Dear members,
As I look back on my first year as chairperson and 2024, I am filled with pride over our organisation’s remarkable journey. At our annual meeting on May 16, I was given the honourable task of taking over the chairmanship from Vanessa Leporati, who has successfully led our organisation since 2020 and now continues to contribute with her extensive experience as Senior Advisor. Anna-Karin Abdon, our legal counsel since 2014 with invaluable legal expertise, simultaneously assumed the position of vice chairperson. Together with Helena Waker as CEO, the board, and our colleagues at Trade Partners Sweden and Stockholm Fashion District, we form a strong team driving the organisation forward.
This year, we celebrated a significant milestone – 110 years of successful work in promoting and developing trade in Sweden and internationally. This achievement testifies to our organisation’s strength, relevance, and ability to constantly renew itself. Throughout these 110 years, our driving force has always remained the same: our members. It is your needs, challenges, and successes that shape our operations and drive us forward. In a time of rapid change, this member focus has been more important than ever
2024 has been an eventful year where we have strengthened our support to members in several areas. Through the establishment of Trade Partners Logistics, we have been able to offer improved logistics support, and our lawyers have successfully assisted in a large number of member cases. We have also arranged valuable economic insights through lectures with speakers including former Finance Minister Anders Borg. Our industry meetings within textile, fashion, footwear, and interior design have been both rewarding and well-attended.
Stockholm Fashion District, our vibrant business hub, serves as a central meeting place for our members and demonstrates our close industry collaboration through 22 fairs and events during the year – including Fashion Week Trade, Days of Trade – Interior & Design, and Nordic Fabric Fair. These events play a crucial role in our members’ opportunities for trade, networking, and business development.
During 2025, we will together navigate through significant challenges and opportunities. Digitalisation continues to reshape the trading landscape, and we will work to ensure that our members are well-equipped for this transformation. We will also focus on helping you adapt to new sustainability laws and requirements, while exploring the possibilities with AI and other technological innovations.
What makes me particularly hopeful about the future is seeing how we, just as during the past 110 years, continue to meet development together. As we enter 2025, we do so with the same pioneering spirit that has characterised our organisation since its inception – ready to take on new challenges and create even more opportunities for Swedish agents, distributors, and suppliers.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a successful New Year,
Camilla Kock, Chairperson