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The Japan Times
WORLD EYE REPORTS
DENMARK |
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©THE JAPAN TIMES
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Sunday, February 24, 2002
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Europe's Northern star gets down to business
Facing a future with Anders Fogh Rasmussen as its new prime minister, Denmark offers itself as an entrepreneurial export-powered nation and a hub for international business. And as the European Union (EU) evolves, companies increasingly view Europe in terms of regionalized markets with Denmark grouped together with Germany, Sweden, and Norway in the so-called Northern or Baltic Sea Region - arguably one of the fastest developing economies within the 15-member bloc.
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Copenhagen Capacity, the investment promotion company for greater Copenhagen, has a helpful site on business developments in the area that includes a practical step-by-step guide to investing in Denmark's capital city. www.copcap.dk
Go to the Web site of the Confederation of Danish Industries for news in English on the Danish economy and new trends in business.
www.di.dk
The Danish Ministry of Trade and Industry's official Web site offers a list of reports and publications in English, touching on relevant themes of Danish business.
www.em.dk
eBox
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 Copenhagen's old Royal Stock Exchange, a symbol of a rich mercantile tradition, graces a country perfectly adapted to global competition in the 21st century. |
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Mere location in a logistical hotspot will not ensure success and Denmark - with only 5.3 million people- has understood this well. In fact, the idea that Danes should continually adjust and consolidate global competitiveness has become the modus operandi for a nation with a long history as a trading nation.
Widespread fluency in English and a highly-educated labor force has made Denmark a logistical and
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entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with. Across the globe, Danes have been known for commercial innovation in the international marketplace.
Although it has a common heritage and geography with other Scandinavian and Northern European countries, Denmark also writes a separate history. A mild rivalry with sister countries Sweden, Finland, and Norway co-exist with deep camaraderie. FULL STORY
Charting a smooth course through turbulent skies
The landscape over which the airline industry operates has changed dramatically in the last year. The global economic slowdown that started in the second quarter of 2001 was exacerbated by the terrorist attacks in the US of September 11th. All this has significantly dampened demand and confidence in the industry.
However, even before 2001, change had already been in the making for several years. Last year's events only worsened what was already an extremely fragile state within the industry. Change is coming, with the European airline industry in particular set to face upheaval within the coming year or two. What has long been standard - the notion of a 'national flag carrier' - is seemingly no longer a viable business model. Sabena and Swissair are examples of how national pride was put before economics, with unhappy results.
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 CEO Jorgen Lindegaard has brought an outsider's perspective to the current reassessment of the airline industry. |
Today, there is virtually one flag carrier for every single nation in Europe, which suggests that there will be more consolidation to come. The question is which ones will survive as viable and profitable while maintaining their independence. It must also be asked if independence for its own sake should really be pursued at all. FULL STORY
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Denmark
Area: 43,095.88 sq km.
Population: 5.3 million
Currency: Danish krone (DKr)
Average exchange rate: $1=8.2DKr
Real GDP: $143.91 billion (2000)
GDP growth rate: 3.02 percent (2000)
GDP per capita: $27,153
Inflation rate: 3.2 percent(2000)
Unemployment rate: 5 percent of total population
Total exports: $ 50.62 billion (2000)
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Total imports: $ 44.85 billion (2000)
Top five exports(percent of total): Raw mineral oils and derivatives (7.34), meat and meat products (6.69), industrial machinery (6.62), pharmaceutical products (5.95), other processed products (5.37)
Top five imports (percent of total): Vehicles (6.43), electrical machinery and equipment (6.12), telecom and sound recording equipment (5.44), office machinery (5.21), clothing and accessories (5.37)
Major export markets (percent): Germany (18.92), Sweden (12.78), Britain (9.99), U.S. (5.95), Norway (5.54)
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Major import markets (percent): Germany (21.25), Sweden (12.37), Britain (8.55), the Netherlands (7.43), Norway (5.09)
 Sources: Danish Foreign Ministry and Statistics Denmark |
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