Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Swedish television producers Christer Björkman and Peter Settman are moving closer to bringing the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia to Bangkok, with Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT now considering broadcasting the …
Eurovision Asia gathers momentum ahead of Bangkok debut Read More
Norwegian seafood producer Osland is introducing its premium Norwegian Fjord Trout to Malaysian consumers through an exclusive launch at Jaya Grocer’s Seafood Fiesta. The campaign gives Malaysian shoppers an opportunity …
Norwegian fjord trout brand enters Malaysian retail market Read More
Swedish luxury fashion brand Acne Studios has officially entered the Malaysian market with the opening of its first standalone store at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, marking another step in the company’s …
Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios opens first store in Malaysia Read More
As part of our ongoing coverage of the topic of unequal access to pension supplements for Danish retirees living outside the EU, ScandAsia has on many occasions reached out to …
Political parties comment on Denmark’s pension discrimination Read More
A Danish gymnastics coach has shared his expertise with young athletes in Malaysia after leading a workshop in Sabah during a family holiday. Jimmi Anderson conducted the training session in …
Danish gymnastics coach shares expertise with Sabah athletes Read More
Malaysia is turning a diplomatic setback into a push for greater defence independence. After Norway blocked the export of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral …
Malaysia now looks to make its own missiles after Norway deal fails Read More
Norway has reaffirmed its commitment to relations with Malaysia after Malaysia decided to halt future military purchases from Norway. The decision follows Norway’s withdrawal of export licences linked to the …
Norway pledges to preserve Malaysia ties after defence procurement fiasco Read More
Malaysia has stopped all new defence purchases from Norway after the Norwegian government blocked the export of missiles ordered for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ships according to …
Malaysia hits back at Norway by stopping new defence purchases Read More
Malaysia’s armed forces expect it could take two to three years to replace the Norwegian missile system originally intended for the country’s navy following the cancellation of the deal with …
Malaysia says replacing cancelled Norwegian missiles could take up to three years 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
Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has asked to meet with the Malaysian government after a missile deal between the two countries collapsed. Malaysia says it is willing to …
Malaysia agrees to meet Norwegian Kongsberg but makes clear compensation claim cannot be delayed Read More
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard confirmed that she raised the recent espionage case involving two detained men during talks with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Swedish …
Sweden raises espionage case and Gui Minhai with China’s foreign minister Read More
Malaysia’s Sunway University has made history by becoming the first Malaysian team to compete at the FISU World University Championship Cheerleading, returning home with a silver medal from this year’s …
Malaysian university wins first ever medal at world cheerleading championship in Sweden Read More
IKEA has launched a new rainforest research centre in Malaysia, building on more than 25 years of forest restoration work in Sabah. The Living Rainforest Restoration Lab was launched together …
IKEA launches rainforest research lab in Malaysia after 25 years of forest restoration Read More
The town of Kapit in the Malaysian state of Sarawak could be transformed into a green township inspired by the Norwegian city of Bergen under a new development plan announced …
Sarawak town could become a green township inspired by Norway 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
Swedish DJ and producer Axwell will headline this year’s Heineken House music event in Kuala Lumpur, bringing one of Scandinavia’s biggest electronic music names to Malaysia. The event will take …
Swedish DJ Axwell will headline Heineken House in Kuala Lumpur 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 The Swedish Restaurant at Ikea’s Cheras outlet in Kuala Lumpur has been ordered to close for 14 days by Malaysian health authorities. According to The Sun Malaysia, the closure took …
Ikea restaurant shut down by Malaysian health authorities 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
Finland and Sweden will take part in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, one of the largest multinational air force exercises in the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by Australia from July 20 to …
Finland and Sweden join major Asia-Pacific military exercise Read More
Sweden’s parliament has passed a controversial law requiring certain public sector employees to notify police if they encounter migrants who are not authorised to live in the country. The legislation …
Sweden adopts law requiring some public workers to report undocumented migrants Read More
Sweden has passed a new law allowing authorities to revoke residence permits from immigrants for conduct that does not necessarily constitute a criminal offence, Reuters reports. The legislation, approved by …
Sweden adopts ‘good behaviour’ law that could affect Southeast Asian immigrants Read More
A defence deal between Malaysia and Norway has collapsed after Norway revoked the export licence for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships. The …
Malaysia faces major financial losses after Norwegian defence deal collapse Read More
A football match became a diplomatic meeting point in Dhaka as diplomats from Norway, Sweden, Malaysia and Vietnam joined colleagues from several other countries for a friendly match against a …
Nordic and Asian diplomats strengthen friendship through football Read More
A new regional partnership between Norway and ASEAN aims to reshape how Southeast Asia uses its oceans, with a focus on fishing, food production and long-term sustainability, Antara News reports. …
Norway launches major ocean partnership with ASEAN in Jakarta Read More
Multiple countries have launched a new international defence cooperation initiative aimed at protecting critical underwater infrastructure. The “Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges” (GUIDE) was launched in Singapore on …
Nordic and Southeast Asian countries join new underwater infrastructure defence initiative Read More
Norwegian Ambassador to ASEAN, Mariann Ruud Hagen, has described ASEAN as an important pillar of stability in an increasingly uncertain world marked by geopolitical tensions, conflict, and economic challenges. In …
Norwegian ambassador highlights ASEAN’s role in regional stability Read More
Malaysia is pushing Norway to speed up a refund of more than US$250 million tied to a cancelled missile system deal for its navy, arguing that Oslo’s decision to revoke …
Malaysia increases pressure on Norway in US$250 million missile refund dispute Read More
Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik has apologised to Malaysia over Norway’s decision to revoke an export licence for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The …
Norway apologises to Malaysia over cancelled missile deal Read More
Sabah is looking to strengthen cooperation with Norway in areas including renewable energy, green economy, tourism and technology development following a meeting between Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and Norway’s Ambassador …
Sabah seeks stronger cooperation with Norway Read More
Carlsberg Malaysia has announced a new 141,000$ partnership with Malaysia Forest Fund to support forest biodiversity conservation projects across Malaysia. The partnership was announced on 25 May during an event …
Carlsberg Malaysia launches forest conservation partnership with Malaysia Forest Fund Read More Malaysia is evaluating missile system offers from several countries after Norway cancelled the export permit for Naval Strike Missiles ordered for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s littoral combat ships. Defence minister …
Malaysia looks elsewhere after cancelled Norwegian defence deal Read More
The United States has denied involvement in Norway’s decision to revoke export approval for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system ordered by Malaysia under a 2018 defence contract. The clarification …
US denies role in Norway’s halted missile export to Malaysia Read More
Swedish fashion giant H&M has asked employees in Singapore and other East Asian markets to reapply for jobs as part of a wider regional restructuring. The development follows earlier reports, …
H&M staff in Singapore asked to reapply for jobs after regional restructuring Read More
Malaysia is seeking more than 250 million USD, in compensation from Norway after Oslo revoked export approvals for a Norwegian naval missile system intended for Malaysian combat ships, Reuters reports. …
Malaysia seeks 250 million$ compensation from Norway over missile dispute Read More
Malaysia has appointed Datuk S. S. Amarjit Singh as the country’s new ambassador to Finland. The appointment was among 15 diplomatic postings presented by Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, King of Malaysia, …
Malaysia appoints new ambassador to Finland Read More
Norway has defended its decision to revoke export licenses tied to a naval missile system sale to Malaysia, saying its most sensitive defense technologies will now only be exported to …
Norway defends cancellation of missile sale to Malaysia Read More Swedish fashion retailer H&M has laid off staff in Singapore as the company relocates its South-east Asian headquarters from the city-state to Kuala Lumpur, The Straits Times reports. According to …
Swedish H&M lays off staff in Singapore amid regional restructuring Read More Malaysia has criticised Norway after Oslo revoked an export licence for a naval missile system intended for the Malaysian navy. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he raised Malaysia’s “vehement objection” …
Malaysian Prime minister criticises Norway over blocked missile delivery Read More
Malaysia has reacted strongly after Norway unexpectedly stopped the delivery of naval missiles intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy, The Strait Times reports. The missiles, produced by Norwegian defence company …
Malaysia reacts after Norway stops missile delivery: “This is shocking” Read More
The May 2026 issue of ScandAsia Magazine is now available! 📖 Read it your way: Download the full PDF: Click Here Read online: Read Online or Fullscreen Scan the QR …
ScandAsia Magazine May 2026 Read More
A single welfare claim could now cost a foreign student their right to stay in Finland. That is the direction of a new bill that would sharply tighten the rules …
Asian students in Finland face stricter residency rules under new bill Read More
Malaysia’s Defence Ministry said it will seek clarification from Norway after Norwegian export controls halted the delivery of missiles intended for Malaysia’s naval combat ships. The missiles were due to …
Malaysia seeks talks with Norway after missile deliveries halted Read More
Carlsberg says consumers in Malaysia and Singapore are drinking less alcohol and increasingly choosing to drink at home instead of in bars and restaurants. According to Carlsberg Malaysia managing director …
People in Malaysia and Singapore are drinking less: Now Carlsberg responds Read More
International students in Finland could lose their residence permits after applying for welfare support just once under proposed new rules from the Finnish government. Under the proposal, foreign students who …
Finland may kick out foreign students who receive welfare support Read More
Malaysia says it will contact Norway through diplomatic channels after problems emerged with a missile deal for the Malaysian navy, according to The Sun. The issue concerns Naval Strike Missiles …
Malaysia demands answers from Norway over delayed missile deal Read More
Australian tribute group Björn Again will perform in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in August 2026. The show brings the music of Swedish pop group ABBA to Malaysian audiences. …
ABBA tribute show Björn Again set for Kuala Lumpur debut Read More
Malaysia’s SumiSaujana Group has entered a collaboration with Danish firm Topsoe to explore production of sulfuric acid from industrial gas streams. The partnership will assess potential projects in Malaysia and …
Malaysia and Denmark unite for sulfuric acid projects Read More