The Nordic region has a population of 25 million. The Nordic countries consist of:
- Denmark
- Finland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
- the Faroe Islands
- Greenland.
The region is a partner of growing importance and relevance for New Zealand on a wide range of issues including economic, science and technology.
Total New Zealand exports to the region are less than $300 million. Leading exports include butter, sheep meat, wine and high-tech items such as electrical and navigation equipment.
Common entry points
- Sweden – The Stockholm urban area is the largest and most populous in Sweden. It is the country’s political and economic centre. With a population of 2 million it has about one fifth of Sweden’s population while contributing more than a third to the country’s g gross domestic product (gdp).
- Denmark – Copenhagen is a centre for business and science, not only in Denmark, but for the region. It is one of the richest (and most expensive) cities in the world. The Oresund Bridge links Copenhagen and the Swedish city of Malmö. A survey has ranked Copenhagen third in Western Europe in terms of attracting regional headquarters and distribution centres.
- Norway – If Norway belonged to the European Union, the Oslo region would have the fourth strongest gdp per capita. It is also one of the most expensive cities in the world. Oslo is an important maritime centre and home to approximately 980 maritime-related companies.
- Finland – Helsinki (population 575,000) is the capital and largest city of Finland. The greater Helsinki region accounts for a quarter of the population of Finland, 29 percent of jobs and a third of the gdp. About 70 percent of foreign companies operating in Finland have settled in the Helsinki region.
Getting your product into market
Denmark, Sweden and Finland belong the European Union (EU), so some agricultural product imports from non-EU countries are governed by the Common Agricultural Policy.
Cultural and business tips
- Social and business protocols in the Nordic countries should be familiar to international business people. There are variations within the region, for example Danish businesspeople may appear more formal.
- English is widely understood and spoken, particularly by young people.
