Skane is Scaling new Heights
Sweden ranks among the top three of the world’s most competitive economies according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007 which was released by the World Economic Forum. Skane, the southernmost part of Sweden, is an integral part of the Oresund Region which is considered one of Europe’s most important innovative cross-border regions. Traditionally an agricultural and shipbuilding region, Skane has evolved and is now scaling new heights in a variety of research and development industries. Close access to advanced high technology coupled with a highly skilled workforce, Skane offer countless opportunities for companies to develop and grow. Important long term investments have been made in education, research and infrastructure resulting in an economic growth being stronger that it has ever been. Swedish corporate tax is among the lowest in Europe, the economic environment is stable and inflation is low.
Innovative industries
Skane is a highly innovative region and boasts world leading companies in biotechnology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), food technology, functional food and packaging. Over the years the region has shown itself to be an excellent breeding ground for innovations and new technologies. Medicon Valley is one of Europe’s leading biotechnology clusters, boasting 145 biotech companies. ICT from Skane makes an international impression. Access to venture capital, management and skilled labour are important factors behind this development, together with the fact that Ericsson started their cellphone wireless development at the IDEON Science Park in the 80s. Lund University adjacent to IDEON is a breeding ground for innovations and businesses. At the moment, world-leading research in nanotechnology is being conducted there. Bluetooth technology for wireless use was also developed here at the Science Park.
Perfectly positioned
The geographic proximity of Skane to continental Europe ensures rapid access to large and expanding markets. There are 3 million consumers living within 45 minutes of Malmo, Skane’s largest city, 25 million in Scandinavia and 125 million in northern Europe. With one of Europe’s most modern infrastructure, Skane captures more than 25% of the incoming goods of Scandinavia making it an important transit hub and perfect for centralised logistic operations in Scandinavia, the Baltic Region and northern Germany. It is no coincidence that companies like Toyota, Daimler Chrysler and Heinz have chosen to locate their northern European operations in Skane.
There are three airports and Copenhagen International Airport is just minutes away from Malmo across the magnificent Oresund Bridge that connects Sweden to Denmark.
Functional food
The agricultural traditions of Skane are still vibrant due to the flourishing food production industry. The Food Cluster is a world leader in functional food development with innovative companies like Skanemejerier, Probi, Oatley, Biogaia and Medipharm. Skane has proven to be an ideal place to develop, test and launch innovative food products and technologies for the Nordic and northern European markets. It is also home to the production units for international processors such as Nestlé, Campbell Soup, Unilever and Absolute Vodka. Process technology and packaging giants Alfa Laval, ABB and Tetra Pak as well as logistics’ Frigoscandia are also based here in Skane.
Moving images
In keeping with its new image, Skane is now playing a leading roll in the Scandinavian film industry. The old garrison in Ystad has become Ystad Studios with a capacity to run two productions simultaneously. A mini movie cluster comprising of film marketing, technical equipment rental, props, documentary maker and production companies have found their locations at the studios.
Whether it is high tech nanotechnology or low GI foods, the fastest route to the Scandinavian and northern European markets or a long term research and development project, dynamic Skane has a great deal to offer international businesses.
