The Gothenburg region: The meeting point for all of Scandinavia

Becoming established in Gothenburg is easy. The city has years of experience of international trade and is investing heavily in making things easier for newcomers. It’s a region undergoing strong growth, and could work for you and your business…

There is plenty going on in the Gothenburg region at the moment. Major infrastructure projects are in progress, and belief in a prosperous future is running high. There are also many reasons why foreign companies and investors should take a look at the Gothenburg region as a place to establish themselves. Roger Strömberg is an Establishment Manager at Business Region Göteborg, and notes the long tradition of trade in the city as a factor in its current success.

“The Gothenburg region is characterised by a high degree of internationalism,” he says. “The fact is, things have always been that way. The city was originally built by the Dutch, before the English imparted industrial influence in the 19th century. Nowadays, 2,300 foreign-owned companies from 60 different countries are established here. And of these, 1,600 have their international headquarters in the region. In short: international trade is part of the very soul of the region, and there is considerable knowledge of what is needed to assist foreign establishment. And most importantly of all, there is a willingness to help out.”

“Business Region Göteborg is a municipal company working to promote growth in the Gothenburg region,” Strömberg adds. “And one of our most important jobs is to facilitate establishments and investments, both domestic and international. We can help out with most things and customise solutions to suit your company.” He also feels it is important to ensure that the entire social side of things works as well. That people moving into the area along with new employees can find jobs and homes, and that childcare is available. These are things which Business Region Göteborg can also help out with.

Meetings and events
Gothenburg is an important business destination and is globally regarded as an accomplished host of events, organising everything from sports, to major international congresses over the years. The city’s world-class meeting facilities have welcomed tens of thousands of delegates, who have recognised the value of the region as a meeting point where private companies, research organisations and the public sector can share and develop ideas. Science, and research & development are areas that generate great excitement on an investment level, which is why Gothenburg has invested heavily in three science parks to encourage further development in the region’s strongest, most forward-thinking industries.

Moving forward
With regards to labour resources, approximately 1.1 million people currently live within the Gothenburg catchment area. There is a clear plan regarding the type of investment required for further growth and a target for 1.5 million people to live here by 2020. This will require development in the core areas of the city, but there is space for this to happen. “Central Gothenburg has plenty of space that can be developed. And we have the opportunity to allow the city to grow wisely,” says Strömberg. Land in the heart of central Gothenburg, and the harbour and terminal areas, which are partly unused at present, is being looked at. A major international workshop was held in June 2010, involving ten teams of architects from all over Europe who produced proposals for how the city should grow in a sustainable manner. For this is truly a unique opportunity. The project goes by the name of River City Gothenburg and has been called the biggest holistic approach to city planning implemented since the city was founded back in 1621.

Major investments in infrastructure are required so that the city’s core can grow efficiently. Commuting needs to be facilitated so that the catchment area for talented workers can be extended. A number of major projects have already been financed and are in progress. Work on the Västlänken (West Link) project, which aims to streamline rail traffic by feeding it through a tunnel under the city, creating new commuter stations in central Gothenburg, will soon be commencing. This project alone has a budget of SEK 20 billion. Gothenburg will underpin its central position in Scandinavia with further extension of its infrastructure. It already has the biggest harbour in Scandinavia, and both Gothenburg Landvetter Airport – with 50 direct international routes – and Gothenburg City Airport are 20 minutes from the city centre. Around 70 per cent of the entire population and all the businesses in Scandinavia are within a radius of 500km from Gothenburg. “The eminent location of the region is its biggest strength, both from a trade standpoint and as a place to live,” says Strömberg.

Gothenburg is a city blessed with lots of green space, it is also close to the sea and an archipelago of islands famous for their natural beauty. The city centre is criss-crossed by channels of water but is so compact that getting about on foot is easy. “When you long for home, there is no city that you long for more than Gothenburg,” concludes Roger Strömberg.

Contact details
For further information please visit: www.businessregiongoteborg.com