients, or partners as we continue to grow and strengthen our community.

/S.D.

Yesterday, we gathered in Stockholm for our Dutch Chamber lunch on Pay Transparency, hosted by our corporate member Eversheds.

Are You Ready for Pay Transparancy?

We discussed how companies and HR teams can prepare for the upcoming EU regulation, which takes effect in June next year. Companies are expected to already have insight into potential pay gaps before the end of this year, yet many HR teams still hesitate to act.

With valuable insights from Chris van der Schoor, the discussion covered both the reasons why this new law matters for diversity, equality, but also how this can make the role of HR teams in managing salaries easier, and the requirements and practical steps towards implementation.

For more information on how Per Westman and Eversheds has been supporting employers to get ready for the requirements of the Pay Transparency Directive, including gap analysis against existing practices, advice on existing local laws, training and action plans, please visit their Keeping Pace with Pay Equality and Transparency webpage.

A warm thank you to Chris and Per, and all participants for their sharp questions and great conversation during lunch.
​
This was part of our lunch series with focus on People! We invite our members, as well as HR professionals (including non-members), so feel free to bring colleagues, clients, or relations to the upcoming seminar on November 14 on Leading Trough Uncertainty as we continue to broaden our network.

/MH

On 16 September, 33 participants of the Dutch Chamber in Gothenburg, took networking to the next level—literally—during an unforgettable visit to Karlatornet, the tallest building in the Nordics. With the energetic and entertaining Niklas as our guide, we journeyed from the depths of the building all the way up to the breathtaking 69th floor.

Karlatornet isn’t just a building - it’s THE View, offering more than just stunning sights. Through stories of its construction, technology, and the people behind it, the tour brought this architectural marvel to life. It was a remarkable event that exceeded our expectations.

Want to join the Dutch Chamber on the next event? Save the date, 19 November, for an after-work panel discussion on growth and long-term success for Dutch business in the Gothenburg region. Attending speakers are amongst others our Dutch ambassador in Sweden, Joost Reintjes and CEO Business Region Gothenburg, Partik Andersson. Register here.

/V.P.

Yesterday, we gathered in Stockholm for our Dutch Chamber lunch on The Human Factor in Cyber Resilience, hosted by our corporate member Northwave.

We discussed how to build resilience in today’s organisations to prepare for navigating imminent cyber threats. Early efforts in fighting cybercrime mainly focused on reducing the possibility of ransomware attacks taking place. Most organisations now realise the chances will never be zero, and hence efforts are increasingly directed towards reducing the impact when being attacked. By building truly cyber resilient organisations.

With valuable insights from Kim Elman (VD at Northwave), the discussion showed how crucial the human factor is: breaches often start with small mistakes. Resilience grows when people and culture are placed at the centre of cybersecurity.

A warm thank you to Kim, and all participants for their sharp questions and great conversation during lunch.
​
This was part of our lunch series with focus on People! We invite our members, as well as HR professionals (including non-members), so feel free to bring colleagues, clients, or relations to the upcoming sessions as we continue to broaden our network.

/MH

On Wednesday, September 3rd, we set sail from Skeppsholmen aboard the beautiful Shamrock, a Dutch schooner built in 1915. With both new and familiar faces on deck, we enjoyed a memorable evening sailing around Djurgården.
The weather treated us very well, giving us both smooth sailing and stunning views of Stockholm’s skyline. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, some participants even tried their hand at handling the ropes, adding to the unique experience.
Over warm soup, coffee, and plenty of conversations, the atmosphere on board was relaxed and cheerful. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect after the summer break and make new connections before the busy fall season.
This sailing mingle was also a special moment for me personally, as it marked my last event as Regional Director for the Dutch Chamber in Stockholm. It has been a true pleasure to organise events that brought our members together and strengthened our community. I would like to sincerely thank the board and my fellow regional directors for the pleasant collaboration and support throughout this journey.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us! 
 Want to join us next time? See all our upcoming events on our website  or follow us on LinkedIn.

/L.M.

Location: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö
Role Type: Volunteer
Reporting to: Executive Board


About the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Sweden
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Sweden is a non-profit association dedicated to fostering connections among professionals and businesses with a Dutch connection. We provide a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration through a diverse range of events, including executive discussions, networking sessions, and social gatherings. 


Role Overview
As a Regional Director, you will play an important role in strengthening the Dutch Chamber's presence and impact within your region—Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö. This volunteer position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about community building, event management, and enhancing professional networks.


Key Responsibilities

• Event Organisation: Plan, coordinate, and execute a variety of events tailored to the interests and needs of our members. These may include networking events and social gatherings.
• Community Engagement: Act as the primary liaison between the Dutch Chamber and members, securing a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Collaboration: Work closely with fellow Regional Directors and the Executive Board to align regional activities with the Chamber's goals and strategies.
• Promotion: Utilise various channels to promote regional events and initiatives, ensuring maximum participation and engagement.
• Feedback Collection: Gather member feedback to improve regional activities and services.

Ideal candidate
We are seeking a proactive and enthusiastic individual who embodies the following qualities:

• Strong Communication Skills: Fluent in English, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Event Management Experience: Proven ability to organise and execute events.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Appreciation for Dutch-Swedish cultural nuances and the ability to bridge both communities.
• Team Player: Collaborative mindset with a commitment to the Chamber's mission and values.

Benefits

• Professional Development: Enhance your leadership and organisational skills within an international context.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of professionals and organisations across Sweden. 
• Community Impact: Contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the Dutch-Swedish business community. 
• Recognition: Receive acknowledgment for your contributions to the Chamber's success.

Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit a brief cover letter and resume. Please specify your preferred region (Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö) in your application and send your application to [email protected]. 

For the fourth year in a row, region West hosted the annual kick-off event on a large traditional sailing boat: Mathilde af Mollösund. With around 20 people on board, both new and familiar faces, we set off from Eriksberg and sailed through the beautiful southern archipelago. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough wind this time, so we didn’t get much actual sailing done. But the scenery was stunning as always, and the atmosphere on board was relaxed and enjoyable.
With some snacks and drinks, we watched the sunset, caught up with old acquaintances, and made new connections. 
A perfect start of the new season! 
We are already looking forward to our next event: a guided tour in the spectacular Karlatornet on Tuesday September 16th. 

/W.G

Today, we kicked off our Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Sweden lunch series in Stockholm with a talk by fellow Dutchman Dennis van Schie (VP Supply Chain, Northvolt). 

It became an inspiring gathering where we discussed the pain you need to go through when creating something good in this world, as a person, as a team, as an organisation. And how the essence of leadership boils down to leading yourself, leading the team, leading the organisation and being there to deal with the uncertainty, or simply reality, in the moment. 

I left inspired by Dennis approach to leadership and am very much looking forward to hear more from him during our seminar with the same title, later this year. With confirmed keynote speakers Anko van der Werff (CEO SAS) and Dennis van Schie, with experiences from two companies that navigated a Chapter 11 process recently, this promises to be an insightful afternoon. 

Want to join us? We invite HR professionals and our corporate members to this series of lunches and seminar in Stockholm. 

​/MH

On Friday, June 7th, we gathered for a relaxed After Work Mingle under the open sky, with one of the best views Stockholm has to offer.
With a drink in our hands and the Stockholm skyline as our background, members of the Dutch Chamber enjoyed a casual evening of conversation, new connections, and familiar faces. The rooftop setting gave the perfect start to the summer season , offering both atmosphere and inspiration.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. We wish you a nice summer and look forward to seeing you again!
Curious about what’s coming up next? Have a look at our upcoming sailing events or other upcoming events  here.

/LM