Tal
17 april 2008
Ewa Björling, Handelsminister

Tal av Ewa Björling vid investerarmiddag i Tokyo, Japan (engelska)

Distinguished guests and friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words on the occasion of this business dinner here at The Tokyo Club, hosted by Mr Ulf Berg, President of the Swedish Trade Council, and Mr Rolf Rising, representing the Invest in Sweden Agency.

As you all know, the industrial and commercial relations between Sweden and Japan are constantly growing and have never been stronger than today. During the last 7-8 years, investments in both directions have been booming. Many of the distinguished investors and business representatives here tonight are key persons behind this success. It is a pleasure for me, as Swedish Minister for Trade, to meet with you.

There is a long tradition of business relations between Sweden and Japan. Some of Sweden's best-known industrial products have been sold in Japan since the middle of the 19th century.

Indeed, around the year 1900, our commercial ties were growing so fast that Swedish industry asked the Government to open diplomatic representation in Tokyo in order to promote Swedish business interests. In the 1930s a group of industrialists donated a piece of land in Tokyo to the Government for the purpose of building a bigger Mission. This piece of land was located here on Shioyama Hills, next to The Tokyo Club, and this is still where the Swedish Embassy stands today.

It is more than fair to say that industry was right in its expectations. Since the early days of our business relations, Japan has not only developed into the second largest economy of the world, but has also become one of Sweden's most important trading partners.

Over the last 7-8 years, our traditionally strong commercial relations have gained new momentum due to a remarkable number of important investments in both directions.

The establishment of the Swedish-Japanese joint venture Sony Ericsson in 2001 is the most notable example of what can be achieved when Sweden and Japan combine ambitions, skills and capital.
Sony Ericsson is not only the fourth largest mobile handset producer in the world but also one of the most successful international joint ventures the world has ever seen.

Looking at Japanese investments in Sweden, both Toyota and Nissan have made important investments through the acquisition of the Swedish companies BT Industries and Atlet. Accumulated Japanese investments in Sweden have grown more than tenfold in less than 10 years. More than 160 companies in Sweden have a Japanese owner. This is a truly impressive development.

In the other direction, Swedish investments in Japan have also shown strong growth in recent years. Volvo's acquisition of Nissan Diesel and Huskvarna's acquisition of Zenoah are two recent and important examples. The establishment and rapid expansion of IKEA has also contributed strongly to the positive investment trend. According to our estimates, accumulated Swedish investments in Japan have increased more than 20 times over the last ten years.

I attach great importance to further strengthen this successful co-operation between our countries. For me as Minister for Trade, an important task in this regard, is to promote a credible and attractive image of Sweden, and of the distinctive features of our country. This image is also a crucial competitive instrument when it comes to attracting manpower, researchers, students or investments to Sweden. Sweden is perceived as a dynamic country that in its endeavours to maintain a high level of development also takes people and the environment into account. A progressive country characterised by innovation, openness, caring and authenticity.

This dinner tonight has partly been arranged to recognise these impressive developments and our common success. But it is also being held to deepen our contacts and further advance our investments and business relations. On this note, let me therefore propose a toast:

To the continued successful development of Swedish-Japanese business relations!

Kampai!