The Japan Times WORLD EYE REPORTS SWEDEN
©THE JAPAN TIMES	Friday, June 29, 2001

Leading with Nordic cool Sweden navigates rocky EU issues with northern elan On the 1st of January this year, against the backdrop of the harsh Nordic winter, Sweden took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union following the frenetic marathon sessions of Nice. Miles and months away from Brussels, Sweden has been determined to inject a sense of cool and calm into the activities of the 15-member association. A relative newcomer, Sweden entered the Union in 1995 and has held on to a patent pragmatism with which it approaches most European issues. FULL STORY

The Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) - assistance related to doing business with Japan and information on Japanese companies in Sweden: www.jetro-stockholm.org Invest in Sweden - the state agency for information and contact services for foreign investors evaluating investment opportunities in Sweden: www.isa.se The Swedish Trade Council - includes a wealth of import and export-related information: www.swedishtrade.com Radio Sweden International -- live broadcasts and a live Webcam from Stockholm: www.sr.se The Swedish Institute -- the state agency for disseminating knowledge about Sweden abroad; includes useful information on cultural and educational exchanges: www.si.se Statistics Sweden -- all the latest facts and figures: www.scb.se Swedish government's official web site: www.regeringen.se eBox VirtualSweden-- the official portal for Sweden and all things Swedish: www.sweden.se Visit these Web sites for more detailed information on Sweden.

Volvo's sleek new models, a far cry from the familiar boxy look of earlier years, are expanding its customer base.

Client dialogue builds a lifestyle brand Following Ford's acquisition of Volvo in 1999, the Swedish carmaker faced doubts about the feasibility of and the logic behind the tie-up. Two years later, the company has proved the naysayers wrong. Now approaching its 75th anniversary, Volvo continues in winning form thanks to a chief executive who has displayed mastery in product branding. FULL STORY

Leading air-filter maker targets Asia The frozen empty wastes of the Antarctic are said to possess the cleanest air on the planet with 5000 particles per liter (ppl). In comparison Stockholm's one million ppl sounds fairly polluted, but in fact it has relatively the purest air of most major cities. Compare that to the pollution produced by a truck driving uphill (around 100 million particles ppl) or a puff of cigarette smoke (100 billion ppl). Amid continuing urbanization across the globe, industrial activity and consumer habits are now the prime contributors to air pollution, and inhabitants of Asia's burgeoning cities are only too aware of the need for increased protection. FULL STORY

Camfil chief Jan Eric Larson looks to expand in Asia from his Malaysian hub.

Driving Sweden's economy It's business year-round Durability is Scania's strongest suit A Nordic look for Honda

Global emergence Lean is more Laying new trends on the table Scandinavia's most expansive block

Industrial growth Passing the test with flying colors A Nordic hotbed of innovation Why the paperless society will have to wait Managing from the top Global management for a world brand A deconstruction of growth Warm welcomes at the ice capital

Setting the pace for global IT Into the eyes of a resolute entrepreneur Sweden's e-Viking

GDP per capita: $25,613 (2000) Inflation: 0.5 percent (1996-2000 ave.); 1.0 percent (2000) Major exports % of total Minerals fuels and electricity: 8.0 Wood and paper products: 3.5 Leading export markets (rank) % of total Official Name: The Kingdom of Sweden Population: 8.88mil.(2000) Population growth: 0.1 percent (1996-2000 ave.) Machinery and transport equipment: 51.6 Wood and paper products: 14.0 Chemicals and rubber products : 11.3 Germany (1) 11.1 U.S. (2) 9.4 Britain (3) 8.7 Norway (4) 8.0 Denmark (5) 7.1 Japan (12) 2.9 Land Area: 449,964 sq. km. Currency: Swedish krona (May average exchange $1= 10.32 kronor) GDP: $227.2 billion (2000) GDP growth: 2.9 percent (1996-2000); 3.6 percent (2000) Minerals: 9.5 Minerals fuels and electricity: 3.3 Major imports % of total Machinery and transport equipment: 49.1 Chemical and rubber products: 11.8 Minerals: 8.4 Leading import suppliers (rank) Germany (1) 17.3 Britain (2) 8.8 Denmark (3) 8.5 Norway (4) 8.0 Netherlands (5) 6.9 Japan(11) 2.4

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