NORDIC CHAMBER Enewsletter 15 CANDIDATES for 11 BOARD SEATS

NORDIC CHAMBER eNEWSLETTER 15 CANDIDATES FOR 11 BOARD SEATS

FEBRUARY 2016 n 1 February the Nordic Chamber ject. In order to qualify, projects must be Olaunched its one month-long online worth at least EUR 10 million; expected election of new board members. This year to start within three years of their submis- 15 candidates – four of them women – are sion to the EIPP; promoted by a public or running for the 11 available seats; all mem- private legal entity established in an EU bers of the sitting board are running for re- Member State; compatible with all appli- election. “I am very pleased that so many cable EU and national laws. More info at qualified persons wish to take an active part http://ec.europa.eu/eipp (DOU) in leading the Nordic Chamber. The grow- ing share of women is especially encourag- zech state-owned brewery Budějovický supplied almost 750MW of installed power ing, because our members clearly want a CBudvar, which has been fighting a long capacity in turbines designated for Danish more gender balanced board,” Executive legal battle with U.S. beer giant Anheuser- CHP power plants. (Doosan) Director Lea Turcarová says. (DOU) Busch over the use of the “Budweiser” brand, says its output and exports reached a record MEET OUR MEMBER ore than 100 guests turned up at the MNordic Chamber’s latest business lthough Ericsson’s performance im- mixer in Aromi Ristorante & Bistró. The Aproved in the last quarter of 2015, there event was co-arranged with the Italian and is still a need for further improvements. Our Indian Chambers of Commerce in the Czech focus in 2016 will be first of all on our core Republic, and offered a very pleasant mix of a cultivated atmosphere and delicious food. This Nordic-Italian-Indian mixer was one in a number of similar events where the Chamber helps its members in enlarging their network of contacts in Prague’s international business community. Here you can see photos and in 2015. The brewery’s exports rose by 10.5 video from the event. (TUR) percent to 898,000 hectolitres of beer, the best result in the company’s 120-year history. Budvar had very good results in its two most important markets – Germany and Slovakia – but the growth was even larger in Scandi- business; we will continue our work to cap- navia. “In Sweden we reached a double-digit ture business opportunities as more markets growth,” sales manager Robert Chrt com- shift to 4G. At the same time we will work to mented. Totally, Budvar exports to 73 coun- extend Ericsson’s technology leadership also tries worldwide. (E15) in the emerging 5G market. After a period of investing, in order to create growth, we also lzeň-based Škoda Power has signed a need to improve earnings. This will involve Pcontract to supply a turbine, along with stronger focus on software sales and recur- accessories to the Lisbjerg Plant, a biomass- ring business as a complement to the already he EU will in February launch the fired combined heat and power plant current- strong Professional Services business. Last TEuropean Investment Project Portal ly under construction near the city of Aarhus but not least, we are closely monitoring mar- (EIPP), which is a web portal that gives in Denmark. The Lisbjerg plant will provide ket and business development and will take EU-based project promoters an oppor- heat and almost 40MW of electric power to all necessary actions to remain competitive tunity to find investors from all over the meet the demands of 65,000 households in across the entire business. world looking for investment opportuni- the region. In doing so, it will also contrib- ties. As the central portal for investment ute to the city of Aarhus’ efforts to reduce its Hans Vestberg projects across Europe, registration on the carbon footprint through the extensive use President and CEO EIPP will boost the visibility of your pro- of bio-fuels. Since 1969, Škoda Power has Ericsson

CZECH REPUBLIC IMPROVES IN ANTI-CORRUPTION… NORDIC TRIUMPH IN JIZERSKÁ 50 PRAGUE (PP) – The Czech Republic rose to 37th place from 53rd in PRAGUE (CRO) – Nordic skier won all medals for both men and women Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, pub- in the 2016 edition of the traditional Jizerská padesátka cross coun- lished last week. The country this year was tied with South Korea and try skiing event in North Bohemia. The famous race consists of 15 cir- Malta, and one spot behind Spain. In terms of Europe alone, the Czech cuits of a 3.5-kilometre track. In men’s class Norway’s Petter Eliassen Republic has jumped to 22nd place from 25th. “The uncompromising fight won gold medal, followed by compatriots Johan Kjølstad and Anders against all forms of corruption and serious economic crime is one of the Aukland. In women’s class, Britta Johansson Nordgren finished first, focal points of the government’s policy statement. I am very pleased that closely trailed by Lina Korsgren and Sara Lindborg, all three from Swe- the intensive work of the government in this area has brought two years den. Totally, 6,400 skiers from 30 nations started in this year’s Jizerská of positive results,” Premier Bohuslav Sobotka said. padesátka, which became even tougher than in previous years due to warm and misty weather. …BUT IT CAN STILL DO BETTER 1. Denmark 32. Lithuania 2. Finland 35. Slovenia 3. Sweden 37. Czech Rep. 5. Norway 40. Latvia 10. Germany 50. Hungary 13. Iceland 50. Slovakia 16. Austria 58. Romania 23. Estonia 119. Russia 30. Poland 130. Ukraine Source: TI NORDIC CHAMBER eNEWSLETTER DANISH WORLD RECORD IN WIND POWER

FEBRUARY 2016 enmark produced 42 percent of its fraud and the keeping of false records. “The Delectricity from wind turbines last investigation will also address the conditions year according to official data, the high- for the imposition of a corporate fine,” it said est figure yet recorded worldwide. The in a press release. (Reuters) new year-end figures showed a 3 percent rise on 2014, which was itself a record he owners of Icelandic Crowbar Pro- year for Danish wind energy generation. Ttein, producers of the insect infused The country’s minister for energy, utili- protein bars Jungle Bar, have signed a ties and climate, Lars Christian Lilleholt, contract with a distributor in the USA. called the record significant and said: Jungle Bar will be distributed in Oregon, “Hopefully, Denmark can serve as an ex- Washington and Illinois by a distributer ern county of Harju in Estonia, the expenses ample to other countries that it is possi- who specializes in health food and health could be covered if the project were to secure ble to have both ambitious green policies food stores, a perfect fit to the Icelandic at least 40 percent of its funding from the EU. with a high proportion of wind energy company‘s agenda and image. The crick- (YLE) and other renewables in the energy sup- ets used in the bars are reared by a farmer ply, and still have a high security of sup- orway’s lawmakers are expected to ply and competitive prices on electricity.” Ngrant the country’s USD 800 billion (Guardian) Government Pension Fund a broader investment brief to better spread risk, the weden’s National Unit against Cor- leader of the parliamentary finance com- Sruption has opened a preliminary fraud mittee said last week. The central bank, investigation into Volkswagen over the which manages the fund, last month rec- German carmaker’s emissions test cheating ommended it should be allowed to invest scandal which has affected up to 11 million in unlisted infrastructure projects and vehicles worldwide. Volkswagen, having ad- put a higher share of its assets into real mitted to using software to conceal the level in Canada, licensed for insect farming estate, changes representing the biggest of toxic emissions from some of its diesel for human consumption. Crowbar Pro- shift in strategy since it was permitted to vehicles in the United States, faces billions tein believes that consumption of insects buy property in 2010. The fund currently of dollars in claims from owners of vehicles will increase in the near future. The Ice- invests about 60 percent of its value in with similar software installed around the landic company was founded following stocks, 35 percent in bonds and up to five world. The anticorruption unit said the pre- c r o w d f u n d i n g i n R e y k j a v i k i n l a t e 2 0 1 4 . percent in real estate, all outside Norway. liminary investigation was regarding serious (Icenews) (Reuters)

innish and Estonian city planners have Ffor years dreamt about an undersea tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn, which is estimated to transport upwards of 11 million people a year. Now, a preliminary feasibility study has established that the construction of an 80 km-tunnel is an option that should be explored thoroughly. The estimated cost, along with all of its train and traffic equip- ment, would be between EUR 9 and 13 billion in all. According to the feasibility study com- missioned by Helsinki, Tallinn and the north-

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THE KORUNA-CROWN-EURO INDEX CZECH EXPORT GROWTH TO NORDICS IN 2015 End I/16 End XII/15 2014 2015 y/y% Euro 27,025 CZK 27,025 CZK 1. Denmark 38 650 34 321 88.7 Danish kroner 3,621 " 3,621 " 2. Finland 17 598 18 350 104.2 Icelandic krónur 0,191 " 0,191 " 3. Iceland 711 1 167 164.1 Norwegian kroner 2,851 " 2,813 " 6. Norway 14 870 15 779 106.1 Swedish kronor 2,891 " 2,940 " 8. Sweden 49 424 52 925 107.0 Source: ČNB Jan.-Nov. in CZK bill. Source: ČSÚ

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS Date Event Venue 18 Feb Meet Our Member: Comfortcare Kloknerova 1, 148 00 Praha 11 16 Mar Annual General Meeting Art Nouveau Palace Hotel, Panská 897/12 17 Mar Speed Business Meeting, Boutique Hotel Jalta, Václavské náměstí 45 31 Mar Meet Our Member: Erste Optik, Štefánikova 52, 150 00 Praha 5

For more details please see www.nordicchamber.cz/events. If you want more information about the Chamber’s activities please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or telephone +420 774 123 370.