Swedish American Chambers of Commerce

E-Currents

November 2023

This newsletter contains news, updates and relevant information from the Swedish American Chambers of Commerce Inc.

WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,     

  

I trust this message finds you well despite the morose geopolitical outlook. The ‘sober restraint’ Keep Calm and Carry On message created by Britain’s wartime Ministry of Information comes to mind where the erratic alternative is frightening.    

  

While the EU is experiencing subdued economic activity trade and investment between Sweden and the US remain robust. We observe a keen interest in Swedish innovation and technologies in a range of verticals from e-mobility, autonomous vehicles and industrial IoT to decarbonization of power and industry via digital health and precision medicine. A key SACC-USA activity in the last year has been to introduce Swedish innovation to US markets and capital; the next Executive Forum will explore the truly exponential American pie and delve into the green and digitalization twin transition. We welcome your participation in shaping the 2024 Executive Forum and our organization at large, please feel free to reach out to me at karin.hammar@sacc-usa.org for a virtual coffee in Q4.     

    

In this month's newsletter we bring you updates from our members and chambers and share some pertinent Swedish American news and events. If you would like to feature in a next edition of e-Currents, please contact Ebba Werner at marketing@sacc-usa.org


 

Warm regards, 

NEWS FROM SACC-USA

EXECUTIVE FORUM 2024

THE FUTURE IS NOW - NAVIGATING THE TWIN TRANSITION

 

We find ourselves in an era marked by two pivotal transitions: the green transition and the digital transition. These twin transitions bring both challenges and opportunities, and the 2024 Executive Forum will explore how to navigate the intricate landscape of sustainability, digitalization, and their interplay in the business world across different verticals. The future is no longer on the horizon; the Future is Now.


Read more and here!

Kulturkriget rör inte USA:s ekonomi i ryggen


André Persson, President & Chairman of the Board SACC Houston skriver I FOKUS om USA:s ekonomi.


"USA må plågas av politiskt kaos och kulturkrig. Men ekonomin går som tåget och på Wall Street är det fest. Hur är det möjligt?"

Läs artikeln här

Condolences from SACC-USA


Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected by the recent terror attack in Brussels. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We also encourage Swedes abroad to sign up for "Svensklistan" from Swedes Abroad, ensuring they stay informed and connected during such events.


Register here

Meet Swedish Universities in the United States!


In November, twelve Swedish universities are coming to various locations in the United States to engage with American students and promote higher education in Sweden. Don't miss this extraordinary chance to interact with representatives from leading Swedish universities in New York, Washington State, and California. Swedish universities are globally esteemed for their high rankings and offer a wide range of Master's and Bachelor's programs taught in English, totaling over 1000 Master's and 100 Bachelor's programs. Sweden is renowned for its groundbreaking research, culture of innovation, and strong commitment to sustainability, making it a gateway to numerous opportunities for education and personal growth.


Read more here!

NEWS

Nobel Prize winners 2023


Established in 1895, the Nobel Prize is widely considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in the world. Since its inception, the annual award has honored individuals and groups who have made groundbreaking advancements in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. The laureates of the 2023 Nobel Prize were announced earlier this October, and among the recipients were one prominent Swedish-French and three Americans. Louis E. Brus was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots, while Claudia Goldin received the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Science for her contributions to advancing our understanding of women’s labor market outcomes. In Physiology or Medicine, Drew Weissman was honored for discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Lastly Anne L'Huillier, born in France and currently a professor at Lund University got awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter.


Read the article here

Biden-Harris Administration Invests nearly $2 Million in Digital and School-Based. Programs Aimed at Protecting Youth from Human Trafficking


“We must do whatever we can, for as long as necessary, to end the scourge of human trafficking,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “These resources will help schools increase awareness about human trafficking and empower more people to come forward and help stop it. By addressing the conditions that allow this horrific practice, we can help the individuals, families, and communities that are affected that most.”


Says U.S Deportment of Health and Human Services


Read the article here

UPDATES FROM MEMBERS

Green Transition Initiative's new collaboration

 

Atlas Copco Group, Husqvarna Construction and Volvo Construction teams up with GTI to showcase fully electrified construction of Green infrastructure in the US.


“The Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative is excited to play a pivotal role in catalyzing this transformation, and the consortium's commitment to electrifying the construction industry represents a significant step forward in our collective journey toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.”



-Linda Andrén, Executive Director at Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative. 


Read more here!

Welcome to SACC-USA - ECAPS!


ECAPS is a prominent Swedish company in the aerospace industry, specializing in the production of rocket engines and rocket fuel for satellites and spacecrafts. Recognized as the leader in sustainable propulsion, ECAPS develops non-toxic, "green" rocket fuels and engines, meeting the growing demand for responsible and sustainable technologies in the rapidly evolving space sector.


Vist their website here.


Read our article with John Franklin, Executive Director of ECAPS, in the section "What are the interns writing?" below.

Internet Vikings



Internet Vikings announce the latest successful launch of a leading iGaming technology provider Bragg Gaming Group in Pennsylvania. Internet Vikings is delivering a specialized hosting solution to accommodate Bragg's expansion across the U.S. These solutions form part of their core offerings and support business growth and industry development. 

This is another testimony to Internet Vikings’ enhancing the online gaming and sports betting sector in the United States.


Want to know more about Internet Vikings’ role in the iGaming and sports betting industry?


Discover more here: Website & LinkedIn

SOME OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

SACC Event calendar

Meet author Maria Bouroncle at House of Sweden


Maria Bouroncle, an economist turned author who was born in Gothenburg Sweden but has now lived in DC for 20 years, will be at the House of Sweden on November 9 at 6:30 pm - Join us to hear about her books. Her literary career began in 2018 after more than 25 years in international development. Don't miss this unique event!


Reserve a spot here

What are the interns reading?

In this month's edition of E-Currents, we continue to present to you a section featuring book recommendations by SACC-USA trainees! As you read through this section, take a moment to appreciate timeless classics or immerse yourself in the joy of exploring new literary treasures.

On Earth we are Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (2019)


This epistolary novel by the young writer, Ocean Vuong, is an intimate exploration of his life as a Vietnamese American. Written as a letter to his illiterate mother, the book delves into themes of identity, race, sexuality, and the immigrant experience. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is as much about the power of telling one's own story as it is about the obliterating silence of not being heard. 

Surrounded by Geniuses by Alan Gregerman (2010) 

 

In Surrounded by Geniuses, Alan Gregerman introduces a revolutionary guide to personal, professional, and organizational success based on two simple ideas: First, genius is hidden in all of us. And second, we are surrounded by a world filled with genius that can be used to transform any team, company, or organization to deliver compelling customer value. This book encourages readers to tap into their creative potential and embrace a more innovative mindset! 

Klara and the sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021) 


Klara and the Sun is a masterpiece about life, love and mortality by Kazuo Ishiguro, winner of the Nobel prize in literature. The author has created a novel set in a future world where artificial intelligence has advanced to the point of creating highly lifelike humanoid robots. The story follows Klara, an ‘Artificial Friend', who observes and learns about human emotions and relationships, trying to make sense of humanity

Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) 


Matt Haig tells the story of Nova, a woman who tries to commit suicides but ends up finding herself in a mysterious library filled with books representing alternate lives she could have lived. Nora explores these lives, searching for the one that brings her the most happiness and meaning. Midnight Library is a whimsical fantasy about learning what’s important in life. 

What are the interns writing?

Green Transition Summit Summary

The Green Transition Summit 2023, hosted by the Green Transition Initiative (GTI), featured inspiring speakers, insightful panels, and a message of hope. The event stressed the importance of transatlantic cooperation in addressing climate challenges and encouraged attendees to maintain optimism and take action

Read the full summary here

Q & A - ECAPS

"Traditional rocket fuels, especially hydrazine, are not only environmentally harmful but also pose significant handling challenges due to their toxicity. In stark contrast, ECAPS's rocket fuel, LMP-103S, is non-toxic, marking a revolutionary step forward. Based on Ammonium DiNitramide (ADN), LMP-103S not only delivers superior performance per volume compared to hydrazine but also stands as a testament to ECAPS's commitment to sustainability and safety in space exploration..."


Read the full article here

Interview with Michael Andersson, Head of Strategic Partnerships and International Affairs Saab

"As I mentioned earlier, Saab Inc. is relatively well established here in the U.S., so by now, we are well-acquainted with Washington D.C. However, in the early years, it was invaluable to learn from other Swedish companies that had established themselves in the U.S. through the SACC network. It allowed us to understand the DC network and how it operates, which I believe was the most significant benefit..."


Read the full article here

Learn Swedish now

Learn Swedish now offers virtual Swedish lessons that fit your schedule. Small group classes, private lessons, and more. Sign up for a free trial lesson today!


Reserve your spot

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