Nordic Belt and Road

How to Improve the Competitiveness of Finland and Sweden through Cooperation?

A Business Perspective

The following report answers two key questions. First, is Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO a watershed moment and, if so, can it lead to a golden age of cooperation between the two countries? Second, what should the two countries do together to improve their competitiveness, resilience and their international standing?

The report presents four main recommendations for how to improve the competitiveness of Finland and Sweden through cooperation: Nordic Belt and Road, Nordic Energiewende, Joint Voice for European Competitiveness, and Joint Force in NATO. It further presents 10 concrete action points.

The report was prepared to coincide with the official state visit to Sweden by President of Finland Alexander Stubb on April 23, 2024. It was used as background material for the business leaders’ meeting that took place during the state visit and is based on interviews with leading Finnish and Swedish CEOs and Chairs. The report is intended as a starting point for further discussions. The report is written by Risto E J Penttilä and Juulia Olkkonen.

For more information, please contact juulia.olkkonen@nordicwestoffice.com