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This month in the CCSF Newsletter |
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Chamber News
- Strengthening French-Swedish Cooperation in Naval Innovation
- French-Swedish Innovation Delegation in Stockholm 13 october
New members
- Young Professionals members
Swedish companies and partners are recruiting
- Gudrun Sjödén is recruting
- Swedish Embassy recruits driver
Upcoming Events
- Le Leadership Suédois et le Management Franco-Suédois: Formation de Management Interculturel
- Comité RH- "When Change Never Stops"
- Young Professionals Afterwork with Leah Deriba
- Les États de la France "Prendre le parti de l'attractivité" |
Highlights from previous events
- Santé Mentale au Travail- regards croisés entre la France et la Suède
- French-Swedish Innovation Forum 2026
News from the Business Community
- Alstom and Västtrafik advance the future of Nordic rail
- Nefab celebrates 40 years in Salbris
- Comeback for Volvo Car at le Mondial de l'Auto
- French cloud provider Scaleways to Sweden
- IKEA opens a new store in Angers
Eco Bulletin Board
- Sweden remains the world's second most innovative economy
- Swedish mining project designated strategic by the European Commission
- French chemist Henri Kagan awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Culture
- Soleil et Lune: Andreas Eriksson en dialogue avec Ivan Aguéli
- Julbasar returns in November |
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| Watch the highlights from the French-Swedish Innovation Forum |
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 | | French-Swedish Innovation Forum 2026 |
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Every two years, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France organises the French-Swedish Innovation Forum in Stockholm, in collaboration with Team Sweden and Team France. As one of CCSF’s flagship events, the Forum focuses on fostering innovation, industrial cooperation and dialogue between the French and Swedish business communities. 2026's edition was held at Grand Hôtel Stockholm the 12 October. This flagship event alternates with the French-Swedish Business Day in Paris, which also highlights Swedish businesses in France and French-Swedish cooperations. Together, these two flagship events serve as important platforms for strengthening business relations, promoting cross-border collaboration and fostering closer economic and cultural ties between Sweden and France. Looking ahead, our next flagship event will be the French-Swedish Business Day 2027 in Paris! This event will take place end of November/begining of December. Stay tuned for more information, with the official date and programme to be announced.
More information about the event in Stockholm on the 12th of October is found under "Highlights from Previous Events". A warm thank you to our partners who made this event possible: |
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| French-Swedish Innovation Delegation in Stockholm 13 October |
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Following the French-Swedish Innovation Forum on the 12th of October, CCSF organised a delegation programme in Stockholm on the 13th of October for representatives from the CCSF and partners, focusing on industrial cooperation, AI and innovation. The day began with a roundtable discussion for the CCSF board of directors, hosted by H.E. Thierry Carlier, Ambassador of France to Sweden, in the presence of H.E. Caroline Vicini, Ambassador of Sweden to France, focused on opportunities to further strengthen French-Swedish industrial cooperation and European competitiveness. The delegation then visited Lovable, one of Sweden’s fastest-growing AI startups, to explore AI transformation and its impact on businesses, followed by a visit to Alstom’s Signalling Experience Center & Innovation Station, offering insights into railway digitalisation and the future of sustainable and secure mobility. A warm thank you to the Embassy of France, Lovable and Alstom for welcoming our delegation. |
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| Young Professionals members |
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Mayeul Edström, Cyber Security, Headmind Partners |
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Swedish companies and partners are recruiting |
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Gudrun Sjödén recruits sales advisors |
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CCSF member Gudrun Sjödén is looking for sales advisors for its Paris boutique in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, offering permanent contracts (21 or 35 hours per week). The Swedish brand is seeking dynamic, motivated individuals who are passionate about sales and customer service. Fluency in French is required, and English is a plus. To apply, please send your CV to: bonaparte@gudrunsjoden.fr |
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Embassy of Sweden recruits driver |
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The Embassy of Sweden in Paris is currently recruiting a full-time driver on a fixed-term contract, with the position available as soon as possible. The role involves driving diplomatic personnel and Swedish delegations during official visits in France, as well as supporting various administrative tasks.
Applications are open until 16 November 2026. Interested candidates are invited to contact the Embassy of Sweden for further information. |
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| 5 & 6 of November: Le Leadership Suédois et le Management Franco-Suédois, Paris |
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CCSF is hosting a professional training in intercultural management in Paris, led by Laurence Romani, professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and specialist in cross-cultural leadership.
Designed for:
Managers and collaborators of French-Swedish companies or organisations brought to work with Swedes, their leadership and within the framework of French-Swedish commercial or managerial relations.
For Swedish participants employed in Swedish companies or organisations, you have the possibility to apply for a grant to cover the fee.
The program will be in French.
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| 17th of November: Comité RH - "When Change Never Stops" |
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Sophia Hammoudia, Country HR Manager at H&M France, will take the lead on “When Change Never Stops”. The leadership challenge is no longer how to lead people through change – it is how to lead people when change never stops. The meeting will take place at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France, 39 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75008 Paris. Event only for Premium members. |
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| 18th of November: Young Professionals Afterwork with Leah Deriba |
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Our next Young Professionals Afterwork will focus on the growing importance of social media and personal branding in today's evolving job market. We will be joined by Leah Deriba, a Freelance Cultural & Social Media Strategist based in Paris, who has worked with global brands such as Spotify, Sony Music, H&M and Prada Beauty. Leah will share her insights on how social media can help create new career opportunities, strengthen your professional visibility and future-proof your career. Join us for an inspiring evening of practical insights, engaging discussions and networking with fellow Young Professionals! |
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| 19th of November: Les États de la France "Prendre le parti de l'attractivité" |
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La 21ème édition des États de la France aura lieu le 19 novembre à la Maison de la Chimie. La Chambre de Commerce Suédoise en France est heureuse d’être partenaire institutionnel. Sujet central de la campagne présidentielle à venir, l’attractivité sera au cœur des débats des États de la France, qui porteront auprès des candidats les principales recommandations issues de la Conférence de la Communauté des entreprises étrangères de France. |
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| 1st of December 08h30-10h30: Comité Affaires Publiques – L’élection présidentielle en France et les principaux candidats |
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Animé en collaboration avec nos membres Premium, Kreab et Rud Pedersen.
Réservé aux membres Premium. |
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| 9th of December 18h30-20h30: Business Glögg |
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Rejoignez-nous pour une soirée exclusive de networking dans une ambiance chaleureuse inspirée des traditions suédoises.
Du Glögg et des spécialités de Noël suédoises vous seront proposés. La Sainte Lucia fera son apparition.
Une belle occasion de se retrouver, d’échanger et de célébrer ensemble la fin de l’année.
Evènement proposé en partenariat avec IKEA.
Exclusivement réservé aux membres. Places limitées.
Plus d’info à venir prochainement. |
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Highlights from Previous Events |
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| Santé Mentale au Travail - regards croisés entre la France et la Suède |
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On 6 October, CCSF, in collaboration with SWEA Professional Paris, hosted an event exploring mental health in the workplace from French and Swedish perspectives. The discussions featured Hervé de Villers, author of L’Efficacité Viking, and Fredrik Edström, Managing Director of Kry France, who shared their insights on workplace well-being, leadership and work-life balance, highlighting differences and similarities between the two countries. Participants also had the opportunity to enjoy trial massage sessions offered by Ellen Rudbäck from Massage au Bureau. |
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| French-Swedish Innovation Forum 2026 |
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This year’s edition of the French-Swedish Innovation Forum took place on 12 October at Grand Hôtel Stockholm, bringing together business leaders, industry experts and key stakeholders from France and Sweden, to exchange perspectives on shared challenges and opportunities for a more competitive Europe. The discussions covered key topics including resilience, security, the green transition, AI, emerging technologies and industrial scale-up, highlighting opportunities for deeper collaboration between the two countries. A concrete example of this collaboration was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Naval group and Marine Technology Center of Sweden, which took place on stage during the Forum, turning dialogue into tangible French-Swedish cooperation.
If you missed the event or would like to revisit the discussions, the full replay and photos from the Forum are now available. |
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News from the business community |
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| Strengthening French-Swedish Cooperation in Naval Innovation |
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One of the key highlights of the French-Swedish Innovation Forum 2026, held on 12 October in Stockholm, was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Naval Group and the Marine Technology Center of Sweden (MTC).
The agreement aims to strengthen French-Swedish cooperation in naval defence research and maritime innovation, focusing on autonomous systems, communications and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
This partnership marks an important step towards advancing long-term industrial cooperation and strengthening Europe's defence capabilities.
Read more on Naval Group's website. |
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Alstom and Västtrafik advance the future of Nordic rail |
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 | Photo: Copyright ALSTOM SA. Samuel Unéus. |
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A major new milestone in French-Swedish transport cooperation has been reached as Alstom has secured an order from regional Swedish public transport authority Västtrafik for 35 additional Avelia Stream Nordic trains, valued at approximately €350 million. The order brings the total number of trains delivered under the contract to 80, reinforcing a long-term partnership focused on sustainable mobility and regional connectivity.
The decision follows the successful introduction of the first Avelia Stream Nordic trains into service in western Sweden. Designed specifically for Nordic conditions, the trains combine high capacity, accessibility, and passenger comfort with advanced energy-efficient technology. They can operate in temperatures as low as −40°C and through heavy snowfall, making them particularly well suited to Scandinavian rail networks.
With a top speed of 200 km/h and modern passenger amenities, the expanded fleet will help Västtrafik increase capacity, modernise its rolling stock, improve punctuality, and support more sustainable public transport across the Västra Götaland region.
Read the full press release here. |
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Nefab celebrates 40 years in Salbris |
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Corporate member Nefab Packaging France recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its site in Salbris, marking four decades of industrial development and innovation in the region.
The event brought together representatives from French and Swedish institutions, local authorities, customers, partners, and industry stakeholders to reflect on Nefab’s journey and discuss the challenges and opportunities linked to industrial sovereignty in the years ahead.
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce extends its congratulations to the Nefab team on this important milestone and wishes them continued success for the future. |
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Comeback for Volvo Car at le Mondial de l’Auto |
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 | Photos: Volvo |
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Swedish automotive manufacturer Volvo Cars made its return to the Mondial de l'Auto in Paris with La Villa Frandinave, a 400 m² immersive exhibition space inspired by Nordic design and hospitality.
Designed as more than a traditional exhibition stand, the space offered visitors an opportunity to discover Volvo's approach to innovation, sustainability and mobility through a welcoming environment inspired by Scandinavian living. A visual journey through Swedish landscapes further reinforced the connection between the brand and its Nordic roots.
The initiative highlights Volvo's continued commitment to the French market and its ambition to create new ways for customers to engage with the brand. |
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French cloud provider Scaleways to Sweden |
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French cloud and AI provider Scaleway has announced the deployment of its first AI supercomputer outside France, to be hosted in Sweden. The project is being developed in partnership with Swedish telecom operator Tele2, which will provide data centre infrastructure, while several European technology partners will contribute to the platform's integration and operation.
Scaleway highlighted Sweden's largely decarbonised electricity mix as an important factor behind the investment. The initiative reflects growing French-Swedish cooperation in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, while reinforcing the Nordic region's position as an attractive destination for data-intensive and energy-efficient technologies.
See full press release here. |
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IKEA opens a new store in Angers |
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Premium member IKEA France is expanding its presence with the opening of a new compact-format store in Angers on 18 November 2026. Located in the Atoll shopping centre in Beaucouzé, the 3,500 m² store will offer more than 4,100 home furnishing products, inspiring room displays, planning and design services, and IKEA’s iconic food offering.
As IKEA France’s third compact-format store, the new location marks another step in the company’s strategy to bring the IKEA experience closer to customers while maintaining the brand’s signature inspiration and accessibility.
To read more about IKEA Angers, click here |
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Sweden remains the world’s second most innovative economy |
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Sweden has once again secured 2nd place globally in the Global Innovation Index 2026, maintaining its position among the world's leading innovation nations. Published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the ranking evaluates 139 economies across a wide range of innovation-related indicators. Sweden ranks first worldwide in infrastructure and business sophistication, while also demonstrating strong performance in research, knowledge and technology outputs.
According to this index, France also continues to demonstrate strong innovation performance, ranking 13th globally and 8th in Europe. The country performs particularly well in areas such as intangible assets, venture capital activity, research impact and global brand value, further reinforcing its position as one of Europe's leading innovation ecosystems.
The Global Innovation Index also highlights the importance of regional innovation hubs. In Sweden, Stockholm and Gothenburg are ranked among the world's top 100 innovation clusters. France is represented by Paris and Lyon, two leading European centres for research, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Read more and download the report:
WIPO Global Innovation Index 2026 |
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Swedish mining project designated strategic by the European Commission |
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The European Commission has designated the Viscaria mining project in Kiruna as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. Viscaria, which plans to reopen a copper and iron mine in 2028, is the only Swedish project selected in the latest round of strategic raw materials projects.
The designation is intended to strengthen Europe's supply of critical raw materials and will facilitate access to financing while accelerating permitting procedures. The project further highlights Sweden's strategic role in securing the minerals needed for the green and digital transitions.
In June 2026 the French InfraVia announced a major investment in the Swedish copper mining company. The investment was made through InfraVia's Critical Metals Fund, which is supported by the French government under the France 2030 investment programme.
Click here to see the press release. |
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| French chemist Henri Kagan awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry |
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 | Credit: The Nobel Prize, Niklas Elmehed |
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The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France would like to congratulate Henri Kagan on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with Japanese chemist Kenso Soai. The prize recognises their contributions to asymmetric organic synthesis, a field with important applications in modern chemistry and pharmaceutical research.
A professor emeritus at Paris-Saclay University, Henri Kagan is one of France's most distinguished chemists.
We extend our sincere congratulations on this remarkable achievement.
Learn more here. |
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