The survey, conducted by the Sweden-China Trade Council questioned 200 Swedish import, export, financial and information-technology companies. The results shows that 65 percent of Swedish exporting companies and 54 percent of importing companies said they believed their business with China would increase in the next few years. The remainder of companies said they believed the level of business would not change.

Companies based their optimism on various factors. One of the factors mentioned was an improved Chinese legal system which in turn will allow further and better cooperation with other countries.

Swedish imports from China hit US$1.11 billion in the first eight months of 2001, 22.3 percent more than the same period in 2000, according to statistics from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Stena RoRo, one of the world's largest shipping companies, has ordered three roll-on/roll-off vessels and two tankers from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, with a total order value of US$170 million.

Carl-Otto Dahlberg, managing director of the corporation, said: "We are happy to cooperate with the Chinese shipyard. They are so flexible that they are always ready to adapt to our wishes."

In the world of cars, the sales volume of Volvos doubled in China last year compared with the previous year. Catarina Paulson, director of the Public Relations Department of Volvo Car Corporation, said: "With tariffs being cut sharply, we have confidence that our cars will sell even better in China this year."

The Swedish fashion giant Lindex will further extend its cooperation with its Chinese producers over the next five years, said J?rgen Johansson, the corporation's president.

Founded in 1954, the corporation has developed relations with more than 100 producers in eight Chinese provinces and cities.

To help more Swedish companies familiar with the Chinese economic environment, a seminar called Business China is to be held on January 31 in Gothenburg, in southwest Sweden. It is sponsored by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Around 150 Swedish companies that conduct business with China have been invited to attend the seminar to discuss the China's economic environment now that China is a WTO member, said Martin Henningsson, director of the chamber's Asian business region department.

A picture book of China that has been made by a Swedish photographer, Johan Isacson who has visited China 10 times, are also being distributed to local companies to give them a better understanding of China.

(China Daily January 25, 2002)