Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Sweden has formally acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), marking a new milestone in its engagement with Southeast Asia. The accession was signed in Manila on …
Sweden joins ASEAN friendship treaty during Manila visit Read More
Filipino seafarers will continue to be needed in global shipping despite growing automation and technological changes, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said during a visit to the Norwegian Training …
Norway: Filipino seafarers will remain essential in future shipping 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
I travelled across four islands in the Philippines to meet Nordic people living there. Along the way, I took buses, ferries and tricycles, got sick, missed a bus and …
I travelled across four islands in the Philippines on a budget. Here’s how it went Read More
The Philippines, Norway and the ASEAN Secretariat met in Manila on 22 July to review their growing cooperation under the ASEAN-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. The trilateral meeting was chaired by …
Philippines, Norway and ASEAN review partnership at trilateral meeting in Manila Read More
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson is set to visit the Philippines on 23 July for talks with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on defence cooperation and the possible purchase …
Swedish defence minister to visit Philippines for talks on Gripen fighter jets Read More
The July – August 2026 issue of ScandAsia Magazine is now available! This issue features compelling stories from across Asia—from life above unexploded bombs in Laos and responsible tourism in …
ScandAsia Magazine July – August 2026 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
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
Travellers from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands can now apply for a Philippine e-Visa for stays longer than 30 days. Holders of Danish passports planning to stay in the …
Travellers from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands can now apply online for Philippine visas Read More
The Nordic business community in the Philippines is preparing for the return of Viking Party Manila, which will take place on 12 September 2026 at the Dusit Thani Manila. Organised …
Viking Party Manila returns on 12 September Read More
World-renowned Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson will open his travelling exhibition “Your Curious Journey” in Manila on July 9, marking the final stop of its tour across Asia and Australia, according …
Danish artist Olafur Eliasson opens exhibition on climate change in Manila Read More
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Embassy of Sweden in the Philippines, together with Business Sweden, conducted a high-level mission to Davao City. The delegation, led by H.E. Anna Ferry, Ambassador …
Sweden Brings Road Transport Expertise to Davao City Read More
Norway and the Philippines have signed a new agreement to strengthen their fight against the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, Philippine News Agency reports. The memorandum of understanding …
Norway and Philippines police cooperation aims to catch online child abusers faster Read More
A Helsinki District Court has sentenced the CEO of a cleaning company to one year and 10 months in prison for aggravated fraud and other offences after the company collected …
Finnish court jails cleaning company CEO for scamming Filipino job seekers Read More
After decades of conflict in Mindanao, Norway’s steady involvement has helped turn fragile peace into daily cooperation between former enemies. For generations, families in Mindanao lived with gunfire, flight and …
Former enemies now wear the same blue beret in the southern Philippines Read More
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson will bring her Midnight Sun Tour 2026 to Southeast Asia later this year. Known for international hits including Lush Life, Never Forget You, Symphony and …
Zara Larsson brings Midnight Sun Tour to Bangkok and Manila Read More
Finland is exploring new education partnerships with universities in Mindanao, Finnish Ambassador Saija Nurminen said during a forum in Davao City. Finland is also considering expanding labor recruitment beyond Metro …
Finland explores education and labor partnerships with Mindanao 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 new agreement in Manila is set to modernise how Filipino seafarers are trained, as the country prepares its maritime workforce for rapid technological change. On June 25, MARINA and …
Norway and Philippines join forces to digitally train future seafarers 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
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 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 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
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
Manila will host the final stop of Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson’s touring exhibition Your curious journey, opening this July. The exhibition will be hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art …
Manila to mark final stop of Olafur Eliasson’s touring exhibition Read More
The European Union and the Philippines have launched a €22.6-million initiative to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and use of satellite data, NewsBytes.ph reports. The project is designed to …
Finland supports Global Gateway project in the Philippines Read More
Norwegian duo Kings of Convenience will return to the Philippines for the first time in 16 years, with a concert scheduled at PICC Plenary Hall on November 20, ABS-CBN reports. …
Norwegian Indie duo set for Manila comeback concert 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 chance encounter on a street in the Philippines changed the course of Norwegian Erlend Johannesen’s life. More than twenty years later, Streetlight continues to support vulnerable children and families. …
Norwegian Erlend saw a street child’s funeral in the Philippines. Today, hundreds of children benefit from his work Read More
A stretch of coastline in Bataan could soon become a testing ground for a new kind of sea travel that quite literally lifts above the water. In a recent meeting, …
Philippines province explores electric “flying” ferries with Swedish firm Read More
High in the mountains of northern Luzon, something unusual is happening. Energy companies are planting forests to keep the lights on. A renewable energy partnership between Filipino utility SN Aboitiz …
With help from Norway, trees are now part of the power grid in the Philippines Read More
The June 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 June 2026 Read More
Swedish furniture giant IKEA is expanding in the Philippines with the opening of its first physical store outside Metro Manila, Sunstar reports. The new store, IKEA Mandaue City, will open …
IKEA to open first store in Cebu Read More
The Finnish Embassy in Manila has invited movie lovers in Tacloban to a free screening of the Finnish film Summer is Crazy on 15 June. The screening will take place …
Finnish film Summer is Crazy to be screened in Tacloban Read More
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani in Mindanao on 8 June, causing widespread destruction across several provinces. At least 37 people have been confirmed dead, hundreds …
Sweden expresses solidarity with the Philippines after deadly Mindanao earthquake 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
A powerful earthquake struck offshore near Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 35 people, injuring more than 200 and triggering a tsunami, 1News reports. The 7.8-magnitude …
At least 35 dead after powerful 7.8-magnitude quake strikes Philippines Read More
A night of celebration and goodbyes marked Norway’s Constitution Day in Manila, as diplomats gathered in Pasay City to honour both history and a long-standing partnership. The Royal Norwegian Embassy …
Norway marks Constitution Day in Manila with diplomatic reception and farewell to ambassador 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
Filipino workers have become an important part of Greenland’s growing tourism industry as hotels, restaurants and fisheries struggle to find enough staff locally, Malay Mail reports. According to an AFP …
Filipinos help fill labour gap in Greenland tourism industry Read More
Norway’s national day was celebrated in style in the Philippines as maritime leaders, diplomats and business executives gathered at Museo del Galeon in Pasay City for a festive Constitution Day …
Norway celebrates Constitution Day as Philippines marks 78 years of diplomatic ties with Norway Read More
It started with a Facebook listing in Moalboal. Johan Blixt came across a post about Backyard Inn, a small hostel in the area that was up for discussion. He contacted …
Tired of the hamster wheel, two Swedes opened a Hostel in the Philippines Read More
A growing obesity crisis in the Philippines is now raising concerns far beyond public health. The problem is increasingly seen as a threat to the country’s economy and workforce productivity, …
Danish pharma giant steps up obesity campaign in the Philippines Read More
As coral reefs decline and fish populations shrink along the Philippine coastline, Søren and Magnus are working with local fishing communities to protect the ocean they still depend on for …
Coral reefs are dying along the Philippine coastline: A Danish organisation is trying to rebuild life beneath the sea Read More
IKEA Pasay City in the Philippines has been named IKEA Store of the Year 2025, making it one of the few stores globally to receive the recognition. According to IKEA …
IKEA Pasay named world’s best IKEA store Read More