2012-06-30
A sucessful WCO Council session is over
The WCO 2012 council session is over.The general assembly has now ended. As always we run over time and also spent the Saturday afternoon hours in the session hall of the WCO headquarters in Brussels. Last day was stormy with a discussion on a request from Kosovo to (Belgoum) become a WCO member. No decision reached as expected. There were also long discusions on the budget and aome administration. The Chair of the Council, Ms. Josephine Feehily from Ireland was re-elected. US was elected chair of the Finance Committe and UK vice chair of the same committee. Good meeting overall. I had excellent bilaterals. good
2012-06-29
Second Day
We are now back from the 60 year anniversary of the WCO gala dinner. And the obligatory following networking and debriefings with colleagues and friends in Brussels city center. This morning started with a discussion and coordination meeting in The North Group of Ten (NG10), our WCO subgroup. Great meeting. After that we had another good and interesting day in the Council with an interesting speech from the Secretary General of the UNODC Mr. Yury Fedotov and the following discussions. This afternoon there was an excellent presentation by Director Erich Kieck on the progress of the WCO Capacity Building Agenda. There have been great progress and excellent results from the capacity building programmes the last year. I also managed to have five bilatarals during lunch and coffee breaks. Four of them were excellent. Exiting. A very good day. Now, it is time to hit the bed for a few hours.
2012-06-29
Great first Day of WCO Council
So the first day of Council is over. We had a very good day. From the start and opening by the President of Nigera, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and Mr. Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Belgium to the end discussions with His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium in the meeting room. 600 people from 160 countries, Customs, other Goverment agencies, donor institutions, international community, academia and Private Sector. The Council session is a Disneyland for Customs Officials. I love it.
2012-06-27
Day Two in Brussels- Meetingmania starts
First a breakfast meeting. Then two very good bilaterals. soon the forth meeting of today. Then off to the traditional reception at the New Zealand Embassy. After that traditional coordination dinner with the Nordic Group. A lot of meetings. Looooong day. I like it. Now, a lunch meeting.
2012-06-27
First evening of WCO week
I had several good meetings yesterday. Also got the report from the WCO Policy Commission (from several sources and perspectives). Good for planning of the rest of the week.
2012-06-26
In Brussels
Back in Brussels. Just checked in. Have a lot of memoris here. Preparing for the first bilaterals. I have 16 bilaterals planned so far. There will be more. Here we go.
2012-06-26
Bildt on EU
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Twitter: "Very important EU decision today on our strategic framework for working with human rights and democracy". consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms
2012-06-25
Do not miss CapacityNow!
For all you interested in Customs Capacity Building, don't miss the best Twitter account for the best news on Capacity Building, my Twitter account; "CapacityNow". Go to www.twitter.com and register for your free own Twitter account.
Then search for "CapacityNow", mark "Follow" and you will have all the capacity building updates around the clock in your mobile phone or via Internet.
2012-06-25
The PMs speech in Rio
Lats week, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt held a speech at the Rio+20 conference in Brazil. Here is the speech.
"Madame President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The world of today is facing huge challenges. But also huge possibilities.
Globalization has brought tremendous benefits for many people. Through increased movement and increased trade. The economic growth during the last fifteen years has brought 400 million people out of poverty.
Today we see more countries than ever, walking the path towards democracy. We also see how knowledge and innovation contribute to solving more and more of our common problems.
At the same time, many of the countries in the world are being torn by war and conflicts. Often the same countries which are fighting widespread poverty.
Unsustainable production and consumption patterns are depleting our natural resources. Climate change is causing more extreme weather conditions, which affect the poorest people the most.
The world is not short of challenges if we are to reach a more sustainable development. The question is - how can we together meet these challenges?
Firstly, a number of fundamental conditions need to be in place.
Among those are first and foremost democratic principles. Openness and transparency. Free flow of information. Accountability. As well as respect for human rights and gender equality.
Maybe most important and fundamental in this respect is to ensure human, economic and social rights for 3.5 billion women and girls around the world. This is not only a question of fairness and gender equality. But also a purely economic question, since it would lead to significantly higher GDP growth in many countries. Especially interesting of course in times of economic crisis.
Every day, around 1000 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Addressing women's sexual and reproductive health and rights is more urgent than ever.
Market economy and free trade are other important instruments to fight poverty and bring prosperity to more people around the globe. Instruments which in times of economic crisis are being questioned, also in Europe. And which are sometimes being replaced by protectionist policies. Something we need to take a clear stand against.
Furthermore, we also have to create possibilities for people to strengthen their power over their own lives. Only when people are free to think and express themselves, they are able to make demands. Contribute to change. And create a sustainable development.
Madame President/ Mr. Secretary General,
I would like to highlight in particular four areas of importance to create a sustainable development:
Firstly:
In a sustainable society, the prices of natural resources have to be right - in the sense that the prices also have to reflect the environmental effects.
This can be done for instance through environmental taxes, trade with emissions and environmental fees. In Sweden, we have made that kind of economic incentives work. Showing also that it is possible to increase economic growth and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Crucial of course for developing countries.
If we are serious about meeting the climate threats, we all need to perform better in this area. That is why we believe that economic instruments should be key tools for a green and inclusive economy.
Secondly:
In 2030, five billion people are expected to live in cities. A large part of the energy consumption, the environmental and social problems - including the increasing poverty - will be concentrated here. This is the reason why Sweden is pushing to increase the awareness and need for sustainable urbanization.
We simply have to rethink and adopt a comprehensive view on urban planning. Where resource efficiency and energy efficient techniques go hand in hand with increased recycling. And where increased employment is combined with increased availability in social services.
Thirdly:
The business community is playing a decisive role to mobilize recourses, create employment - in particular for young people - and stand up for responsible innovations - in our endeavor to reach a sustainable development. The economic and environmental problems of today are to a high degree linked to the production and consumption patterns.
To better take care of the expertise, the resources and the innovation potential of the business to reach sustainable development should be a priority.
Fourthly:
Access to and a sustainable use of energy as well as water and sanitation is crucial. Cost-efficient and healthy energy and water solutions contribute to improving people's living conditions, health and environment.
Madame President/Mr. Secretary General,
The Swedish government organized in April this year a Partnership Forum for Sustainable Development to discuss how governments, businesses, organizations and individuals could promote to a more sustainable society. The four points I made as well as a number of other recommendations are included in the Call for Action that was issued at this conference.
Finally Mr. Secretary General,
Sweden believes that the notion of sustainable development needs to become more concrete and measurable. We therefore very much welcome the agreement at this meeting to set up Sustainable Development Goals.
Because real change is only possible when we truly understand the challenges facing us. When we know what actions are needed. And when we can see the progress made.
We believe that Sustainable Development Goals can make it a lot easier for all of us to take action. The action that is urgently needed.
Thank you for your attention!"
2012-06-25
On my way to Brussels
It is time for me to do the last preparations for Brussels this week. It is a very important week. When all countries travel to the World Customs Organization headquarters in Brussels for the annual head of administration council session (general assembly) to discuss and decide on the way forward for the year to come. I have always loved the feeling to walk into the official meeting hall seeing all the 177 flags of member countries where people meet to discuss professional issues around world trade, trade facilitation, security, revenue collection, enforcement and other vital areas for our countries. When almost 1000 professionals from all around the world, it is amazing. All hotels, restaurants, streets around the WCO building are packed with colleagues and friends. Loads of bilateral meetings, all very important to our economies, our security and our wellbeing - take place in town. I love being in Brussels for this week.
2012-06-25
Italy
Yesterday we saw a fantastic football game in the last quarterfinal of the Euro2012, when Italy beat England 4-2 on pennalties. It was a very well deserved win for Italy. 64-36% possession. 20-4 shots on goal. 815-320 passes. 4-2 pennalties. For Italy. And playmaker Andrea Pirlo was magnificiant. England was outplayed but still fighting. Italy did everything right, except goals. In the end Pirlo, in a very difficult moment in the pennalty shoot-out, did a remarkable pennalty. Italy is a very worthy semifinalist.
2012-06-25
16 of 29 hottest economies are in Africa
The World Bank recently released their semi-annual "Global Economic Prospects" report. Contained in the report is the institution's up-to-date growth forecasts. We pulled the 29 countries with the highest growth over the next two years based on World Bank's 2013 and 2014 growth estimates. A caveat – many of the countries shown here are "frontier markets," starting from low absolute levels of GDP to begin with.
• 16 of these countries are in Africa, 7 are in Southeast Asia, 3 are in Central Asia, 2 are in Latin America, and 1 is in the Middle East.
• 9 of these countries count oil as a major export, while 5 of them are dependent on exports of gold and diamonds.
• In 5 of these countries, tourism is also a major industry.
• Subsistence agriculture is a major part of 5 of these countries' economies.
• Only three of these countries are in the G20.
Read more here: http://www.businessinsider.com/29-of-the-worlds-fastest-growing-countries-2012-6?utm_source=twbutton&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=moneygame
2012-06-25
Ballotelli - genious or madman?
It took 37 minutes of Italy's first match against Spain in the UEFA EuroCup2012 before Italian football star got a yellow card. One thing they know most about Mario Balotelli is that he is a tremendous talent.
Another thing is that everyone knows about Balotelli is that he is causing problems. He fights, he fights, he loses his license, he will be deported, he fires fireworks indoors. What people normally do not know is that he has another side. in May 2011 told English newspapers about a little boy who had been waiting outside Manchester City's Fitness. He stood there with her mother and it was midday. Then Mario Balotelli stopped beside the boy, wrote his autograph and asked the boy what he was doing there and why he was not in school? The boy explained that some larger boys bullied him, and he dared not go there. Balotelli took the boy by the arm, put him in his sports car and drove straight to school. He went to the boy into the school, was looking up the bullies and reprimanded them. He went on to locate the head teacher, explained the situation and made sure that the school management took the matter seriously. This is another side of a man who deserves all respect.
2012-06-25
"Tear down this wall"
On June 12, 1987, the cold war entered a terminal phase, in ways that few could have anticipated, and in fact, almost no one did — with the exception of a president down on his legendary luck.
In berlin, at the Brandenburg Tor gate, President Reagan said his most famous words "‘‘Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’’. And the world as we knew it changed.
Read the entire article here
2012-06-24
Euro2012 is great
After a strong semifinal by Spain, beating a disharmonized France 2-0 in the thrid Euro2012 quarterfinal, we are now almost at the end of the tournament. Tonight England plays Italy in the last quarterfinal. A very interesting game. Two tactically well playing teams, defence first - will have to decided who wants to win. I would not be surprised if it goes to a pennalty shoot out. And bot countries have an awful history in hat regard. It will be a great game for all football lovers.
2012-06-24
Tsingtao
I have two principles when travelling. I try to see local football and I always drink a local beer. That is how you feel the culture of a country. Qingdao is one of China's most beautiful cities, clean and beautifully situated by the sea and beaches in the city, good seafood and beer of course,
Tsingtaobryggeriet was the first in China when it was built in 1903. This town is now about to take over from Prague, Brysel and Munich as the world's beer capital. No people and no country drink more beer than China. Each Chinese city with pride today has its own brewery. But it was in Qingdao, it all started. Try Chinese beer, it is great.
2012-06-23
Bologna
I have never been in Bologna, Italy. I have been to many places. More than 150 countries. And many times to Italy.
But I have never been in Bologna. I want to go. I would like to see the houses in the photo above. One day I will go to Bologna.
2012-06-23
Swedish summer
Time to raise a glass of wine for Swedish summer.
The beat time of the year in the land of the midnight sun.
2012-06-23
Germany, on the way to the goldmedals
Yesterday Germany beat Greece in the UEFA Euro2012 quarterfinal, 4-2 in a highly attractive soccer game. The blizzard attacking Germany against the defensivemmasters from Greece in tactical game won by the German coach Jogi Loew.
2012-06-23
Midsummer party on our street
Celebrating midsummer with our friends.
Great food, nice drinks & good people.
2012-06-23
By the Midsummer pole
My wife together with our friend and neighbour, Zita.
In front of the Karlsson Midsummer Pole.
2012-06-23
Homemade
Proud over my personlly home made Midsummer pole.
I spent a few hours to create this traditional mini-Midsummer Pole.
2012-06-22
Bono met Aung San Suu Kyi
The Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi met one of her biggest fans in Dublin recently. Irish rock group singer Bono, that also has written a song about the Burmese activist. Aung San Suu Kyi was in Ireland to participate on a concert tribute to her and also to receive the title Ambassador of Amnesty International.
2012-06-22
G20 leaders high-lighted growth and trade in final declaration
G20 leaders met in Mexico 18-19 June 2012. The aftermath of Global Financial Crises and the ongoing Eurocrises were topics on the agenda. The G20 leaders made a strong statement about how to create global growth and the importnace of trade.
In the final declaration the world leaders stressed that: "We are firmly committed to open trade and investment, expanding markets and resisting protectionism in all its forms, which are necessary conditions for sustained global economic recovery, jobs and development. We underline the importance of an open, predictable, rulesbased, transparent multilateral trading system and are committed to ensure the centrality of the World Trade Organization (WTO)". From a Capacity Building perspective the declaration also says: "...recognizing the impact of the continuing crisis on developing countries, particularly low income countries, we will intensify our efforts to create a more conducive environment for development, including supporting infrastructure investment. Our policy actions will improve living conditions across the globe and protect the most vulnerable. In particular, by stabilizing global markets and promoting stronger growth, we will generate significant positive effects on development and poverty reduction across the globe". You can read the G20s declaration her
2012-06-22
G20 in Mexico
Leaders from the Group of 20, which includes the G7, meet in Los Cabos, Mexico. The group during the meeting stated, taking note of the Greek elections and looking forward to working with the next government of Greece, that it was in all countries interest for Greece to remain in the euro area while respecting its commitments.
The Finance Ministers in the pre-meeting welcomed the commitment of the euro area to work in partnership with the next Greek government to ensure they remain on the path to reform and sustainability within the euro area. In the final communiqué from the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the group stated (among other things) that; “We welcome the participation of the International Organizations on the assessment of the macroeconomic impacts of excessive commodity price volatility on growth and their identification of policy options that countries could consider as per their national circumstances to mitigate any such effects. We will report to Leaders in Los Cabos on these policy options and their implications for our national agendas”. Interesting recommendations. A good way to follow the meeting is to read this website: http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/
2012-06-22
Midsummer
Today it is the biggest holiday in Sweden. The Midsummer festival. Midsummer day simply refers to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place on a day between June 21 and June 24, and the preceding evening.
midsummer-related holidays, traditions, and celebrations are pre-Christian in origin. The celebration of Midsummer's Eve was from ancient times a festival of the summer solstice. Some people believed that golden-flowered mid-summer plants, especially Calendula, and St. John's Wort, had miraculous healing powers and they therefore picked them on this night. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again. In later years, witches were also thought to be on their way to meetings with other powerful beings.The solstice itself has remained a special moment of the annual cycle of the year since Neolithic times. The concentration of the observance is not on the day as we reckon it, commencing at midnight or at dawn, as it is customary for cultures following lunar calendars to place the beginning of the day on the previous eve at dusk at the moment when the Sun has set. In Sweden, Finland and Estonia, Midsummer's Eve is the greatest festival of the year. On Midsummer Eve we dance around the Midsummer Pole and we, and all people in Sweden, eat herring, new potatoes, meatballs and strawberries. And we naturally drink vodka. Happy midsummer!
2012-06-21
Euro2012 quarterfinals
Time for the last rounds of the UEFA soccer Euro2012. The four quarterfinals are: Czech Republic vs Portugal, Germany vs Greece, Italy vs England and Spain vs France. the natural outcome would be Portugal, Germany, Italy and Spain. However I am not sure this time. I think that maybe Czech Republic and France can suprise us. Will be great games.
2012-06-21
@Sweden
Sweden has an official twitter account, @sweden, which is given over to a different swede every week. Seven days, he or she recommends things to do and places to see, sharing diverse opinions, and ideas along the way.
After that, someone else does the same—but differently. Follow all nine million of us. Welcome to Sweden.
2012-06-21
The all star team in Euro2012 group round
This is the all star team of best players in the Euro2012 group round selected by UEFAs evaluated and based on the WhoScored statistical system.
Goalkeeper:
Joe Hart, England (7,4)
----------------------------------
Defenders:
Alvaro Arbeloa, Spain (7,2)
Mats Hummels, Germany (7,8)
Pepe, Portugal (7,5)
Sebastian Boenisch, Poland (7,1)
-----------------------------------
Midfield:
Alan Dzagoev, Russia (8,0)
Steven Gerrard, England (7,8)
Andrea Pirlo, Italy (7,7)
Andrej Arsjavin, Russia (8,0)
-----------------------------------
Attack:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden (7,6)
Mario Gomez, germany (7,3)
2012-06-21
UN Rio+20
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for Development Cooperation and Lena Ek, Minister for the Environment, represent Sweden at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (the Rio +20 Conference), which takes place on 20-22 June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The aim of the conference is to discuss what to do for the world to move towards a more sustainable development. This requires joint actions and commitments, mainly in three areas - economic, social and environmental. A prerequisite for sustainable development is also democracy and respect for human rights. The United Nations has organized conferences on the theme of sustainable development every decade since 1972, when the first conference held in Stockholm. Conference Rio +20 will be the fifth in order and is expected to collect almost 50 000 representatives from governments, parliaments, cities, civil society, multilateral organizations and businesses.
2012-06-20
Finally. A great game by Sweden
Yesterday Sweden played our last game in Euro2012, beating France 2-0 in the last group game. We have had two unfortunate losses earlier in the tournament, 1-2 and 2-3. Now Sweden played a very good game against a very strong French team playing for quarterfinals.
France had before the game yesterday, 23 games in a row witout loosing. Swedish captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a supergoal for 1-0 and former arsenal player (now Sunderland), Seb Larsson scored the second goal. It was great that our team got a chance to show the world the way we can play. Great game.
2012-06-20
Africans photograph Africa
The work of two Ghanesian photographers, Nyani Quarmyne and Nii Obodai, challenge a Western notion of Africa as helpless, diseased and war-addled. Great photos. See for yourself: www.blogs.nytimes.com.
2012-06-20
G20 supports IMF with billions
The G20 members will contribute with funding in the level of 600 billion US dollars or more, according to Mexican President Felipe Calderon. The announcement came at a press conference in Mexico before the upcomming G20 meeting this week.
2012-06-20
A coach and his captain
Swedish national team soccer coach Erik Hamren with his captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, celebrating the glorious 2-0 victory over favourites France in the Euro2012. Ibrahimovic scored one of the most beautiful goals of the tournament, making the score 1-0. 
Zlatan is the first player ever in history to score 2 goals or more in 3 European Championships. He ia also the third best goalscorer in the Eurocup history. Playing fewer games than number one and two on that list.
2012-06-19
In the plane
So many hours in planes. I like flying. It is great to move quickly from a part of our amazing world to another. In this case, from Helsinki to Copenhagen.
Like my old Viking relatives, but a bit faster.
2012-06-19
Above the clouds
High up. As said before. Flying is therapy. 
Meditation. Brainstorming.
2012-06-19
Airport
As the Brittish pop group "The Motors" once sang, "Airport". A great song that I often think about when passong through various airports around the world (like Arlanda above).
2012-06-19
Meeting Tapani
Today I met the former Director General of Finland Customs - and Chairman of the World Customs Organization - Mr. Tapani Erling in the capitol Helsinki. I have known Tapani for a decade and it was a great pleasure for me to meet him in his home town to discuss various customs matters. We had good discussions.
2012-06-19
At the Helsinki Airport
Had great meetings in Finland. Good day overall. Having a coffee, reflecting.
Planning for the future.
2012-06-19
Sweden vs France
Today we play France in the Euro2012. We are already out of the tournament after loosing 1-2 to Ukraine and 2-3 to England. The team has been unlucky but has also not been playing well at all. I hope that they will play a decent game against group leaders Ukraine tonight. Then we are off for 2014 world cup in Brazil. A tournament that I hope to see live.
2012-06-19
In Helsinki
Today I am visiting our Eastern brothers in Finland. It is a grey and rainy summer day in Helsinki but it is regardless of the weather always a pleasure to visit Helsinki and the Customs Headquarters (Tullstyrelsen). On the picture.
Interesting meetings.
2012-06-19
A fighter is gone
One of the greatest boxers of all time Cuban heavyweight champion Teofilo Stevenson has passed away in a heeat disease only 60 years old. Stevenson was oustanding for a decade and won thre Olympic gold medals being probably the best boxer never going professional. The world wanted him to fight Mohammad Ali but it never happened.
2012-06-18
On the Arlanda Express to the airport
Taking the fast train from Stockholm City to Arlanda Airport. The Arlanda Express is great. No traffic jams. The Express is basically the only train on Sweden that always comes and goes on time. Love it.
2012-06-18
Meetings in Stockholm
Took the early bird plane to Stockholm for important meetings today.
2012-06-18
Good leaders come from good people
"For a country to have good leaders, there also have to be good followers. People who are able to recognize just authority, admire it, be graceful for it and then emulate it", wrote David Brooks in the International Harald Tribune last week. An intereating perapective. Our leaders are, at best, only as good as the people they come from. A mirror of the population, the culture, the basic essence of a country. The values that shape our nation. Scaring thoughts.
2012-06-17
Born-Global companies
There is a new kind of companies born nowadays. The so called "born-global" companies. These are newly startes companies that are directly international having representation in many countries from the start and often as an integrated part of the start-up business strategy. We have some brilliant Swedish examples like i.e. SPOTIFY, Skype. But Sweden need more companies like this to battle the consequences of a globalized world. We all do.
2012-06-16
Who will buy Nokia?
Once the market leader now declining, Nokia is rumoured to be bougth by one of the new leading companies in the field of mobile technology. Samsung, the Korean world market leader, has for a long time been said to be interested in an investment in Nokia. This was recently denied. Now Chinese giant Huawei is rumoured to be first in line. Interesting battle on the way.
2012-06-16
Three weeks to the Mexican election
It is now only three weeks to the Mexican presidential election. This is an election that is important to all of us. Mexico is a huge economy and market, one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world. The favourite candidate right now, according to the polls and media, is Enrique Pena from PRI. The challenger is Josefina Vazques of ruling party PAN.
2012-06-16
Is he really right?
I have just read Harward Professor Edward Glaeser's book "Triump of the city" where he claims that "...there is no such thing as a poor urbanized country and there is no such thing as a rich rural country". From Babylon to Alexandria to Rome to London to Amsterdam to New York to Seoul - is he proving his point. Today there is more than 450 cities in the world with million population. Hundred years ago it was 16. People's abilty to create networks, interlinked economies and cooperation is enormous. The future is bright. For the countries with cities.
2012-06-16
Twitter is growing
The microblog Twitter is continuing to grow and the company is now making new positive prognosis for the future. Revenue ia expected to reach 7 billion kronas, approx 800 million euros, in 2014. In March this year the company estimated its number of usera to 140 million people. If you don't have an account - get one now. On twitter.com. It's for free you know. And don't miss CapacityNow, the best twitter account on capacity building....
2012-06-15
Former Sweden international Hysen slams sweden coach Hamren ahead of England clash
The 52-year-old Gothenburg native, who was capped 68 times by his country, believes that the tactics and the team selection for the game against Ukraine were all wrong. Having been beaten by Ukraine in their tournament opener, the Scandinavians will be eliminated if they lose to Roy Hodgson's side in Kiev. Hysen, whose son Tobias is in the current Swedish squad, is demanding that Hamren make changes for the crunch clash, believing the coach got things badly wrong in terms of his team selection for the game against the co-hosts.
"There were four or five players who didn't do their jobs against Ukraine," the former Liverpool defender, who is currently in Kiev in his role as a television pundit, told Fotbollskanalen.se. "You need players like Jonas Olsson and Pontus Wernbloom in there. I don't know what Erik Hamren's philosophy is but I don't seem to share it." Hysen also insinuated that Hamren was to blame for the lack of organisation and poor defensive play which allowed Andriy Shevchenko to score two headed goals for Ukraine. "I don't know exactly what system Sweden apply at free-kicks and corners but when you have a guy who is bigger and quicker than you, then you have got to dig in to him, push him away," the 52-year-old Gothenburg native explained. "You can't lose your marker like they did against Shevchenko. You don't necessarily have to win the duel against the striker but you have got to take him out."
2012-06-15
Big game tonight
Sweden plays England in a very important second game of the UEFA soccer Euro2012 tonight. England got 1 point in their first game, Sweden got 0. Now both teams need to win. Sweden has not lost to England since 1966, so we are surely the boogey team of England. Will there be a change tonight? or will Sweden get a draw or even win? Very difficult to say. My heart says, we can win. The brain says (unfortunately) that England are the favourites and might win this game. Hope not.
2012-06-14
At Brussels airport
Brussels International Airport, Zaventem. Actually not a bad airport. Not one of the big hubs in Europe, but functional. As long as you don't have to move from Terminal A to B.
Why can't anybody that specializes in European airport construction travel a bit, preferably to Asia, to learn how to make client friendly airports? The best airport in Europe is Schiphol Amsterdam. The worst is Frankfurt. Heathrow isn't good either. Airports, almost always on my mind.
2012-06-14
New OECD report says promotion of entrenreneurship is the way out of the crises
Start-up rates in most countries are slowly bouncing back toward their pre-crisis levels, but not all countries have seen significant acceleration in new businesses, according to a new OECD report. Most would-be entrepreneurs see far greater opportunities in the service sectors than in manufacturing. And women are far less likely than men to open their own businesses. These are among the insights in the latest edition of "Entrepreneurship at Glance 2012", which gives an overview of entrepreneurship in OECD countries. Using indicators developed with theh European Union’s statistical arm Eurostat, as well as those from national statistics offices, the report explains how access to finance, market conditions, regulatory frameworks and cultural perceptions can boost or harm entrepreneurial activity. Read more here
2012-06-14
In the plane
I don't know how many hours or airmiles I have spent in the air somewhere above the planet. I lost count many years ago. I do know that it is a lot. One year a few years ago, when working as Director of Capacity Building in the World Customs Organization, I had 231 travelling days. Or in other words, too much. When travelling a lot - and I do count the countries that I have visited, it is 152 - you get to learn how a lot about airports, planes and other travelling people. You also learn how to pack a bag fast and light. I travel only with hand luggage on all trips 8 days. The tiring part is the waiting and queing. I do enjoy the flying though. I find that being in a cabin of an airplane for a longhaul flight is today the only sanctuary from the active connected life we all live these days. In the plane I think big thoughts about the future.
2012-06-14
New terracotta soldiers found
The famous Terracotta Army in China is growing. Archaeologists have unearthed a further 110 soldiers made of baked clay. The latest finds are preserved and painted in vivid colors. Besides the soldiers have also been found twelve horses, and parts of vehicles, weapons and tools.
In total, the terracotta army of 8000 soldiers, mostly in full and in the individual appearances. They were made for about 2200 years ago, when Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi buried. He is regarded as the unified China's first emperor. The first findings were made by a farmer in 1974, near the city of Xian. if you haven't seen it, you have to do so. It is magnificiant.
2012-06-13
Norway is taking leaps
Media in Norway is reporting the positive new statistics, see the article. World Bank says that Norway is the world's tenth most effeicent country on trade logistics, and that the country has the world's sixth best customs.
The World Bank has compared to 155 countries in global trade logistics and efficient customs services. Norway has taken the jump on both lists and is now the tenth most powerful country on trade logistics and Customs is the sixth most efficient customs service in the world.
2012-06-13
Denmark vs Portugal
These two teams were not the most popular in the hotelbar (since I was the only one watching the game).
2012-06-13
A red flag from World Bank
The World Bank wants poorer nations to reduce debt, and expects slow growth in high-income countries amid fading investor tolerance for risk.
2012-06-12
We lost.
Yesterday we played host country Ukraine in the Euro2012. We lost 1-2. Congratulations Ukraine. Ukraine was the better team this time. No doubt. Sweden did an awful game and played really bad. The verdict in the Swedish newspapers this morning is that it was the worst game since 2000. I can only agree. Last night we only had one player that had the quality on this level.
2012-06-12
In Brussels
I am in Brussels for meetings. Always a pleasure. Even though ot feels like the 1789543 time. I know this city. Looking forward to the meetings.
2012-06-12
GFC generated more peace, but also more players in the worlds conflicts
Did the Global financial crises generate more peace in the world? Maybe it actually did. At least that is one of the conclusions of the latest report from SIPRI regarding military conflicts in the world. The warlike conflicts faced by the world becomes increasingly complex. The Stockholm based Peace Research Institute SIPRI notes the changes in the world in its latest yearbook. As a typical examples for the last period, and the changes detected, SIPRI highlights the uprisings in the Arab world, where large groups acted and interacted with no real central control. It also points to the many conflicts in the Horn of Africa is not really fought between states. Between 2001 and 2010 fought 69 armed conflicts between states and 221 "non-state" conflicts. Another important trend that SIPRI points to is that the economic crisis with the West to try to keep its military spending. The effect was that the world's total military spending for the first time since 1998 did not increase in 2011. The arms trade continued to increase, with India, Pakistan, China and South Korea as major buyers. One conclusion that SIPRI pulls of the various trends we are seeing is that more emphasis must be placed on preventive diplomacy and to detect conflicts early on, rather than purely military action.
2012-06-12
GFC generated more peace, but also more players in the worlds conflicts
Did the Global financial crises generate more peace in the world? Maybe it actually did. At least that is one of the conclusions of the latest report from SIPRI regarding military conflicts in the world. The warlike conflicts faced by the world becomes increasingly complex. The Stockholm based Peace Research Institute SIPRI notes the changes in the world in its latest yearbook. As a typical examples for the last period, and the changes detected, SIPRI highlights the uprisings in the Arab world, where large groups acted and interacted with no real central control. It also points to the many conflicts in the Horn of Africa is not really fought between states. Between 2001 and 2010 fought 69 armed conflicts between states and 221 "non-state" conflicts. Another important trend that SIPRI points to is that the economic crisis with the West to try to keep its military spending. The effect was that the world's total military spending for the first time since 1998 did not increase in 2011. The arms trade continued to increase, with India, Pakistan, China and South Korea as major buyers. One conclusion that SIPRI pulls of the various trends we are seeing is that more emphasis must be placed on preventive diplomacy and to detect conflicts early on, rather than purely military action.
2012-06-11
Sweden enters Euro2012 !
Today we enter the Euro2012. Sweden plays home team Ukraine. It will be a difficult game for us. But also very importnat for both teams. A good result in this game is vital to maintain the chance to move to the play-offs after the group round.
It is always difficult to play the hosts. The tradition is that the host country always have a big advantage and often suceed in their own tournaments. As did Sweden when hosting the Euro1992, when we bacem number three of the tournament. However the Swedish team is looking very interesting and good at the moment. There are high expectations in Sweden for this game. I believe that we will win, 2-0. Ibrahimovic will score. In the second game of group D tonight, France plays England. Tough game.
2012-06-11
Preparing for Brussels
On my way to Brussels. I have important meetings in the capitol of Europe this week. Looking forward to see some friends as well.
2012-06-11
Government will appoint a Commissioner for Digitization
Swedish Government has announced a new innovative Commission for Digitization and appointed last week professor Jan Gulliksen as chairman for the task force. The Commission will have a mandate to work for the overall IT policy objective for Sweden to become the world leader in ICT and the use of digitization facilities.
2012-06-10
The war on doping.
Sweden is a pioneer in the fight against doping. And it is primarily thanks to Professor Arne Ljung Qvist's efforts. Anders Ahnlid is since last autumn, Swedish Ambassador and Head of Sweden's OECD and UNESCO delegation in Paris. Here he writes about the work Against the illicit use of medications and drugs in sports.
There, if there was no doubt after the preview of the documentary The War on Doping at UNESCO headquarters last night. The film showed how the fight against doping in sport has been since the 1970s by Arne Ljungqvist, an international leading figure. Terrifying initially. East Germany's systematic doping was raised, as well as scandals in athletics as at the Olympic Games in Seoul 1988 and Sydney 2000. Problems in skiing and cycling was also touched. Meanwhile, the film is hope for the future. Significant progress has been made. The possibility of cheating have declined and top sport has become cleaner, although many challenges remain. Arne Ljungqvist attended the preview with the film's director, Mats Omne, and producer, Bjorn Bertoft. The three, they responded to questions from a numerous, sport interested and informed audience following the screening. The documentary was previewed by the UNESCO as the organization is home to the organization's major convention against doping in sport. Sweden adopted the early anti-doping legislation and approved the first country to UNESCO Convention 2005th The Convention entered into force in 2007 and has now been adopted by all 170 countries. The Convention places the international legal basis for participation in the international sporting Community. It contains commitments on national laws and regulations, which many countries are yet unable to impose. The discussion after the film screening focused both on doping in top sport and as a public health problem when illicit drugs are used outside the elite layers, such as to increase muscle mass among bodybuilders.
The documentary will be shown in several countries, including the SVT, before the Olympic Games in London. In September, organized a major symposium in Stockholm, directed by Arne Ljung Qvist foundation against doping, which was established in connection with his 80th birthday last year, to discuss what can and should be done to combat doping in the perspective of public health. Arne Ljungqvist is chairman of the International Olympic Committee's medical commission and vice president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
2012-06-10
Ministers prepare a new environmental program for EU
On June 11 Council meeting, EU environment ministers adopted conclusions on the Seventh EU Environment Action Programme. Sweden has been in negotiations managed to get a hearing for a number of issues that are now incorporated in the conclusions. Swedish Environment Minister Lena Ek represent Sweden at the meeting in Luxembourg.
2012-06-10
Spain vs Italy
Today Spain plays Italy in Euro2012. A great game. Spain is big favourite being the defending World and European champions. And Italy has had a lot of crises and disturbing politics duringt he preparations before the torunament. So Spain should win easily? I am not so sure. Italians are always best when they "have their back against the wall". Maybe time for the second sensational result of this tournament? In the second game of the day in group C, Ireland plays Croatia.
2012-06-09
Sweden and Korea in extensive high-level talks
The Swedish state visit to South Korea has just ended. Visit the program reflected well the extensive and multifaceted Swedish-Korean relations.
It spanned the commercial, enterprise and innovation, research and development, student exchange and culture. King's program has focused on Swedish enterprise in South Korea with a large business delegation. Some time was spent also a renowned science mission. The Queen's program included visits to the acknowlegded Ehwa University with female students and a symposium on dementia care and nursing homes with Swedish and Korean experts, who have partnered with continued strong development potential. There was also an interesting visit to the International Vaccine Institute, which produces vaccines at an affordable price specifically for developing countries. The last day was traveling delegation to the 38th parallel and the DMZ, which is the dividing line between North and South Korea. The border is a Cold War, the last outpost and there is a palpable excitement in the atmosphere there. It was a strange feeling to be so close to the neighboring country, but yet so far away. Between Seoul and Pyongyang, the measly 25 mil but it might as well been 300th Sweden has three missions in the Korean peninsula; Embassy in Seoul, the embassy in Pyongyang and the third is monitoring commission Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. In 59 years, Sweden has contributed personnel to the mission. Currently, five Swedes at the border to Switzerland together with monitoring compliance with the Armistice Agreement of 1953. The last program item for the state visit was the visit to the world exhibition in the port city Yeosu and the Swedish pavilion at the theme Open Sweden and Spirit of Innovation. On the whole, the Swedish expertise, care and innovation gone as red thread through the whole visit and created fertile ground for further cooperation between Sweden and South Korea.
2012-06-09
Vi er rode, vi er vide...
Tonight Denmark created the first real bombshell of the Euro2012 by beating favourites Netehrlands in the what has been called "the group of death", group B - winning 1-0. Congratulations Denamrk. Great start of the tournament.
The Dutch tried to attack and had a lot of chances but our neighbours played defencively and tactically well and scored the only goal of the game. In the second game of the group the other big favourite for the the title (and also my favourites) Germany beat Portugal 1-0 after a late goal by Bayern Münich striker Mario Gomez. In fact the German team didn't play as well as they can in this game and was a bit luch sice portugal had two shots in the post. Now Netherlands have a big game against Germany on Wednesday, if they don't win that game - they are out of the tournament almost before it starts.
2012-06-09
Euro2012 has started
Yesterday Euro 2012 started with two great games. A dramatic opening game between Poland and Greece ended 1-1.
In the second game Russia beat Czech Republic in a furious game 4-1. The Russians look strong, especially in attack.
2012-06-09
The Swedish economy is world class
Sweden's economy is the fifth in the world and second in Europe in terms of competitiveness, according to a ranking from the Swiss Institute IMD. MD (International Institute for Management Development) trains managers in business and research on economic competitiveness.
In this branch ranks every year the world's largest economies. Institute analysts reviewing more than three hundred criteria in four main areas: the economy, infrastructure and efficiency in politics and business. In addition, the institution interviewed more than four thousand business leaders in the countries examined. Among this year's 59 ranking countries, Sweden in fifth place. Like the other top countries, we have an economy that is export oriented and a fiscal policy that is characterized by orderliness. According to the interviewed top executives of the Swedish decision-makers also positive for economic reforms and benevolent to globalization - two things that IMD values. The opposite is true for France (site 29) where hostility to the reforms and globalization surpasses even the economic horror such as Greece, Bulgaria and Venezuela. "The economic nationalism is back and protectionism seem attractive again", summarizes Professor Stephane Garelli, which leads IMD's survey. The USA's ailing economy ranked high Garelli explains that it is flexible and still have a strong impact on the rest of the world. The economies of Spain (39), Portugal (41) and Greece (58), however, so inflexible that these countries can not expect any dramatic improvement even when the world economy picks up.
2012-06-09
Hand-in-Hand creates jobs for the poor
The NGO donor organization Hand-in-Hand has created more than 1.1 million jobs in India and has set a target goal of 1.3 million jobs before 2013. The very successful capacity building model is now spreading to more countries. Since 2002 has Hand-in-Hand organized microloans to female entrepreneurs generating huge amounts of new jobs.
"When we started in larger scale in 2004 I was doubtful if we could make this work but thanks to God and Swedish businessman and legendary philanteopist Percy Barnevik we have are almost there" says Kalpana Sankar, country manager for India. The model will now be implemented also in Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The model is already exported to Africa and projects are up and running in South Africa and Kenya. This is a miracle. Capacity building at its best.
2012-06-08
Exams.
So have our son Martin passed his exams after 12 years in school. On Friday his passed his exams with good grades, even though the final stage of the education was very difficult due to the last years challenges with his health.
It was fantastic to see him walk out of school having passed his exams and being a happy student wearing his cap with pride. In front of the family and proud parents. Time flies even though it is only 1,5 years ago he left the hospital. Being still on medication and treatment he has worked very hard with his exam. And he made it. We are so happy for him.
2012-06-08
Congratulations Stockholm
This summer the Stockholm Olympic Stadium celebrates its 100 year celebration. The year of the London upcomming Olympics becomes also the annoversery of the Stockholm Olympics 1912. The stadium might be old but it still has a beautiful skyline and is considered as a dream study for young architects due to its innovative design. Congratulations.
2012-06-08
Denmark out of recession
Denmark's central bank lowered the key rate on Thursday for the second time in a week, in light of an increasingly strong Danish krona. The decision is made after recent GDP figures show that the country has just emerged from a mild recession. Denmark's policy rate was lowered by 0.15 percentage points to 0.45 percent on Thursday, which follows a decrease of 0.10 percentage points last Thursday. The cuts aim to defend the Danish krone's exchange rate peg against the euro.
2012-06-07
We need to get more educated about the already existing development of the developing world
My favorite professor, Hans Rosling, recently was ranked by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet. Rosling says in an article, "I want to Provide a facts-based view of our reality.
Many people on this planet do not know that developing countries have reached and sometimes surpassed the traditional western countries that developed earlier. For instance, they do not know that every Brazilian citizen lends EUR 700 a year to U.S. It is really a combination of arrogance and lack of knowledge in the west that prevents this knowledge from being spread. There is also hope, an example is that I get a lot of e-mails from people Bill and Melinda Gates about these issues and they are doing things on the ground, as well as I get e-mails from students from all around tha world that are starting to see the real new world emerging. Companies are starting to see that the reson for being estblished in developing countries is not that there is a cheap labor force availeble, but rather that your clients live there. However many people still continues to look into the rearview mirror instead of through the windshield while driving. Which naturally makes them drive off the road. I do not think we are ignorant, I know we are. It is serious. I am still deeply worried that there are 2 billion people in the world that are poor ".
2012-06-07
Two renewal bureaucrats
This is two good friends and colleagueas of mine from the Swedish Public and Private Sector (guess who is who and who is from which sector...) showing that in Sweden we also in practice are very close and working together also over the borders.
At the annual Public Sector Development Conference (Offentliga rummet) earlier this week. Both participanta of the network og "Renewal Bureaucrats".
2012-06-07
Silly Season is on
It is almost soccer "silly season" all the year around nowadays. Silly Season is the name of the time when players can change clubs for next season. This summer is worse then ever since there, despite the ongoing financial crises, are more investors and more money in the sport than ever.
New investors, from new countries. It is also the year of the European Championship, Euro2012. Which naturally is a great window for the players to display their talent while the world is watching. A player that is popular on the market is Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After a super season with AC Milan, scoring 35 goals (28 in serie A) there are many clubs trying to get him to sign a contract. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG have all announced their interest. Zlatan has said that he is happy in Milan but he wants the club to buy at least five new players for next season to be able to challenge for the Champions League title. My guess? He stays in Milan. 70-30.
2012-06-06
An ABBA evening
Yesterday at the Swedish National Day event, the Embassy had arranged a concert in the garden a pop with the original members of the ABBA record band.
The musicians that played the music on the original ABBA records and shows as a tribute to the music group ABBA.
A fantastic concert with all the ABBA hits. Great show.
2012-06-06
Actions for Growth and Jobs in Europe
The Council of Ministers for competitiveness met in Brussels May 30 to 31 to discuss measures to develop the EU's internal market. The Council also agreed the court redress for European consumers. Research Ministers agreed on the part of the new research program. The discussion on growth and jobs, the Council examined four of the proposals under the Single Market Act. "The EU's internal market is a cornerstone of European cooperation and is central to creating sustainable growth and more employment in Europe. I therefore support the rapid implementation of the growth-promoting actions in the Single Market Act," said Dr Björling after the meeting. Ministers agreed that European consumers should be offered fast, simple and inexpensive dispute settlement. The European Commission announced last year, the draft laws on alternative dispute resolution for consumers and proposals for dispute resolution on-line. For Swedish consumers, the decision among other things, they have better chances of getting disputes with traders from other Member States examined. The European Parliament will examine the proposal before making a final decision can be made. In the discussion of public procurement Sweden welcomed the proposal that the EU will be transferred to e-procurement by 2016. Civil and Housing Minister Stefan Attefall represented Sweden in this matter.
2012-06-06
Swedish National Day
Today we celebrated the Swedish National Day at the Swedish Embassy in Beijing. More than 1300 invited guests from Sweden, China and all around the world.
We had traditional Swedish food, drinks, dance and music. A very nice event. Above, the Swedish delegation beside the Swedish midsummer three.
2012-06-05
Men in black
...or maybe we we will just have strange referees for our first game.
2012-06-05
Clinton praised Sweden for its international involvement
Sweden and the United States will jointly build a global coalition for freedom on the net and the two countries have agreed to try to get the UN to adopt a high resolution. A major environmental conference is also planned in Stockholm in 2013 in cooperation with the U.S.
There are two concrete results of the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Stockholm this weekend. The consultation with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt focused on the European crisis and the situation in Syria. "The situation in Europe is important for the U.S., the common trade is extensive", said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt at a press conference. He pointed out that there are still a Northern European growth corridor with better development. Regarding Syria, Prime Minister Reinfeldt of Sweden and the U.S. strongly supports the Annan plan for a peaceful development in Syria. Talks on Sunday has spanned over a wide range of areas. The discussions at sea with Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Minister of Defense Karin Enstrom concern including security issues, the policies in Arctic, defense cooperation, Afghanistan and the Baltic Sea issues. At the Environment meeting in the Photographic Museum presented the joint plans for a major environmental conference in Stockholm in the autumn 2013th. Secretary of State Clinton praised Sweden for its international involvement. "There are so many problems in the world and Sweden to send his diplomatic expertise to all parts of the world, she said, among other things" she said at the Press Conference after the meeting.
Secretary of State Clinton also touched on the common issue of freedom on the net, that freedom of expression must apply there as well as in other areas. She also stressed that Sweden "is not only one country in the lead, but lead" when it comes to managing climate change.
2012-06-05
Playing with Donald
Soon the European Championship in soccer, Euro2012 starts. Sweden plays hosts Ukraine in the first game. Our biggest star is naturally Milan superplayer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Now we have another great player, see the picture above from the Swedish practice earlier today...
2012-06-05
Another record breaking month!
Last month, May 2012, I had almost 6100 unique visitors on this (web)blogg. This is the first time ever there have been more than 6000 people visiting my website and reading news about customs capacity building, technical assistance, development, eGov, reform & modernization, aid, donor business, politics, sports, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, music and much more. I am extremely grateful and happy that so many people find what I write interesting. And breaking the "6000" visitor-wall is amazing. Thank you! And don't miss out on new adventures, news and interesting ideas ln this website in the future. Soon I will have some breaking news for you. Just wait and see.
2012-06-05
Everybody goes to Beijing
We are not the only international delegation visiting China today. Just before we landed at Beijing Airport arrived also the Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin with a high level delegation.
It is, according to Chinese media, one of his first official visits after returning to the presidency. And he goes to Beijing and Shanghai. The China-Russia trade is booming and during the meeting will the heads of state sign a number of new cooperation agreements.
2012-06-05
Meeting with Vice Minister Sun
We have now had an excellent high-level meeting with Vice-Minister Sun and his team.
Great discussions about enhanced cooperation in a range of fields.
2012-06-05
Soon time to go
We are in the lobby waiting for our hosts.
It is soon time for the Swedish delegation to leave for the first of several meetings with GACC, China Customs.
2012-06-05
Back in Bejing
Now I back in Beijing. It is always a great pleasure and very interesting to visit this dynamic country. There are so many nice and good people here.
I have visited China many, many times and know a lot of people, have many friends and have great contacts in China. Soon we will see the the Vice Minister for an official meeting then it is dinner with the Minister.
2012-06-05
At Kastrup Airport
Waiting again. In an airport. On my way to Beijing. I was considering to try to calculate how many hour, days or even weeks I have spent in airports and airplanes.
But decided not to. The result would be too freightening.
2012-06-05
Meeting with the Minister
We are now having a meeting with Minister of China Customs. Long and really interesting discussions.
This is very positive indeed. Aoon off for dinner with the minister.
2012-06-05
Anders Borg: "Africa is the new China"
Seven of the ten fastest growing economies are African. That is why finance minister Anders Borg has visited three African countries in six days and met with fellow ministers, governors and Swedish companies. After the Asian tiger economies, it now seems time for the African.
"Africa is the new China", says Anders Borg to SvD Business in the lush garden at the Swedish ambassador Lena Nordström's residency at Leopard Lane in Lusaka in Zambia. "Within ten years, Africa will have more inhabitants than China about 1.5 billion people and many are young, under 25". The Finance Minister is satisfied that the new economic miracle come from Africa, and he is not alone. The IMF forecasts that sub-Saharan Africa have a GDP growth of 5.5 percent this year. Zambia and Uganda had 6 per cent GDP growth last year. South Africa has the last ten years had an average annual growth of 5 percent or more. So high growth for so many years in a row, the region has never had before. The exception was 2009 when the global financial crisis hit and landed the growth of 2.9 percent. Meanwhile, inflation in Zambia last year at 9 percent. "But it's ok, as long as there are two digits", says Anders Borg, who meets SvD Business between interviews with the Zambian state broadcaster ZNBC and the two dominant Zambian newspaper The Post and the Times of Zambia. "These countries have an enormous potential, says Anders Borg, businesses are growing, exports are increasing and Europe must work with Africa that we've been working with China and other Asian countries. But we have to work for democracy and respect for human rights. There must be an environment here that will work for Swedish companies, so they can invest and work here". Borg was earlier this year ranked as the best and most successful Finance Minister in Europe last year.
2012-06-04
China makes 1 billion Euro investment in China-Sweden coooperation
China is preparing a new giant Swedish-Chinese investment fund including 1 billion Euros. Swedish Minister of Enterprise, Ms. Annie Lööf, is this week in Beijing, for discussions on the new partnership. The plan was presented when Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Wen Jiabao visited Sweden in April this year. In a press conference Mr. Wen Jiabao announced that the superpower will invest one billion Euros, about nine billion Swedish kronors, in a cooperation between China and Sweden. The news was very well received in Sweden. “It was a very big announcement Wen Jiabao did when he was in Sweden. Nine billion is an awful lot of money. But we have made sure that he meant precisely Swedish-Chinese investments”, said Minister Lööf to Swedish news agency SVT during her Beijing.
2012-06-04
The happiest countries in the world
For the second year in a row, 24/7 Wall St. examined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s report on life satisfaction in the developed world. Economic prosperity, health and a strong social support network continue to correspond highly with happiness. Once again, the United States fails to make the top 10 happiest nations in the world while countries like Australia, Israel and all of the Scandinavian nations do.
Read more here
2012-06-04
Hillary was here
This weekend U.S Secretaty of State, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Sweden for meetings with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
She is a strong woman and a tough politician, Hillary Clinton.
2012-06-03
Azerbaijan foiled terror attack plot during Eurovision
Azerbaijan foiled an attempt to stage terrorist attacks while the country was hosting the Eurovision Song Contest last week, and arrested dozens of suspected plotters, the security ministry said Wednesday. “The main goal of the group was to stage terrorist acts in Baku during the Eurovision,” the National Security Ministry said in a statement. “As a result of the measures taken, 40 members of the group were arrested.”
2012-06-03
Beijing, here we come
Time to go to the big country in the East. Important meetings this week.
2012-06-03
In the icebar
A great place to go in Stockholm when having guest and friends for a visit is the Icebar. This is a än alternative if you can't go far up north in Sweden to the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi above the polar circle.
The Ice Bar is really a show room for the icehotel, but it is located to the very city center of Stockholm. Sometimes guests think that it is too cold to go in there, but that is naturally not the case when having guests from Kazkhstan. They are used to the cold. A place to go. An experience to have.
2012-06-02
Running in Stockholm
Today 22.000 people have decided to run 42 kilometers in one of the most beautiful cities of the world, namely Stockholm. I think that some of the runners might have changed their minds when waking up this morning to a cold (6 degrees celcius!), windy and rainy day.
I guess that the Kenyan world stars bekng here to compete for the title today might break the world record just to get inside....
2012-06-02
Queen Elisabeth II 60
Today Queen Elisabeth II celebrates 60 years as queen of England and the commonwealth. A very, very long time as head of state.
2012-06-02
Packing for China
Next week I will be in China for a high-level meeting with China Customs and Government. We will also visit the Swedish Embassy since we are stationing a new Swedish Customs Attache' in Beijing. I have had the pleasure and fortune to visit China many times - more than ten times - over the last 15 years. I have many friends in China. It is always amazing to see the developments from one time to another. I am looking forward to this trip.
2012-06-02
Capacity Building boosts your career
Skills development can mean relief work in Africa. Environmental Consultant Catherine Ions Holm will soon leave for a project period with Doctors Without Borders. Her employer Sweco think it pays off in the long run.
Although the 28-year-old Catherine Ions Holm stands stand already as of June 1 know she still does not know where she going, exactly when, or even how long she'll be gone. She only knows that she will go away with Doctors Without Borders and that her contribution will be to arrange for water, sewage and waste disposal. The project can last anywhere from two to three months a year. The likelihood that it will be somewhere in Africa is quite large. "It will be exciting", says 28-year-old biologist from Stockholm to Swedish newspaper DN. Doctors without Borders is not only looking for doctors, nurses and other health professionals to the world on humanitarian efforts. Last year, the organization recruited 28 people with no medical background. The fact is that around a third of all that is sent out is non ¬ medical personnel. Many people search on their own, but since 2009 has a handful come from the international engineering consultancy Sweco.
Sweco, which also annually donate money to Doctors Without Borders, provides its engineers, architects and other consultants that are accepted leave of absence to participate in the humanitarian response. Catherine Ions Holm says she looks forward to communicating with other cultures, and what she can learn from the people in place: "I think it can be stimulating for both myself and for them, myself, I get the experience of project management and to coordinate local staff". For five years she has worked in waste management and biogas production from Sweco, including biogas projects in Georgia and in India. Ever since high school, Katarina wanted to work abroad, which contributed to that she studied one year in Sydney and that she then made their way just to Sweco. "But I have longed to contribute something more tangible, in the field, to help those most in need. And it is now to do it, before getting a family". One of her predecessors from Sweco, Linda Persliden, in 2009 was loaned to plan transportation to and from the field hospital in Darfur. And in 2010 attended Philip Linder in MSF efforts in Haiti following the earthquake. There, he led a team that worked with water and sanitation issues at a hospital. Experience of field work provides a valuable professional development, both for Sweco and the individual employee. It is also a way for Sweco to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Group has today commissioned in about eighty countries. But by around 3300 employees in Sweden are only about fifty expatriates full time. "For our younger employees, it is not always easy to get a foothold in overseas projects", says communications manager Rebecca Oxel Power. "Our foreign customers prefer to have consultants with extensive experience. The cooperation with Doctors Without Borders is one of the ways we could find for developing employees and providing them the basic foreign experience. A good example is the 32-year-old Ida Rennemark. She has an MSc in Civil Engineering and at Sweco since 2008. The experience of holding the building of a children's hospital in Liberia contributed to her a year ago was assigned to the National Property renovation and earthquake-proof the Swedish Institute in Istanbul. "Real Estate Department thought it was good that I had experience from Monrovia to work with local entrepreneurs", says Ida Rennemark.
In Liberia, she must first purchase a rundown building full of bullet holes and with doctors to develop a new plan for a fun emulsifying hospital with 120 beds. The drawing, the purchase of the building and surrounding land, including the long land ownership dispute, negotiations with contractors and construction management, she was ready herself. She has no architectural training, doctors' wishes and common sense had to show the way.
Being a young woman and lead a group of Liberian male construction workers think she was not a problem. "It's when you get thrown out of the nest and there is no lifeline that they perform at their best", says Ida Rennemark. Among other things, she learned to be more sensitive to other cultures. "And how chaotic everything may seem, solves most of them". "The operation in Liberia has indeed led to positive consequences for me. Recently I submitted a bid for Sweco behalf of the African Bank, and soon I'll make another one for a road construction project in Liberia.
Katharina Ervanius at Doctors Without Borders is very pleased with the cooperation so far. "We would like to initiate similar partnerships with other companies who dare to take a little more innovative ideas about social responsibility. We often have large projects where we need talented and motivated people, from administrators and economists to engineers and logisticians. Every candidate must pass the same assessment in a group. It is not enough to "just" to do well in their field. You have to be very responsive and good at coordinating people from different cultures and get them to work in the same direction".
2012-06-02
U.S. is revitalizing the digital agenda
When a 5.9 earthquake hit near Richmond, Virginia on August 23rd, 2011, residents in New York City read about the quake on Twitter feeds 30 seconds before they experienced the quake themselves.
This is what e-Governement is about. I want us to ask ourselves every day, how are we using technology to make a real difference in people’s lives.” says President Barack Obama in the opening statement of the new U.S. policy "Digital Governement - Building a 21st Century Platform to Better Serve the American People". a great new initiative for the future.
Read more here
2012-06-01
Soccer units...most of the time
The world biggest sport, soccer - or football - as we say in Europe has always been a sport that units people. Soon the 2012 UEFA European Championship in Poland and Ukraine starts. We are many billions of sport fans that are looking forward to that event. Also the recent UEFA 2011/2012 Champions League club tournament is a huge success.
And it engages people. During the recent G8 top leaders meeting in Camp David, US, the heads of states took a break to see the final game between favourites Bayern Münich and FC Chelsea. As you can see from the picture above, it was the UK Prime Minister David Cameron that for some strange reason liked the outcome of the game the most, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel is a bit more restrained with her happiness at this specific moment....
