Market Information
Denmark
Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation
that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC
(now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty,
including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.
Sweden
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars.
Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment
and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries.
Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
Norway
Norway is a very long and narrow country situated at the northern tip of Europe. It extends 1 770 km/1 100 miles from
south to north, a distance equal to that from Oslo to Rome or from New York to Miami, crossing the Polar Circle at about
2/3 of the length. Its ragged coastline measures 19 950 km/12 400 miles and once upon a time inspired the Vikings to name
the country Norway, i.e. the way to the North.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy. In practice, however, the legislative body of the 169-member Stortinget (Parliament)
rules the Kingdom of Norway. The country has a multi-party system with a general election held every fourth year. At present
a coalition government including the Labour Party, Socialist Left, and the Norwegian Centre Party is in power, headed by Prime
Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Norway is one of few West-European countries which has opted not to join the European Union.
King Harald and the rest of the royal family are very popular among the Norwegian people. The Royal Family celebrated the
wedding of Crown Prince Haakon Magnus to Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in August 2001. The Royal Couple has two children, Princess Ingrid
Alexandra (born January 21, 2004) and Prince Sverre Magnus (born December 3, 2005).
For many foreigners, Norway is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. It is also renowned for its beautiful countryside, Fridtjof
Nansen's polar expeditions and humanitarian work, Edvard Munch's paintings, Edvard Grieg's musical compositions, Henrik Ibsen's dramas,
the adventurous voyages of Thor Heyerdahl, and its shipping industry. During the last decades, however, Norway has made itself visible
to the rest of the world through its innovative ideas and technologies, its booming oil industry and active participation in areas like e
nvironmental protection and energy management.
Over the past century, Norwegians have proved adept at making the most of their rich natural resources. Norway is a leading producer of
aluminum, magnesium, ferro-alloys and chemicals. It is one of the major suppliers of crude oil and natural gas to Western Europe. A
combination of hydropower and extensive forests has created a thriving pulp, paper, and lumber industry. Norwegian skills and know-how in
energy development are in great demand all over the world.
Norway's merchant fleet ranks among the world's largest and the seas around the coastline yield a harvest of fish that formed Norwayss earliest export industry.
The exceptionally harsh weather conditions in the North Sea have placed Norwegian oil companies in the vanguard when it comes to new technology
for deep water exploration and exploitation. The rich oil resources have also made Norway a wealthy country. The standard of living is
high and the average GNP per capita is one of the highest in the world.
Finland
Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
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