Business Arena Syd 2026

Global circumstances are driving progress toward increasingly sustainable urban development. Not least, the recent crisis in the Middle East highlights the importance of independence from fossil fuels. On a more practical level, this involves factors such as climate and energy resilience, mobility transition, circularity, and reduced new construction. In this forum, we discuss sustainability and urban development in a multifaceted and pragmatic way.

The wheel was invented around 3500 BCE. Yet it was not until the Iron Age – some 3,000–3,500 years later – that wheeled carts became widely used in what is now Sweden. To put it mildly, people had time to adapt gradually to technological progress. Today, the situation is different. Not only is technology reshaping our lives at an exponential pace; in a relatively short period, we have also been forced to confront climate change, geopolitical instability, polarization, and energy-related challenges – a so-called polycrisis. How do we, as humans, cope with the pace of change and the uncertainty it brings? Is it possible to turn this situation to our advantage? And what kind of leadership is required – within business and across society at large?
 

The election in Denmark on 24 March led to complicated negotiations. Issues such as energy, migration and climate are on the agenda. Denmark is facing a potential territorial dispute with an extremely powerful NATO member. There is talk that the Danish economy is overly dependent on a single pharmaceutical company. With the help of a prominent publicist, we take a closer look at politics and the economy in our southern neighbour.

Host: Kattis Ahlström, journalist

The economy is shaped by unpredictable geopolitical developments. This affects commodity prices and the risk of inflation. That said, the Øresund region has the conditions for strong long-term economic growth. A strong position in logistics, unique integration opportunities between two major cities, and strong universities are just some of the factors. What do the economic prospects look like over the next twelve months? What interest-rate levels will the real estate market have to contend with? Which industries will drive growth in the region?

Host: Kattis Ahlström, journalist

Most observers agree that the Øresund Region has strong growth prospects—even at a time when the global economic and political outlook is increasingly difficult to predict. Against that backdrop, it is worth asking what kind of capital is actually steering the region’s development. Is it listed companies, international funds, or pension capital? What will this mean for the real estate market in the years ahead, and how might it influence the broader economic trajectory?

Host: Kattis Ahlström, journalist

Disruptions in the global supply of oil and gas ultimately highlight the importance of a democratic and socially sustainable society. Some analysts believe that this could become Europe’s strongest asset going forward. In this discussion, we will address how stakeholders in the urban development sector can contribute to social sustainability and what kind of leadership is required to succeed in both the private and public spheres.

Ahead of 2026, many had hoped for an economic upturn. U.S. foreign policy and rising oil prices changed the outlook in March. Here, we take a closer look at the broader economic situation and, more specifically, what it means for the real estate market and transactions.

Host: Thomas Frostberg, Business reporter, Dagens industri

Host: Kattis Ahlström, journalist

Companies such as Spotify and Klarna operate in a global market. The sector known as tech has not only generated new companies, but has also changed how capital is allocated, how companies are valued, and how the entire business landscape functions. It is also worth remembering that even traditional industrial companies are digitizing their business models and moving toward greater servitization. Is tech creating a self-reinforcing capital cycle? And what about the ever-present risk of a bubble? Is Sweden regarded as a tech hub internationally as well?

Host: Kattis Ahlström, journalist