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.
Thailand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are set to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of this year. This has been confirmed in a meeting between …
Thailand and EFTA expect a free trade agreement by the end of 2024 Read More
Norwegian subsea company IK Group has successfully secured a contract to supply clamps for emergency repairs to an oil and gas pipeline base in China. The contract marks a significant …
Norwegian subsea company makes entry into Asian market Read More
Volvo Car Thailand is set to open a battery repair center for EVs and PHEVs in Thailand. The center is planed yo open by mid-year, extending its reach to the …
Volvo opens news battery repair center in Thailand Read More
Norway, in collaboration with Yara Fertilizers Philippines Inc., has allocated a grant of 4.0 million Philippine Pesos to introduce solar-powered water pumps in the Philippines. The initiative aims to boost …
Norway assists Filipino farmers with solar-powered water pumps Read More
Indonesia is aggressively pursuing sustainable tourism, eyeing 14.3 million international visitors in 2024. Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno emphasizes eco-friendly practices, including promoting electric vehicles and green energy accommodations. The initiative …
Indonesia sets sights on 14.3 million eco-conscious tourists in 2024 Read More
Indonesia stole the spotlight at Norway’s largest Travel Expo, hosted at the Telenor Arena in Oslo on January 13-14. The Indonesian booth, decorated with the theme “Escape the Winter,” drew …
Indonesia takes center stage at Norway’s Premier Travel Expo in Oslo Read More
The family of Yimin Dong, a Norwegian citizen serving a 13-year prison sentence in China for smuggling Norwegian salmon, has accused SalMar, the world’s second-largest salmon producer, of being complicit …
Family claims Norwegian company knew of salmon smuggling to China Read More
Volvo Malaysia is eagerly awaiting details on the upcoming High-Value Goods Tax (HVGT). There is still a hope that the luxury tax will avoid hindering efforts to promote electric vehicle …
Volvo Malaysia awaits details on new High-Value Goods Tax Read More
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has embarked on a marketing campaign to promote the country’s mackerel products in China. In the pursuit NSC has formed strategic partnerships with influential Chinese …
Norwegian mackerel marketed as premium product in China despite sustainability concerns Read More
The surge in Scandinavian flights to Thailand, with Norse Atlantic Airways, Thai Airways and SAS, is to attract more Scandinavian tourists in 2024. Orn Duangchan, Director of the Tourism Authority …
Several Bangkok flights increased to attract Scandinavian tourists Read More
Juneyao Air is set to resume daily flights between Shanghai and Chiang Mai, beginning January 20, 2024. The airline will depart Shanghai at 18.35 and arrive in Chiang Mai at …
Chinese airline launches flights between Shanghai and Chiang Mai Read More
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to receive a 60 percent increase in its fiscal year 2023/24 budget, positioning the tourism industry as a key driver of economic …
Thai tourism budget sees record boost for post-Covid revival Read More
In a recent interview with Tatler, Mats Johansson, the Swedish founder of L:a Bruket, reveals the brand’s success lies in its early embrace of sustainability and a unique blend of …
Swedish L:a Bruket – a fusion of Scandinavian spa and Asian skincare wisdom Read More
Polestar Automotive Holding fell short of its 2023 delivery target, citing weak demand for higher-priced models in China as a reason for the shortage. The company delivered 54,600 vehicles last …
Swedish Polestar misses 2023 delivery target amidst weak demand in China Read More
In a strategic move, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is trying to revolutionize the perceptions of Norwegian seafood in Thailand. The aim is to capitalize on the nation’s rich culinary …
Norwegian Seafood Council is trying to rebrand Norwegian seafood in Thailand Read More
Norwegian cod farming company, Norcod, has inked a significant deal with a Chinese distribution firm. The deal is for a minimum of 800 tons of fish, constituting around 10 percent …
Norwegian cod farmer lands supply deal with China retailer Read More
China has become the global producer of drive motors and power batteries, with a 74 percent share in power battery patent applications. In Norway, Chinese high-end electric vehicles are making …
The Norwegian market embraces Chinese EV brands Read More
IKEA has expanded its presence in key cities across the Philippines, reaching Davao, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iloilo City. IKEA Philippines seeks to bring its signature stylish and functional …
IKEA expands presence in the Philippines Read More
Chinese automaker Geely has confirmed, that the company has reduced its stake in Volvo AB, the Swedish truckmaker. Geely transferred over 7 billion SEK ($685 million) worth of stock to …
China’s Geely decreases Volvo stake Read More
Ericsson has appointed Daniel Ode as Head of Ericsson for Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. Ode brings more than 17 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, having previously served …
Ericsson appoints new head of Singapore, Philippines & Brunei Read More
A team of students from Lund University in Sweden and Hanoi University of Science in Vietnam has been recognized for their plant-based food project at the annual APAC Food Innovation …
Students from Sweden and Vietnam awarded for joint plant-based venture Read More
The Norwegian fish farm company SalMar, has strongly denied allegations of involvement in the illegal import of salmon into China, refuting claims by NRK Dagsnytt. The radio station broadcasted a …
Norwegian fish farmer denies China salmon smuggling claims Read More
AirAsia kicks off 2024 with a 24 percent fare discount from Kuala Lumpur to ASEAN cities and AirAsia X destinations. The campaign includes tickets to cities like: Almaty, Taipei, Melbourne, …
AirAsia kicks off the year with discounts and a new route Read More
Danish Carlsberg secured a licensing agreement with Japanese Sapporo Brewery to distribute Sapporo Premium Beer in Southeast Asia last year. Now, Carlsberg’s Malaysia unit has further secured the license agreement …
Carlsberg to brew Sapporo beer in Malaysia Read More
Danish jewelry maker Pandora attributed its recent market share gains to targeted marketing strategies, including high-profile campaigns featuring celebrities like Pamela Anderson. Despite a stagnant overall market, the company reported …
Pandora’s Pamela Anderson campaign sparked growth in 2023 Read More
Hong Kong’s Red Sugar, a cocktail bar at the Kerry Hotel, and Sweden’s Tjoget cocktail bar, have teamed up to revolutionize the city’s cocktail scene. The exclusive collaboration blends Tjoget’s …
Nordic-infused cocktail revolution hits Hong Kong Read More
TGS, a global provider of energy data and intelligence, in collaboration with PGS and SLB, has announced the successful securing of pre-funding to expand multi-client seismic data coverage in the …
Norwegian energy giants secure funding for Malaysia project Read More
Swedish Ericsson named Anders Rian the new Head of Ericsson Thailand on January 8, 2024. Formerly VP of Sales at Ericsson in Indonesia, Rian brings over 23 years of telecom …
Ericsson appoints Anders Rian as head of Thailand operations to drive 5G advancement Read More
Volvo Cars announced a stellar performance in 2023 with a total of 708,716 cars sold during the year. The Swedish automaker attributed the success to a 15 percent overall sales …
Volvo Cars celebrates sales surge in 2023 fueled by growth in China Read More
Indonesia AirAsia is launching a new route from Bali to Bandar Lampung, with the first flight on January 17, 2024. The airline aims to boost tourism in Lampung by providing …
Indonesia AirAsia launches Bali-Bandar Lampung route Read More
In a new move to revitalize its tourism sector, the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) has set an ambitious target of 7.7 million international visitors for the year 2024. The …
The Philippines sets ambitious 2024 tourism target after remarkable rebound in 2023 Read More
In the comprehensive assessment conducted by AirlineRatings.com to determine the safety rankings of low-cost airlines globally for 2024, Norwegian Airline secured the fourth position and AirAsia came in 12th. The safety …
Norwegian Airlines and AirAsia secures position among the safest low-cost airlines Read More
’Pioneering the possible’ is what Business Sweden (BS) is doing in Malaysia, under the new leadership (since 2022) of Trade Commissioner Emma Broms. Post covid-19 she is very optimistic about …
Emma Broms, Business Sweden Malaysia: Great optimism, towards green transition Read More
Wipak Group is a Finnish global leader in flexible packaging solutions for food and healthcare – and a company which has extended to the Asian markets. In 2012, Wipak had …
Sustainable Finnish packaging in Southeast Asia Read More
In 2003, Norwegian Karl Johan Remoy embarked on a journey. A journey that would take him from being a globetrotting consultant to becoming an entrepreneur in Cambodia’s hotel industry. Initially, …
A Norwegian venture into hotel entrepreneurship in Cambodia Read More
Swedish IKEA has unveiled a blend of furniture and speakers – the SYMFONISK series – to be launched in Thailand on 5 January 2024. The speakers ultimately look like any …
IKEA furniture-speakers series launches in Thailand Read More
2024 will witness the entry of eight new Thai airlines into the aviation industry. The move is clear sign of an industry, hoping to capitalizing on the anticipated revival in …
Eight new Thai airlines to debut in 2024 Read More
China’s first large cruise liner, Adora Magic City, recently embarked on its maiden voyage, symbolizing a significant achievement for the nation’s shipbuilding industry. Despite the celebration, it’s noteworthy that the …
First made-in-China cruise ship with a Finnish control system has been launched Read More
Geely Automobile Holdings and BYD Co reported notable increases in their 2023 vehicle sales. The two China-based companies are now setting ambitious targets for 2024, according to Reuters. Geely’s global …
Chinese automakers surge in 2023 sales with growing focus on Scandinavia Read More
Swedish H&M and other major brands are turning to AI-generated virtual influencers to promote their products on social media. Faced with escalating fees from human influencers, companies like H&M have …
H&M in forefront of content revolution with AI virtual influencers Read More
The Embassy of Finland organized the workshop “Solutions for Transitioning Vietnam’s Ports to Smarter and Greener – Experiences from Finland” in HCMC on 23 December. It did so in collaboration with …
Finnish Embassy organizes maritime workshop in Vietnam Read More
Mærsk warned about the unrest in the Red Sea on 22 December, after having had to pause its shipping operations for a while, due to danger in the water passage. …
Mærsk ready to resume operations in Red Sea despite unrest Read More
Penang island and state (Malaysia) is already a very established travel destination and business centre – for all the good reasons with its very successful manufacturing hub and FDI, as …
World class medical services in Penang ready to welcome more expats, Asians and westerners Read More
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd. won Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2023. Founded in Denmark, the healthcare company was honored as the Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence . This …
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd. wins Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2023 Read More
A Team Finland delegation led by Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Touko Piiparinen visited DakLak and Khanh Hoa provinces of Vietnam. According to the Embassy of Finland in Hanoi, the …
Finland wants to help Vietnamese provinces with sustainable development Read More
In the dynamic world of e-commerce, efficiency, and accessibility are key factors that can make or break a business. One tool that has gained significant prominence in recent times is …
QR Code Generators: Free E-commerce Tools Read More
In the past, Dusan Stojanovic, Director and Founder of True Global Ventures (TGV), has guided the ScandAsia readers within the world of financial technology (fintech). The Singapore-based Swede now returns, …
True Global Ventures’ insights on megatrends, and the significance of AI Read More
Danish Dairy Board (DDB) is an organization representing dairies in Denmark, supported by the EU who has just launched an educational campaign in PH. The 3-year campaign is called Organic …
Danish Dairy Board launches campaign in PH Read More
Swedish furniture retailer IKEA shared that after the first week of opening its new branch in Thailand, IKEA Sukhumvit, it received positive feedback from both Thai and international shoppers, making …
IKEA new branch in Thailand receives positive feedback after first week opening Read More
Denmark’s Seaborg Technologies and another Danish nuclear firm are interested to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) on deploying sea-based small modular reactor …
Danish nuclear firms interested to make deal with Philippines on sea-based modular reactor tech Read More