| Modul System - makes your van work smarter | | Modul-System, European leader in metal fittings for Light Commercial Vehicles, brings more than 50 years of expertise. They offer complete solutions, from design to installation, adhering to safety and reliability standards. Specialists in professional equipment, their catalog includes 3D plans and personalized advice, tailored to each sector and vehicle fleet.
Modul-System, already members at the Chamber, have upgraded to Premium membership. To read more about Modul-System click here. | | | Bambuser - making videos shoppable | | Bambuser is the world’s leading video commerce company with the largest customer base in its industry. Over 350 brands from 40+ countries leverage Bambuser’s solutions to drive customer engagement and sales. Bambuser is a global company with headquarters in Stockholm and offices in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Turku. Bambuser's growing team speaks more than 30 languages and 62% of senior management is female. Founded in 2007 as a livestreaming pioneer, Bambuser now offers the number #1 video commerce platform in the world, helping brands reshape their e-commerce strategies through the power of shoppable video.
Bambuser are joining CCSF as a corporate member. To read more about Bambuser click here. | | | EDF - 'Energy is our future, save it !' | | EDF Group is a key palyer in the energy transition, as an integrated energy operator engaged in power generation, transmission, distribution, trading, sales and services. It is a world leader in low-carbon electricity, with a diverse generation mix based mainly on nuclear and renewable energy, with innovative solutions and services.
EDF are joing the Chamber as Corporate members.
For more information: www.edf.fr. | | | Handelsbanken Luxemburg - a business built on trust | | | Handelsbanken Luxembourg opened for business in 1978. They support the Bank’s customers in the focus markets with their international business. The Branch provides Private banking services and mortgage lending in Spain, Portugal and France.
Handelsbanken operates on timeless values of trust and respect, for customers and colleagues. They aim to build lifelong relationships with their customers and to grow through their recommendations. Their branch teams are empowered to take the decisions that matter to their customers, and to engage locally in the ways they find best. Colleagues throughout the Bank enjoy similar trust, within our open, supportive culture.
Handelsbanken Luxembourg believe in always taking responsibility. By running the Bank prudently, they are able to support their customers through all economic conditions. By sharing their knowledge freely, they can contribute to their financial capability. And by living up to their commitments they can make a positive difference to the communities they serve.
Handelsbanken are joining the Chamber as corporate members. | | | 15th of May 10h30-13h00: Case study: Energy efficiency to reach net zero - Visit of Alfa Laval Vicarb | | | Visit of Alfa Laval Vicarb in Fontanil - Grenoble, with CCSF AuRa.
The visit will include a presentation of Alfa Laval's innovation to help decarbonise the industry, and showcase of two heat exchangers with optimised energy efficiency that drastically reduce CO2 emissions. | | | | 30th of May 18h15-21h30: Cyber Security Unveiled with David Jacoby | | | Evening conference organised by CCSF and Axis Communications on the topic “Cybersecurity unveiled” with guest-speaker David Jacoby, Ethical Hacker and Cyber security expert.
This event will try to answer the questions: How did we end up in this vulnerable world, and why? What will the future unfold for us and what can we do to proactively prevent cyber threats? | | | | Location: Cyber Campus, La Défense. The Cyber Campus is a flagship facility dedicated to cybersecurity that brings together the main national and international players in the field. In particular, it enables companies (large groups, SMEs), government departments, training organizations, research players and associations to be located on the same site.
For more information and to register, click here. | | | 18th of June 17h00-19h30: Presentation Business Climate Survey France 2024 Report | | | Presentation event with discussions and insights about the economic outlook, key facts about the market and Swedish company performances in France related to this year's Business Climate Survey, co-authored by CCSF and Business Sweden. Leading Swedish company representatives will share their views on the business climate in France.
Location: The Embassy of Sweden in France, Paris.
Registration link will be available soon. | | | | 15th of October: French Swedish Innovation Forum, Stockholm | | | High-level conference in Stockholm, bringing together representatives from the french-swedish business sphere.
Time: 2pm-7pm.
Location: Grand Hôtel, Stockholm.
More information coming soon. | | | | 7-8th of November: Le Leadership suédois et le Management franco-suédois | | | Professional training in intercultural management to help optimise your Franco-Swedish business commuication.
Led by Laurence Romani, Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics, in the department of Management and Organisation, she has over 20 years of experience researching and teaching in the field of cross-cultural differences. | | | | The course will be held in French. For more information and to register click here. | | | Highlights from Previous Events | | | 3rd of April: Challenges and stakes for the EU in 2024 and beyond, with Pierre-Alexandre Miquel | | | On the 3rd of April, the CCSF organised a round-table discussion with guest of honour and speaker Pierre-Alexandre Miquel, Deputy Director of the European Union, who outlined his projections for EU in 2024 and beyond. The fruitful discussions ranged from security to economic growth and resilience.
We thank Pierre-Alexandre for sharing his invaluable insights! | | | News From the CCSF Community | | | Alfa Laval invest in the production of a new line of heat exchangers in Isère | |  | | Photo: Alfa Laval all rights reserved. | | Alfa Laval invest 10 million euros to expand their production in hydrogen stations in France, by introducing a new line of heat exchangers in their Fontanil-Cornillon site in Isère. The investment is the biggest ever made by Alfa Laval in France. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region are contributing to the investments with 200,000 euros. Alfa Laval currently count 1000 employees in France, including 230 people on their site in Fontanil-Cornillon. The investment represents Alfa Laval's relocation to Europe, moving technology that previously only existed in the group's Korean facility CorHex. Being particularly compact, these heat exchangers are particularly suitable for cooling hydrogen in recharging stations. Hence the strategic choice of the Isère site, close to other players in the ecosystem such as HRS, near Grenoble, or Atawey, in Savoie.
The investment predicts a return in production of over 1000 printed circuit heat exchangers per year. The expansion of the site has required the recruitment of at least 10 people in the last months, with a high probability of more to come. The opening of these new facilities was celebrated with the presence of Swedish Ambassador to France H.E. Håkan Åkesson, Tom Erixon CEO of Alfa Laval, Thomas Møller, President of the Energy Division, and Jo Vanhoren, President of the Welded Heat Exchanger Business Unit. Source: Les Échos. | | Milence announces first electric charging hub for heavy duty vehicles in France | | | Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON Group and Volvo Group announces its first charging hub in France, at Heudebouville, in the Eure department (27), as part of their continued commitment to accelerate the transition to electric transportation for heavy duty vehicles.
This will be Milence's first large-scale public electric charging network across Europe for heavy duty vehicles and buses.
Source: milence.com | | EQT enters exclusive talks with ICG Infra to acquire French Ocea Group | | | The Swedish capital investor EQT has entered into exclusive negocations with the infrastruture giant ICF Infra, over acquiring the French water and heat submetering infrastructure provider Ocea Group. Ocea Group counts over 7000 clients and more than 4 million water and heat meters. The acquisition should be concluded in the second or third trimester this year, if regulatory authorisations are granted. | | | Source: Brèves Économiques. | | | French Valorem enters the Swedish market with wind and solar power project | |  | | Photo: William DeHoogh. | | | French independent green energy operator VALOREM has signed a cooperation agreement with Tribrid Power, to develop 1 GW of wind and solar projects in Sweden. The project strengthens Valorem's activities in Nothern Europe, who's expansion strategy in Sweden is built upon the collaboration with its trusted local partner, chosen for its experience and expertise in the region.
While active in Finland since 2010, this is VALOREM's first project in Sweden.
Source: https://www.valorem-energie.com/en/non-classe-en/valorem-enters-the-swedish-market/. | | | Swedish Companies and Partners are Recruiting | | | HM open applications for their 2024 intake of 'alternants' | | If you are looking to complement your studies with practical experience in the fashion and retail industry, an alternance with HM might be for you! With openings across France, you can find the opportunity that best suits your career and development aspirations.
Read more about roles offered, and how to apply by clicking here. | | | Sweden: deepest capital markets in Europe | |  | | Photo: Jon Flobrant. | | | The Financial Times reveal that Sweden has been uniquely succesful at encouraging small to medium sized domestic businesses to stay at home, encouraged particularly by the depth of its stock market. The FT reports that 501 companies have listed in Sweden in the last decade, which is more than the total number of IPOs in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain combined.
The FT identify the following key reasons behind the depth of Swedish capital markets: - Strong investment culture, as much among entrepreneurs, specialists, and institutional actors, as among your average citizens. Indeed, swedish household are much more avid investors compared to EU households overall.
- Ensurers and pension funds are large holders of domestic equity.
- Swedish companies are more likely to be listed than companies from other European countries, especially small and mid-sized companies.
- The Swedish stock market perfomance is outdoing its peers, resulting in a reinforcing loop of increased domestic investments. Indeed, Sweden's index gained 85% in the last 10 years, compared to the Euro Stoxx 600 index that has risen 49%, and London’s FTSE 100 just 17% over the same time period.
| | | Business France publish annual report 'Guide des Affaires' Sweden | | | The guide is a Team France Export effort, which provides French businesses with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the Swedish business environment, as well as keys to successfully navigating this ever-changing market.
Some key numbers and insights: - 6.2 B€ worth gets exported from France toward Sweden every year.
- There are 690 French subsidiaries in Sweden, of which 84% are in the service sector.
- Key sectors include energy (especially renewables and nuclear); agriculture and wine; cybersecurity; and health.
You can download the full report here. | | | Maison des Étudiants Suédois open applications for housing this Autumn! | | | The Maison des Étudiants Suédois has opened for applications to reside in the house this autumn. The house offers a unique study and work environemnt on an international campus in central Paris. The house welcomes applications from students, researchers, artists, musicians and elite athletes.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Make sure to apply latest the 31st of May to be considered for the Autumn 2024 intake. | | | Business France launches guide to help navigate France’s most significant recent business-friendly reforms | |  | | Photo: Sora Shimazaki. | | | Since 2017, the French government has implemented a set of business-friendly reforms, to facilitate international investments and increase France's investment attractiveness. To help navigate these changes, Business France recently launched a guide.
The guide includes:
- the new tax environment to encourage investments
- the new buisness-friendly reforms to strengthen France’s social model
- Administrative simplification to facilitate setting up site in France
- France's commitment to the green transition
- Reforms in the pipeline
| | | Swedish Government announce a Spring Budget with emphasis on economic recovery | |  | | Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT / TT NYHETSBYRÅN | | | The Swedish government announced their Spring budget on the 15th of April, seeking to respond to the country's economic situation by focusing on three key pillars: - fighting against rising inflation
- improving job market security through means of training opportunities for job seekers, and incentivising work and autonomy
- Increasing productivity to enhance growth over the long term.
The policies include short term measures, but also longer term structural changes.
Source: Brèves Économiques. | | | New depreciation of the Swedish crown (SEK) | | | With the anticipation of a decrease in the key rate of the Swedish National bank (Riksbanken) in May (from 4 to 3,75%), the Swedish crown (SEK) is already dropping in value to 11,68 SEK/€ - the lowest it has been since the beginning of the year. The rate corresponds to a depreciation of 5% compared to the euro since january 2024, and of 16% in three years.
Source: Brèves Économiques. | | | France remains the second largest wine export country at Systembolaget | |  | | Photo: Hermes Rivera. | | | France continues to hold second place in wine export to Swedish Systembolaget, the government-owned monopoly of liquor stores. France holds a 15,5% marketshare, behind the leading exporter Italy with a 26,5% marketshare, but ahead of third-place holders Spain, at 14,9% of the marketshare.
Red wines are overwhelmingly of Italian origin, representing 40% of the marketshare. As for white wines, South Africa hold the first place, with 15,6%.
Source: Brèves Économiques. | | | European Leaders’ Discussions On Future Priorities Of The EU | | In preparations for the upcoming institutional changes resulting from the future EU Elections in June, the President of the European Council Charles Michel invited EU leaders to continue discussions on the EU’s Strategic Agenda. Initiated last summer, these discussions are intended to prepare a European Council meeting in June, during which EU heads of States and governments will delineate the Union’s policy agenda and priorities for the upcoming legislative cycle. Adopted conclusions from a special meeting of the European Council on 17 and 18 April underscored the necessity for a new European Competitiveness Deal to face recent geopolitical challenges and support productivity and growth across Europe, in line with the digital and green transition. Such a deal would enhance Europe’s economic, manufacturing, industrial and technological base, in order to secure the EU’s economic resilience, competitiveness and leadership in technology and innovation. Additionally, the conclusions emphasise the need for the EU to mitigate strategic dependencies across various sectors, including energy, critical raw materials and technologies. According to the European Council, achieving these goals would notably require a more robust industrial policy, ensuring legal certainty and predictability. It would also depend on increasing integration and coherence across diverse policy areas, promoting innovation and digitalization, and averting excessive regulation and administrative burdens on businesses. Accordingly, the European Council calls for deepening the single market and advancing efforts to establish a more unified European capital market, as well as for augmented investments and improved access to capital in strategic sectors, from both public and private entities. In addition to domestic concerns, EU leaders also deliberated on foreign affairs matters, including the war in Ukraine and the EU’s solidarity with the country, as well as developments in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on Israel. Furthermore, discussions touched upon the EU’s relationship with Turkey. Next steps The European Council will meet on 27-28 June to decide on its final priorities for the EU to be taken into account by the new European Commission. | | | Parliament Adopts Energy Markets Reform And New Sustainability Rules | | | The European Parliament formally adopted a series of legislations key for the European Green Deal and aiming to support energy markets and foster environmental protection.
Firstly, the Parliament adopted as a response to the 2022 energy crisis a reform of the EU electricity market. The new legislation will increase sustainability and consumer-friendliness, providing stronger social provisions and mechanisms to give the possibility to declare an electricity price crisis, allowing national government interventions. This reform also promotes long-term power supply contracts to mitigate price spikes.
Secondly, a reform toward a more sustainable and resilient EU gas market was adopted, with provisions for security of supply and solidarity rules between Member States. This reform will also facilitate the integration of hydrogen into the EU's energy mix, providing legal certainty for future investments in hydrogen infrastructure and improving network planning coordination.
Thirdly, the Parliament adopted the establishment of an EU certification scheme for carbon removals, introducing new rules for certifying units of carbon dioxide removed form the atmosphere, creating a potential market for captured CO2.
Lastly, a new law to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector was introduced by legislators, marking the first EU legislation targeting methane emissions in this sector. The law will notably require oil and gas operators to detect and repair methane leaks and to tackle flaring, which will be banned from January 2025. Overall, these adoptions form key initiatives of the EU Green Deal to support clean energy markets and foster environmental protection. Next steps The Council of the EU is expected to formally endorse these files in the upcoming weeks, before their entry into force 20 days after publication to the Official Journal of the EU. | | | Commission And Council Move On Agricultural Policies | | | The Council endorsed targeted revisions to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2023-2027 period, aiming to strike a balance between environmental objectives within the CAP and the needs of farmers. These revisions come in response to recent farmer discontent across the EU, seeking to alleviate bureaucratic burdens associated with the EU Green Deal policies affecting agriculture and increase flexibility for both Member States and farmers. Key aspects of the revision include temporary exemptions for unforeseen climate events, relaxed standards on soil protection, crop rotation, and fallow land rules. Simultaneously, the European Commission is proposing a 50% tariff increase on Russian and Belarusian grain imports to curb the influx of illegally sourced Ukrainian grain into the EU market. This action aims to safeguard EU agricultural production and support Ukrainian suppliers. Furthermore, small surface farms (under 10 hectares), which constitute 65% of CAP beneficiaries, will be exempt from environmental checks and penalties. Next steps National governments will have the possibility to implement the new CAP measures from 2024 onwards. | | | Member States Adopt Euro 7 Rules While Parliament Endorses Measures To Strenghten Co2 Emission Reduction Targets For Hdv | | | During an Economy and Finance Council meeting held on 12 April, Member States officially adopted the Euro 7 Regulation, which focuses on emissions and intensifies the limits values of emissions for cars, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles. This regulation extends its scope to include battery durability and emissions from tyre and brake wear, applying these standards to vehicle manufacturers. While maintaining the same Euro 6 emissions limits for cars and vans, the regulation enhances the stringency of emissions limits for heavy-duty buses and lorries. Moreover, it introduces stricter lifetime requirements for all vehicles in terms of mileage and overall lifespan.
In addition, the Parliament adopted on 10 April rules to strengthen CO2 emission reduction targets for trucks and buses. These measures mandate a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040 compared to 2019, with interim targets of 45% by 2030 and 65% by 2035. Additionally, stricter targets are set for city buses, with a planned phase-out of new diesel vehicles by 2035. In anticipation of the challenges associated with ensuring an adequate supply of zero-emission vehicles, there is a pressing need to deploy the requisite charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructures. Next steps The Euro 7 Regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the EU shortly and enter into force 20 days after publication, while the new CO2 emission targets remain to be adopted by the Council. | | | | |
