Swedish Latin American Chamber of Commerce

Strengthening Bilateral Trade & Investment

Originally founded in 2008 as SWECA, SWELAC is the evolution of nearly two decades of Swedish–Latin American trade, investment, and institutional cooperation. Over 100 high-level events. Now operating across the full continent.

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SWELAC at a Glance
Trade Corridor
SE ↔ LA
Bilateral
Active Presence
5
SE · SV · MX · CO · EC
Founded
2008
as SWECA
Focus Sectors
Trade · Tech · Green
Latest Updates

News & Publications

Recent milestones, bilateral dialogues, and institutional developments from SWELAC.

Trade Data 2025
Sweden × LatAm: Trade Snapshot 2025
According to data obtained by SWELAC from Statistics Sweden (SCB), Sweden's trade with Central & South America reached SEK 40.8bn in exports and SEK 30.6bn in imports in 2025. Imports rose +12% and exports +2% compared to 2024. Largest export markets: Brazil (SEK 16.4bn), Mexico (SEK 9.7bn), Chile (SEK 4.1bn), Peru (SEK 2.2bn), Argentina (SEK 2.2bn). Largest import sources: Brazil (SEK 10.7bn), Guyana (SEK 9.1bn), Chile (SEK 4.2bn). SWELAC anticipates further growth across additional partner countries through 2026 and beyond.
📊 SCB / Statistics Sweden 📈 Exports SEK 40.8bn  +2% 📥 Imports SEK 30.6bn  +12% 🇧🇷🇲🇽🇨🇱 Top markets
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Sweden x LatAm Trade Snapshot 2025
Event2025
SWELAC Hosts Reception Honoring Humanitarian Medical Delegation
SWELAC hosted a reception in San Salvador honoring Spanish and Swedish ophthalmologists on a visual health mission. Attended by Vice Minister Patricia Godínez, Ambassador of Spain Sonia Alvarez Cibanal, Swedish Ambassador Pontus Rosenberg, and the diplomatic corps.
🇸🇻 San Salvador🏥 Humanitarian
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Agreement2025
Letter of Intent Signed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador
SWELAC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador signed a bilateral collaboration framework — Vice Minister Adriana Mira and President Nils Yacoob Ekman. Three pillars: Trade & Investment, Innovation & Digitalization, and Sustainability & Green Transition.
📈 Trade & Investment🌱 Green Transition
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Trade Dialogue2025
Sweden–El Salvador Trade Round Table in San Salvador
SWELAC convened a structured trade dialogue in San Salvador on digital infrastructure, high-technology exports, and market entry. Participants included the Embassy of Sweden, Ministerio de Economía, Business Sweden, CEPA, Bitrefill, K1 Technology, ASAFINTECH, and XFounders Accelerator.
🇸🇻 San Salvador💻 Digital · Fintech
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Inauguration2025
SWELAC Formally Inaugurated at the Swedish Parliament
The formal inauguration took place at the Swedish Parliament with ambassadors from across Latin America, Riksdag members, and Swedish industry representatives. Co-hosted with GRULAC. A Letter of Intent was signed with the Embassy of Ecuador.
🏛️ Swedish Parliament📄 LOI · Ecuador
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Who We Are

The Business Link Between Sweden and Latin America

SWELAC was founded in 2008 as SWECA — the Swedish Central American Chamber of Commerce. Nearly two decades, 100+ high-level events, and a track record as the natural institutional counterpart for official delegations and high-level visits between Central America and Sweden later, the organization has evolved into SWELAC: the platform for economic integration between the Nordic region and all of Latin America.

2008
Founded as SWECA
100+
High-level events executed
2
LOIs signed in 2025
5
Active country presence
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Our Mission
We are the business link between Sweden and Latin America. Since our inauguration at the Swedish Parliament alongside GRULAC and ambassadors from across the region, we have built that link through structured dialogues, signed agreements with governments, and direct access to decision-makers — not through declarations, but through work.
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Our Vision
To be the foremost platform for trade, investment, and institutional partnership between Sweden and Latin America — expanding the bilateral relationship country by country, sector by sector. We have signed Letters of Intent with Ecuador and El Salvador. We are just getting started.
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What We Do
We convene round tables between Swedish and Latin American stakeholders. We bring together ministries, embassies, companies, and accelerators in the same room. We track bilateral trade data so our members understand where flows are moving. And we connect people who otherwise would not have met.
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How We Operate
With integrity, transparency, and a long-term view. We work across the triple helix of state, academia, and industry — on both sides of the Atlantic. We prioritize relationships that create durable value: for businesses, for institutions, and for the communities where trade actually lands.
Leadership

Board of Directors

SWELAC is governed by a board representing senior professionals from Swedish and Latin American commercial ecosystems.

Nils Yacoob Ekman
Nils Yacoob Ekman
President & Chair
🇸🇪 Sweden

President of SWELAC and Honorary Consul of El Salvador in Sweden. 40+ years leading organizations across the Nordics, Latin America, and the US. Board member at Linköping Science Park. Former CEO at UPS Supply Chain Solutions and Expeditors International.

LinkedIn
Gustav Röken
Gustav Röken
Vice President
🇸🇪 Sweden

Gustav is a multi-entrepreneur with a background in investment banking. His current ventures range from databases and AI to security and UAVs.

LinkedIn
Helle Jeppsson
Helle Jeppsson
Board Director
🇸🇪 Sweden

Swedish entrepreneur and Founder of Scape, a leading startup in its sector in Latin America. Focuses on venture building and supports early-stage companies across Europe and LATAM, working hands-on with founders on strategy and growth.

LinkedIn
Mohsen Tavakol
Mohsen Tavakol
Board Director
🇸🇪 Sweden

30+ years of experience in advanced technologies across telecommunications, defence, intelligence, national security, and public safety. MSc in Computer Science & Engineering (Sweden) and MBA in International Business (USA).

LinkedIn
Rodrigo Gómez
Rodrigo Gómez
Board Director
🇸🇻 El Salvador · LatAm

CSO at K1 Technology, bridging cash-first communities to the digital economy. Managing Partner at Aurea Strategy. Award-winning former diplomat turned company builder, based in Latin America.

LinkedIn
José Eljuri
José Eljuri
Senior Advisor
🇸🇪 Sweden

Former Commercial Attaché and strategic leader with deep expertise in Latin American markets. Proven record in market analysis, opportunity identification, and converting competitive intelligence into growth initiatives.

LinkedIn
Michael Widegren
Michael Widegren
Nominations Committee
🇸🇪 Sweden

MD at Creare W AB and former Vice President Central Europe at Cavotec Group. Has directed manufacturing and sales companies in Sweden, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Central Europe.

Remaining board profiles coming soon. Contact us for information on SWELAC governance.

Get In Touch

Contact SWELAC

For membership inquiries, event partnerships, media relations, or general information on bilateral cooperation, please reach out.

✉️
General Inquiries
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Coverage
Sweden · Latin America & the Caribbean
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