Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Follow the latest business developments connecting the Nordic countries
with Asia. ScandAsia covers companies, investment, trade, technology,
energy, manufacturing and new opportunities across the region.
Planning to live, work or do business in Thailand? Expat Guide Thailand provides practical information for expatriates, while EuroThaiLink introduces Thai businesses to European products, technology and industrial machinery.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) continues to boost trade between Vietnam and the Nordic region, but new EU regulations are set to make market access more demanding, Voice of …
EVFTA boosts Vietnam-Nordic trade as new EU rules raise the bar Read More
Swedish engineering group Atlas Copco is expanding its presence in China through the acquisition of Guangdong Euroklimat, a Chinese manufacturer of industrial heating and cooling equipment, Sweden Herald reports. Guangdong …
Swedish Atlas Copco buys Chinese heating and cooling company Read More
Finnish Nokia has signed a new agreement with Taiwan Mobile to expand its 5G partnership and help develop AI-powered mobile networks across Taiwan. The agreement will see Nokia deploy its …
Finnish Nokia expands AI-powered 5G partnership with Taiwan Mobile Read More
Indonesia has imported live breeding pigs from Denmark for the first time as the country works to rebuild its swine population after years of losses caused by African Swine Fever …
These 546 Danish pigs went to Indonesia Read More
Future growth in demand for Norwegian seafood is expected to come increasingly from emerging markets in South and Southeast Asia, according to a new report from the Norwegian Seafood Council, …
New report highlights Asian opportunities for Norwegian seafood exports Read More
Norwegian cruise company Havila Voyages is stepping up its efforts to attract more Chinese tourists to Norway. The company has hired international travel agency Aviareps to promote its coastal cruises …
Norwegian cruise company wants more Chinese tourists Read More
Danish infrastructure investor A.P. Moller Capital has completed its acquisition of a 40 percent stake in Philippine logistics company AC Logistics, the companies said in a joint statement on 8 …
Danish Maersk investor buys 40 percent of Philippine logistics company Read More
Bangladesh has launched a new eco-tourism vessel powered by Swedish thin-film solar technology in a project that also marks the expansion of Swedish solar company Midsummer into the Bangladeshi market …
Swedish solar technology powers Bangladesh’s newest eco-tourism vessel Read More
The outlook among Danish companies operating in China has improved significantly, according to the latest Danish Business Outlook on China (DBOC) Index for the first half of 2026. The index …
Danish business confidence in China reaches highest level since 2023 Read More
Swedish automotive safety company Autoliv has signed a new global strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor (GWM), expanding a partnership that began in 2023, according to Autoliv. …
Autoliv and Great Wall Motor expand partnership to support overseas growth Read More
Swedish defence company Saab has delivered the composite superstructure – the upper section that houses the bridge, radar and other key systems – for Singapore’s new next-generation warship, Asian Military …
Swedish defence company delivers first superstructure for Singapore’s new warship Read More
Danish brewer Carlsberg and Japan’s Sapporo Breweries are expanding their partnership by forming a new joint venture across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, the Carlsberg Group announced on July 6. …
Japanese brewer invests US$643 million in Carlsberg-led joint venture Read More
Fine Scandinavia operates as a trusted, versatile provider for industrial metal solutions (including warehouse trolleys, roll containers, and industrial workstations etc.) alongside quality mixed-material residential furniture. Vietnam-based, this Swedish-founded manufacturer …
What Happens When a Metal Manufacturer Moves Beyond Material Handling Read More
Norwegian shipping group Eitzen has signed a contract with China’s Zhejiang Dongpeng Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. to build two of what are expected to become the world’s largest fully battery-powered …
Norwegian Eitzen orders giant electric container ships from Chinese shipyard Read More
Singapore-based Penguin Shipyard International has delivered the first composite superstructure for the Republic of Singapore Navy’s new Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), using Saab’s composite technology, Naval News reports. The …
Swedish Saab technology powers Singapore’s new naval vessels Read More
Consumers across the EU, including Denmark, Sweden and Finland, will now pay more when ordering goods from non-EU online retailers such as Chinese retailers Temu and Shein. The new customs …
3 euros more; EU’s new import duty goes into effect hitting Chinese products Read More
Norwegian energy data company TGS has been awarded exclusive rights to carry out a new multi-client 3D seismic survey offshore Brunei, marking a further expansion of its presence in the …
Norwegian TGS secures exclusive seismic survey contract offshore Brunei Read More
Thirty former international students from Swedish universities will begin paid traineeships at Swedish companies abroad in 2026 through a programme launched by the Swedish Institute. The programme includes 21 Swedish …
Swedish companies in Asia offer paid traineeships to international graduates Read More
Danish luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen has opened its first Culture Store in Southeast Asia with the launch of a new flagship boutique at Scotts Square in Singapore. The …
Bang & Olufsen opens Southeast Asia’s first Culture Store in Singapore Read More
Flying Tiger Copenhagen has opened its largest store in the Philippines at Glorietta 2 in Manila, Manila Bulletin reports. The new flagship spans 210 square meters and expands the brand’s …
Flying Tiger Copenhagen opens largest store in Manila Read More
A major step in modernising the Philippines’ offshore fishing industry has been launched through a new partnership with Denmark. The pilot project introduces Danish pelagic midwater trawl systems and other …
New Danish project aims to boost sustainable fishing in the Philippines Read More
A new Swedish investment is set to support business growth and job creation in the Philippines. Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, has committed USD 15 million to Navegar Fund III, …
Swedfund to support growth and jobs in the Philippines Read More
A cooperation agreement between Denmark’s Esbjerg Port and the Chinese state-owned Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is facing growing political scrutiny, with critics questioning how the deal was reached without the Danish Ministry …
Criticism grows over Chinese port agreement signed by Denmark’s Esbjerg Port Read More
China has begun harvesting salmon from what is described as the world’s first 100,000-ton-class salmon farming vessel, marking a new step in the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported …
China launches first harvest from giant offshore salmon farming vessel Read More
Danish shipping and logistics giant Maersk has appointed Scott Elliott as Regional President for Asia Pacific, making permanent a role he has held on an interim basis since January. Based …
Maersk appoints Singapore-based Scott Elliott as Asia Pacific president Read More
Swedish companies in the Philippines are more optimistic about future investments than their counterparts anywhere else in the world, according to a new survey. The 2026 Business Climate Survey found …
Philippines tops global ranking for Swedish investment plans Read More
A bus shelter in central Bangkok is now being described as a small glimpse into the future of urban energy. A new collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and Swedish solar technology …
Swedish solar company and Chulalongkorn University launch sustainability partnership Read More
The Swedish restaurant at IKEA Cheras in Kuala Lumpur has reopened after a five-day closure ordered by health authorities, but the reopening has been overshadowed by customer complaints about food …
IKEA Cheras restaurant reopens after hygiene closure amid customer complaints Read More
A high-level forum is planned for April 2027, bringing together government officials and companies from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland with Philippine counterparts to explore new investment opportunities, Business World …
Nordic-Philippine business summit set for Subic in 2027 Read More
A new methanol-ready offshore vessel built in Vietnam has begun its journey to Norway. Norwegian shipping company Rem Offshore announced that its second Energy Subsea Construction Vessel (ESCV), REM Ocean, …
Vietnam-built vessel heads to Norway for final completion Read More
A shared concern over workplace safety brought Sweden and the Philippines together in Manila this week, as officials and industry leaders confronted the risks facing workers in some of the …
Sweden and Philippines team up on safer workplaces Read More
Indonesia expects its growing green economy to create around 3.88 million jobs in 2026, highlighting opportunities for deeper cooperation with Denmark on skills development and the green transition. The projection …
Indonesia eyes 3.9 million green jobs as cooperation with Denmark expands Read More
A new EU rule is about to hit something many Europeans do almost without thinking: late-night online shopping from cheap global platforms. From 1 July, small parcels arriving from outside …
Online shopping from Temu and Shein set to get more expensive in EU Read More
Norwegian low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic Airways will expand its Thailand network for the Winter 2026/27 season, adding more flights from the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden as demand for travel …
Norse Atlantic expands Thailand routes for winter season Read More
At the Nordic-Philippine Business Awards 2026, four companies were recognized for applying Nordic values in a Philippine setting. The awards highlighted leadership across sustainability, digital innovation, diversity, and community impact. …
Philippine firms honored for Nordic-inspired leadership at Business Awards Read More
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that developing countries may look beyond Europe for future partnerships if they are treated unfairly, citing Malaysia’s ongoing dispute with Norway over a …
Malaysia may seek alternatives after Norway missile fiasco, says Anwar Read More
Sabah should not depend on pork imports from Denmark and Norway as a long-term solution to supply shortages, according to Luyang assemblyman Samuel Wong, MalayMail reports. The lawmaker made the …
Sabah lawmaker warns reliance on Danish and Norwegian pork imports is unsustainable Read More
A promotion event in Beijing has highlighted growing cooperation between China and Norway ahead of Norway’s role as Guest Country of Honor at the China International Fair for Trade in …
Norway prepares for spotlight role at major China trade fair in Beijing Read More
Swedish plastics manufacturer Polykemi has taken a major step into Southeast Asia by securing land for its first production facility in Thailand. The company signed a land purchase agreement with …
Swedish Plastics Producer Polykemi Establishes First Factory in Thailand Read More
Norwegian state agency Enova is granting NOK 200 million (about €18.2 million) to Eitzen Avanti, part of the Eitzen Group, for the construction of two fully battery-electric container ships, Electrive …
Norway backs Chinese-built battery container ships Read More
Norwegian Air has agreed to acquire Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) in a deal worth approximately SEK 7.94 billion (USD 843 million), creating one of the largest travel groups in …
Norwegian to Acquire Nordic Travel Giant with Hotels in Thailand Read More
Finnish telecom company Nokia has been selected to upgrade the Malaysia-Cambodia-Thailand (MCT) subsea cable system, strengthening digital connectivity between Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The project will be carried out with …
Nokia will upgrade key Southeast Asian subsea cable network Read More
A race over obesity treatments is heating up in China, as global pharmaceutical giants compete to dominate the fast-growing market for weight-loss drugs. Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk says it …
Novo Nordisk moves to launch Wegovy tablet in China Read More
The Finnish biotech company developing a new treatment for blindness, StemSight, has secured patent in Singapore, the company announced in a press release. StemSight, based in Tampere, is working on …
Finnish biotech company granted Singapore patent in fight against blindness Read More
Vietnam is pushing ahead with major plans to expand offshore wind power, according to The Investor, as part of efforts to secure future energy supplies and support fast economic growth, …
Vietnam accelerates offshore wind push with support from Denmark and Norway Read More
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced plans to invest an additional 200 million yuan (US$29.4 million) in its production facility in Tianjin, China, expanding both drug manufacturing and injection …
Novo Nordisk invests further in Tianjin production hub Read More
IKEA Thailand and Midsummer Siam have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore ways of making renewable energy solutions more accessible to consumers in Thailand. The agreement was signed during …
Swedish firms team up to bring solar technology closer to Thai consumers Read More
Danish renewable energy investor Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has joined Vietnamese infrastructure company FECON in proposing a 1,000MW onshore wind power project in Laos aimed at exporting electricity to Vietnam, …
Danish investor backs major Laos wind project to supply electricity to Vietnam Read More
A Swedish sustainable tourism company is exploring plans for a net-zero luxury eco-resort and wellness retreat in central Vietnam. Representatives from Stockholm-based Peak Education met with the Vietnam National Authority …
Swedish company explores net-zero luxury resort project in Vietnam Read More
Since April 2026, Singapore has started implementing its brand new ‘Return Right’ scheme, in a bid to improve domestic recycling, expecting to recover no less than 16,000+ tonnes of material …
Scandinavian know-how and solutions support Singapore’s new consumer recycling initiative Read More