#HOTCS: Christian Ekström, Stockholm

“The trade commissioners across Europe help each other as much as we can, for the benefit of our Canadian clients. I actually did that today. When I was speaking with a colleague in Barcelona, I mentioned this Canadian company that had contacted me to find out more about the Swedish market. It turns out my colleague in Barcelona knows a Spanish company looking for the technology offered by my client. So now she is in contact with the company as well. This proactive business development happens regularly.

“I also help bring investment into Canada. It can take a long time. Over four years, I provided one of the leading Swedish medical imaging and secure communications companies with intelligence about Canadian capabilities. And then last year, the CEO called me up and he said, ‘Christian, now it is time for us to invest in Canada.'”