NETWORKING
Nordic Countries-Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
OPENING DOORS AND CLOSING GAPS Best known for its high level business lunch series, the chamber now hopes to improve networking opportunities in the middle ranks, and between Nordic interests in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Although it originated 14 years ago in Sweden, the founder and managing director of the Nordic Countries-Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Nobelux) stresses the multilateral mission and structure of the group. In true Nordic egalitarian fashion, managing director Mathilde Nankwaya explains that its offices in Brussels, Luxembourg and Stockholm are all equal branches of the organisation. In contrast to the numerous national chambers of commerce active in the Grand Duchy which have a country or linguistic focus, Nobelux represents companies from across the Nordic region--Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
PRACTICAL INFO
Nordic Countries-BelgiumLuxembourg-Chamber of Commerce 13, place d'Armes L-1136 Luxembourg Tel: +352 26 45 96 73 info@nobelux.se www.nobelux.lu
Norway and Sweden--that have a presence in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Belgium and Luxembourg firms with operations or clients in the Nordic markets. While the American and British chambers in Luxembourg have successfully positioned themselves as serving the English speaking business community, Nankwaya says, Nobelux has a “strong Nordic identity.” “Like any other networking-oriented chamber, we give members opportunities to network and [raise the] profile of their businesses,” she says. “We also represent the interests of our members, of course, before different organisations and authorities. We are also a door-opener for members,
COUNCIL
Chair: Jan Stig Rasmussen Vice chairs: Michel Maquil Berndt Kockum Fredrik Rågmark Mathilde Nankwaya
EXECUTIVE
both to the local authorities and also to other members. From time to time I get calls from members, who say ‘I would like to get in contact with this company... can you help?’” She continues: “To a certain extent, we offer services for those seeking contacts when they are establishing themselves in the market. Some services they can get from Nobelux directly, and for some services we try to include other members’ competencies.” In Luxembourg, the chamber is probably best known for its monthly “Get together lunch” events, which attract high level speakers (such as government ministers and European commissioners) and high level attendees (such as CEOs and
Founder & managing director: Mathilde Nankwaya
MEETINGS
The chamber’s monthly Get Together Lunch is usually held on a Monday in Luxembourg. All Nobelux members can also attend the chamber’s monthly Business Lunch events held in Brussels (see box opposite).
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05.05.2011 12:59:28 Uhr