1. Doing Business with Sweden
Prepared by:Manpreet Kaur Grewal
Sumit Malhotra
Nancy Sood

2. Interesting Facts
•
•
•
•
•
•
Capital: Stockholm
Population: 9.5 million (85% live in urban areas)
Area: 450,000 sq.km = 174 000 sq.mi.
Official Name: Konungariket Sverige (Kingdom of Sweden)
Official Language: Swedish
National Anthem: “Du Gamla, du fria, du fjallhoga nord”
(Thou Ancient, Thou Free, Thou Mountain-Crowned North.”
• National Holiday: Flag Day, June 6

3. Resources
• Sweden's chief crops are grains, sugar beets,
potatoes, meat, and milk, barley, oats, and
wheat.

4. Resources cont.
• Sweden’s natural resources are timber, iron ore,
and hydroelectric power.

5. Economy
•
•
•
Sweden constructed an economy based on free enterprise, public
ownership of utilities, exports, social welfare, and high taxes.
Most important export industries: Mechanical engineering, automotive,
information and communication technology, pulp & paper, power
generation, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, transport services and tourism.
Most important import goods and services: Foodstuffs, raw materials and
fuels, chemical products, machinery, electrical equipment, information &
communication products and services, road motor vehicles, textile products
& apparel, tourism.

6. Economy cont.
• Sweden’s major trading partners are the
European Union, the United States, and Norway

7. Religion and Spiritual Beliefs
• Sweden’s religion consists of 87% Lutheran,
Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, and other.
• Christianity was introduced in 829 but became
fully established in the 12th century.

8. Religion cont.
• The Wasa Dynasty slowly introduced Lutheran
Christianity and in 1604 banned Catholicism.
• Lutheranism was Sweden’s official religion
from about 1540 to 2000.

9. Learning and Technology
• The Swedish government requires children from
7 to 16 years of age to attend school.
• Elementary and high school education are free
for Swedish children.

10. Arts and Crafts
• Sweden made it’s greatest contribution to the
arts in the field of industrial design with
harmonious textiles, furniture, glassware, and
ceramics.

11. Business Culture in Sweden
• Most Swedish businessmen would be surprised if they were
told that their business culture differs greatly from the
international norm.
• Management is based on the idea that the individual is willing
and able to do a good job.
• Swedish businessesmen try to solve problems in an informal
and practical way.

12. Travel Facts
• An average June day in Sweden can have 17,
19, or 24 hours of daylight.
• The time difference between New York and
Sweden is 6 hours later.
• You do not need a visa to travel to Sweden.

13. • Most Swedes have a working knowledge of English.
• Some of the holidays in Sweden include:
– 1 January
New Year’s Day
– 6 January
Epiphany
– 1 May
May Day
– 6 June
National Day/ Liberation Day
– 24-25 December
Christmas
– 31 December
New Year’s Day

14. Business Expectations
• The handshake is the standard greeting for men
and women.
• Use a formal form of address when greeting or
making introductions.
• Punctuality is important in both business and
social functions.

15. • In general, Swedes do not use many gestures and have quiet
natures.
• Acceptable conversation topics include:
– Sports
– Sightseeing
– Travel
– Politics
• Inappropriate topics include:
– Personal topics
– Complaints about how things are run

16. Etiquette
• If you are invited to a Swedish home:
– Toasts before a meal.
– Dining Style.
– Giving gifts.
– After dinner.