| Kick off - Business Climate Survey 2024 | | | The Business Climate Survey is a Team Sweden project based on a unique partnership between Business Sweden and Swedish Chamber International (SCI). It aims to investigate Swedish companies' perceptions of different business climates around the world.
In France, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Business Sweden are collaborating to conduct this survey locally to map the opportunities and challenges for Swedish companies in France. Now it's time for the fifth edition of the survey. If you are representing a Swedish company in France, you will soon receive the 2024 survey by e-mail.
We count on your participation to help us:
• Understand Swedish companies' perceptions of different business climates in different markets, including France.
• Map the opportunities and challenges for Swedish companies internationally. Ensure that Team Sweden, investors, and other stake holders can support companies in the best way possible.
• Contribute to the positioning of Swedish companies in France and around the world. | | | 28 Février 18h00-20h30 - France: perspectives macro-économiques, politiques et financières 2024 | | | Êtes-vous intéressé par les perspectives de croissance pour la France, les risques économiques possibles ou par l’état et l’évolution des marchés financiers ? Quel pourrait être l'impact de la conjoncture et les marchés financiers sur votre activité, système productif, compétitivité, l'emploi et croissance ?
Alors venez écouter deux spécialistes lors d’une soirée dédiée aux perspectives 2024 et échanges en la matière. | | | | Pour inscription et plus d'information veuillez clicker ici.
Cette conférence est proposée en partenariat avec Rexecode. | | | 13 Mars 18h30-20h00 - Réception de l'Ambassadeur de Suède Håkan Åkesson | | | Réception de l’Ambassadeur Håkan Åkesson en honneur des membres de la CCSF à la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur. Sur invitation et exclusivement réservé aux membres de la Chambre de Commerce Suédoise en France. | | | | Highlights from Previous Events | | | 16th of January: Visit from Université Paris-Dauphine Master II students | |  | | CCSF received a class of Master II students in Product Management and Marketing Data Analysis from Université Paris-Dauphine, ahead of their study trip to Stockholm in February. The young talents are hoping to get insights into Sweden's innovation ecosystem and pioneering sustainability, as well as draw inspiration from Swedish management.
To prepare them for their trip, we discussed cultural management differences between France and Sweden, areas of French-Swedish collaboration and Swedish historic competitiveness through innovation and sustainability initiatives. | | | 23rd of January: Afterwork and Serious Business Game with Celemi | | | CCSF hosted its first event of 2024: An Afterwork and Serious Business Game: Triple Bottom Line, animated by Michael Gieser from Celemi.
The game simulation consisted of two parts: the business development of a maufacturing company, and secondly, the development of a sustainabiloity strategy.
Thank you to Celemi and Michael Gieser for an equally fun as educational evening.
| | | | 26th of January: Round-table business breakfast in the presence of H.E Ambassador Håkan Åkesson and guest of honour Marie-Cécile Tardieu, Business France | | | With only days left to the French state visit to Sweden, CCSF had the pleasure to host a round-table business breakfast in the presence of H.E Håkan Åkesson, the Ambassador of Sweden to France, alongside with Marie-Cécile Tardieu, Deputy General Director Invest, Business France and representatives from Swedish companies in France.
Discussions covered expectations, needs, opportunities and challenges ahead for the companies in the green transition, European competitiveness, the attractiveness of France, France 2030, talents, competence, HR and regulations. | | | News From the CCSF Community | | | Vattenfall is recruiting: International Trainee – Media Relations Officer EU, Brussels | | Are you a proactive strategic thinker, who is interested in the energy transition? Do you look for an exciting and interesting new role in Brussels? Then you might be our Media Relations Officer EU.
Vattenfall is offering an exciting International Traineeship opportunity for a media relations officer EU to help pave the way for Vattenfall, its customers and partners towards a fossil free future! As Media Relations Officer EU you would help set up a media strategy and establish media contacts in Brussels, report to the manager PRA EU, and get the support of the Dutch Media Relations team. For more information, and to apply please click here. | | | SKF receive EcoVadis Platinum Medal for Sustainability in Supply Chains for fourth year running | | | Our member SKF received the Platinum Medal by EcoVadis, on of the most trusted providers of sustainability ratings for use in supply chains. The medal places SKF in the top 1% in sustainable business practise among the more than 100,000 companies assessed worldwide. The recognition is representative of SKF's continued commitment to pursue business with sustainability at its core.
Congratulations SKF! | |  | | Photo: SKF. | | | Yves Pasquier-Desvignes reappointed for three more years as head of Csiam | |  | | Photo: © Ace Team pour Volvo Car France. | | | Yves Pasquier-Desvignes, President Volvo Car France and board member CCSF, has been the President of CSIAM (Chambre Syndicale Internationale de l'Automobile et du Motocycle) since 2020. It was recently announced Yves Pasquier-Desvignes, will be reappointed for another 3-year term. He will work alongside Athina Argyriou, delegate President at CSIAM, as well as the two vice-Presidents Vincent Thommeret and Henri Paccalin, respectively at the head of two-three wheeler vehicles, and industrial vehicles. This year, CSIAM will continue to promote the decarbonisation of two-, three- and four-wheelers to the French public, all while encouraging investments into R&D and technology innovation to move the sector towards a more circular economy. Source: www.auto-info.fr. | | | Le Volvo EX30 elected Premium Car 2024 at the 'Trophées de L’Argus' | | | Volvos' new EX30 has won the Premium Car of the Year 2024 at the Argus award Ceremony 'Trophée de l'Argus'. The prize was accepted by Yves Pasquier-Desvignes, CEO at Volvo Car France.
The jury, consisting of automobile journalists, determine the winner based on criteria such as as price, the average residual value, the general pleasure (driving, comfort, life on board, technologies, perceived quality) and the contribution of the vehicle to its competitive environment. | | | | The EX30 shows Volvo's return towards compact cars, ten years after ending production of their C30 model. The EX30, has amassed 3500 orders in the second semester of 2023, well before the entry into production planned for 2025.
Read more here. Photo: Volvo Cars © | | | Swedish Chambers International (SCI) reveal new logo and web design | | SCI is an umbrella organisation for Swedish chambers of commerce abroad. They consist of over 30 Swedish Chambers from all over the world, spanning hundreds of companies across five continents.
For more information about SCI, and to experience the new designs for yourself, click here! | | | Canal + becomes one of the main shareholders in Swedish Viaplay | | |
Since Viaplay's -98% stock devaluation, a general assembly recently set up a financial rescue plan involving major restructuring. According to the Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri, measures will involve a 4.5Mds SEK emission and major recapitalization of the company, with the entry of two new stakeholders, French Canal+ and Czheck PPF, both holding ~29,3% each. The restructuring will involve a substantial capital dilution for the approximately 55,000 existing stakeholders.
Source: Brèves Economiques. | | | Since opening its first store in central Paris in 2019, IKEA is now increasing their ambitions by planning to open the "IKEA City Paris" in September 2024, at Central Commercial Italie Deux, in the 13th district. Planned on two floors, panning 5800 sqm, the new IKEA would offer a selection of 3200 items, a significant increase compared to the 2000 currently offered in their IKEA Madeleine branch. The new store will replace the current IKEA Madeleine, which will close as of September 2024. | | | French group Safran partners with Ericsson for a 5G private network pilot | | | The french high-tech manufacturing group Safran has chosen to partner with Ericsson to test and develop 5G private network technology on a pilot site in Britany, France. The technology will be deployed in two areas:
- AMRs, (autonomous mobile robots) that will operate on 5G instead of WIFI.
- Test benches, that will go from a wired connection to 5G connection.
Source: Ericsson. | | | Rent CCSFs meeting facilities with one of Paris' most breathtaking panoramic views | | Located in the heart of the 8th district, CCSF`s meeting and event facilities can host a vast arrray of different professional events. The very bright conference room in a typically scandinavian design offers a unique bonus: a terrace of over 60sqm, with a breathtaking panoramic view, stretching from Sacré-Coeur to the Eiffel Tower.
For more information about the space, please click here! And do not forget to share this link with your colleagues.
Do not hesitate to contact us at info@ccsf.fr for any queries, or to book your visit.
Remember that CCSF-members benefit from a discount! | | | French state visit to Sweden January 30th-31st | |  | | Photo: Clément Morin/Kungl. Hovstaterna. | | President Emmanuel Macron is visiting Sweden together with his wife Brigitte Macron, along with a delegation of business, governmental and cultural representatives, at the invitation of HM The King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Last time a French state visit took place was over twenty years ago, at the time with the French President Jacques Chirac.
The visit seeks to further strengthen and promote the longstanding and excellent relations between Sweden and France, especially in the fields of innovation, the green transition, trade & investments as well as defense and security. For instance, the innovation partnership signed in 2017 is due to be renewed on the visit, and a collaboration agreement is due to be signed between Team France (MEDEF, Business France and Chambre de Commerce France-Suède) and Team Sweden (Confederation of Swedish Entreprises/Svenskt Näringsliv, Business Sweden and Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France)
The visit will begin in Stockholm and conclude in Skåne.
The program will, among other happenings, include a meeting between President Marcon and the Swedish Prime Minister, meeting with some company representatives, a visit to the Swedish Parliament, a roundtable on the topic of defence and a French-Swedish Business Forum in Stockholm. In Malmö, the visit will involve a stop at the European Spallation Source, ESS, a visit to Alfa Laval, and a "Studentafton" - student evening - at Lund's University.
La CCSF wishes President Macron, his wife and the French delegation an excellent visit to Sweden!
Read more about the program by clicking here. | | | President Emmanuel Macron appoints new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal | |  | | Photo: rmc.bfmtv.com. | | | Gabriel Attal has been named France's new prime minister, after Elisabeth Borne resigned, following 20 months in office. Attal, who has previously been Education Minister, makes French history by becoming the youngest PM to date, at 34 years old.
Following his appointment, Attal has designated a new cabinet. Darmanin retained his post as interior minister, Dupond-Moretti as justice minister, Bruno Le Maire as minister of finance and Sébastien Lecornu remains defence minister. However, changes include Stéphane Séjourné being named the new foreign minister, and former justice minister Rachida Dati getting appointed as the new culture minister. | | | Belgium takes over last Council Presidency before the EU Elections | | | On 1 January 2024, Belgium took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first part of the year. Belgium will follow six guiding principles during its Presidency, namely (i) the rule of law, democracy, and unity, (ii) strengthening the EU’s competitiveness, (iii) the green and just transition, (iv) reinforcing the EU’s social and health agenda, (v) protecting people and borders, and (vi) promoting a global Europe.
In a speech to the European Parliament, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called for an “EU Industrial Deal” to go alongside the EU Green Deal, in order to financially back the European industry on the green transition while ensuring production capacities remain in / relocate to the EU. This call also stems from the Belgian Presidency’s desire not to leave anyone behind in the green transition, and to reassure the most affected ones that financial support would be available to all.
The EU’s competitiveness and the just transition are expected to be hot topics as the EU elections are approaching. By then, the Belgian Presidency will aim at concluding a maximum of legislative files currently undergoing negotiations, before the European Parliament’s dismantling at the end of April.
Next steps
Belgium is leading the Council meetings until the 30th of June 2024. The EU elections will take place on 6-9 June 2024. | | | The Council Adopts 12th Sanction package and extends energy crisis measure | | The 12th sanctions package against Russia was approved by the Council of the EU and came into effect on 1 January 2024. This sanctions package extends to more than 140 individuals and entities. It also introduces a ban on the import of Russian diamonds and sees certain industrial goods becoming subject to export restrictions. Importantly, the new package also focuses on combating sanction circumvention, notably by strengthening the enforcement of the G7 cap price on Russian crude oil and limiting Russian liquified petroleum gas imports.
Simultaneously, the Council extended the energy crisis measures intended to strengthen the EU’s energy stability and mitigate the effects of the energy crisis by fostering solidarity between EU countries, enhancing the development of renewable energy and helping EU citizens facing high energy prices. The extended measures include the continuation of EU price caps on gas and efforts to speed up permitting for renewable energy sources projects, as well as continued coordination of gas purchases.
Next steps
The emergency energy measures are now expected to expire on 31 December 2024. | | | Parliament and Council agree on Corporate Sustainability and due diligence directive | | | The European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional agreement on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), which seeks to enhance the protection of human rights and the environment standards by holding companies accountable for breaching set standards. To reach that objective, companies within the scope of the new Directive will be required to conduct due diligence checks throughout their value chains, and will have to adopt and implement climate plans.
Applicability of the Directive extends to large EU companies with more than 500 employees and a global turnover of 150 million Euros, and non-EU companies with an EU turnover of 150 million Euros. However, the scope will be narrower for sectors considered at risk, such as agriculture, textiles, mineral resources and construction with the Directive applying to companies with over 250 employees and with a turnover of 40 million euros.
Noticeably, the financial sector’s lending and business activities are presently excluded from the scope of the Directive, pending a future review clause, despite opposition from civil society organisations, specific political parties and Member States.
Next steps
The European Parliament and Council will have to formally endorse the interinstitutional agreement before it can be published to the Official Journal of the EU. | | | Parliament and Council agree on new Standards for Cleaner Vehicles | | | The European Parliament and Council of the EU found an agreement on the Euro 7 Regulation, thus updating the EU’s non-CO2 emissions standards for cars, vans, and trucks. The Regulation is expected to foster the clean transport transition by helping reducing road vehicles emissions during their lifecycle. It seeks to establish a model for more enduring and eco-friendly vehicles, in order to synchronize road transport to the EU’s engagement to green mobility.
The agreement reached imposes new more stringent criteria for heavy duty vehicles while upholding existing exhaust emission limits for cars and vans, despite the European Commission’s willingness to tighten emission standards.
For the first time, the Regulation also targets the reduction of emissions from brakes and tires, especially for electric vehicles. In addition, it introduces stricter durability standards for batteries. Once the Regulation is implemented, all road vehicles will be required to have an Environmental Vehicle Passport providing data on their environmental performance.
Next steps
The European Parliament and Council will have to formally endorse the interinstitutional agreement before it can be published to the Official Journal of the EU. | | | | |
