The Göteborg Region has always been international and this is currently reflected in the growing number of foreign-owned companies. In the last 10 years one has witnessed a major increase in the number of foreign-owned companies. Since our last report was published in 2004 when 1,754 companies were reported for the region, the new figure for 2006 is 1,969, and this represents growth of 11%.
The number of foreign-owned companies with a head office in the Göteborg Region is 1,294. Among the 1,969 companies, acquisitions and new establishments are the most common type of company structures.
56% of the foreign-owned companies in the Göteborg Region are Acquisitions/ Purchases and 29% are New Establishments. Comparatively, 2.5% of the foreign-owned companies in Sweden are a result of Merger/Amalgamation and 1.5% are a Joint Venture. While categories Other and Unknown representing 5% and 11% respectively.
Norway has the greatest number of companies in the Region while Germany (which had the highest number of companies in 2004) is in second place. The United States lies in third place while no change for Denmark still in fourth place. Interestingly, each of these countries tends to preference acquisitions.