Words from Executive Director | Recent Events | Upcoming Events | Event Calendar
Insights From Our Member: SAAB | Member News | Recommended Readings | Other Highlights
| | Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network, business and social events. The SACC-DC Newsletter will help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Swedish-American business community and find the perfect opportunity to create new business connections in the greater Washington D.C. area and Mid-Atlantic region. | | WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | | |
Dear friends - Happy Valborg!
Valborg, or Walpurgis Night, is an ancient pagan tradition and spring celebration in Sweden and Scandinavia, held annually on April 30th. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, with Swedes gathering around bonfires, singing, and participating in community festivities.
We have had a busy few weeks with various programs, including visits to our member companies, Nammo and Axis, Happy Hours, a seminar on female leadership co-hosted with SWEA, and a Nordic Youth Forum at the Norwegian Embassy.
In these uncertain times, collaboration is essential. We aim to expand our network by cooperating with other organizations with similar agendas, partnering with various networks and businesses to gain insights from their diverse perspectives, and sharing insights from our members that benefit our entire circle of friends.
We have several interesting programs coming up.
International families, often owning real estate or earning income in different countries, encounter challenges and opportunities. Join us for an enlightening discussion with Cerity Partners on how to effectively navigate these issues regarding cross-border financial planning for international families.
Swedish-American trade relations and security are at the forefront of everyone's mind these days, so please seize the opportunity to discuss this, along with developments in Washington and beyond, in an informal setting with the Trade and Economic Policy team at the Swedish Embassy and our SACC-DC member, Blue Star Strategies.
Please consult our event calendar for everything else coming up. This newsletter and an updated version are available on our webpage.
Anna Wramner
Executive Director
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Earlier this week, SACC-DC, NorCham, and the Embassies of Finland and Norway co-hosted the Nordic Youth Forum at the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The event explored how young professionals can shape the future of Nordic-U.S. security cooperation. As global tensions rise, the discussion centered on how the next generation can lead in defense and diplomacy.
The evening opened with welcome remarks from SACC-DC's Karin Håkansson and Annbjørg Bore Sonflå from NorCham, followed by speaker introductions by Knut Visdal, Trainee at the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the evening’s moderator.
A compelling panel discussion featured Tor Kinsarvik, Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and Tuomas Koskenniemi, Defense Counselor at the Embassy of Finland. Together, they offered valuable perspectives on the Nordic region’s growing role in NATO and the strategic importance of U.S.-Nordic collaboration.
We were honored by the presence of the Norwegian Ambassador and proud to welcome attendees from every Nordic country - strengthening regional ties and laying the groundwork for future cooperation. The evening concluded with an interactive Q&A session and a vibrant networking reception with refreshments.
| | In April, our Young Professional members had the opportunity to visit two leading companies in their respective fields: Axis Communications and Nammo. | | At Nammo, we were welcomed with a delightful selection of food and beverages, followed by an engaging presentation about the company’s Scandinavian roots, their expansion into the U.S. market as well as gained insights into how Nammo works with government relations. | | Our visit to Axis began with a friendly welcome and refreshments, followed by an insightful presentation about the company’s operations. We also enjoyed a tour of the Experience Center, where we explored Axis’ impressive range of products and solutions. To top it all off, we took in one of D.C.’s most stunning views from the office rooftop. | | We extend our sincere gratitude to both companies for their generosity in hosting our Young Professionals! | | SWEDISH WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP | | |
On April 3rd, SACC-DC co-hosted an inspiring event together with SWEA Professional at EIG headquarters. The event gathered over 60 women of all ages and professional backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and celebrate local women leaders with Swedish roots.
The evening began with a networking reception, followed by engaging panel discussions moderated by Eva Guterres. The panelists - Annika Silva-Leander, Andrea Almaraz, Erica Eriksdotter and Gabriella Levi - shared personal stories, career milestones, and how their Swedish heritage has shaped their leadership journeys.
Thank you to all who joined us, to SWEA Professional, and especially to our brilliant panelists and moderator for making the evening such a success!
Check out a collage of highlights from the evening below.
| | As part of a busy spring filled with engaging programs, SACC-DC continues with two upcoming events at Say Cheese Café, along with one of our most highly appreciated company visits - a tour of the World Bank. Read more about the events and RSVP below. | | LEAVING THE U.S. - FINANCIAL PLANNING TIPS & TRAPS | | |
There is a growing community of individuals and families in the U.S. who are considering a move abroad. Join SACC-DC for an insightful discussion focused on the unique personal finance considerations for U.S. citizens and residents preparing to leave the U.S.
Date: Thursday, May 8
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: Say Cheese Café, 1071 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Georgetown
We’ll begin the evening with refreshments and mingling - an ideal setting to connect before the main discussion gets underway. Our speakers, Andrew Fisher and Andrejs Pilajevs, will then cover key aspects of cross-border financial planning.
Bonus: The first 15 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Fisher’s ’The Cross-Border Family Wealth Guide’ - a practical resource on financial planning for globally mobile families.
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We are pleased to invite you to the latest in a series of exclusive events featuring representatives from the Swedish Embassy discussing issues of concern to the Swedish-US business community. This event will focus on the timely issue of the intersection between trade and security and how recent US initiatives on tariffs and other trade policies may impact traditional procedures and relationships.
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Time: 4:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: Say Cheese Café, 1071 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Georgetown
The evening will start with a mingle reception with refreshments, followed by a keynote presentation by Mathias Hultgren, Economic Counselor of the Swedish Embassy. Mr. Hultgren brings extensive international experience from postings in South Africa, Beijing and Taiwan. Mr. Hultgren will be followed by two respondents:
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Doug Campbell, Managing Director at Blue Star Strategies and former Deputy Staff Director of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
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Bill Greenwalt, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Additionally, there will be a Q&A moderated by SACC-DC President Jim Solyst.
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COMPANY VISIT: THE WORLD BANK
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We are happy to invite our Young Professional Members for an exclusive visit to the World Bank!
Date: Friday, May 9
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: The World Bank (J Building), 701 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
As a leading global financial institution, the World Bank is at the forefront of tackling major global challenges such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and economic stability. This visit offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the organization's mission, operations, and global impact.
| | We have updated our event calendar with upcoming programs and networking opportunities. You can now explore all our scheduled events through the link below - we look forward to seeing you there! | | INSIGHTS FROM OUR MEMBER: SAAB | | Given the current global landscape—marked by political shifts and increasing security uncertainty—we asked Michael Andersson, SACC-DC board member and Head of Strategic Partnerships and International Affairs at SAAB, Inc., on how SAAB is navigating these challenges. | | |
How does the current security environment impact Saab, Inc.’s operation in the U.S and how do you adjust your strategies?
"Saab is on an ambitious growth trajectory in the U.S. with a comprehensive strategic vision. The combination of the current international security situation and the investments we have made in the U.S. over a long period of time has established Saab as an integral part of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base.
We have a uniquely long-term perspective – not driven solely by quarterly result pressure, but an enduring security view. We have long standing programs with all branches of the U.S. armed forces today and are committed to meet the evolving needs of our customers. We recently announced our decision to open our tenth location in the U.S. – a munitions facility opening in Grayling, Michigan in early 2026."
What challenges and/or opportunities does Saab, Inc. see as a result of the current Geopolitical situation?
"The evolving geopolitical landscape demands a strategic pivot from industry. Products that once took years must now be ready in months, so the defense industry must accelerate innovation and production. Saab is confident in where we are as a company both globally and domestically. While the defense industry landscape is changing every day, Saab is in a strong position to continue offering solutions that are affordable, high-quality and proven to be highly effective.
Sweden and the U.S. have a good long-standing cooperation when it comes to defense and defense industry collaboration and we see that only growing to fill the current gaps and solve problems of the future."
| | ABB to Spin Off Robotics Division – Gains Positive Reception | | |
ABB has announced its plan to spin off its Robotics and Discrete Automation business into a separately listed company, allowing the division to accelerate growth and strengthen its market leadership independently. The spin-off is expected to enhance shareholder value while giving the robotics unit increased strategic and financial flexibility. ABB will retain a majority stake following the listing, which is planned for early 2025, subject to market conditions.
The decision has gained praise from major investors and was highlighted in Swedish business daily Dagens Industri, where large shareholders welcomed the move as a smart step forward for ABB’s long-term strategy.
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The Swedish Government has presented its 2025 Spring Amending Budget, using the strength of Sweden’s economy to navigate global uncertainty and support national priorities. Despite international turbulence, Sweden remains well-positioned to act. The Budget focuses on strengthening household purchasing power through tax reductions, restoring the work-first principle to combat unemployment, and driving growth through investment and competitiveness.
These steps aim to stimulate demand, support recovery, and prepare Sweden for future challenges. The Government proposes SEK 11.5 billion in measures, including economic stimulus, expanded law enforcement efforts to tackle organized crime, and enhanced defense capabilities alongside continued support for Ukraine.
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LARS STRANNEGÅRD ON THE CRISIS IN U.S. UNIVERSITIES
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In this compelling op-ed, Lars Strannegård, President of the Stockholm School of Economics, sheds light on a troubling trend affecting American higher education: increasing political interference and funding cuts that threaten the foundational values of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. He draws on historical thinkers like Marx and Berman to frame the erosion of universities as not just an educational issue, but a democratic one.
This opinion piece is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of education, policy, and democracy—especially relevant for professionals navigating cultural and institutional landscapes in both the U.S. and Sweden.
| | News from SACC-USA and the Embassy | | Find news from the Swedish Embassy and SACC-USA through the links below. | | |
BUSINESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY SACC-DC
SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small businesses, potentially resulting in new collaborations, clients, and partnerships. Read more about our B2B Matchmaking service and how to make a request here. Your company has the opportunity to be assisted by a Business Associate or a trainee with short-term projects aiming to increase your knowledge about specific markets. Read more about our Trade Services and how to make a request here.
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INTERESTED IN JOINING THE SACC-DC COMMUNITY?
Visit our membership page to join as a new member, or renew your membership through the membership portal. SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. We also tailor trade missions for Swedish companies interested in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Whether an individual with a keen interest in or connection with Sweden living in D.C. or a company looking to establish new relationships, we can help you reach your next goal!
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