Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton, Minister for Business & Economic Affairs Brian Mikkelsen and AmCham Executive Director Stephen Brugger engage in active dialogue at the spring reception. (Photo: Pamela Juhl)

 

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By: AmCham Denmark (May 07, 2010)

Charlottenlund, Denmark – Despite the chilly temperatures, spring was in full force at AmCham Denmark’s May 6th reception, hosted by U.S. Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton at Rydhave, with guest of honor Minister for Business and Economic Affairs Brian Mikkelsen.

The afternoon began with a round table discussion between AmCham Denmark's board of directors and Ambassador Fulton.  After a short business and policy briefing by AmCham’s Executive Director Stephen Brugger, the discussions that ensued included Obama’s export initiative being launched around the globe and the current tax (transfer pricing) issue that has recently been in the media.

As the round table wrapped up, the nearly 100 reception guests poured in with eager anticipation for the evening’s program. After a warm, personal welcome by Ambassador Fulton, Minister Mikkelsen addressed the group, specifically focusing on the importance and contributions of international companies in Denmark.  He underlined that the Danish government is in full agreement that action must be taken expeditiously to make Denmark’s business environment one in which international companies wanted to invest.  Ensuring that there is talent available to support these investments, is also high on the priority list and Mikkelsen assured that “the government is very eager to make Denmark a preferred place to work and study.”

In a Q & A following the Minister’s remarks, he gave some insight into the timeline for recommendations to emerge from the Prime Minister’s Growth Forum, which he indicated would emerge by year end.  When asked by Anne Marie Levy Rasmussen from GlaxoSmithKline Pharma about the lack of proactive outreach to private companies from the Danish universities and government, he replied that Danes by nature are not skilled networkers, and admitted that there was some progress that could be made in this area.

The Minister stayed and networked with AmCham members for the remainder of the evening, giving him the opportunity to hear firsthand their perceptions, experiences and recommendations for how the investment environment in Denmark could be improved.

Additionally, thanks to the generous sponsorship from SAS, guests were able to go home with a copy of the famous SAS Crew Guide.