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| Prix d'Excellence - are you the 2025 recipient? |
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Are you a Swedish company in France that takes pride in its success in the French market? Send us your application and give your company the chance to win the Prix d'Excellence 2025.
The Prix d'Excellence is a prestigious award presented by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France to Swedish companies for their exceptional success on the French market.
The aim of this company award is to stimulate interest in cross-community business activities, create strong French-Swedish partnerships, promote and raise awareness of its potential, thus contributing to the trade development between the two countries. Furthermore this award aims to raise awareness and promote Sweden and Swedish industry in France.
The award ceremony is scheduled for the 1st of December 2025 during the event French-Swedish Business Day in Paris, which is dedicated to companies from the French-Swedish business world, their clients, partners, and colleagues. The event will be held in the presence of leading economic and political personalities from the two countries. It is a unique opportunity to foster your business relations and to promote your success and know-how. This year, we will also celebrate the Chambers 110 years anniversary. |
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| Scholarships 2025 - Apply for a one-year traineeship at CCSF in Paris |
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Do you have the ambition to work with Swedish business abroad? Are you interested in French-Swedish trade relations? And getting access to a unique network within French-Swedish-European companies?
In collaboration with the Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad and SFS - Stiftelsen Svensk-Franska Språkfonden, CCSF is offering two one-year traineeships starting in the fall of 2025.
The purpose with these two partnerships is to give the opportunity to Swedish young talents to gain practical experience in French business culture, language and communication.
Note that the last day to apply is the 25th of April.
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Private and Young Professionals |
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Young Professional members - Sean Scull, Chargé de projets, SKEMA Publica
- Marthe Fahre, Vice President, fundraising, Jasmine Investments
- Niina Moosio, Compliance Manager, Swan SAS
- Victoria Lecomte, Attachée politique et de presse, Ambassade de France en Suède
- Hugo Minassian, Chargé de Développement, Maison Minassian
- Henri Lemoine, Pricing and Business Controlling, Electrolux France
- Constance Graf, Consultante RSE, Act For Now
- Ingrid Topp, Student, Luleå University of Technology
- Sven Van Kerkvoorde, Trainee, Business Sweden
- Michaela Carhed, Consultant, Business Sweden
- Alexander Tedstedt, Student, CentraleSupélec
- Aileen Alami, Auditor, RSM
- Gersende Rollet, Avocate, Bird & Bird
- Anthony Jeannes, Responsable Achats, Modul-System
- Pauline Charrier, Senior Market Development Manager, Voi Technology
Private members - Anders Gezelius, Conseiller Formation, M2i Formation
- Erik Dorveaux, CEO, AbilityCare
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13th of March 18h30 - Reception by the Ambassador of Sweden to France |
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Annual member reception by the Ambassador of Sweden to France.
Only for members and upon invitation.
At the Residency of the Ambassador. |
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18th of March 08h30 - Business Breakfast - Le Pacte Européen pour une Industrie Propre |
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Lors de cette conférence-petit-déjeuner en partenariat avec KREAB, nous échangerons sur le Pacte Européen pour une Industrie Propre, attendu dans les 100 premiers jours de la Commission européenne pour concilier compétitivité et décarbonation industrielle. Nous aborderons notamment les implications pour l’industrie en termes d’approvisionnement énergétique, de prix de l’énergie, de financements, de sécurité d’approvisionnement des matières premières critiques et de compétitivité. |
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| 19th of March 19h00 - Young Professionals After Work at Njutbar |
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CCSF Young Professionals presents After Work at the Swedish bar Njutbar.
Connect with Young Professionals within the French-Swedish business community. |
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| 26th of March 09h00 - Premium Round-table breakfast |
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Premium Round-table breakfast in the presence of H.E. Håkan Åkesson, Ambassador of Sweden to France and Marie-Cécile Tardieu, Chief Operating Officer, Investment Division, Business France.
Theme: "Atouts et compétitivité du site France dans son environnement européen"
Event only for Premium Members. |
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| 1st of April 18h30 - Insights in Business & Leadership - Responsible Business and Gender Equality for the Industry of Tomorrow |
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Helena Hedblom is the President and CEO of Epiroc, a Swedish company in the mining industry, that plays a crucial role in advancing solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. With the growing demand for critical metals, the sector is central to the development of renewable energy systems.
As the demand rises for these resources, this industry is also focusing on attracting young, diverse talents to help drive innovation. How does a company like Epiroc, in a male-dominated sector, work to embrace diversity and to attract more women?
Event co-organised by CCSF, Embassy of Sweden and SWEA Professional Paris.
At CCSF. |
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| 3rd of April 18h30 - Young Professionals: After work - Leadership of the future |
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Guest speaker: Pär Lindbäck, Country Manager H&M Hennes & Mauritz / France, Belgium & Luxembourg and Board Member, CCSF.
At CCSF. |
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| 8th of April 11h00 - Webinar: European Leaders Talk |
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A new series of webinars organised by Swedish Chambers International’s European cluster.
Guest speaker: Fredrik Persson, President, BusinessEurope.
Moderator and introduction: Daniella Waldfogel, President, Swedish Chambers International and CEO Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
Theme: Reboot Europe - How can we restore EUs competitiveness and get the european economy back on track. |
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| 13th of May 18h30 - CCSF Rooftop Terrace Mingle |
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Networking evening for all members.
On-boarding and introduction of new members to the network.
For members only.
At CCSF. |
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| 12th of June 18h30 - Young Professionals: After work - Sustainable Leadership |
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Guest speaker: Annika Mohr-Storfält, Global Sustainability Director, Balenciaga.
At CCSF. |
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| 6-7th of November - Le Leadership suédois et le Management franco-suédois |
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Professional training in intercultural management to help optimise your French-Swedish business communication.
Led by Laurence Romani, Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics, in the department of Management and Organisation. She has over 20 years of experience researching and teaching in the field of cross-cultural differences.
The course will be held in French.
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| 1st of December - French-Swedish Business Day III |
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The event is organised by CCSF in close collaboration with Team Sweden and Team France. The day features a high-level conference - French-Swedish Business Summit, French-Swedish Tech & Innovation Exhibition, and the Networking Evening - Soirée Franco-Suédoise with the Prix d'Excellence Award Ceremony. The event will take placce on December 1st at Pavillion Vendôme, former "Banque de Suède et de Paris".
More information about partnership possibilities and tickets will be available soon. |
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Highlights from Previous Events |
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| Young Professionals: After work - Kick Off 2025 |
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CCSF Young Professionals is back!
In February, we hosted the first Young Professionals event of the year.
We kicked off the evening with an introduction to CCSF and Young Professionals by Tereze Abazi and Sebastian Persson, setting the stage for an evening of meaningful connections. We were happy to see so many attendees and we look forward to future gatherings and continuing to grow our network.
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| L’Efficacité Viking – Inspirez-vous du modèle suédois pour votre entreprise |
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The 13th of February we had the pleasure to welcome Herve de Villers, author of the book "L'efficacité VIKING -Inspirez-vous du modèle suédois pour votre entreprise". This book explores Sweden’s work model, offering practical solutions for creating efficient, well-balanced workplaces.
Hervé de Villers described organisational efficiency, revealing Sweden’s success in balancing performance and well-being.
The event featured discussions with Joakim Palme, professor and political scientist, and Patrick Imhaus, diplomat and former French Ambassador to Sweden. |
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News from the business community |
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| Evroc announces a €4 billion investment for the construction of a data center in France |
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 | Photo: evroc |
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During the AI Action Summit in Paris, the Swedish cloud computing company and CCSF member announced its intention to build a hyperscale data center with a capacity of 96 MW, designed to accommodate 50,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) in Mougins. Evroc also plans to build two additional sites with a combined capacity of over 100 MW in France and to expand its campus in Sophia Antipolis with a dedicated team. |
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Innovation impact through internationalisation |
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KTH Innovation (Royal Institute of Technology’s innovation incubator) is enhancing its international efforts to help startups expand globally, thereby boosting European competitiveness and addressing societal challenges. In December 2024, five startups participated in KTH Innovation’s internationalisation program in Paris, gaining insights into business practices in France.
CCSF, as a collaboration partner, helped KTH Innovation to organise the program in Paris. This strategic collaboration is important for CCSF as a Swedish Chamber of Commerce abroad. It allows to connecting with Swedish cutting-edge research, innovation, and talented graduates. KTH expertise in technology and engineering aligns with the goal of fostering business growth and collaboration through innovation and knowledge exchange.
Katarina Lööf, Managing Director of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France, emphasises that internationalisation and global presence fosters cross-border trade, build strategic partnerships, promotes Swedish businesses globally, helps strengthen Sweden's economic presence, enhance diplomatic relations and drive innovation through collaboration with diverse markets and industries.
"We as a Swedish Chamber of commerce in France also underline the importance of being active on the European market to build partnerships for European competitiveness. European competitiveness is important for us because it strengthens our position in the global economy. As a small, open economy, Sweden relies on strong trade relationships, innovation, and market access within Europe. A competitive Europe fosters economic growth, attracts investment, and enhances the ability to collaborate on research and development that is beneficial for all of us within Europe". To watch a clip from Paris and read the full article, click here |
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More about Scandinavian Management |
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 | | Photo: IStock |
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Following a recent interview for Les Echos Management, Christian Leon, CEO of Ericsson France, shares insights on how the Scandinavian management heritage is applied at Ericsson France. The article explores how Ericsson emphasises the principles of collaboration, trust, and collective intelligence. With a less hierarchical and more open organisational structure, where each employee has the freedom to take initiative, they have created a positive dynamic. One example of this application is the absence of closed offices. At Ericsson, all employees, including leaders, work in an open space.
To read the full article, click here |
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Key Announcements from the AI Action Summit 2025 |
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 | | Photo: AI Action Summit |
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The AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris brought together world leaders, tech giants, and policymakers to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. Sweden was represented by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who held a speech at the summit advocating for harmonised regulations and increased investment. The event was marked by major investment announcements, new global initiatives, and debates over AI governance. Here are some key takeaways:
Massive AI Investments - EU’s €200 Billion InvestAI Initiative – A bold plan to boost AI development, including €50B in new funding and AI “gigafactories” to keep Europe competitive.
- France’s €109 Billion AI Push – President Macron unveiled a major investment, with backing from Canada’s Brookfield and the UAE to develop AI-driven data centers powered by nuclear energy.
New AI Partnerships - Current AI Foundation – A $400M global fund backed by France, Germany, India, Google, and Salesforce, aimed at open-source AI projects and public-interest datasets.
- Coalition for Sustainable AI – 11 countries and 37 companies, including IBM and Nvidia, joined forces to promote eco-friendly AI solutions.
A Split on AI Regulation
- US & UK vs. The World? – A global declaration on “inclusive and sustainable AI” was signed by 60+ nations—but notably, the US and UK declined, arguing against excessive regulation.
- Google’s Vision – CEO Sundar Pichai called AI the “biggest shift of our lifetimes” as Google prepares a $75 billion AI investment this year.
What’s Next?
The summit showcased both collaborative momentum and regulatory divides that will shape AI’s global future. With trillions at stake, the AI race is accelerating—who will lead? |
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| Sign up for Forum d'Affaires Nordiques 2025 |
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The Nordic countries play a key role in Europe's green transition, advancing strategies to cut fossil fuel reliance and boost renewable energy. Their investments in sustainability and innovation strengthen European sovereignty in critical sectors like defense, AI, and healthcare. With high GDP per capita, Nordic consumers demand sustainability and digitalisation, pushing industries to adopt eco-friendly solutions. This reinforces the region's leadership in green innovation. Expert-led roundtables will explore market entry strategies, business opportunities, and collaboration prospects. Discussions will highlight policies, trends, and best practices shaping this dynamic region, offering insights into how the Nordics enhance Europe's resilience and sustainability.
If you are interested in the Nordics, Business France invites you to the Forum d'Affaires Nordiques 2025. |
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Sweden: A Closer Look at Its Corporate Culture and Management |
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 | | Photo: Business France |
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If you are interested to gain insights in the business culture in Sweden, our partner Business France just published a paper. Sweden is often seen as a Nordic model of innovation, sustainability, and equality, providing a promising environment for French businesses. However, succeeding in this market requires a deep understanding of the country’s unique business culture. Sweden stands out for its flat management structure, high levels of trust and autonomy granted to employees, and workplace rituals such as Fika. These elements create a professional environment where respect, balance, and creativity blend seamlessly. To thrive in this distinctive culture, it is essential to adapt to their approach, embrace Swedish values, and adopt a collaboration style centred on collective efficiency and well-being.
To read more, click here |
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Sweden and Finland - leaders in the EU renewable energy target in the transport sector |
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Sweden is the only country to exceed the EU's renewable energy target for transport by 2030, with a share of 34%, while Finland ranks second with 21%. Renewable energy sources in transport include liquid biofuels, biomethane, and renewable electricity used in road and rail transport.
Source: SER Stockholm |
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| COMMISSION 2025 WORK PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON SIMPLIFICATION AND COMPETITIVENESS |
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On February 11, the European Commission unveiled its 2025 Work Programme, outlining its flagship initiatives for the year ahead. This comprehensive agenda serves as a strategic roadmap for the Commission’s first year in office, heavily emphasizing two core priorities: enhancing European competitiveness and simplifying regulatory frameworks to foster economic growth and innovation. As part of this vision, the Commission is set to introduce several key initiatives, including the Clean Industrial Deal, the first Omnibus Simplification Package on sustainable finance and CBAM, the Savings and Investments Union Strategy, and a proposal on the EU’s 2040 emissions reduction target. Additionally, the Work Programme provides a list of legislative proposals to be withdrawn, reflecting the Commission’s decision to discontinue certain initiatives that no longer align with its priorities. Notably, this includes the withdrawal of the AI Liability Directive, signalling a shift in approach toward the EU’s regulatory framework for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The Competitiveness Compass The Commission’s work programme aligns with the Competitiveness Compass that was published on 29 January 2025. The Compass emerges as a central pillar of the Commission’s new legislative mandate against a backdrop of sluggish economic growth and persistent productivity challenges. Defined by President Ursula von der Leyen as the “North Star” for economic policy, the Compass provides a strategic framework aimed at bolstering Europe’s industrial strength and global competitiveness. It is structured around three transformational imperatives. The first one is closing the innovation gap by stimulating productivity through investments in research, start-ups, and new technologies. The second is integrating decarbonization and competitiveness by aligning sustainability policies with economic and industrial priorities to foster green growth. And the third one is enhancing economic security and reducing dependencies by strengthening Europe’s supply chains, digital infrastructure, and resilience to geopolitical shocks. These imperatives are supported by five horizontal enablers, including regulatory simplification, the removal of market barriers, and increased investment in key industries. Beyond setting strategic direction, the Competitiveness Compass offers concrete policy measures, including the European Innovation Act, the Digital Networks Act, and the AI Factories Initiative, all aimed at reinforcing Europe's leadership in next-generation technologies. The European Commission will establish an European Competitiveness Fund under the next Multi-annual Financial Framework in order to support the measures enshrined in the EU Competitiveness Compass.
Commission to target Sustainability Reporting in the Upcoming Omnibus Proposal In an effort to foster competitiveness across Europe, the Commission is eyeing a considerable reduction of red tape as part of the upcoming so-called Omnibus Simplification package. Speaking about the package back in November, the Commission President von der Leyen as well as Commissioner Dombrovskis publicly clarified the package’s aim to streamline requirements under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the Taxonomy, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive - although additional items could also be covered, like CBAM. While the Commission is yet to provide further details on the proposal, many stakeholders have already warned against sacrificing sustainability ambitions for the sake of competitiveness. Set to be presented on 26 February, the package is likely to spur lively political discussions across all stakeholders.
Next steps The Omnibus Proposal targeting sustainability reporting is set to be presented on 26 February. |
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| EU LEADERS DISCUSSED STREGHTHENING EUROPEAN DEFENCE CAPABILITIES |
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On 3 February 2025, European Union leaders convened in Brussels for an unprecedented informal retreat solely dedicated to defense matters. The gathering comes as the EU explores avenues to take greater responsibility for its own security, in a geopolitical context where uncertainty reigns supreme since Trump’s inauguration. Most notably, President Ursula von der Leyen presented the idea of tweaking the EU’s fiscal rules to facilitate defence spending. Essentially von der Leyen suggests activating an emergency clause under the Stability and Growth Pact to enable further spending, without violating EU budget rules, which some Member States see as inhibiting investments. In tandem with internal deliberations, the retreat also focused on strengthening external partnerships, notably with NATO and the United Kingdom. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in the discussions, highlighting the indispensable nature of the NATO-EU alliance and advocating for cohesive and complementary defense strategies. In addition to this, the Commission is to present its White Paper on Defence on March 19, to outline which military capabilities it thinks the EU should collectively invest in and what it views as the best ways to finance them.
Next steps
The EU Commission will propose to activate the escape clause for defence investments and will publish a White Paper on Defence on March 19. |
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| COMMISSION TO MOBILISE €200 BILLION FOR AI INVESTMENT IN NEW LANDMARK INITIATIVE |
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At the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris on February 11, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced InvestAI, a groundbreaking initiative designed to mobilize €200 billion for AI projects across the European Union. This ambitious public-private partnership aims to position Europe as a leader in AI development, emphasizing the EU's commitment to harnessing AI for societal and economic advancement. As part of the initiative, the Commission will also set up a European AI Research Council where Europe can pool resources and explore how it can exploit the untapped potential of data to support AI and other technologies. Later this year, the Commission will launch an ‘Apply AI' initiative to drive industrial adoption of artificial intelligence in key sectors.
The InvestAI initiative plans to allocate €20 billion from existing EU programs to establish four AI gigafactories. These facilities will serve as hubs for the collaborative development of advanced AI models, ensuring that European scientists and companies, regardless of size, have the resources to innovate. The remaining €180 billion is expected to come from private investments, contributions from Member States, and support from the European Investment Bank. The summit also highlighted differing perspectives on AI regulation and ethics. While the EU advocates for an AI framework that balances innovation with ethical considerations, the U.S. approach focuses on minimizing regulatory constraints to accelerate AI development. This divergence was evident as both the U.S. and the UK chose not to sign the summit's declaration advocating for inclusive and sustainable AI, a move that sparked discussions about the future of global AI governance.
Next steps
As the InvestAI is implemented, the EU will launch an ‘Apply AI' initiative to drive industrial adoption of artificial intelligence later this year. |
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| COMMISSION UNVEILS COMMUNICATION ON THE NEXT MFF |
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Further accompanying its Work Programme, the Commission presented its communication on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) – the EU’s 7-year budget – which is up for renewal by 2028. The Communication outlines the Commission’s plans to help prepare for the next MFF, notably through public consultations running until May 2025, a Tour d’Europe planned by Budget Commissioner Serafin, and the creation of a citizens panel and online platform. Broadly speaking the Commission intends for the next EU budget to be simpler, more focused, and impactful. To achieve that, the Commission proposes consolidating numerous existing programs into three main funds, merging over 50 separate initiatives. The revamped budget will prioritize investments in defense, competitiveness, and strategic foreign policy, reflecting the EU's commitment to addressing security threats, economic challenges, and global influence. Recognizing the need for additional revenue streams, the Commission acknowledges the necessity of "own resources" to finance new initiatives and manage existing obligations. Potential sources include levies related to environmental policies and digital services. With significant debt repayments anticipated from previous financial instruments, discussions are underway regarding the extension of certain bonds to alleviate budgetary pressures.
Next steps
The Commission plans to present its MFF in July 2025. |
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Vision Nordiques – French Nordic Film Days |
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 | | Photo: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se |
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From March 5th to 9th, 2025, the first edition of the Vision Nordiques - French Nordic Film Days festival will take place in Paris! 12 films from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland will be screened in France for the first time. Screenings will take place at Le Grand Action cinema in the 5th arrondissement, with some featuring Q&A sessions with the directors. In addition to public screenings, the festival includes professional industry days at the Swedish Institute and the National Center for Cinema (CNC), where film professionals can exchange knowledge and explore co-production opportunities. Vision Nordiques - French Nordic Film Days was initiated by The Five Nordics, the CNC, and the Swedish Institute, in collaboration with the Institute Français de Suède and with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers and the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden in France. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover Nordic cinema and connect with film industry experts in Paris!
Click here for more information about the festival
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