Denmark business travel information

Doing business in Denmark

Denmark’s industrialized market economy relies on imported raw materials and foreign trade. Within the European Union, Denmark urges on a liberal trade policy. Its standard of living is among the highest in the world, and the Danes devote about 1% of the GDP towards foreign aid in less developed countries. In 2002, Denmark devoted 0.33% of GDP towards peace and stability interests, including covering pre-asylum costs for refugees, and for environmental purposes in central and eastern Europe and in developing countries.

Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy. Its most important exports are machinery, instruments, and food products. The United States is Denmark’s largest non-European trading partner, accounting for about 6% of total Danish merchandise trade. Among major Danish exports to the United States are industrial machinery, chemical products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, canned ham and pork, windmills, and plastic toy blocks (Lego).

The Danish economy is fundamentally strong. Since the mid-1990s, economic growth rates have averaged close to 3 percent, the formerly high official unemployment rate stands at about 5%, and public finances have been in surplus. Except for one year--1998--Denmark since 1989 has had comfortable balance-of-payments current account surpluses, in 2002 corresponding to 3% of GDP. The former Social Democratic-led government coalition lowered marginal income tax rates but at the same time reduced tax deductions, increased environmental taxes, and introduced a series of user fees, thus increasing overall revenues. Under the tax reform plan agreed upon by the government and the Danish People’s Party in 2003, taxpayers received tax relief in 2004, albeit at a lesser rate than the government proposed originally.

Danes are generally proud of their welfare safety net, which ensures that all Danes receive basic health care and need not fear real poverty. However, at present the number of working-age Danes living mostly on government transfer payments counts more than 800.000 persons (about 23% of the working-age population). Although this number has been reduced in recent years, the heavy load of government transfer payments burden other parts of the system. Health care, other than for acute problems, and care for the elderly and children have particularly suffered, while taxes remain at a painful level. More than one-fourth of the labor force is employed in the public sector.

Product tip: Buy a passport holder! Get a big wallet that takes passport, tickets and receipts all together in one place. This way you have all your documents organised and easy to find.

In case of emergencies

Before you go on your business trip to , Denmark you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage.

Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.

The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.

Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.

The English language is widely spread in Denmark. Finding English speaking help will never be a problem.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to Denmark it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in Denmark. Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in Denmark to be considered. There is no uniform approach possible for all occasions.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.

• Communication:
  Use formal names and academic titles.
  If someone does not have a title, use Herr (Mister), Fru (Misses) or Froken (Miss).
  Danes are direct, do not confuse this with rudeness.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  Little time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are strictly followed.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate. You are expected to use seconds, so use small portions.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Some phrases in Danish

Many Danish letters are similar to the English language, but here are a few exceptions:

• a sounds like e in egg
• i sounds like a sound between e in egg and i in ill
• - or sounds like e in see
• æ sounds like a in ache but very short

Although English is widely spread in Denmark, some Danish phrases can always come in hand....

Hello	Goddag/Hej (polite/informal)
Goodbye	Farvel
Yes	Ja
No	Nej
Thank you	Tak
Excuse me	Undskyld
What’s your name?	Hvad hedder du?
My name is ...	Jeg hedder ...
I’m looking for ...	Jeg leder efter ...
A bank	en bank
The city centre	centrum
The ... embassy	den ... ambassade
My hotel	mit hotel
The police	politiet
The post office	postkontoret
Main square	torvet
Entrance	Indgang
Exit	Udgang
Toilets	Toiletter