Denmark International Business project

A Project By: International Business
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Hamid Hussain Date: July-16-2010
Country:
Denmark
Facts and Statistics
Location: Northern Europe bordering Germany 68 km
Capital: Copenhagen
Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Population: 5,413,392
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim
2%
Government:
Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: June 5, 1953.
Branches: Executive--queen (chief of state), prime minister (head of government),
cabinet. Legislative--unicameral parliament (Folketing).
Judicial--appointed Supreme Court.
Political parties (represented in parliament): Venstre (Liberal), Social Democratic,
Conservatives, Socialist People's, Social Liberal, Unity List, Danish People's, New
Alliance.
⇒ Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, though the reigning monarch has little real
power while serving as the head of state.
⇒ The government leaders consist of a king or queen, a prime minister, cabinet, a
parliament, and Supreme Court made up of 15 judges who are broken up into
three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
⇒ The parliament also appoints an ombudsman to investigate complaints against the
government.
⇒ Denmark is governed under a constitution initiated in 1849, which underwent a
major overhaul in 1953.
⇒ The government is run more on a consensus basis as opposed to majority rule.
Economy
GDP (2008): $344.49 billion (current prices and exchange rates, source: Statistics
Denmark).Annual growth rate (real terms, 2008.): -1.1%.
Per capita GDP: $ 57,207 (current prices and exchange rates).
Agriculture and fisheries (1.3% of GDP at gross value added): Products--meat, milk,
grains, seeds, hides, fur skin, fish and shellfish.
Industry (26.6% of GDP at gross value added): Types--industrial and construction
equipment, food processing, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, furniture, textiles,
windmills, and ships.
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⇒ Natural resources: North Sea--oil and gas, fish. Greenland--fish and shrimp,
potential for hydrocarbons and minerals, including zinc, lead, molybdenum,
uranium, gold, platinum. Trade (2008, goods): Exports--$114,294 billion:
manufactured goods 69.7% (of which machinery and instruments were 26.5%);
agricultural products and others for consumption 17.6% ( pork and pork products
4% of total export); fuels, etc. 10.3%; fish and fish products 1%; other 1.4%.
Imports--$118,064 billion: raw materials and semi-manufactures 43.6%;
consumer goods 29.3%; capital equipment 12.3%; transport equipment 8%; fuels
5.6%; other 1.2%. Partners (percent of total trade in goods)--Germany 16.7%,
Sweden 14.7%, U.K. 8%, U.S. 6.3%, Norway 6%.
⇒ Official exchange rate: 5.0896 kroner=U.S. $1 as of end 2008.
Danish Society people & Culture lifestyle;
⇒ Denmark is a highly developed society, with a passion for culture. Of the Nordic
countries, the Danish culture tends to be more Central European.
⇒ The country ranks 15th
on the high human development category on the human
development index 2000, which is determined by a composite of three
components of human development: life expectancy, education, and standard of
living.
⇒ The Danish people are a very proud people in relation to their life styles.
⇒ Danes are environmentally friendly, recycling their trash and sewage.
⇒ They are generous to those less fortunate than themselves, not only as individuals,
but even as a country as a whole, sending millions of dollars in relief.
⇒ They consider themselves very tolerant and boast of their cooperation and ability
to get along with others.
⇒ As mentioned in the government section, the Parliament generally makes
decisions by consensus as opposed to majority rule.
Egalitarianism in Danish Society
⇒ Denmark is an egalitarian society.
⇒ Interestingly this is reflected in their language, which employs gender-neutral
words.
⇒ Most Danes are modest about their own accomplishments and are more concerned
about the group than their own individual needs.
⇒ Maternity and paternity leave provisions are particularly generous in Denmark.
⇒ Men are more actively involved in child-rearing activities than in many countries,
although the division of domestic chores is similar to other developed countries.
Meeting Etiquette
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⇒ Greetings are casual, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile.
⇒ Shake hands and say good-bye individually when arriving or departing.
⇒ Shake hands with women first.
⇒ Danes tend to introduce themselves with their first names.
Gift Giving Etiquette
⇒ Danes give gifts to family and close friends for birthdays and Christmas.
⇒ If invited to a Danish home for dinner, bring flowers, good quality chocolates or
good quality wine. A bouquet of mixed wildflowers makes an excellent gift.
⇒ Flowers should be wrapped.
⇒ If you are invited to dinner or a party, it is polite to send flowers in advance of the
event.
⇒ Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
⇒ If invited to a Danish home:
⇒ Arrive on time. Danes are punctual in both business and social situations.
⇒ Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.
⇒ Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
Meeting Etiquette
⇒ Appointments are necessary.
⇒ Confirm appointments in writing.
⇒ Initial correspondence should be made to the company and not an individual.
⇒ You should arrive at meetings on time. The Danes you are meeting will be
punctual.
⇒ Telephone immediately if you will be detained more than 5 minutes.
Business Negotiation
⇒ Send an agenda before the meeting and work from it without deviation.
⇒ Decisions are made after consulting with everyone involved.
⇒ Maintain eye contact while speaking.
⇒ There will be a minimal amount of small talk. Danes prefer to get down to
business quickly.
⇒ Communication is direct.
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Denmark's Multi-National Companies
Denmark has many multinational businesses in various industries that distribute products
and services worldwide. Some of their major industries include food processing,
pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, and shipyards and shipping. A few of these
companies are well-known to many parts of the world, including Lego and Maersk.
Breweries
⇒ Carlsberg Group
 Business Position: Leading supplier of beer and soft drinks
 Main Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
 Year Founded: 1847
 Founder: J.C. Jacobsen
• Other Information: The Carlsberg Group is a large brewing company that is
named after the founder’s son, Carl. After merging with a Norwegian
conglomerate in 2001, it became the fifth largest brewing company in the world,
employing around 33,000 people.
Biotechnology
⇒ Novozymes A/S
 Business Position: World’s largest producer of industrial enzymes and
microorganisms
 Main Headquarters: Bagsværd, Denmark
Other Information: Novozymes A/S was established in 2000, after Novo Nordisk
splits into three separate entities. See Novo Nordisk under Pharmaceuticals below.
Children’s Toys
⇒ Lego Group
 Business Position: Largest manufacturer of construction toys
 Main Headquarters: Billund, Denmark
 Founder: Ole Kirk Christiansen
Other Information: Lego is a Danish family-owned toy manufacturer specializing in
construction toys, famously known in the form of interlocking bricks. It is currently
owned by Kjeld Kirk Christiansen, who is the grandson of the original founder; and as of
2006 employs approximately 5,000 people.
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Energy
⇒ Vestas Wind Systems
 Business Position: Leading producer of high technological wind power
solutions
 Main Headquarters: Randers, Denmark
 Founded: Peder Hansen
Electronics
⇒ Bang & Olufsen
 Business Position: Manufacturer of high end audio products, telephones, and
televisions
 Main Headquarters: Struer, Denmark
 Founders: Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen
Pharmaceuticals
⇒ Novo Nordisk
 Business Position: World’s leading company in diabetes care and
production of insulin
 Main Headquarters: Bagsværd, Denmark
 Other Information: Novo Nordisk was established in 1989, after merger of
two related companies: Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S. It
later splits into three separate entities in 2000: Novo Nordisk A/S,
Novozymes A/S and Novo A/S.
Shipping
A. P. Moller-Maersk Group (Maersk)
 Business Position: World’s largest container ship operator and supply vessel
operator
 Main Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
 Founder: A.P. Moller
Other Information: Maersk is a very large international business conglomerate that
currently employs approximately 117,000 employees and has regional divisions in over
130 countries worldwide.
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Denmark’s trade policy
Within the European Union, Denmark advocates a liberal trade policy. Denmark’s trade
policy is the same as that of other members of the European Union. The common EU
weighted average tariff rate was 1.3 percent in 2008. However, the EU has high or
escalating tariffs for agricultural and manufacturing products, and its MFN tariff code is
complex. Non-tariff barriers reflected in EU and Danish policy include agricultural and
manufacturing subsidies, quotas, import restrictions and bans for some goods and
services, market access restrictions in some services sectors, non-transparent and
restrictive regulations and standards, and inconsistent regulatory and customs
administration among EU members. The lack of transparency in pharmaceuticals
regulation exceeds EU policy. Ten points were deducted from Denmark’s trade freedom
score to account for non-tariff barriers.
PAST AND CURRENT DENMARK ECONOMY:
Overview
Trade, industry and exports
From the mid 1960s, industrial exports exceeded agricultural exports. A thousand-year
old farming and fishing country was thus rapidly changing into a fully developed
industrial nation, where airplanes, cars and heavy weapons are among the very few items
not produced. However, farming has by no means ceased. It still feeds 15 million people,
corresponding to for instance the total populations of London and Tokyo.
The rapid industrial development may seem baffling, as Denmark’s only natural
resources worth mentioning are oil and natural gas and these were only discovered
recently, in the 1960s. However, the Danes have managed to extend the natural resources
concept. Instead, milk, sugar beets, eggs and meat from the farms were used as natural
resources. They became the basis of a production of powdered milk, sugar, cakes, tinned
meat, etc.
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Large-scale beer and aquavit production was likewise based on agricultural raw
materials. For the processing, machines were needed, so the Danes also started producing
– and exporting – these.
The export goods needed transportation. This started a shipbuilding industry. The ships
needed painting, so a paint and varnish industry developed. The goods needed to be kept
cold during transport. This created a refrigeration industry. And so on and so forth.
Seen from outside, this colossal industrial growth and constant ramification into new
types of production may appear random, but in fact there was – as shown above – a
strong, logical, inner coherence.
This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date
small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable
living standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of
food. The center-left coalition government (1993-2001) concentrated on reducing the
unemployment rate and turning the budget deficit into a surplus, as well as following the
previous government's policies of maintaining low inflation and a current account
surplus. The coalition also committed itself to maintaining a stable currency. The
coalition lowered marginal income tax rates while maintaining overall tax revenues;
boosted industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms, increased
research and development funds. The availability and duration of
arbejdsløshedsdagpenge (unemployment benefit) has been restricted to four years and
because of rapidly rising prices on housing this has led to an increase in poverty from
below 4% in 1995 to 5% in 2006 according to the Danish Economic Council. Despite
these cuts, the part of the public sector in Denmark which buys goods and services from
the private sector and provides the public sector administration and direct service to the
public - nursing institutions for the young or old, hospitals, schools, police, etc. - has
risen from 25.5% of GDP during the former government to 26% today and is projected to
be at 26.5% in 2015 if current policies continue
Denmark chose not to join the 11 other European Union members who launched the euro
on 1 January 1999. Especially from 2006, economists and political pundits have
expressed concern that the lack of skilled labor will result in higher pay increases and an
overheating of the economy, which would repeat the boom-and-bust cycle in 1986, when
government introduced a tax reform and restricted the private loan market because of a
record balance-of-payments deficit. As a consequence, the trade balance showed a
surplus in 1987, and the balance-of-payments in 1990 (first surplus since 1963). They
have remained in surplus since, except for the balance of payments in 1998.
With very few natural resources, the mixed economy of Denmark relies almost entirely
on human resources. By nineteenth century, majority of Danes population was as
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dependent upon agriculture and Farming. There was an open economic system by 1930s,
with little government intervention and few restrictions on either imports or foreign
investment. Such investment became helped in the extraction of raw materials for exports
in the twentieth century. The Great Depression of the 1930s led to fundamental changes
in economic policies. Many governments began to raise protection against imports in
order to stimulate domestic industry, but Denmark held back from it and kept on with a
relatively open economy. By 1960s, significant protection started accompanied by both
new restrictions on foreign investment and a more active role of government in the
economy. Denmark most famous exports have been Farming and agricultural products
such as dairy milk and cheese. Denmark produces oil, natural gas, wind- and bio-energy.
Its principal exports are machinery, instruments and food products. The U.S. is
Denmark's largest non-European trading partner, accounting for around 5% of total
Danish merchandise trade. Aircraft, computers, machinery, and instruments are among
the major U.S. exports to Denmark. There are several hundred U.S.-owned companies in
Denmark, some of them just registered for tax purposes, which is beneficial for holding
companies. Among major Danish exports to the U.S. are industrial machinery, chemical
products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and canned ham and pork. From 1982, a center-right
government corrected accumulated economic imbalances, mainly inflation and balance-
of-payments deficits, but lost power in 1993 to a Social Democratic coalition government
led by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, which remained in office following the March 1998
election. During the governments of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, there was a drastic fall in
official unemployment, which peaked at 12.4% (1993) - and at 13.8% in January 1994
(386,186 persons) - was 5.2% in 2001 and is (December 2008) 2.1%, a rapid increase
from 1, 6% (July, August and September 2008). That level (1, 6%) was the lowest level
since the end of the 1960s, making up around 44,000 persons. There are now more
unemployed men than women. Inflation fell from 1.9% in 2006 to 1.7% in 2007 and was
3.6% in 2008.. Average annual growth rates were less than 2% in 2007. In November
2001, a center-right government led by Anders Fogh Rasmussen won the election by
introducing a moratorium on tax rates (skattestop) and thus avoiding an increase in the
tax level (the world's highest)
Tax Burden and employment
⇒Tax burden
With a GDP of 1,642,215 million DKK and revenue from taxes and ownership at
803,693 million DKK (2006) 49.07% of GDP, it is of extreme importance what happens
in the tax-financed part of the economy. According to newly revised statistics, Denmark
has had the world's highest tax level in 2005 and 2006, at 50.7% and 49.1% respectively.
Denmark also held this position 1970-74 and 1993-95. These figures do not include
income from ownership
Budgets
The overall surpluses after operating and capital expenditure in the whole public sector
for the years 2004-2008: (million DKK) 27,327; 77,362; 79,937; 75,560('07:
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preliminary); 69,140('08: estimate). The public sector debt-liabilities still outstanding 1
January 2008 in accordance with the Eurostat EMU-debt numbers (gross debt) are 440.9
billion DKK (26.0% of GDP). In spite of falling surpluses this debt is expected to fall
until 2015. As of 2008 there is no net debt in the public sector as whole but instead net
assets of 43 billion DKK. The central government is determined to pay off the debt as
fast as possible, avoiding the temptation to increase spending which would only overheat
the economy (increase wages and eventually prices drastically) because of a short supply
of skilled labor and in the end require financial austerity measures to cool off the
economy. Reporting on the record low unemployment numbers of under 50,000 persons
in April 2008 published 9.30 am 29 May by Statistics Denmark, TV2 (Denmark), at 10
pm, with comments from Nordea Bank´s (Denmark) chief economist Helge Pedersen,
and DR2 (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), at 10.30 pm stressed the danger of
overheating the economy and keeping public sector spending in check or otherwise risk
economical-political measures. Being surprised at how low unemployment was, the
economist said (TV2) that compared with previous periods with such a low
unemployment rate, a trade deficit was avoided mainly because of the oil export.
Foreign relations of Denmark
Denmark-Iceland relations
Denmark–Iceland relations are foreign relations between Denmark and Iceland. Iceland
was a part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1918 and a separate kingdom in a
personal union with Denmark until 1944, when Iceland declared independence. Denmark
has an embassy in Reykjavík. Iceland has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Nordic Council,
NATO, and Council of Europe. There are around 15,000 Icelanders living in Denmark
and there are around 2,800 Danes living in Iceland. The relationship between Iceland and
Denmark remained close after Iceland's independence, and for many years Danish was
taught as a the second language in Iceland, and the Icelandic students went to Denmark
for graduate studies. In recent years Iceland has dropped Danish as a mandatory
language, and increasingly focused more on its relations to other nations
Denmark-Norway relations
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Denmark-Norway relations are foreign relations between Denmark and Norway. Both
countries have a very long history together: they were both part of the Kalmar Union
between 1397 and 1523, and Norway was in Union with Denmark between 1537 and
1814. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1905, after Norway’s
independence. Denmark has an embassy in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in
Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of
NATO, and of the Council of Europe. There are around 15,000 Norwegians living in
Denmark and around 20,000 Danes living in Norway.
Denmark-Sweden relations
Denmark-Sweden relations are foreign relations between Denmark and Sweden. Both
countries have a very long history together; both countries were part of the Kalmar Union
between 1397 and 1523. There have been 11 Dano-Swedish wars between 1521 and
1814. Today, both countries are separated by the Øresund, which links the Baltic Sea and
the North Sea. Denmark has an embassy in Stockholm and 2 general consulates (in
Göteborg and Malmö). Sweden has an embassy in Copenhagen and 16 honorary
consulates (in Aabenraa, Aarhus, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Frederikshavn, Grenå, Helsingør,
Holbæk, Kolding, Nuuk, Nykøbing Falster, Odense, Rønne, Skagen, Tórshavn and
Viborg). Both countries are full members of the Nordic Council, of the Council of the
Baltic Sea States, of the Council of Europe, and of the European Union. There are around
21,000 Swedish people living in Denmark and there are around 42,000 Danish people
living in Sweden. Denmark protested against the Swedish Barsebäck nuclear power plant,
located 20 km from Copenhagen, for decades. It ceased operation in 2005.
Danish-Finnish relations
⇒ Denmark-Finland relations are foreign relations between Denmark and Finland.
Both countries are part of Scandinavia. Denmark officially recognized Finland's
independence in 1918 and diplomatic relations was established on 18 February of
that year. Both countries are members of the European Union, Council of the
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Baltic Sea States and the Nordic Council. Denmark has an embassy in Helsinki.
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. Finland has a embassy in Copenhagen.
⇒Culture
The cultural exchange is quite straightforward and is based mainly on direct links
between artists and institutions. The Nordic Culture Fund and the Finnish-Danish
Cultural Fund support projects of artists in both countries.
⇒Trade
Finland's exports to Denmark, as well as imports from that area have fluctuated each
year, the trade balance, however, was in the 2000s, Finland deficit. In 2008, Finland's
exports to Denmark increased. The value of exports to Denmark, was 1.380 billion euros
and imports from Denmark was 1.453 billion euros.
Canada and Denmark
Canada and Denmark have strong bilateral relations and share a number of similarities
and interests. The two countries have many cooperative initiatives and bilateral
agreements, and both share membership in several international organizations; covering a
wide range of topics.
Canada's relationship with Denmark is amicable, strong, and virtually problem-free, with
numerous high-level visits occurring between the two countries. Canada and Denmark
also share a number of geographic and economic similarities that further promote
bilateral relations and their interest in a wide range of multilateral and international
issues. Over the past decade, business co-operation between Canada and Denmark has
continued to expand. There have been substantial developments in the agri-food and
seafood industry, as well as the knowledge-based industry in biotechnology, information
and communication technology, and sustainable energy. Canadian and Danish private and
public sector organizations have formed initiatives for cooperation and investment in the
areas of science, technology, and business. Liberal trade and investment policies in
Denmark help to support and encourage foreign investment. Denmark has a strong
interest in Canada's Northern Dimension Foreign Policy and is active in the Arctic
Council; concerned with ameliorating the north.
• Bilateral trade was valued at $2.2 billion in 2009, a slight increase over 2008, due
in large to a near $190 million increase in Canada's exports to Denmark.
• In 2009, Canada's exports to Denmark totalled $616 million, up from $427
million in 2008.
• Canada's largest exports included seafood products (shrimp), aircraft and aircraft
parts, and to a lesser extent electronics, food ingredients, military technology, and
various raw mineral products.
• Canada's imports from Denmark decreased from $1.74 billion in 2008 to $1.59
billion in 2009.
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• Imports primarily consisted of wind turbine equipment, pharmaceuticals and
medical instruments (insulin, hearing aids), petroleum products, enzymes, and
some food products (cheese and pork).
• Danish direct investment in Canada was valued at just under $900 million in
2009, with most of the new investments coming from firms already located in
Canada. In recent years, Canadian investment in Denmark has been growing
steadily and was valued at $570 million in 2009.
Denmark Foreign Policy and international issues
Denmark and the world
During the history of Denmark, the image of the Danes has changed completely. The
barbaric Viking has been replaced by the Danish UN soldier with a child on his arm in
Kosovo or Eritrea.
The war against terrorism, peacekeeping, dissemination of democracy and support of
developing countries are among the objectives given top priority in Danish foreign
policy.
Among other things, this is achieved through membership of the UN (Denmark was a co-
founder in 1945), NATO (since 1949), the Nordic Council (since 1952) and the EEC/EU
(since 1973). In the European Commission, Denmark is represented by Connie
Hedegaard, b. 1960 (Conservative), a former Danish Minister for the Environment and
later for Climate and Energy.
Danish participation in international actions
Measured by population, Denmark has sent out more soldiers and policemen than any
other country in the world – over 87,000 between 1948 and 2007 – to undertake
peacemaking, peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks for the UN, NATO and OSCE and as
EU monitors.
So far, Denmark has reserved its position with regard to participation in the EU’s military
task force. Naturally, this is not a result of cowardice, but the general deliberations about
the extent of Denmark’s participation in EU.
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By contrast, Danish troops are very active when Denmark itself is involved or goes into
action as a member of NATO. Already in 1999, Danish fighter planes took part in
NATO’s Kosovo action. After the terrorist attack in the US on 11 September 2001,
Denmark spontaneously and unconditionally supported the international reaction. From
day one, Danish troops took part in the initially US-led and now NATO-led action in
Afghanistan against the Taleban and Al Qaeda, and the presence was stepped up in 2007.
The troops will not be withdrawn until Afghan military and police, trained by among
others Danish instructors, are able to take over.
In Iraq, Danish troops participated in the action against Saddam Hussain’s rule and the
subsequent effort to prevent a civil war. In Afghanistan, the Danish troops are stationed
in the particularly war-torn Helmand province, which has claimed so many victims that
Denmark is the country with the greatest loss of life measured by population.
The Danish development assistance
Denmark contributes large amounts to developing countries and has for many years
complied with the UN request that a developed country should give at least 0.7% of its
gross domestic product as development assistance. Moreover, Denmark abstains from
demanding full export opportunities for the assistance. Thus almost half the money is
handed over to the UN and similar organizations for administration. Through its own
direct development assistance, which goes for instance to 16 selected programmed
cooperation countries (ten in Africa, four in Asia and two in Latin America), Denmark
seeks to promote freedom for the populations of the developing countries – freedom from
hunger, freedom from political oppression and freedom to flourish and become self-
supporting. This is achieved through projects to reduce poverty, with a special effort for
women and their liberation, but also to support trade and industry on the assumption that
this will benefit overall employment. In addition, assistance is provided towards changing
autonomous regimes into democracies, for instance by drafting a new form of
government and election technique training. Moreover, Denmark does not shy away from
adjusting its assistance according to the relevant regime’s willingness for instance to
combat corruption.
Previously, the effort against poverty consisted of many individual projects, but now the
Danish assistance is provided by sector, for instance a country’s fishing industry is
supported rather than individual fishermen. Development aid is increasingly focused on
Africa and an Africa Commission with international top people, chaired by the Prime
Minister, has been established. The main aim is to strengthen Africa’s private sector so
that the continent’s countries can increase their opportunities and wealth by their own
efforts. Denmark has also established a rehabilitation centre for victims of torture, which
has been given advisory status in the UN Economic and Social Council.
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Denmark and the EU
Since joining the EEC/EU in 1973 after a referendum where 63.3% voted in favour of
membership, Denmark has worked for transparency in the EU decision-making, the
inclusion of environmental concerns in all decisions, the creation of more jobs in Europe
and the opening up of the EU to, among others, Central and Eastern Europe so that it
does not become “a club for the rich”.
Above all, Denmark from the beginning advocated that the Baltic countries should be
allowed to join the EU as soon as possible. In the EU, Denmark has likewise championed
that the 20% of the Union’s energy consumption must come from renewable sources by
2020 – a target adopted in March 2007. Denmark has signed the Schengen Agreement,
which came into force in 2001 and allows completely free passage between a number of
European countries.
Danish Ambassador to China
11 May 2010 marks the 60 years’ anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Denmark and the People’s Republic of China. The anniversary was celebrated
today with a grand reception at the Embassy of Denmark in Beijing. Among the guests
were Danish Permanent Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Claus Grube,
Chinese vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Fu Ying, and a number of former Chinese
Ambassadors to Denmark and other VIPs. Denmark and China benefit from close
cooperation
Permanent Secretary of State, Mr. Claus Grube, is visiting China to mark the celebration
of the 60 years anniversary of diplomatic relations. In his speech, Mr. Grube praised the
constant development in cooperation between Denmark and China:
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“Being two open economies striving for innovation, there are more and more examples of
Danish and Chinese companies and universities doing advanced research and
development together resulting ultimately in products for both the Chinese, the Danish
and the global market”. The Permanent Secretary of State also emphasized the
collaboration on clean-tech: “When joining forces and engaging in close cooperation
both our nations are benefiting. The first movers of today are the winners of tomorrow.
And so are the fast movers. On clean technology, Denmark has been a first mover. And
China is certainly a fast mover. Eventually, we will become the leading clean-tech
economies of tomorrow.”
Denmark always s emphasized on building stronger bilateral relationships with US.
“Solvang is the most Danish place I've seen in the USA. How can you be so Danish,
Denmark has never had a better or stronger relationship with the United States than we
do today,” Petersen said. Both the countries enjoy common interest on many issues and
increasing bilateral trade.
Ambassador Stig Barlyng to Ghana
Denmark is among the leading providers of assistance to Ghana and is praised for its
committed effort, which is crucial for keeping Ghana on the positive path the country has
taken in recent years.
The Danish embassy today being located precisely on Dr. Isert Road, and that the essence
of the Danish assistance cooperation with Ghana is a humanistic and pragmatic approach,
focused on collaboration and mutual respect. In the yellow-painted single storey building
which houses the embassy, Ambassador Stig Barlyng says in his quality Danish furniture
bedecked office that “it is important that we discuss principles together and respect each
other. And we do that much more than previously when we just came and decided. It is
essential to progress that a country gets used to managing its own policies and
development. Denmark's greatest task here is to help the Ghanaians to manage their
systems”.
Although the Ghanaian administration lacks money and sufficiently trained staff in all
departments, the Ghanaians have managed to develop their own strategy for poverty
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reduction. And this forms the basis for support from Denmark and other donors. There is
a close collaboration between Ghana and the donors which is eased by the democracy
taking root in Ghana. With the election in 1992, almost 30 years of political turbulence
and unrest was replaced by democratic development which has stayed ever since. The
key concept for Danish development policy is combating poverty, and good governance
is considered essential in order for cooperation countries to pull themselves out of
poverty. The concept has also been the focal point of the Danish-Ghanaian cooperation
which began in 1989
The Danish Ambassador to Vietnam,
Peter Lysholt Hansen
Without fanfare, Denmark has quietly become Vietnam's strongest ally in the fight
against climate change. n late 2008 the Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, Peter Lysholt
Hansen, and Vietnam's Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment, Pham Khoi
Nguyen, signed a comprehensive agreement that provides DKK 200 million in funding to
help Vietnam prevent and adapt to climate change. The financial support covers the
period 2009-2013, and makes Denmark the first donor to Vietnam's national climate
programme, which is designed to tackle the alarming shifts in climate. it is a key feature
of the Danish programme to support women in the provinces, since it is often the women
who are most vulnerable. So we recommend building up the efforts around the people's
own experience and place climate-related initiatives out with local people and decision
makers in the provinces.”
Recommendations for Denmark
⇒ Denmark must improve its bilateral ties with its neighboring countries.
⇒ Denmark can expand its trade by improving their relationships with the Muslims
countries.
⇒ Denmark can avail more growth opportunities by enhancing its influence in EU.
⇒ Leading producer of high technological wind power solutions and earn foreign
exchange.
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