News from the business community
- France announces intention to procure SAABs GlobalEye
- Seco Tools interviewed by BFM Business
- Livi France report launch event
- Voi wins Paris e-bike tender
- First order of Volvos FH Aero LNG trucks
-  Sandvik Coromant opens new center in Orléans

Eco Bulletin Board
- Sweden Committed to the Ocean, from Monaco to Nice
- Honorary Consulate of Sweden in Toulouse
- Forests for a Competitive European Bioeconomy

Insights from Brussels
- Newsletter flash from our member KREAB in Brussels

Culture
- Pontus Hultén article in Le Monde

Download Business Climate Survey France 2025

Download Global Business Climate Survey 2025

One year on, and still our favorite place to meet, connect and get inspired!

This month marks one year since we inaugurated our beautifully renovated terrace at the CCSF – a space that has quickly become the heart of our community.

From sunny coffee breaks to inspiring networking events, it's been a pleasure to see this rooftop garden come to life thanks to our members, guests, and partners.

A special thank you again to our member and garden partner Husqvarna and Gardena who helped us realise this project

Did you know our terrace and conference room are available to privatise for your next event?

Questions or bookings: tereze.abazi@ccsf.fr

This year, we are celebrating the Chamber's 110th anniversary. An historic milestone testifying to the strong and sustainable relations between our countries and businesses. 2025 is also the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement signed at Cop21. This is an occasion to blend historical legacy with forward-thinking sustainability and business strategies for a competitive Europe.

On the 1^st of December the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France, together with Team Sweden and Team France, will host a landmark edition of the French-Swedish Business Day in Paris. On the theme "A Decade of Action, A Century of Progress", and in the context of the Strategic Innovation Partnership Act signed by Sweden and France in 2017 and 2024, a high-level Business Summit and a French-Swedish Tech & Innovation Exhibition are being organised, followed by a high-level networking dinner with remittance of the Prix d'Excellence, an award that distinguishes Swedish companies for their exceptional performances on the French market.

We are now inviting French-Swedish companies to be part of this flagship celebration for bilateral businesses.

This event is organised for and with you. We trust that you will be using this opportunity to create visibility as well as build and strengthen businesses for your company, all while participating in our joint promotion of the French-Swedish economic relations.

Deadline for partnership confirmation: 11th of July, 2025
For more information or to discuss possible synergies, contact Katarina Lööf at katarina.loof@ccsf.fr

Let’s shape the next century of collaboration - together.

This afterwork will be the perfect opportunity to strengthen our ties, discover new opportunities for collaboration and share friendly moments in an exceptional setting on the banks of the Seine. 

When: 9th of July 2025, 18:30-22:00.
Where: Barapapa, 11 Port Rapée, 75012, Paris.

Note that you have to be a member of CCSF YP or JCCFF in order to attend.

Registration is mandatory to receive a Happy Hour bracelet on arrival.

Lors de cette conférence-débat, nous échangerons sur le lobbying européen et les avantages pour l’industrie de mener une stratégie d’influence au-delà des frontières nationales. La présence des institutions européennes à Bruxelles et leur rôle clé dans l’élaboration des législations et réglementations impactant les marchés européens et mondiaux conduisent chaque année des dizaines de milliers de représentants d’intérêts, entreprises, associations professionnelles, Organisations Non Gouvernementales (ONG) et autres groupes d’intérêt à influencer la prise de décision européenne. En tant que capitale du lobbying en Europe, et dans un contexte d’affaiblissement des gouvernements nationaux, Bruxelles est plus que jamais un hub incontournable où les entreprises doivent se faire connaître pour pousser leurs intérêts stratégiques.

Avec Hannalena Ivarsson, Associée, Responsable de la Practice “Industrial Sustainability”, Kreab Bruxelles, et Cécile Huck, Directrice, Practice “Industrial Sustainability”, Kreab Bruxelles.

We are pleased to invite you to the next edition of our Young Professionals After Work series.

This time, we will be exploring the crucial topics of leadership and diversity with an exclusive guest: Johan Laurell, Country Retail Manager and CSO, IKEA France.

In today’s globalised and fast-evolving work environment, the ability to lead with inclusivity and purpose is more important than ever. Johan Laurell will share insights from his journey leading one of the world’s most iconic and value-driven brands, and how IKEA integrates diversity and inclusion into its leadership philosophy and everyday operations.

The French-Swedish Business Day will be celebrating the Chamber’s 110th anniversary in 2025, a historic milestone testifying to the strong and sustainable relations between our countries and businesses. 2025 is also the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, signed at Cop21. This is an occasion to blend historical legacy with forward-thinking sustainability and business strategies for a competitive Europe.

The French-Swedish Business Day will take place in Paris on December 1st at the historic premises of Banque de Suède et de Paris, Place Vendôme.

Tickets for the conference only will be available online soon.

Are you fluent in French and passionate about market research? Help shape Tendiums expansion in France!

Tendium is transforming how companies win public procurements. As an AI-native company trusted by over 1,000 European customers, they're ready to grow their presence in France. They're now seeking a part-time Market Researcher (10–20 hrs/week) to validate their positioning and refine their GTM-approach.

On June 20, our member Seco Tool, participated in an interview on BFM Business. Alaâ-Eddin Zaari, Managing Director Seco Tools France and Guillaume Bouderon, Maket Manager, Seco Tools France, was broadcasted on the key topics:

-  Industrial know-how, Made in France, and the role of Seco in the industry
-  Investments to shape the industry of tomorrow
-  Commitment to youth and apprenticeships
-  And innovative topics such as integrating AI into their strategy

On June 25, CCSF was present at the launch of Livi's  new report highlighting urgent priorities to improve the efficiency of France’s primary healthcare system.

According to Livi and despite France's strong healthcare performance, the system faces structural challenges: high costs, unequal access, and difficulty adapting to societal and medical shifts. With France spending over €2,800 PPP per year on outpatient care, four times the European average, the need for reform is pressing.

The report identified four key levers to boost efficiency:

- Rapid deployment of telehealth, already saving €113 million and with the potential to surpass €1 billion in annual savings.
- Better coordination within care teams, through clearer roles and adapted remuneration.
- More relevant and value-based care, inspired by international models like the UK’s QOF.
- Greater engagement of health professionals, with improved tools and local support structures.

The Le Havre-based haulier Wheeltainer has become the first customer in France to deploy the brand-new Volvo FH Aero LNG trucks. This major order of 50 Liquefied Natural Gas trucks includes 30 already in operation since February 2025, with the remaining 20 expected by the end of 2025.

Voi's win in Paris marks a major milestone in its European expansion — not just a new market entry, but one of the largest publicly tendered micromobility contracts in Europe.

Already active in Marseille, Grenoble, Le Havre, and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Voi's entry into Paris significantly strengthens its position in one of Europe's most important mobility markets. Just a year ago, Voi operated in only one French city — a testament to the strength of its local approach.

The four-year contract is set to make Paris Voi's largest market. After achieving adjusted EBIT profitability in 2024, Voi continues to pair financial resilience with responsible growth, supporting cities in their shift toward sustainable, car-free urban living.

Photos: Pelle T Nilsson/Swedish Press Agency

On the occasion of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, and the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, Sweden reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of seas and coastlines – highlighting concrete innovations and high-level political dialogue.

On June 8 in Monaco, Crown Princess Victoria took part in the international forum on the blue economy, where she was welcomed by Prince Albert II. The following day, after crossing the Mediterranean aboard a sailboat alongside Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, she arrived in Nice, where she was warmly received by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife.

In parallel with the UNOC3 conference, the Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden co-organised a seminar attended by Sweden’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, and her French counterpart, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. The event showcased seven innovative Swedish companies whose solutions aim to purify, restore, and sustainably manage marine and coastal ecosystems.

Representing Sweden in this vibrant region is Pascal Gorrias, a justice expert, proud Toulousain, and well-connected figure across multiple sectors. A warm welcome to the Swedish network!

The opening of this new consulate highlights the growing importance of the ties between Sweden and the Occitanie region. Strong relations already exist in areas such as business, research, and innovation. Several Swedish companies are active in the region – beyond IKEA and H&M, names like Getinge, Volvo Group, and Prover also stand out.

With even greater cooperation on the horizon, this consulate represents a valuable local presence.

On 23 May, the European Commission unveiled its Single Market Strategy, aiming to strengthen the EU’s single market and leverage it as a tool to boost economic competitiveness.

The strategy outlines measures to reduce barriers to intra-EU trade and investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and advance digitalisation to reduce administrative burdens. Central to the strategy is the targeted removal of ten key obstacles, identified through stakeholder consultations, which include complex business procedures, fragmented regulatory standards, and restrictions affecting services and product compliance. The Commission anticipates that addressing these barriers could improve the movement of goods and services and streamline business operations across Member States.

The strategy places particular focus on increasing the dynamism of the services sector by proposing updates such as a Construction Services Act and a new EU Delivery Act. These actions are intended to modernise regulations in construction, postal, and other business services. Additional initiatives include a new definition for small mid-cap companies, the introduction of an “SME ID” to help verify SME status, and efforts to support SMEs involved in cross-border activities. The Commission also introduces further digitalisation measures, such as enabling digital submission of documents and product information, which are estimated to reduce administrative costs for businesses.

The strategy encourages Member States to increase political ownership of the Single Market by naming national representatives and proactively assessing new national measures for their potential impact. This release responds to requests from the European Council and recent expert reports, with the goal of making the Single Market more effective, resilient, and competitive in a global context.

Next Steps

Later this year, the Commission plans to introduce additional simplification proposals.

On 21 May, the European Commission announced a fourth Simplification Omnibus package, aiming to cut €400 million in annual administrative costs for businesses. This initiative builds on previous efforts, targeting a total of €8 billion in savings, and supports the broader goal to reduce overall administrative costs by 25%, and by 35% for SMEs, by the end of the current mandate.

A key feature is the creation of a new "small mid-cap" (SMC) category for companies with fewer than 750 employees and up to €150 million turnover or €129 million in assets. Nearly 38,000 SMCs across the EU will now gain access to certain SME benefits, such as simplified GDPR processes and listing rules.

The package also proposes exempting around 10,000 smaller firms from registration in the EU F-gas Portal, reducing the compliance burden linked to trading products containing fluorinated gases. For data protection, record-keeping requirements under the GDPR will be limited to "high risk" activities for SMEs, SMCs, and organisations with fewer than 750 employees. The proposal advances the digital transition, replacing paper-based requirements for product compliance with digital processes to streamline information submission and verification.

Legal certainty for businesses is enhanced through common specifications, ensuring a clear path to compliance even when harmonised standards are unavailable. In the battery sector, the phase-in of new due diligence obligations is extended by two years, with guidance to be published in advance to aid implementation.

Future simplification packages are scheduled for the defence, chemical, and digital sectors, as part of a Commission-wide commitment to reducing red tape and fostering innovation and growth across the Single Market.

Next steps

Later this year, the Commission plans to introduce additional simplification proposals.

On 17 June, the European Commission proposed the Defence Readiness Omnibus package, aimed at fostering defence-readiness across the European Union and facilitating up to €800 billion in defence investments over the next four years. The package is intended to address the need for more timely and effective preparedness in response to a changing security environment and follows the European Council’s call to simplify legal and administrative frameworks for defence.

The Omnibus combines a Commission Communication with legislative and non-legislative proposals in areas both specific and non-specific to defence. Key measures include simplified administrative processes for applicants to the European Defence Fund (EDF), accelerated granting procedures, and greater predictability for project implementation. The proposals also introduce changes to defence procurement, such as incentives for joint procurement projects, increased flexibility for contracting authorities, and a reduction in delays associated with intra-EU transfers of defence products.

In non-defence-specific regulation, the package proposes fast-track permitting regimes for defence-related infrastructure with defined timelines and single points of contact in Member States. It provides clarifications to allow defence projects to benefit from existing exemptions in environmental and chemicals legislation, and proposes adjustments to eligibility for finance under InvestEU. The package sets out guidance on the sustainable finance treatment of defence investments and clarifies the scope of exclusions based on international arms treaties.

Next steps

In the next months, the legislative proposals will be examined by European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure.

Le Monde Highlights Pontus Hultén – A Key Figure in French and Swedish Art History