danish exporters 2008

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2 DANISH EXPORTERS 2008

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ED08_Titelsider.indd 2 27-08-2007 16:39:04

Danish flexicurity model, which

provides great flexibility on the

labour market combined with

great social security, has proved

to be very competitive in the global

economy.

Denmark is one of the countries

that give the highest priority to

the environment. Denmark was

10 DANISH EXPORTERS 200� DANISH EXPORTERS 200� 11

In the global economy, all countries

are small. Large countries are still

struggling to understand this fully,

but small countries like Denmark

have already for many years

recognised that they have to be

flexible and adaptable to protect

their national interests, retain their

identity and promote their trade

and industry.

Denmark has existed for more than

a thousand years. It is the oldest

kingdom in Europe, but today it

is governed as a parliamentary

democracy with an extended

welfare state and an effective

economic life. Denmark is one of

the richest nations in the world and

is at the same time characterised

by great social equality. The

Sm ALL IS BE AuT If uL

ED08_business in denmark.indd 10 27-08-2007 13:24:42

the first country in the world

to establish a ministry of the

Environment in 1�73 and the

effort has continued ever since.

An extension of this priority is that

Denmark is a world leader within

the development and production

of wind turbines, combined heat

and power plants and other

environmentally friendly and

energy-saving machinery and

processes.

The clean environment, the high

social standard of living and

the well-developed infrastructure

make Denmark a popular holiday

destination for foreign tourists.

Denmark has always paid attention

to other countries. Since the Viking

Age when the Danes terrorised

the coasts of Europe and later

as a Christian trading nation,

Denmark has been intent on

receiving inspiration from abroad.

Since ancient times, Denmark has

been an agricultural country, but

in recent decades a considerable

industry and service sector has

developed.

Today, Denmark’s wealth is based

on very extensive foreign trade,

and the Danes are well travelled,

with a global perspective.

Denmark was one of the founders

of the uN and is a member of

NATO, the Eu and many other

international organisations. It is

also one of the countries

contributing most to developing

countries as a percentage of GDP.

The following section contains a

brief outline of Denmark’s social

conditions, Danish trade and

industry and the opportunities

for foreign investors. This is

followed by a description of

Denmark as a tourism destination

and descriptions of the individual

Danish regions.



Denmark in the global economy

Like other European countries,

Denmark in the late 1��0s

experienced growing competitive

pressure from the Asian and

Eastern European countries, which

at that time were opening their

economies to the rest of the

world. for the very flexible Danish

economy, with high wages

and high productivity, the new

economies did not constitute a

threat, but rather an advantage,

both as new markets and as

outsourcing destinations, so that

the Danish companies could

remain competitive. In addition,

the strong Danish shipping

industry benefited greatly from

the huge growth in global trade.

But globalisation brought new

challenges, and this was the reason

why Anders fogh Rasmussen’s

Government in 2005 launched

an ambitious project: Denmark

as a leading growth, knowledge

and entrepreneurial society. The

purpose of the project, which

included both a government

committee chaired by the prime

minister and a broadly constituted

globalisation council with repre-

sentatives from all sectors of the

Danish society, was to develop

a vision and strategy for making

Denmark the most competitive

society in the global economy

by 2015, with a combination of

strong competitive power and

great cohesiveness.

In parallel, several commissions

worked on developing models

for enabling the Danish welfare

model to survive the demographic

changes facing most developed

countries, as the proportion of

elderly people in the population

grows, while the number of working

people continues to decrease.

The result of the two exercises

was ready in spring 2006, when

the political parties entered into a

broad agreement on the so-called

“welfare reforms”, i.e. reforms

intended to safeguard the welfare

society in the long term. The

resulting economic framework

is translated into the ambitious

“globalisation strategy”, with the

objective of making Denmark the

world’s most competitive society

by 2015.

The principal philosophy behind

the welfare reforms is to expand

the workforce and reduce the

number of people outside it. This

is being done by increasing the

pension age from 65 to 67 and the

early retirement age from 60 to 62.



These ages will automatically be

further increased if the mean life

expectancy continues to rise. In

addition, various incentives will

be introduced to encourage young

people to complete their education

more quickly and therefore enter

the workforce sooner. moreover,

social security changes will

increase the incentive to become

an active job seeker.

The Government’s Globalisation

Strategy was adopted by the

folketing (Danish Parliament) in

autumn 2006 and spring 2007. It

consists of 350 specific initiatives

grouped around initiatives for

improved education, research,

better conditions for entrepreneurs

and greater capacity for adaptation

and renewal.

World-class education:

• Elementary and lower secondary

school pupils shall be among

the best in the world at reading,

maths, natural sciences and

English.

• All young people shall complete

out-of-school education.

• At least half shall complete

further education.

• The education shall be top

quality at all levels.



Denmark as a leading

entrepreneurial society:

• Denmark shall continue to be one

of the European countries where

the largest number of new com-

panies is established every year.

• Denmark shall be among the

countries with the largest

number of growth

entrepreneurs in the world.

Denmark as a leading innovative

society:

• Danish companies and public

institutions shall be among the

most innovative in the world.

• Within Denmark, competition

shall be at the level of the best

OECD countries.

Overall, the globalisation strategy

and welfare reforms constitute an

extremely ambitious proposal for

enabling an advanced economy

with a developed welfare system

to tackle the challenges of

globalisation offensively over the

next 10-20 years.

Denmark as a leading

knowledge society:

• By 2010, the public funding of

research and development

shall account for 1% of GDP.

Together, public and private

companies shall spend at

least 3% of GDP on research

and development by 2010.

• The research shall be

innovative and world-class.

• Denmark shall be one of the

best countries at translating

research results into new

technologies, processes,

products and services.



Denmark leads the way in the

wind energy industry. With 20,000

people employed in the sector, a

combined turnover of EuR 3 billion,

and companies sitting on 40% of

the world market, Denmark plays

a central role in the development

of the wind energy industry. Apart

from its established successes in

wind energy, Denmark also has

strong research activities in future

technologies such as hydrogen

and fuel cells, with leading-edge

research programmes at Risø and

the Danish Technical university.

District heating and natural gas

most Danish consumers have

access to energy distribution

networks such as district heating

and natural gas. Energy supply is

very efficient due to the integration

of heat and power. In addition,

local district heating power

plants are now being converted

to combined heating and power

production using natural gas,

waste and bio fuels. The industry

is being encouraged to establish

cogeneration.

The increased use of natural

gas and renewable energy

contributes to reducing carbon

dioxide emissions. Denmark is a

world leader in the utilisation of

renewable energy. Individuals,

companies and public institutions

are continuously being encouraged

to use energy more efficiently.

Oil and gas

Denmark achieved self-sufficiency

in oil and natural gas production in

1��2, after more than 20 years of

gradually developing methods of

extracting resources in the Danish

sector of the North Sea.

The main Danish production

company, DuC, has developed

new and specialised technological

solutions to extract oil as a number

of oil fields in the Danish sector are

chalk layers of low permeability.

To increase the yield from the oil

fields, operating companies have

developed innovative methods of

horizontal drilling to increase oil

flow, and water injection has been

used.

Pharmaceuticals and life science

The pharmaceutical industry is one

of the most modern and successful

in the world, and Denmark is

among the largest exporters per

capita of pharmaceutical products.

The sector has undertaken

massive investment in research

and development, and together

with IT/Communication it is the

industrial sector with the highest

R&D expenditure.

Of the more than 400 different

pharmaceutical products manu-

factured by Danish companies,

the most important are insulin,

antibiotics and psychotropics. A

Danish company is a world leader

on the global insulin market and

has the broadest diabetes product

portfolio in the industry.

22 DANISH EXPORTERS 200�


In the Copenhagen area the

pharmaceutical and medico-

technical industry benefits from

close interaction with the major

hospitals and medical institutes.

The companies have easy access

to research facilities, improved

access to skilled staff, and close

links to product end-users.

Denmark has developed into one

of the strongest clusters in life

sciences in Europe. It is a dense

network of universities, hospitals

and companies within biotech,

medtech and pharma, many of

which are R&D-based. Denmark

is no. 1 in the world in terms of

biotech patents, no. 2 in Europe

on the Best Performance Index

of Biotechnology Innovation

Scoreboard of the European

Commission, and holds the

third largest commercial drug

development pipeline in Europe in

absolute numbers. A joint Danish-

Swedish collaboration, medicon

Valley, is home to more than 60%

of Scandinavia’s pharmaceutical

industry and Europe’s fastest

growing biotech cluster measured

by products in development.

Another key component is the

universities. Danish universities

support strong research traditions

and are home to R&D-based life

science companies – each in its

own area of unique competencies.

DANISH EXPORTERS 200� 23


Textile and clothing industry

The Danish textile and clothing

industry has enjoyed a favourable

position, especially in the European

market. In more recent years,

manufacturing has moved to

Eastern Europe and Asia, and the

industry has changed its focus to

design, quality control, marketing

and sale.

Accordingly, the entire industry

has been transformed, and

companies are increasingly

turning to know-how-intensive

work functions which demand

skilled personnel and high-tech

production equipment. As a result,

the Danish textile industry today

is as competitive as ever.

most of Denmark’s textile and

clothing companies are located in

central Jutland. The companies take

advantage of their geographical

proximity and mutual expertise.

Their innovation is supported

by the Textile Industry Institute

in Herning, which is a centre for

knowledge and development.

Transport

Denmark commands extensive

trading and distribution networks.

The competitiveness of the

Danish transport industry and the

efficiency of its logistics systems

– including customs services

– are crucial to the success of its

export industry. The transport



infrastructure throughout Denmark

is impressive, even by European

standards, with a highly efficient

road and rail network, ten seaports

with free port and trade zone

facilities, and four international

airports.

Situated just � kilometres from

the city centre, Copenhagen

International Airport is the

most cost-efficient airport in

Northern Europe and the largest

in Scandinavia. most of Europe’s

capital cities are within a couple of

hours’ flying time in any direction,

making there-and-back visits

to customers and suppliers fit

comfortably into a single day.

Danish shipowners operate one

of the world’s most modern fleets

with the latest technology, and

have one of the largest container

fleets in the world. The Danish

merchant fleet consists of more

than 500 vessels with a combined

deadweight of more than 10

million tonnes.

IT infrastructure

Denmark is one of the world’s

most highly developed countries

in terms of telecommunications

and information technologies.

Liberalisation of the tele-

communications market means

that Denmark enjoys some of the

cheapest telecommunications

services within the OECD and

Denmark consistently ranks among

the absolute leaders in terms of

PC and Internet usage. In terms of

Information and Communication

Technologies (ICT), Denmark well

and truly leads the pack. Denmark

ranks particularly high on access

to the Internet, online public

services and a dynamic e-business

environment.

Denmark’s strength in the ICT

industry is based on the Danes’

ability to make technology and

content blend seamlessly together

combined with a talent for

developing pioneering applications

and technologies. Within a radius

of 300 kilometres, Denmark boasts

more than �,000 dedicated ICT

companies and almost 100,000

employees in the sector.

Denmark is at the forefront of

acoustics and has some of the

strongest acoustic engineering

teams in the world. In addition,

Denmark holds a strong position

within software development and

Danes generally have a unique

focus on functionality and design.

furthermore, Denmark stands

out as one of the most advanced

centres for telecommunication

activities, with an internationally

recognised wireless cluster.



is leading within the biomedico

field, possessing unique core

competences within such fields as

neurostimulation, neurohabilitation,

pain research, stem cell research,

biostructures and protein design

as well as protein chemistry and

nanotechnology. The biomedico

cluster in Region North Jutland

builds, among other things, on

electronics and telecommunication,

and is therefore characterised by

a strong technological focus.

Renewable energy

Region North Jutland has strong

competences within renewable

energy. The university of Aalborg

is a leading knowledge centre

within the fields of wind power

and electricity generation. The

region is home to a number of

leading industrial companies.

Food

Parts of the region also have a

strong position within the food

industry. There is both speciali-

sation in quality food, such

as læsø salt, and extensive

industrial food production, as

well as a food processing industry

with close links to the iron and

steel industry, which specialises

in developing food processing

machinery. Food from northern

Jutland is well known all over

Denmark for its high quality and

fine taste.

26 DANISH EXPORTERS 2008 DANISH EXPORTERS 2008 27


Highly qualified workforce

As in the rest of the country, the

level of education in the region

is very high. The region offers

easy access to out-of-school

education and various types of

short, medium-length and further

education. Many of the educa-

tional establishments collaborate.

They also work closely with trade

and industry, which helps to

ensure that the education in the

region provides the workforce with

the required competencies. The

university in the region – Roskilde

university Centre – is known

throughout Denmark for producing

graduates who are in demand in

both the public and the private

sectors.

Attractive for citizens and tourists

In addition to offering a good

framework for trade and industry,

the region is an attractive place

to live. The beautiful countryside

combined with good schools and

leisure opportunities is currently

attracting an increasing number of

people from the metropolitan area.

The region also appeals to tourists,

and both Danish and german

tourists enjoy, among other things,

the nature and the many coastal

areas as well as the numerous

cultural attractions. The tourism

industry, which is experiencing

rapid growth, also provides a broad

range of accommodation options

and recreational experiences.

Region Zealand links Scandinavia to the rest

of Europe – for instance across the Great Belt.



Creative industries

The Capital Region has a unique

concentration of both creative

and technical talent within

the entertainment industry. Few

regions bear comparison with

the Capital Region in terms of its

films, computer games, fashion,

design etc.

Foreign investments

The Capital Region is one of the

most important metropolitan

areas in Europe for foreign

investments, on a par with cities

such as london, Paris, Barcelona,

Madrid and Stockholm. There are

numerous regional headquarters

in the region, and its unique

geographical location provides a

central platform for all of Northern

Europe and the Baltic region.

The attractive metropolitan area

The Capital Region is an attractive

place to live and work. Copenhagen

is a peaceful city, offering a wealth

of cultural and recreational options,

which are enjoyed by tourists

and residents. Consequently,

Copenhagen is also attractive for

foreign workers.

On 1 July 2000 a fixed link between Denmark and Sweden opened across the Øresund from Kastrup to Malmö, Sweden’s third largest city.

The spiral staircase at the House of the Society of Danish Engineers.




DENMARK WElCOMES FOREIgN INVESTORS


Denmark welcomes foreign

investors. Competitive business

costs and very flexible labour

market conditions make Denmark

an attractive choice for new

investors. Combined with its

excellent geographical location,

outstanding infrastructure and

leading-edge competencies within

ICT, life sciences and renewable

energy, Denmark is the perfect

hub for Northern Europe.

Denmark commands extensive

trading and distribution networks.

The competitiveness of the

Danish transport industry and the

efficiency of its logistics systems

– including customs services –

have been crucial to the success

of its export industry. For any

investor considering the choice of a

European country for their regional

headquarters, distribution hub,

contact centre, research facility

or production unit, infrastructure

and communications are vital

elements in the decision mix. And

on all these key criteria Denmark

has first-class credentials.

The transport infrastructure

throughout Denmark is impressive,

even by European standards, with

a highly efficient road and rail

network, ten seaports with free

port and trade zone facilities, and

four international airports. Situated

just 8 kilometres from the city

centre, Copenhagen International

• Microsoft

• CSC

• IBM

• Pfizer

• Ferring

• Novo Nordisk

• Blogen Idec

• Aeras

• Dell

• Sony

• Vestas

Invest in Denmark and join

these successful companies

Airport is the most cost-efficient

airport in Northern Europe and

the largest in Scandinavia. Most of

Europe’s capital cities are within a

couple of hours’ flying time in any

direction, making there-and-back

visits to customers and suppliers

fit comfortably into a single day.

Invest in Denmark, which is part

of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

provides the international investor

with professional advice and

customised services, and connects

you to the right people – free of

charge and in full confidentiality.



Denmark is located just where

Europe becomes Scandinavia. An

ancient seafaring nation encircled

by four seas and which over the

years has been subject to the

constant, cosmopolitan influence

of the many merchant ships

mooring at its ports.

A country shaped into hills and

dales by the massive glaciers of

the Ice Age; with short distances

and therefore unique opportunities

to plan a holiday brimming with

urban life, culture and nature.

A successful holiday in Denmark can

thus include nurturing the soul, the

body and the inner child. During

a single day, you can play in the

waves, experience the picturesque

small and large historical towns,

and enjoy seasonal produce and

Danish gastronomy. All within very

manageable distances.

It is particularly easy to get about

because of the country’s highly

functional infrastructure. Trains,

planes and buses are comfortable

and easily accessible. And tourists

who come by car – or hire one – find

both the road network and traffic

information easy to understand.

Denmark is also linked by ferries,

which facilitate visits to the many

small and charming islands.

Denmark – the informal kingdom

Denmark is the oldest monarchy in

Europe and is characterised by rare

informality and – at least in our

own opinion – healthy scepticism

in relation to authorities. The Danes

are welcoming, without being

importunate. Interested without

undue curiosity. A smile brings

people closer, we usually say. And

indeed tourists will experience that

a smile opens doors and builds

bridges between nationalities.

Copenhagen – a capital of

abundance

Copenhagen and its surroundings

are replete with exciting stories.

The atmosphere is international

with a touch of the uniquely

Danish, relaxed style. The city has

something to offer every generation.

A stroll through Copenhagen will

soon show that the Danes are a

people brimming with energy. The

distances are so short that the

cobbled, atmospheric latin quarter

with avant-garde design and

fusion cafés, the pedestrian street

Strøget and the shops with world-

class design and fashion in the

many charming little side streets

can all be experienced on foot.

Copenhagen is a city for relaxing.

Benches, parks, cafés and pubs

with cold draught beer are found

everywhere. Moreover, culture

is a natural part of the street

scene. Museums, concert venues

and small galleries compete for

attention. And just round the


DENMARK AS A HOlIDAy COuNTRy


DANISH EXPORTERS 2008 39


corner, you will find Nyhavn’s

colourful café scene or a relaxing

harbour tour, showing the city

from a completely different angle,

where buildings – old and new –

illustrate centuries of Copenhagen

history.

The Danish cities

Every Danish city has its own

story to tell. It can be read in the

historic buildings, the modern

architecture, the local history

museums or simply by studying

the street life. The Danish cities are

all within a few hours’ journey from

Copenhagen, but are, of course,

best experienced by spending the

evening and night there as well.

Aarhus – the world’s smallest

metropolis. The second-largest

city in Denmark, Aarhus, which

is beautifully situated in eastern

Jutland by sea and woods has an

international feel.

Odense – Hans Christian

Andersen’s birthplace. Denmark’s

third-largest city, Odense is located

in the middle of the fertile island

of Funen. Here, the fairy tale writer

Hans Christian Andersen was born

in 1805.

Aalborg – a city full of energy. The

city, which is beautifully situated

by limfjorden in northern Jutland,

is known for its rich cultural scene

and its thriving nightlife.



Denmark – a plethora of choices

Denmark offers innumerable

choices for visitors. With a coastline

of 7,300 kilometres, there are

rich opportunities to experience

the relaxed Danish beach life, go

sailing or angling.

The bicycle is a very Danish way of

getting about. It offers an almost

perfect combination of exercise

and fresh air. Denmark is also ideal

for inexperienced cyclists, as there

are no insurmountable mountains,

just gentle hills. The country has

more than 10,000 kilometres of

sign-posted cycle paths.

Denmark is also a great country for

those who enjoy swinging a golf

club. The season is long, the climate

pleasant, the landscape suitably

undulating and there are winter

greens for dedicated golfers. More

than 140 golf courses are available

throughout the country. Visitors

are welcome on almost all courses

and the green fees are reasonable.

For those who need thorough

pampering after a busy period at

work, a Danish wellness holiday

may be the answer. These holidays

provide an opportunity to recharge

both body and soul with offers

including massage, aromatherapy,

spa baths, yoga and much more.

The soul finds peace in the woods.

The Danish woods are among the

most popular destinations for

excursions by Danes and they are

both open and free to everyone. The

colours of the woods change with

the seasons – from the delicate

spring-green tinge when the beech

trees burst into leaf in May and the

woodland floor is carpeted with

white windflowers, to the glow of

falling autumn leaves which has

inspired so many Danish painters.

you can walk on marked paths. you

can cycle. you can take a picnic

basket – many hotels even offer a

picnic basket service! - or you can

visit one of the many picturesque

restaurants and cafés which are

often found at the very edge of the

woods.

Denmark strengthens efforts in

the meeting and conference market

Meetings and conferences is a large

and attractive business area in the

global tourist trade. In Denmark

alone, foreigners attending

meetings account for annual

revenues of 2.3 billion DKK.

For many years, Denmark has drawn

attention to traditional competition

parameters such as facilities,

accessibility, team-building and

attractive settings for social

events with a view to attracting

large-scale meetings, congresses

and conferences. In future, focus

will also be on the content of the

meetings. This is an area in which

Denmark has the potential to

become a strong player and create

growth in tourism.



Currency

The Danish currency is the krone

and the øre. One krone equals 100

øre.

Danish kroner can be withdrawn

from most of the many cash points

established at individual bank

branches with a Euro, Visa, Cirrus

or Mastercard.

The cash point will state which

cards are accepted. The cash

points can also be used outside

normal banking hours.

Currency can be exchanged in

banks during banking hours. There

are also many bureaux de change,

which remain open outside banking

hours. They are usually located in

high streets and at traffic hubs.

Banking hours

Banks are normally open Monday

to Friday 10 am – 4 pm, extended

to 6 pm on Thursdays.

Shopping hours

Shops are normally open Monday

to Thursday from 9 or 10 am to

5.30 or 6 pm. On Fridays, they

normally remain open until 7 or 8

pm, although regional shops often

close at 6 pm.

Shopping centres are normally

open until 7 or 8 pm every weekday.

On Saturdays, the shops close at

noon or 1 pm. However, most large


PRACTICAl TRAVEl INFORMATION



be powered from the mains

instead of the batteries and

accumulators. In those days that

was quite a revolutionary thought

and it proved to be a

solid foundation for

the success they

achieved in the in

the years ahead to be

a major consumer

electronics manu-

facturer. The way

they did it is

eloquently ex-

pressed in the

vision of Bang &

Olufsen today,

i.e. ”Courage to

constantly question

the ordinary in search

of surprising, long-lasting

experiences”.

High-quality products

Today the product portfolio

comprises music systems, video

systems, loudspeakers and

telephones. Bang & Olufsen

have a b-to-b development and

manufacturing section for medico

products to third parties and an

ICEpower division for development,

manufacturing and licensing of

high-quality digital amplifier

technology.

Two engineers, Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, founded Bang & Olufsen in 1925.

Maximus 45 from 1945

Throughout the history of Bang &

Olufsen, they have believed that

they can make a difference to

others than themselves. Bang &

Olufsen products are an ultimate

expression of vision and value. It

is not enough for Bang & Olufsen

to do what everyone else does

- they try to do it better. Different

does not mean exclusive or

the most expensive - but maybe

the most inventive, surprising

solution.

It began with radios

Two engineers Peter Bang and

Svend Olufsen founded Bang &

Olufsen in 1925. They wanted

to make a radio

that could

ED08_Bang & Olufsen.indd 48 24-08-2007 14:25:55


Bang & Olufsen a/s

Peter Bangs Vej 15

DK-7600 Struer

Denmark

Tel.: +45 96 84 11 22

Fax.: +45 96 84 50 33

www.bang-olufsen.com

[email protected]

Performance

Viewing and listening

experiences that con-

tinue to surprise and

delight every time

you watch television

or listen to music,

and technology that

works for you, not

the other way

around; that is why

Bang & Olufsen is

all you ever will

need or want for

your home enter-

tainment.

Design

For Bang & Olufsen,

design is far more

than mere styling of

existing products;

rather it is the

expression of an

idea, the concept

made conscious. In

this sense, design

unites aesthetics and

function, creating

unique, highly dif-

ferentiated products

that are not limited

by the time of their

creation or the space

in which they are

placed.

Humanisation

Designed to be a part of the

home and give pleasure,

Bang & Olufsen’s audio

and video products offer

the opportunity for you to

personalise your viewing

and listening spaces. Our

products speak one

language, offering home

integration on your terms,

and where you interact up

close by touch, or pleasur-

ably sitting back with the

Beo4 remote control.

Craftsmanship

The quality of finish and

craftsmanship of a Bang &

Olufsen product encourages

you to approach and touch.

Our uncompromising attitude

to quality is the reason

we create products and

experiences of real and

lasting value, with a quality

that is much more than is

expected.

ED08_Bang & Olufsen.indd 49 24-08-2007 14:26:32


Danfoss technology creates

modern living conditions for

people all over the world. Clean

water, heating and cooling are

crucial to our well-being. These

features are achieved in both

homes and industry thanks to

Danfoss’ wide range of products,

high-technology solutions and

indispensable systems.

Danfoss is one of Denmark’s

largest industrial groups and a

leading player in the international

market of high-technology and

service and systems solutions

within the focus areas: Industry,

heating, refrigeration and air-

conditioning, as well as drinking

water and wastewater. Danfoss

supplies products to a large

group of customers, including

machine producers, wholesalers,

installers, technical universities

and homeowners.

The company fulfils customer

needs within different fields,

ranging from food preservation

and productivity to energy-

savings, environmental improve-

ments and comfort solutions.

The resource saving products

define the future in a world,

which increasingly focuses on

environmental considerations and

the scarce resources of nature.

The Danfoss Group is a global

company with more than 60

factories in 24 countries and sales

companies and distributors in

more than 75 countries. More than

21,000 people work for Danfoss

on a global scale, of which about

6,000 are located in Denmark.

The Group had net sales of about

19.4bn DKK in 2006.

ED08_Danfoss.indd 50 24-08-2007 14:28:54

Nordborgvej 81

DK-6430 Nordborg

Denmark

Tel.: +45 74 88 22 22

Fax: +45 74 49 09 49

www.danfoss.com

[email protected]

Danfoss A/S


Recent developments

Danfoss currently aims to develop

new products and invests millions

of Danish Kroner annually in

ventures and potential business

areas. Between 50 and 80 new

patents are taken out on an annual

basis.

In recent years, Danfoss

technology has won a number

of Danish and international

prizes. Several Danfoss products

have received awards for

their design, functionality and

user-friendliness. In 2006,

Danfoss Drives was awarded

the “Frost & Sullivan Award

for Product Innovation”. The

Division received the prize for

the VLT® AutomationDrive – a

flexible solution for a number

of industrial application

requirements – designed to

combine functionality and user-

friendliness.

Energy-savings, improved comfort

and environmental improvements

are central factors in the

development of the products

of tomorrow. An example is

the new thermostat whose

harmonious, pure and stylish

design complements modern

towel rails and their colour range.

Product development over recent

years has also resulted in a new

range of industrial refrigeration

valves. Their flexible, modular

construction offers improved,

faster and simpler installation and

customer service.

ED08_Danfoss.indd 51 24-08-2007 14:28:57


A cooperative with values

Danish Crown is a cooperative

jointly owned by more than

15,000 farmers, and the fourth

largest company in Denmark.

These farmers have two major

interests in the company. Firstly,

they supply the livestock to

Danish Crown’s many slaughter-

houses and for further processing.

Secondly, they also own the

company and are therefore

interested in generating maximum

profits.

Danish Crown’s success in

establishing a global business

system requiring large invest-

ments is largely founded on the

ties and the values that still exist

in a cooperative.

Willingness to change

Danish Crown operates in a sector

in which orders are received in the

evening and products are shipped

in the morning. Rapid adaptability

is essential in order to remain

competitive. The ability and

willingness to change – both in

terms of operations and products

– is also essential in order to adapt

to the market in time.

ED08_Danish Crown.indd 54 24-08-2007 14:33:48


Danish Crown Amba

Marsvej 43, Paderup

DK-8900 Randers

Denmark

Tel.: +45 89 19 19 19

Fax.: +45 86 44 80 66

www.danishcrown.com

[email protected]

The road to a global position as

an international food company

has been achieved via a carefully

planned development strategy, in

which product development has

been one of the key areas.

Danish Crown all over the world

When a pig is slaughtered at

one of the Danish Crown

slaughterhouses in Denmark,

it is already known which parts

of the pig will be processed in

Germany, Russia, the Netherlands

and Japan. The head goes to

one place, the hind quarters to

another, the streaky bacon to a

third, the shoulder to a fourth, and

spare ribs to a fifth. It depends on

the meat percentage, cut, weight,

animal welfare conditions, and

consumer requirements.

The global workplace

Danish Crown has its roots in

Denmark, but given that over 90

per cent of production is sold

abroad, it is the international,

rather than the domestic market-

place, which is most significant.

Danish Crown must therefore

constantly adapt to remain

competitive.

Bringing DC quality home

The way Danish Crown is

working with the best chefs is

a bit like Formula 1. The major

car makers invest in innovation

in collaboration with the elite

of motor racing. Danish Crown

similarly learns a lot from our

collaboration with some of the

world’s best chefs. They are good

at demanding the best quality,

and they do not compromise.

Danish Crown passes on this

experience to consumers in the

form of new ingredients and

products.

ED08_Danish Crown.indd 55 24-08-2007 14:33:50


Grundfos was founded by Poul

Due Jensen in 1945. This one-man

endeavour has grown to become

one of the world’s leading pump

manufacturers with over 14,000

employees in all parts of the world.

In addition, Grundfos products are

merchandised by distributors in a

large number of countries.

Central to all Grundfos activities

are three core values:

Be responsible - Think ahead -

Innovate.

The values are not merely well-

intentioned words on a piece of

paper. They are an integral part

of the day-to-day work for every

Grundfos employee around the

world.

Be responsible

Grundfos is well aware of its

responsibilities: the responsibility

towards the people who are

Grundfos, towards the innovative

soul of Grundfos and towards

the surrounding world. Approxi-

mately 85% of a pump’s life cycle

costs are incurred by power

consumption. Analysing and

reducing this consumption helps

the end-user save money and

brings down the global demand

for electricity.

Think ahead

The company encourages a certain

way of thinking based on the belief

that everyone must contribute

by using his or her judgment and

foresight. The SmartTrim feature

on large Grundfos heavy-duty

channel impeller pumps resets

the impeller clearance quickly

and on-site without dismantling or

special tools. Maximum efficiency

is re-established, and downtime

is minimised.

Innovate

It is innovation that makes

Grundfos unique. The Grundfos SE

wastewater pump range features

ED08_Grundfos.indd 58 27-08-2007 08:39:35


Grundfos

Poul Due Jensens Vej 7

8850 Bjerringbro

Denmark

Tel.: +45 87 50 14 00

Fax: +45 87 50 14 02

www.grundfos.dk

liquid-free motor cooling, where

a solid stator housing with built-in

cooling conduits transmits excess

heat to the pumped liquid. The

pump can operate wet or dry, in

virtually any installation.

More than 16 million pumps

annually

With an annual production of

more than 16 million pump units,

Grundfos is one of the world’s

leading pump manufacturers.

Today, Grundfos is the world’s

largest manufacturer of circulator

pumps, covering approximately

50 per cent of the world market.

Application areas for Grundfos

pumps include heating, air

con-ditioning, water supply, waste-

water, dosing, fire systems, and

machine tools. In addition to

pumps, Grundfos manufactures

electric motors for the pumps

and has a considerable production

of electric motors for separate sale.

Furthermore, Grundfos develops

and sells state-of-the-art electronics

for pump controls and system

integration.

Extensive R&D

Grundfos has one of the largest R&D

departments in the pump industry,

employing nearly 500 engineers

and technicians. Investments in

research, product development,

and equipment amounted to almost

¤73 million in 2004, embodying the

company’s long-term commitment

to new products and continued

globalisation.

ED08_Grundfos.indd 59 27-08-2007 08:39:36

Tage Klint, son of P.V. Jensen

Klint, was a creative entrepreneur

who, in 1943, decided to turn his

family’s artistically folded lamp

shades into a regular business.

He also added a crucial detail to

the original shades: the unique

“collar” at the top of the lamp,

designed to fix the shade to a

metal frame. Furthermore, he

designed a number of lamps

which have all been a part of the

LE KLINT range.

In 1953, his son Jan Klint took over

the company. As a business man,

he was years ahead of his time. In

order to secure his employees, he

created a fund which has owned

the company LE KLINT since 1972.

In addition, the fund supports

former employees, designers and

architects.

True classics

Kaare Klint was another son of P.V.

Jensen Klint. He was a well-known

and respected architect and a

skilled craftsman and designer

who has had considerable

influence on Danish furniture

making. The company LE KLINT

benefitted from Kaare Klint’s

great talent from the beginning.

Today, the “fruit lantern” which he

created in 1944, is as successful

as ever and one of the company’s

most popular lamps.


ED08_Le Klinkt.indd 64 27-08-2007 08:51:03


Nordea Bank Danmark A/S

Christiansbro Strandgade 3

DK-1401 Copenhagen K

Denmark

Tel.: +45 33 33 33 33

Fax: +45 33 33 63 63

www.nordea.dk

Nordea’s vision is to be perceived

as the leading Nordic bank,

acknowledged for its people,

creating superior value for cus-

tomers and shareholders. The

bank is making it possible for

customers to reach their goals

by providing a wide range of

products, services and solutions

within banking, asset manage-

ment and insurance.

Nordea has around 10 million

customers, more than 1,100 branch

offices, 30,000 employees and a

leading netbanking position. The

Nordea share is listed on the stock

exchanges in Stockholm, Helsinki

and Copenhagen.

Full-scale financial services

The Group offers full-scale finan-

cial services in all countries in the

Nordic and Baltic Sea region. To

get a single point of entry for

financial solutions, customers will

only need one partner in the entire

market.

The number of personal customers

is almost 10 million while Nordea’s

corporate department serves 1

million customers, including both

small and large companies from

the private and public sector

as well as institutions.

In its international operations the

Group strives to be the leading

Nordic bank for foreign corres-

pondent banks and companies

offering services such as pay-

ments, trade finance, account

holding and custody services.

Through its extensive presence

the Group has great experience

in serving export companies and

local subsidiaries in the region

as well as overseas customers

with an interest in the Nordic and

Baltic region.

In the European asset management

market Nordea is also a leading

player. Pension funds, institutions,

foundations and wealthy private

individuals have entrusted the

Group with their assets totalling a

triple-digit billion euro amount.

Cash management

Through its combination of do-

mestic networks in all four

Nordic countries and Nordic solu-

tions, Nordea enables customers

to benefit from complete cash

management services.

At the same time, customers can

take advantage of the Group’s

extensive international network

including branches in Germany,

Singapore, the UK and the USA

and experience a range of intra-

group synergies.

Leading internet bank

With more than 4.6 million e-

customers, Nordea is a world

leader in electronic banking,

continuously developing new ser-

vices for personal and corporate

customers.

ED08_Nordea_2.indd 67 27-08-2007 08:59:30


The Danish Chamber of Commerce

is part of a worldwide network of

chambers which assists its members

with information, advice and ex-

change of business opportunities.


takes part in the European legisla-

tive process through the European

organisation for Chambers of

Commerce, Eurochambers, and

through Eurocommerce, the

European organisation for retail,

wholesale and international trade.


is also affiliated with the Inter-

national Chamber of Commerce in

Paris, France, and with the Baltic

Sea Chambers of Commerce

Association.


has been approved by the EU Com-

mission to host an EU Information

Center for small and medium-sized

enterprises (SMEs). It also provides

information on tenders in Europe.

Commercial information and advice


offers information to its members

on the general and trade-specific

market development in Denmark

and abroad, partly through key

figures and partly through financial

analysis.


safeguards its members’ interests

in relation to EU Institutions and the


is the main business organisation

for trade, transport and service

companies in Denmark. It is a

private organisation owned by

its members. Membership is

voluntary, and the Chamber has

approximately 15.000 member

companies and 90 branch

associations affiliated to the

organisation.


assists member companies in

all matters relating to trade,

transport, and service, including

foreign trade, commercial legi-

slation, business development,

educational policies, business

legislation, business policies,

technology and the environment.

Contacts and influence


is represented in all relevant

councils and working groups that

prepare commercial legislation. It

is thus able to give direct advice

to the government and other

official organisations. The Danish

Chamber of Commerce safeguards

its members’ interests in relation

to the EU Commission and Danish

authorities via direct negotiations

with the involved parties. As a

result, the Chamber has established

a valuable network of contacts to

politicians and other government

representatives that are highly

beneficial for its members.

ED08_DanskErhverv.indd 76 27-08-2007 09:31:34

Børsen

DK-1217 Copenhagen K

Denmark

Tel.: +45 33 74 60 00

Fax.: +45 33 74 60 80

www.danskerhverv.com

[email protected]

Danish Chamber of Commerce

and public support schemes.


plans import and export promotion

activities for groups of companies

and establishes contact to foreign

authorities and business sectors.

On behalf of the Danish Ministry

of Foreign Affairs, the Danish

Chamber of Commerce manages an

office dedicated to the promotion

of products from developing

countries.


Danish authorities via direct nego-

tiations with the involved parties.

The Danish government and the EU

consult with the Danish Chamber

of Commerce in connection with

changes in customs duties, quotas

and other trade restrictions. The

Danish Chamber of Commerce has

close relations to politicians and

civil servants and is represented

in more than 150 Danish and inter-

national organisations, committees

and boards.

Export and import promotion


arranges business drives and

delegation trips abroad for its

members. The business drives are

offered on attractive financial terms

on the basis of group discounts

ED08_DanskErhverv.indd 77 27-08-2007 09:31:41

Confederation of Danish Industries

is the voice of Danish industry.

Currently, 7,000 companies have

chosen to join forces within DI.

DI aims to provide the best

working conditions for Danish

industry in order to improve its

international competitive edge

and profile.

DI International

As part of DI, DI International

supports the DI member com-

panies in their international

activities.

The department works with:

• DI International Business

Development

• International Market Promotion

• International Market Policy

DI International Business

Development (DIBD)

DIBD offers advisory services to

Danish companies in connection

with their international establis-

ment and business development.

Working closely with the compa-

nies, DIBD offers advise on:

• Strategic concepts when

considering internationali-

sation of the company

• Outsourcing

• Export

• Foreign establishment

• International marketing and sales

• Financing in connection with

international activities.


ED08_Dansk Industri.indd 78 27-08-2007 09:34:52

DIBD specialises in capacity-

building projects with sister

organisations in developing

countries. DIBD has worked

with industrial organisations

in Tanzania, Ugada, Kenya,

Zambia, South Africa, Egypt,

Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Vietnam

and Cambodia. The primary

objective of these projects is

to build sustainable business

organisations with growth potential.

In order to support Danish compa-

nies in sale and establishment

DIBD has offices in Shanghai,

Moscow, Sao Paulo and New York

manned by Danish and local staff.

International Market Promotion

Global market promotion activities

are conducted both nationally

and internationally. DI member

companies are offered assistance

from DI in their approach into new

and emerging markets worldwide.

Every year, International Market

Promotion arranges a number

of business delegation visits to

potential markets and hosts a

large number of foreign business

delegations in Denmark.

DI member companies can also

participate in and benefit from a

large number of conferences and

seminars providing accurate and

up-to-date market information

about present and future markets

for Danish companies.

International Market Policy

The International Market Policy

Department deals with a range

of issues all related to DI member

companies’ trade with and invest-

ment in countries outside the

European Union. The department

focuses on the legislative/

political framework for doing

business abroad, offering its

member companies the oppor-

tunity to gain the full use of

globalisation. It aims to gain

influence over legislation and

other rules, which are passed

or formulated by the Danish

parliament or authorities. The

same applies to rules adapted or

formulated on an international

level such as the European Union

and WTO. Furthermore, it assists

its members with advice in relation

to its main focus areas:

• International trade and

investment policy

• Export incentives

• Corporate social responsibility

• Trade sanctions and export

control

• Socio political risks such as

human rights, corruption,

security and terrorism.


H. C. Andersens Boulevard 18

DK-1787 Copenhagen V

Denmark

Tel.: +45 33 77 33 77

Fax: +45 33 77 33 00

www.di.dk

[email protected]

Dansk Industri

ED08_Dansk Industri.indd 79 27-08-2007 09:35:01

World wide events

- since 1975 more than 500 events

on all continents, in more than 80

countries

Export Promotion Denmark is a

specialized service provider within

International Business Promotion.

The services cover event and

logistics management:

• From idea - to concept - to plans

and budgets

• Matching partners according to

targets

• Planning, coordination and pro-

duction in Denmark and abroad

• Budget control of sub-suppliers

and partners

• On-site delivery - on time - to

budget and specifications

• Follow-up services - evaluation -

reporting and auditing

The services are developed

through active dialogue with

international businesses and

organisations. The aim is to

provide “no-nonsense value

services” based on integrity,

specialist skills, focus and action.

They adapt concept ideas and

company needs to local conditions

and provide a one-stop service

including planning and implemen-

tation services, technical logistics,

project management of events

- matching the ever changing envi-

ronment of international business.

Products and Services

Event Management

• Conferences

• Seminars

• Workshops

• VIP Lunches

• Contact meetings

• Gala Dinners

• Social events & entertainment

• Press

• Web services, online registration

& payment

Exhibitions

• Design & Layout

• On-site construction and

supervision

• Delivery & decoration

• Forwarding & customs declaration

• Coordination of services from

exhibition management

Graphic Solutions

• Layout, design, production

supervision, delivery anywhere

• Banner backgrounds

• Backdrops

• Company meeting stations

• Thematic exhibitions

• Head table banners

• Posters

• Speaker signs

• Name tags for delegates and

guests

• Digital presentations

• CD-ROMs incl. programming

• Web design


ED08_Export Promotion Denmark.in82 82 28-08-2007 08:26:23

One-Stop Event Management

Export Promotion Denmark has

delivered more than 500 events in

80 countries since 1975

Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran,

Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan,

Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon,

Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,

Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi

Arabia, Singapore, South Korea,

Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey,

United Arab Emirates, Vietnam,

Yemen, Canada, United States,

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colom-

bia, Peru, Venezuela, Algeria,

Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt,

Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco,

Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda,

Australia, New Zealand, Cuba,

Mexico, United States, Albania,

Austria, Belarus, Belgium,

Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech

Republic, Denmark, England,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy,

Latvia, Lithuania, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Romania,

Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia,

Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,

Turkey, Ukraine.

Vesterbrogade 6D 9th Floor

DK-1620 Copenhagen V

Denmark

Tel.: +45 33 32 17 11

Fax: +45 33 32 19 10

www.ees.dk

[email protected]

Export Promotion Denmark


ED08_Export Promotion Denmark.in83 83 28-08-2007 08:26:41

• promote its members’ political

interests as employers and

strengthen cooperation

among employers through its

membership of the Danish

Employers’ Confederation.

Diversity equals strength

The Danish Construction

Association comprises a wide

spectrum of members in terms of

geography, profession and size.

This diversity is a strength in

itself, as it ensures that everyone

is heard. The Danish Construction

Association has solid local

anchorage through regional and

local units.

24 sections handle professional

issues, and member companies

join the section relevant to their

type of business. Sections include

companies in the following areas:

aluminium facades, bricklaying

work, building contractor work,

cables and pipes, carpentry, civil

engineering, concrete industry,

construction equipment leasing,

demolition, environment, export

(Danish Contractors Working

Abroad), flooring, joinery,

industry, mobile crane leasing,

new homes construction, paint

work, paving, road construction,

roofing, sand and shingle

dredging, scaffolding, sewers,

and stone masonry.

Consultancy and service

The Danish Construction

Association seeks to provide

members with the best possible

service within the fields of

industrial policy, commercial

law, business development and

training, collective agreements,

labour law, environmental affairs,

and export.

The Association’s international

department safeguards member

interests within the export

political area by maintaining a

close relationship with relevant

authorities, and national and

international institutions.

Furthermore, the department

keeps an eye on both development

aid programmes and potential

financial instruments, provides

practical export assistance

through the development of export

tools, and raises the profiles of

member companies abroad.


Dansk Byggeri

Noerre Voldgade 106

P.O. Box 2125

DK-1015 København K

Denmark

Tel.: +45 72 16 00 00

Fax: +45 72 16 00 10

www.danskbyggeri.dk

[email protected]

ED08_DanskByggeri.indd 85 28-08-2007 08:29:37


ED08_Greenland.indd 100 24-08-2007 10:17:15


GREENLANDGreenland is geographically

located between two major

economies of the world, the USA

and Europe. Greenland therefore

is a potential gateway for trade.

Its Arctic location makes a

specific contrast to its Danish tie,

being part of the Danish Realm.

One of the challenges that

Greenland faces is its isolation

and its vulnerable economy. The

Greenland business community

has despite the isolation

and challenges developed

strongholds within four core

areas: fisheries and hunting,

mineral resources, tourism and

the service industry.

Greenland is currently experiencing

a development that is presenting

the Greenlandic and international

business community with plenty

of opportunities for investment

in international growth sectors.

Changes to legislation and

schemes to promote trade are

being implemented in order to

make it easy and attractive for

foreign companies to establish

in Greenland. This is done in

close contact with private as well

as public owned businesses to

ensure that conditions stimulate

growth and employment within

the society. The Home Rule

Government also cooperates

closely with a number of

interested parties in order to

create optimal conditions for

future joint ventures in oil,

mineral and ice as well as water

production.

The Home Rule Government is

involved in many international

organisations and negotiations

at a bilateral or multilateral level

with a variety of actors and has

in the recent years established

a dense network of national

and international framework

conditions that hold a number of

exciting possibilities.

Greenland has also experienced

a significant increased interest

as a travel destination. There

has been a considerable growth

in the number of visitors to the

country. Today tourists from all

over the world come to Greenland

to experience Greenland’s

nature and the unique original

Greenlandic culture. Development

and investment potential is

great in particular with regard

to infrastructure and alternative

tourist experiences.

Greenland has great investment

potential within a number

of sectors and will therefore

be happy to assist external

enterprises or investors who

are looking to develop both

existing and new industries in

the country. Greenland’s Home

Rule has established consultancy

firms that operate within the

various business sectors that

provide consultancy and the sale

of services.

This section of Danish Exporters

gives merely a brief introduction

to the new and possible ventures

available in Greenland. It is,

therefore, my hope that the

provided information will be

useful for future development

of commercial ties between

Greenland and numerous

interested parties abroad.

Aleqa Hammond

Minister of Finances

and Foreign Affairs



In 1953, Greenland’s status as a

Danish colony was terminated and

the country became an integral part

of the Kingdom of Denmark. At the

same time, the Danish constitution

was extended to serve Greenland,

which, as a result, has two members

in the Danish Parliament.

The Greenland department, which

falls under the Danish Prime

Minister’s office, is responsible

for Home Rule affairs and for

coordinating the duties of other

ministries. Greenland has had its

own representation in Copenhagen

since the establishment of Home

Rule.

Home Rule was introduced

in 1979, and consists of the

parliament (Landstinget), the

government (Landsstyret) and the

Administration. The Greenlandic

parliament consists of 31 members.

After the election in 2005,

four parties were represented:

Siumut (Social Democrats), Inuit

Ataqatigiit (Socialist), Atassut

(Liberals), Demokraterne (Social-

Liberals) and one independent

member.

Siumut leads the government in a

coalition with Inuit Ataqatigiit and

Atassut until April/May 2007 when

a new coalition between Siumut

and Atassut was formed. It seems,

so far, that the politics of the new

coalition will pursue the same

goals as the old coalition.

In March 2003, a commission

submitted a report on the future

relationship between Denmark

and Greenland, and after internal

POLITICS

Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen (to the right) with the sledge patrol Sirius.

President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on board the R/V Marian S. Marian. The ship was on a scientific expedition to Greenland. Scientists on board studied the effects of global warming.

Tariq Mikkel K

han/PO

LFOTO



GREENLANDIC STRONGHOLDSFishing industry

Fishing is the dominant trade in

Greenland. Some 6,500 people are

employed in this industry, which

corresponds to approximately a

quarter of the labour force. Fishing

is also extremely important as a

source of supplementary income in

individual households. In terms of

exports, the fishing industry totally

dominates the market.

Mineral and natural resources

The geological conditions for

the successful exploitation of

minerals and raw materials are all

present in Greenland, but resource

exploitation in the Arctic is,

unfortunately, generally far more

costly than in milder climates.

South Greenland has a gold

mine, the gold content of which

is deemed to be around 30 grams

per tonne of ore. This is a high yield

for a gold mine, and it is estimated

that the mine contains 15 tonnes of

gold, corresponding to a value of

approximately DKK 1.2 billion.

The inland ice and melt-off provide

abundant water resources that are

used both for energy production

and as drinking water for the local

population as well as for export.

Furs

Traditionally, Greenland has been

a society of hunters but nowadays

hunting is mostly confined to the

North and East Greenland region.

It is mainly individual households

that engage in hunting, using the

meat from the caught seals. Some

sealskins are also used by these

households for clothing, but the

majority of skins are sold to the

many small production units that

manufacture skin and fur products

for the domestic market, as well

as to the small number of larger

companies that have made a name

for themselves on the international

market.

Metal and metal products 19%



REGIONS OF GREENLANDThe Central region – Nuuk and

Sismiut

The Central region, which has

the highest population density,

comprises the municipalities

of Paamiut, Nuuk, Maniitsoq,

Kangaatsiaq and Sisimiut. This

region is the country’s business

centre. Nuuk, the capital of

Greenland, is home to the

Landstinget and the Home Rule

Administration, the university, the

college of education and a number

of other institutions of higher

education. The capital is also home

to the headquarters of the country’s

banks and the majority of the major

companies in Greenland. With its

large Atlantic Quay, Nuuk is the

most important port in Greenland.

Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-

largest town, is home to a number

of large commercial enterprises.

Its most important industry is

fishing – for prawns, crab and cod

in particular. Royal Greenland’s

largest fish factory, one of the most

advanced plants in the world, is

located in Sisimiut.


The Statue of the Danish missionary Hans Egede, who founded Nuuk in 1728



The Disko region – Ilulissat

The Disko region, which comprises

the municipalities of Aasiaat,

Qasigiannguit, Qeqertarsuaq and

Ilulissat, is home to approximately a

quarter of the country’s population.

Ilulissat is the third-largest town in

Greenland. In recent years, the town

has developed into the commercial

centre of northern Greenland.

Fishing, particularly for prawns,

Greenland halibut and crab, is the

primary trade, and the town is home

to several local fish factories. The

economic expansion of the area

has also attracted several large

construction companies to Ilulissat.

The North and East Greenland

region

The North and East Greenland region

comprises the municipalities of

Uummannaq, Upernavik, Qaanaaq,

Ammassalik and Ittoqqortoormiit.

Some 20% of Greenland’s population

lives in this region, most of whom

depend largely on the hunting of

marine mammals and some fishing.

Generally speaking, the North and

East Greenland region has limited

opportunities for economic growth

apart from the development of

tourism and mineral exploration.

The South region – Qaqortoq

The South region comprises the

municipalities of Nanortalik,

Qaqortoq and Narsaq. Agriculture,

especially sheep farming, is

widespread in this region. Fishing

also plays a major role as do

a number of other production

activities, including gold mining.

Qaqortoq is the fourth-largest town

in Greenland and the largest in

the South region. It is the financial

centre of this area having a large

fishing fleet and a fish factory that

processes fantail prawns.

Settlement Tasiilaq/Ammassalik

In front an ”Umiaq”, a womens skin boat. In use till middle of last century. In the back ground Zions Church in Ilulissat

The church in Qaanaaq/ Thule View over Narsaq and the Narsaq Sound



INvESTING IN GREENLAND

Foreign investors in Greenland

have, so far, focused on the

exploitation of oil, gas and mineral

raw materials, but interest in other

sectors is growing. Greenlandic

expertise in the areas of fishing

and the processing of skins and

furs is also attracting foreign

capital.

The Arctic offers opportunities

to test various products under

extreme weather conditions

such as cold and wind. For some

years, the vW Group had a test

track on the inland ice, close to

Kangerlussuaq.



TOURISM IN GREENLAND

Visiting Greenland

Air Greenland flies from

Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq

and Narsarsuaq several times a

week. These airports offer easy

access to other parts of the country

either by plane, helicopter or ship.

In almost all towns there are good

hotels with restaurants serving

internationally inspired dishes.

But the specialities of Greenlandic

cuisine should not be missed.


The Greenland Tourism and

Business Council is the official

industrial development enterprise,

wholly owned by the Home

Rule. Its chief target groups are

entrepreneurs and small companies

in the field of land-based trade,

industry and tourism. The

Greenland Tourism and Business

Council is based in Nuuk where the

organisation provides consultancy,

innovation solutions, competency

development, documentation and

information. Greenland Tourism’s

information office in Copenhagen

is responsible for marketing

initiatives, promoting exports,

the distribution of information

material, maintaining relations

with the press and travel

agencies and replying to queries

from consumers.



Greenland Travel is the most

successful travel agency, selling

the largest number of tickets to

and from Greenland. The company

has offices in Nuuk, Sisimiut,

Ilulissat and Copenhagen. All the

major towns in Greenland offer

excellent facilities for large-scale

international conferences.

Nuuk

Children all over the world know

Santa Claus, and most of them know

that he lives in Greenland. Nuuk

is therefore home to the largest

postbox in the world to which

children send their Christmas wish

lists every year. Not far from the

postbox is the Greenland National

Museum. visitors to the museum

will find exhaustive information on

Greenlandic culture from prehistoric

times to the present day.

The Katuaq Cultural Centre, with

its stunning architecture, provides

a beautiful setting for a number

of cultural activities including

exhibitions, plays and concerts.

Sisimiut

In Sisimiut, the lower jaw of a

Greenland whale forms an entry

arch into the old town, which

houses the old blue church,

Bethel, from 1775. In recent

years, hikes from Kangerlussuaq

to Sisimiut have become very

popular.

Maniitsoq

Naturally, skiing is a popular sport

in Greenland and there are great

opportunities for skiers here. The

ski resort of Apussuit is located

east of Maniitsoq and offers

downhill and cross-country skiing

at all levels, both summer and

winter.

Ilulissat

If you like ice, make sure you visit

Ilulissat, home to the Jakobshavn

glacier. This glacier is the most

productive glacier in the northern

hemisphere, boasting speeds of

over 30 meters per day. Ilulissat

Isfjord has been included on

UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Qeqertarsuaq

Outside Qeqertarsuaq, on Disko

Island, you can ski on the top of

the Sermersuaq glacier during

the summer. The so-called Base

Camp 1010 offers sleigh, ski and

snowmobile trips.

Uummannaq

Uummannaq is the essence of

Greenland – at least for those who

associate Greenland with Arctic

nature where sealing continues

to be a way of life. The area offers

untold opportunities to experience

nature, either by hiking or sailing

on the fjord.

The South region

Many hikers choose southern

Greenland as their destination

since this is where the country’s

only woods can be found along-

side the deep fjords. This is also

where the first Scandinavians

settled more than a 1,000 years

ago. Many of their ruins can still be

seen here today. Here you also find

a reconstruction of the first church

in North America.

It is important to wear the right clothes when you go dog sleding in North Greenland



ED08_Faroe Islands.indd 116 27-08-2007 16:46:03


FAROE ISlANDSAs a modern country in the North

Atlantic, the Faroes are well

aware of the need to develop and

maintain good trade relations

with other countries. We are a

modern, outward-looking Nordic

people with a well-developed

infrastructure, economic growth

and high levels of education,

living in a spectacular natural

landscapes in northern Europe

and surrounded by a productive

and healthy marine environment.

The Faroese economy has

traditionally been dominated by

the fishing industry, and Faroese

companies have developed

considerable skills and know-

how in this field. As well as our

significant export of quality fish

products, Faroese manufacturing

has specialised in producing

machines and equipment

especially designed for fishing,

fish farming and fish processing.

Over the past decades the Faroes

have also been exploring and

developing new and diverse

business possibilities, with a

growing emphasis on technology

and services.

The Atlantic Frontier to the south

of the Faroes is an area which is

expected to provide the basis for

a future oil and gas industry in the

Faroes.

This brief introduction is a

welcome addition to the increasing

focus on, and interest in, the many

and varied possibilities for trade

and business with our small but

dynamic country.Jóannes Eidesgaard

Prime Minister



The loneliness of the ocean, the

silence everywhere, interrupted

only by the voices of birds in

motion, weaving changing

patterns that create the forms

of the landscape - its heights

its depths. The sound of water

running over rocks, and the distant

murmur of the sea deep down at

the foot of the cliffs. The profile of

Faroe Islands is indeed dominated

by its spectacular breathtaking

nature.

A whole society with its own

history, its own language and its

own culture. Far away from the

wide world and yet at the centre of

the world.

From being originally a society

of small isolated villages with

an economy dominated by

agriculture, the Faroe Islands

have transformed into a modern

fishing nation, with an elaborate

infrastructure, welfare and a

strong and valuable international

involvement.

The Faroe Islands are very

dependent on imports from the

outside world as the economy is

based almost solely on the fishing

industry and related industries.

Today the Faroese are trying to

move into fields of technology

and they are also exploring

the possibilities of oil and gas

exploitation.




Geography and nature

The Faroes are located in the

North Atlantic, approximately 430

kilometres southeast of Iceland,

600 kilometres west of Norway

and 300 kilometres northwest

from Scotland. The distance from

Copenhagen to the Faroes is

approximately 1,300 kilometres.

The Faroes comprise 18 islands,

separated by narrow sounds or

fjords. The total area is 1,399 sq.

km. The largest island is Streymoy

(373.5 sq. km) with the capital,

Tórshavn. The overall length of

the archipelago north-south is

113 kilometres, and 75 kilometres

east-west.

Plants and vegetation growth are

sparse, influenced by the islands’

geographical location and climate.

There are no true woods or forests,

but grass is plentiful. Only a small

part of the land is cultivated, the

rest is utilised as grazing pastures

for the approximately 70,000

sheep. There are some cattle and

horses. Animal life is also sparse,

but there is a rich and varied bird

life, especially seabirds.

Transport and infrastructure

Vagar Airport, the only airport

in the Faroes, is located on the

island of Vagoy. In 2006 the

airport had 6,579 flight arrivals

and departures and a total of

208,254 passengers.

There are approximately 20 larger

ports/harbours, and most are

constructed as fishing ports with

an average draught depth of

approx. 6-7-metres. Most harbours

are capable of docking vessels

with an approx. length of 50

metres, and major ports will dock

vessels of 100 metres or more.

Vessels exceeding 100 metres in

length, and which have a draught

of 7 metres or more should check

the situation in advance.

There are regular scheduled

connections by sea all year round

to Iceland, Great Britain and

the European continent. Cargo

destined for America is shipped

via Denmark, Iceland or Holland.

In addition chartered vessels also

transport cargo. The Faroes are

also used as a transit port.

GEOGRAPHy & POPulATION



The løgting has at most 32 MP’s

elected in 7 constituencies. Elections

to the Faroese løgting (Parliament)

are held every four years.

The coalition in power is headed

by the Prime Minister Jóannes

Eidesgaard comprises 7 ministers

representing the People’s Party,

the unionist Party and the Social

Democratic Party.

International relations

That the Faroese Home Rule has

a wide mandate, may be seen

amongst other things, by the fact

that the Faroes are not members of

the Eu, nor EFTA (and thereby not of

the EEA).

In 1992, an interim EEC mutual free

trade agreement was concluded

between the Faroe Islands and the

EEC. However, for the main Faroese

export article, fish products, there

are several restrictions on the

quantities, which may enter the Eu

duty-free.

In international fisheries organi-

sations embracing the North

Atlantic, where the Eu represents

metropolitan Denmark, the

Kingdom of Denmark maintains a

separate membership in respect

of Faroe Islands.

As a rule, bilateral agreements

concerning Faroese fishing rights

inside the fishing zones of other

nations and/or access of fishing

vessels to the Faroese zone have

been concluded, and in practice

the annual quotas fixed under

these agreements are negotiated

by the Home Government itself. In

accordance with an understanding

between the Faroese and the Danish

authorities the Home Government

concludes its own fishing treaties

with the other Nordic countries.

Political structure

The Faroes are part of the Danish

Realm. Constitutionally, Faroese

conditions in relation to the

Danish state were last determined

in the Home Rule legislation

drafted in 1948. This legislation

determines which administrative

and legislative areas shall be

joint affairs and which could be

designated to the Faroese Home

Rule, to administer or legislate on.

Full legislative and administrative

competence in areas subject to

Faroese authority are for instance:

Physical planning, mineral

resources of the subsoil and

seabed, living marine resources,

environmental issues, telecom-

munications, industrial affairs,

the labour market and taxation.

Social and health affairs, and

education are joint affairs, with

the administrative responsibility

residing with the Home

Government. Judicial, monetary,

defence and foreign affairs are

principal affairs that cannot be

taken over.

The løgting (Parliament) is the

legislative assembly for special

Faroese affairs, and also appoints

the løgmann (Prime Minister) who

administers designated Faroese

affairs, in many cases also joint

affairs in agreement with the

Danish Government.

POlITICS


124 DANISH EXPORTERS 2008124 DANISH EXPORTERS 2008

FAROESE STRONGHOlDS

Agriculture

until the middle of the 19th

century agriculture was the main

occupation in the Faroe Islands.

Today it supplies the country with

barely half the total consumption

of lamb and mutton, most of the

milk for direct consumption,

a fraction of the consumption

of beef and eggs, and half the

consumption of potatoes.

Fishing and fish farming

The fishing fleet consists of about

158 vessels with a total tonnage

of 78,000 GRT ranging from

simple wooden coastal vessels

to the more sophisticated ocean-

going factory trawlers. Most of the

catches are landed in the Faroe

Islands.

The catches are either exported

fresh or processed into fresh

or frozen fillets and salt fish in

factories scattered throughout

the country.

The fish farming industry takes

advantage of the clean and cool

oceanic waters surrounding

the islands. Salmon and trout

production amounts to 14% of

total exports.

Fish-related industries

Besides the fishing industry there

are shipyards and other trades that

supply the fishing industry. Faroese

manufacturing has specialised

in producing machinery and

equipment designed for fishing,

fish farming and fish processing.

Computer systems developed for

the monitoring of fish processing

are exported.

Hydrocarbon sector and oil

industry

The Petroleum Division is

responsible for administering

oil and gas exploration and

production activities on the Faroe

Shelf with regard to a future oil

industry in the Faroe Islands and

for co-ordinating all oil related

activities. The Petroleum Division

shall also prepare the ground

prior to Government decisions in

petroleum related matters.



REGIONS IN THE FAROE ISlANDSThe Faroe Islands are split into

no less than 34 municipalities.

The number of municipalities is

especially high if we consider

the country’s total population

and area. Only 6 of the 34

municipalities have a population

of more than 1,500.

The fishing industry and other

major trades are primarily located

in the larger towns. The larger

municipalities of Tórshavn,

Klaksvík, Runavík, Tvøroyri,

Fuglafjøđur, Vágur, Kirkjubø and

Skála have created an association

of local authorities known as

Kommunusamskipan Føroya,

which is designed to safeguard

their interests vis-à-vis the

government.

The smaller municipalities are

part of another affiliation, known

as Føroya Kommunefelag, which

in turn aims to safeguard the

interests of the rural population.

In general, the local municipalities

enjoy a high degree of autonomy

and they co-operate in many

areas such as electricity supply

and production, waste disposal,

education and health services.




There are excellent investment

opportunities available in the

fishing industry and related

sectors in the Faroe Islands,

as well as in the building and

construction sector. As a result

of the magnificent and unspoiled

nature of the Faroe Islands, there

are also very good investment and

growth prospects to be found in

the tourism sector.

The greatest opportunities,

however, are to be found in the

extraction of oil and natural gas.

The North Sea is known for its

natural resources, and the people

of the Faroe Islands are hopeful

that their territory in the North

Sea will yield oil and natural gas,

which may be extracted profitably.

Several overseas companies have

already shown a great deal of

interest in the islands’ subsoil.

INVESTING IN THE FAROE ISlAND



to selected towns and villages

throughout the Faroes.

Banks in major towns and some

villages are open from 9.00 to

16.00 weekdays, on Thursdays

until 18.00. Banks are closed on

Saturdays and Sundays.

Most shops are open from 9.00 to

17.30. On Saturdays shopping is

limited - stores open at 9.00 and

close either at 12.00 or 14.00. On

Sundays all stores are closed.

September. In the winter season

the ship sails between Denmark,

The Faroes, Shetland and Iceland.

There is room for 1,482 passengers

on board the new cruise-ferry,

and it can to carry up to 800 cars.

A well-developed, national

system of roadways and ferries

connect most towns and villages

in the Faroes and is operated by

Strandfaraskip landsins. Atlantic

Airways offers helicopter service

Visiting the Faroe Islands

Atlantic Airways, the national

carrier of the Faroe Islands

and Icelandair provide service

to the Faroes. Regular flights

are available all year round to

Denmark and Iceland. In the

summertime there are also flights

to Great Britain and Norway.

Visitors can thus fly to Vagar

Airport from Copenhagen, Billund,

Aalborg, Reykjavík, london,

Aberdeen, Stavanger and Oslo.

Regular bus and ferry connections

to Tórshavn are linked to

scheduled arrival and departure

flights. The trip takes 1 hour 40

minutes by bus and ferry and

twelve minutes by helicopter.

The passenger and car ferry,

Norröna, operated by Smyril

line sails between Denmark and

the Faroe Islands all year round

and moreover from Norway, the

Shetlands, and Iceland during

the summer season from may to

TOuRIST IN THE FAROE ISlAND



Good hotels are easily found

in Tórshavn, Klaksvík and on

the large islands, whereas the

possibilities are rather limited

on the small islands. Atlantic

Airways and Smyril line arrange

package tours to the Faroe Islands

including accommodation in

hotels or private accommodation.

The selection of restaurants

is rather limited on the Faroe

Islands. However, good ‘nouveau

cuisine’ is to be found in all the

larger hotels, where it is also often

possible to taste local Faroese

dishes and specialities.

Attractions

The overwhelmingly spectacular

nature is the main tourist attraction

and there are many opportunities

to experience these wonders.

There are multiple possibilities for

hiking, trekking, fishing and the

Faroe Islands are a bird-watchers

paradise. Boat trips, bus tours,

riding treks, bird watching, hiking

or trekking can be arranged from

the tourist information office in

Tórshavn.

Faroese history is exhibited in the

historical museum in Tórshavn,

and all year round original Nordic

Arts and crafts of various artists

are displayed in the Nordic

House.



danish exporters 2008

Documents

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danish exporters

danish trade

small countries

large countries

flexible danish economy

eastern european countries

individual danish regions