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It doesn't matter whether it's as close as Windsor or as far as Hong Kong or Zimbabwe, the Michigan District Export Council has someone who's been there and done that.  We encourage you to give us a try.

Nordic Region

Introduction: Why the Nordic Region?

The Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) is an attractive and lucrative market for U.S. companies, as well as an important trading partner to the United States. Its 24 million consumers are looking for high-quality and reputable products from abroad, and are receptive to U.S. products and services. The region effectively serves as a gateway to the Baltic countries as well as northwest Russia, which increases the number of potential consumers to over 80 million.

The Nordic countries are among the world's wealthiest countries. The region is dynamic, highly sophisticated and very competitive, with stable political and economic climate. English is widely spoken and commonly used in the business environment making the market easy to enter for U.S. companies. American high quality products and services as well as state-of-the-art technology are well received. Denmark, Finland and Sweden are members of the European Union (EU). Norway is linked to the EU through the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement. By virtue of the EEA, Norway is practically part of the EU’s single market. Norway implements most EU directives as a result of its EEA obligations.

The World Economic Forum's annual review of global competitiveness ranked four Nordic countries among the six most competitive economies in the world. Finland was number one, followed by the United States, Sweden, Taiwan, Denmark and Norway. The criteria included quality of economic policies, fairness and transparency of legal environment, as well as new technology and innovation. The Nordic countries are also among the least corrupt countries in the world.

U.S. companies active in the Nordic markets rarely encounter trade barriers or market access difficulties. Each country has its own strengths, but all countries are known for their state-of-the-art infrastructure, efficient telecommunications, transportation and logistic as well as smoothly functioning societies. The Nordic region is also known for being the leading market of European telecommunications development, especially Finland (Nokia Corporation) and Sweden (Sony-Ericsson). It also serves as an ideal test market for companies wishing to expand sales to Europe.

The Nordic Region at a Glance

• Population: 24.2 million
• Capitals: Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland), Oslo (Norway), Stockholm (Sweden)
• Government types: Constitutional monarchy (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), Parliamentary republic (Finland)
• Languages: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
• Total Area: 1,155,574 sq km
• GDP (2003): Total USD 836 billion (Denmark USD 212 billion, Finland USD 177 billion, Norway USD 221 billion, Sweden USD 226 billion)
• Primary Import Partners: EU, the United States, Asia
• Primary Export Partners: EU, the United States, Asia
• Imports from the U.S. (2003): Total USD 8.45 billion (Denmark USD 1.82 billion, Finland USD 1.92 billion, Norway USD 2.77 billion, Sweden USD 1.94 billion)
• Exports to the U.S. (2003): Total USD 20.35 billion (Denmark USD 3.97 billion, Finland USD 4.24 billion, Norway USD 5.21 billion, Sweden USD 6.93 billion)

Economic Overview

The economies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have continued to recover from the recession in 1990's. Presently the economic climate is stable in the region.

Sources: Newsec Analys AB, Statistics Norway, the Central Bank of Norway, Finnfacts, Bank of Finland, Statistics Denmark - 3qtr 2004

Photo: Sweden

Michigan Exports

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Doing Business in the Nordic region

The most common way to do business in the Nordic region is through agents/distributors. Selling factors and techniques are very similar in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. General competitive factors such as price, quality, promptness of delivery and availability of service determine success. Establishing a business relationship requires patience and commitment. Companies in the Nordic markets do not change suppliers easily, and many commercial relationships have been maintained over decades. : Establishing an office in the Nordic region is also a possibility to enter the markets.

The U.S. Commercial Service can help you navigate doing business in this region. With offices in each country, we are uniquely poised to assist U.S. companies in meeting agents/distributors, establishing relationships and profiting in this market.

Best Prospects for U.S. Exporters

The following industry sectors provide the best opportunities for U.S. exports:

• Automotive Parts and Accessories (Sweden)
• Computer Hardware and Software
• Distribution and Warehousing Services (Denmark)
• Environmental Technologies
• Franchising
• Medical Equipment, Biotechnology, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
• Oil and Gas Equipment and Services (Denmark and Norway)
• Renewable Energy
• Safety and Security
• Telecommunication Equipment and Services
• Travel and Tourism

Primary Imports from the United States:

• Denmark: Industrial machinery and capital equipment, including computers and telecom products, software, aircraft, scientific instruments, military equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

• Finland: Machinery, telecommunications equipment and parts, aircraft and aircraft parts, computers, peripherals and software, electronic components, electric machinery, chemicals, medical equipment

• Norway: Aircraft and parts, data processing and office equipment, defense-related and other machinery and equipment, various chemicals and industrial inputs, food beverages, other manufactured consumer products

• Sweden: Machinery, optical medical instruments, electrical machinery, vehicles, aircraft, pharmaceutical products, chemical products, plastics, toys and sports equipment, mineral fuel

Photo: Norway

Upcoming Trade Promotion Events

Denmark:

• Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, August 11-14, 2005, Copenhagen (annual event)
• Vacation 2006 (International Travel Fair), January 27-29, 2006, Copenhagen (annual event)
• Copenhagen International Furniture Fair, May 4-7, 2006, Copenhagen (annual event)

Finland:

• FinnSec (Safety and Security), October 5-7, 2005, Helsinki (bi-annual event in odd years)
• International Matka Travel Fair, January 19-22, 2006, Helsinki (annual event)
• Elkom (Professional Electronics), March 2007, Helsinki (bi-annual event in odd years)

Norway:

• Offshore Northern Seas (Offshore Oil and Gas Industry), August 22-25, 2006, Stavanger (bi-annual event in even years)
• Reiseliv (International Travel Fair), January 12-15, 2006, Oslo (annual event)
• Nor-Shipping (Shipping and Maritime Exhibition & Conference), June 2007, Oslo (bi-annual event in odd years)

Sweden:

• Biotech Forum, October 11-13, 2005, Stockholm (annual event organized in different Nordic cities)
• The Scandinavian Technical Fair with New Storage and Transportation, October 18-21, 2005, Stockholm (annual event)
• Stockholm International Boat Show, March 4-12, 2006, Stockholm (annual event)
• TUR (International Travel Fair), March 23-26, 2006, Goteborg (annual event)

Let us promote your company on our website

Contact us today:

Make the Nordic U.S. Commercial Service offices your partners for successful business in the Nordic region. We offer comprehensive export promotion assistance to U.S. companies wishing to enter or expand their market presence. Our commercial specialists can help you identify trade opportunities, find trading partners, and obtain market research reports.

The region is also an excellent gateway to the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as northwest Russia. Doing business in the Nordic region is easy. Let us help you enter the Nordic markets! We offer customized Nordic solutions, including the Nordic Platinum Key Service, and Nordic Qualified Contact Lists. These services, and others, will help your company develop its Nordic-wide market strategy.

Denmark

Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Commercial Service
Dag Hammarskjolds Allé 24
2100 Copenhagen Ø
DENMARK
Tel.: +45-3341-7315
Fax: +45-3542-0175
Email: copenhagen.office.box@ mail.doc.gov

Web site: www.buyusa.gov/denmark/en

Finland

Embassy of the United States of America

U.S. Commercial Service
It. Puistotie 14 B
FIN-00140 Helsinki

FINLAND
Tel: +358-9-616-250
Fax: +358-9-616-25130
Email: helsinki.office.box@ mail.doc.gov
Web: www.buyusa.gov/finland/en

Norway

Embassy of the United States of America

U.S. Commercial Service

Drammensveien 18
N-0244 Oslo

NORWAY
Tel: +47-21-30-88-66
Fax: +47-22-55-88-03
Email: oslo.office.box@ mail.doc.gov

Web: www.buyusa.gov/norway/en

Sweden

Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Commercial Service
Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31
SE -115 89 Stockholm
SWEDEN
Tel: +46-8-783-5346
Fax: +46-8-660-9181
Email: stockholm.office.box@ mail.doc.gov

Web: www.buyusa.gov/sweden/en

Additional Information

Date Updated: March 27, 2007