The webinar is held in English

• Are you interested in export opportunities for your company in the Scandinavian markets?  
• What do you know about the current situation in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway? 
• What are the latest export trends, the most relevant entry strategies, and the business opportunities available to you right now?  
  
  

To get the responses, join our webinar on 2 October at 10 am, offered by  COLUMDAE Export Solutions, Enterprise Europe Brussels, and Beci. 

The webinar will present an export outlook on Scandinavian markets, with an in-depth look at the most strategic industrial segments and trends, and a specific focus on current business opportunities for Brussels SMEs.​

The Scandinavian market - why now

Scandinavian and Nordic economies are seeing a solid recovery in 2026, with growth expected to outpace the broader Eurozone, driven by declining inflation, interest rate cuts and rising private consumption:

• 🇸🇪 ​Sweden: nominal GDP ~$760.5 billion, growth ~2.6%, driven by industrial resilience and tech leadership
• 🇩🇰 Denmark: GDP over $500 billion, growth ~2.3%, strong exports and record-low unemployment
• 🇳🇴 Norway: GDP ~$547.7 billion, non-oil growth ~1.8%, driven by oil, gas and fisheries
• 🇫🇮 Finland: GDP ~$337.6 billion, growth ~1%, GDP/capita among the EU's top 10

In 2025, Belgian exports to Scandinavia stayed strong, €6.89 billion to Sweden and €2.21 billion to Norway alone, mainly in cars, trucks, medicines and chemicals.  

Nordic companies are actively looking for new, closer European suppliers to secure their supply chains, a real opening for Belgian SMEs known for quality, flexibility, and competitiveness.

Particularly strategic sectors in 2026: mechanical engineering and industrial subcontracting (Sweden), oil & gas machinery (Norway), furniture & design, organic food and ready meals, and technical fashion/cosmetics.

Programme

• Welcome
• Introduction to export opportunities in Scandinavia by industry
• Market situations in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway
• Latest export trends and opportunities in the Nordics
• Entry strategies and best approach per market
• Business culture: what to know and do in each country
• The value of a preliminary export analysis ​
• Questions and Answers

Speakers

Kari Mäkeläinen, Head of Export Research & Business Development, Europe, COLUMDAE ApS

Kari has been working in international business development since 2001, with versatile sectoral experience in Far and Middle Eastern and European markets, including the engineering industry, medical technology and other high-technology fields. Through his work, hundreds of companies from all over the world have found new business opportunities in international markets. Kari is in charge of COLUMDAE’s global research activities, where his versatile industry and market knowledge and coordination skills contribute significantly to client projects.  

Kari is a graduate of St Andrews and Manchester Universities and has lived and worked in Europe and Asia.

Claudio Pellegatta, Account Executive, COLUMDAE ApS

Claudio has more than 25 years of international experience in delivering rapid growth in complex B2B environments. He is a seasoned CRM professional with significant cross-industrial experience in new market entry strategies on a global scale, including business expansion, implementation of distribution channels and developing customer relationships. He has worked with several key international agencies, including UNIDO and KOTRA. 

In 2025, he was made a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, in recognition of his and COLUMDAE's contribution to increasing exports and business channels within the European Union. He holds a master’s degree in political science.

Participation

• Language: English
• Platform: Zoom. You will receive the link in the confirmation email. (Please check your spam folder)
• Registration is mandatory
• Gratuit grace à Enterprise Europe Brussels