Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network and 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. |
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From the Executive Director
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Dear Friends ,
As we approach a new U.S. administration the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of Washington D.C. examines opportunities for its membership. A new leadership augurs for changes to industries and renewed relationships. For example, and as previewed in the SACC ongoing survey (which you can still participate in), President-elect Biden will enter the White House with an energetic climate agenda bringing the U.S. back into the Paris climate pact, starting negotiations for new climate rules on cars and trucks and reducing the country’s greenhouse-gas emissions. The plan calls for big improvements to the country’s electric-grid and mass-transit systems.
The Biden administration is also widely expected to expand the federal government’s role in the response to the pandemic, increasing government procurement of prescription drugs and furthering health-insurance coverage asking insurers to pick up the tab for testing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs for Covid-19 treatment. On this note, you can sign up here for our ongoing virtual trade delegation with SWECARE and a host of pharma and device companies, institutions, and policy makers to explore opportunities; be sure not to miss our January 21 online meet.
With that, I leave you with best wishes for a safe and prosperous 2021.
Karin
P.S. Please remember to register for the online SACC-DC Annual Meeting on January 28 at 3p.m.ET. Please feel free to contact me at karin.hammar@sacc-dc.org if you did not receive the notice. |
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Spotlight - Anna Riby, Regional Director at Swecare Foundation
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Swecare Foundation is a semi-governmental organization promoting exports and international collaboration for the Swedish life science sector. I have been with Swecare since 2013, as a Program Manager and Regional Director, working towards Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, China, North and Latin America. Over the years I have covered several thematic areas as well, such as the SDGs, elderly care & healthy aging and our SME network.
Previously I have worked e.g. in higher education, with rural development in Zambia, and cleantech at the Swedish Agency for Regional and Economic Growth. I have a Master’s degree in International Business Administration from Linköping University.
We work closely with the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and had plans for a business delegation during a ministerial visit to Washington last April. These plans did not come through, for known reasons, but we still wanted to support Swedish companies in the US life science market. We had been in touch with SACC some years back, so we approached them. Luckily, they were interested in partnering for a digital delegation. "Swecare’s knowledge of the Swedish life science ecosystem paired with SACC’s excellent connections in the US is a great combination!".
Basically all of Swecare’s business is about organizing meeting places for actors in the life science sector, within or outside of Sweden. The pandemic put an abrupt halt to our planned activities. To remain relevant for our members, we needed to come up with new formats, while working from home. Since then, we’ve had several market webinars, networking events for our members, a digital delegation trip to Germany, and now we are planning for this digital delegation headed by the Minister to the USA together with SACC.
Of course, the life science sector was hit hard at the beginning of the pandemic, with difficulties for supply chains, production capacity and travel bans. A survey among our members in April-May, and follow-up in October (available on our website www.swecare.se) show that many of the companies have recovered quite well, in many cases with increased demand, especially pharma companies and those offering digital solutions. For start-ups and small companies the situation has been more difficult, e.g. accessing capital and customers. Clinical trials have also been negatively affected. "We might not go back to the pre-COVID levels of traveling, but we see a pent-up need to meet in person. Swecare will have a continued role in creating meeting places and promoting Swedish life science exports".
The US is the largest life science market in the world, and as such interesting for Swedish companies looking to grow their business globally. We know that Swedish/Scandinavian products have a good reputation, known for high quality and being innovative. I was interested to hear that in the US, they are also perceived as being low cost, something I have never heard in e.g. Asian countries. It is expected that the Biden administration will work to strengthen the ACA, with a focus to improving coverage and lowering costs. Due to the pandemic, I also believe digital solutions are here to stay. All these could be an advantage for Swedish companies in the US market. But if you want to learn more about the US life science market, and expectations on the Biden administration, why not join our webinar on January 21!
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Digital MedTech and Pharma trade delegation to the U.S. in collaboration with Swecare and SACC-USA
SACC-DC has partnered up with Swecare and SACC-USA for a virtual trade delegation to the U.S., which is set to start in March of 2021.The program of the trade delegation includes an exploratory webinar series, export study visits, a mid-program get-together and more. On Thursday next week, two pre-delegation webinars will take place as we enter a new year and a new administration, more info on those webinars down below.
More information about the program can be found here! |
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Trainee success story: Noel Rodhe
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Since mid-August Noel Rodhe has been a trainee with SACC-DC, and with the publication of this newsletter he is now concluding his five month internship.
During his time at SACC-DC Noel has worked with activities such as project management, marketing and communications, all to help the chamber bolster trade and strengthen ties between Sweden and the U.S.. Unable to travel to D.C. due to the pandemic, Noel’s internship has been remotely from Sweden which has worked out really well with the exceptions of missing out on attending all of SACC-DC’s fun events in person as well as working around the six hour time difference. A particularly exciting aspect of the internship has been being able to have a first-hand view of how academic theories and models are mirrored in a distinguished organisation while simultaneously learning from professional colleagues every day, muses Noel.
“The main highlight of my time with SACC-DC is undoubtedly the opportunity I’ve had to work with all the kind and professional colleagues, board members and company representatives within SACC-DC’s network. It just goes to show that an internship abroad can turn out great without going to the office or meeting face to face with your colleagues”.
Looking forward Noel will now enter his final semester of his Bachelor's degree in Business and Economics at Lund University, majoring in finance. After graduating this summer he will spend an exchange semester in Lille, France studying at EDHEC Business School, under the premise that Covid-19 is less prevalent by then. Starting in fall of 2022, Noel’s plan is to pursue a Master’s degree but is yet to decide on further details - and at some point in the future he wants to make it to D.C., either for another internship or simply to enjoy the city!
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Upcoming Webinar - Date TBA
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Natalie Pace, author of The ABCs of Money, will guide us through the essentials needed to invest properly during a pandemic.
Date to be announced.
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Research facilities in Lund attract scientists from all over the world |
Lund in southern Sweden is the home for two of the country’s largest research facilities, ESS and MAX IV. ESS stands for European Spallation Source and is centered around the most powerful neutron source in the world, acting as a gigantic microscope able to analyze materials on a molecular and atomic level by using neutrons. This will allow scientists to study the structure of a variety of materials and products such as proteins, medicines and plastic. Construction started in 2014 and ESS is set to open for research in 2023, with a yearly operating cost of €140 million.
Just a short distance from ESS is the location of the MAX IV laboratory, the most ambitious venture in terms of scientific infrastructure in all of Sweden and world’s most powerful synchrotron radiation facility. MAX IV is open since 2016 and upon final completion the facility will be able to host more than 2000 scientists yearly, providing them the opportunity to do research in fields such as nanotechnology, chemistry and structural biology.
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Webinar Opportunities: Sustainability Series 2021
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Renewable energy, green financing, bio-based materials, circular economy, sustainable logistics etc. - sustainability is a highly popular topic!
We are currently looking for sponsors and hosts to our Sustainability Webinar Series. There is a great interest in sustainability in our Swedish-American network. Are you and/or your organization a sustainability-enthusiast and wants to update us about the latest innovations within this field? Do not hesitate to host, sponsor and/or participate in a webinar, discussing your topics with other experts and business leaders!
Please contact Business Associate Thea Nguyen at Thea.nguyen@sacc-dc.org for further information!
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Renew your individual membership today!
SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. Our annual flagship business events include SACC Summit, the Young Professionals program and other corporate events, seminars and workshops. 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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