A majority of Swedish companies operating in global markets are clearly optimistic when it comes to investing in emerging markets such as India, UAE, and Mexico. These findings are presented today as Business Sweden and Swedish Chambers International (SCI) launch the Global Business Climate Survey 2023. . Among the attendees at the launch event are Johan Forssell, Minister for International Trade and Development Cooperation, Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden, and Andreas Hatzigeorgiou, Chairman of Swedish Chambers International (SCI) and CEO of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
More than 1,600 Swedish companies participated in the survey, answering questions about the local business climate in 23 different markets relevant to their global sales.
"Swedish companies’ perception of the business climate in emerging markets such as India, UAE, and Mexico has improved significantly, while their view of developed markets is more cautious. The survey also indicates that the majority of companies were profitable in 2022 and that sustainability continues to play an important role in their investment decisions. I hope that this survey can provide knowledge and insights into local success factors and challenges as Swedish companies establish themselves and conduct business in foreign markets," says Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden.
The purpose of the Global Business Climate Survey is to provide business leaders with first-hand knowledge and guidance on how to successfully navigate in foreign markets, by sharing experiences from Swedish companies already operating there.
The annual survey is conducted in collaboration between Business Sweden, Swedish Chambers International (SCI), and Sweden's embassies and consulates. The survey reveals, among other findings, that 66 per cent of companies expect an increased industry turnover in the coming year, and that 48 per cent of Swedish companies plan to increase their global investments over the next 12 months. The share of companies highlighting climate and environmental aspects as important factors in customer purchasing decisions stands at 41 per cent, marking an increase from last year's survey.
"Once again, we receive confirmation that Swedish innovation stands strong on the global stage. Despite several new threats and challenges emerging on the horizon, Swedish companies and their products are in high demand worldwide. For a small country like Sweden, it's now important to maintain our strong international relationships and nurture the reputation we've built over many years. This is to ensure that we remain a sought-after partner in the areas where we excel, and where our Swedish brand represents high quality, leading sustainability performance, and digital innovations," says Andreas Hatzigeorgiou, Chairman of Swedish Chambers International (SCI) and CEO of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.