Opportunities exist for UK companies across a wide range of sectors, including Infrastructure and engineering, Cleantech and energy, Healthcare, Physical security and cyber security, Technilogy and Maritime.
There are a number of sectors that could potentially offer some opportunities to Northern Ireland companies.
Infrastructure and engineering
Though the Danish infrastructure sector is established and mature, significant investment is still being made in its development, particularly in mainline and urban rail.
Reliable infrastructure
Denmark offers the most reliable electric grid in Europe, as well as clean water and well-maintained road and rail systems. The highly developed Danish telecommunications network means broadband internet access is available almost everywhere. Opportunities for UK exporters exist for safety and traffic management consultancies offering audit, consultancy and training services; railway systems integrators; and innovative high-tech utilities companies.
Expanding national network
Denmark’s location makes it an excellent transport hub for both Northern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea. Enhancements to national networks range from electrification projects and schemes to add capacity, to plans to build very high-speed train lines. The building of the Femernbelt Fixed Link, a subsea road and rail link between Denmark and Germany, is well underway. The project is expected to be completed by 2029. There are also opportunities in airport expansions, such as new retail outlets, airport security and baggage handling systems and construction services.
Transparent tendering processes
The Danish procurement process is transparent and ensures equal opportunities for all bidders.
Cleantech and energy
Denmark’s Climate Act of 2019 is driving demand for solutions which can decarbonise its society and economy. The act commits the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. Renewable energy is set to cover Denmark’s total electricity needs and 50% of total energy needs by 2030.
Expanding offshore wind
Denmark is a wind power pioneer. It plans to add at least 3GW of new offshore capacity by 2030, which offers great opportunities for UK companies within design, development and construction. With more renewable energy added to the energy mix, storage and grid stabilising solutions and technologies are currently being tested and deployed.
Electrification of society
Electrification and digitisation is gaining momentum in Denmark, across all industries in both public and private sectors. The goal is to create greener and smarter living. There is a growing demand for tested and safe solutions – from electrification of heat networks, to individual transport, and smart devices and systems. The ecosystem for testing and maturing innovative solutions is very advanced.
Decarbonisation beyond the energy sector
Opportunities for UK companies also exist in agriculture, heavy transport and other industries. Solutions and innovative technologies to drive both efficiency improvements and fundamental transformations will be needed. Important areas include alternative fuels, recovery of surplus heat and carbon capture.
Healthcare
Denmark is investing in its health sector infrastructure. It is also a major procurement centre for The United Nation’s health projects.
Demand for UK expertise
The Danish market for healthcare services and products is very open to UK suppliers. Opportunities for UK businesses include healthcare technologies, medical devices, hospital equipment, training in healthcare best practice and healthy ageing services and products.
Export opportunities to UN agencies
Copenhagen is now the second most important procurement centre outside Geneva for the UN. Major international agencies include the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The main areas of procurement are medicine, emergency equipment, medical devices, water and sanitation.
Physical security and cyber security
The Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands, has small domestic physical security and cyber security sectors and looks to its allies for solutions in these industries.
Interest in UK expertise
The UK’s large physical and cyber security sectors produce world-class solutions which are of interest to Danish buyers. The internal market in these sectors is smaller in Denmark, so it looks to strong NATO and UN allies, like the UK, to share their expertise and capabilities with them.
Growing investment in security
Denmark has prioritised investment into both physical and cyber security across its public sector and critical national infrastructure. Investments into large infrastructure projects and local and city-level developments present multiple opportunities for British physical security and cyber security solutions.
Close allies and friends
The UK and Denmark have a strong history of security cooperation, shared values, and similar cultures. Danish investment into Greenland and the wider Arctic region is increasing which will call for both physical and cyber security solutions, many of which the UK could provide.
Technology
Denmark’s innovation culture, great connectivity and leading position in global digitisation (Digital Economy and Society Index, 2021) make it a receptive market for the UK’s technological products and services.
Agile regulation
The Danish government’s Digital Growth Strategy (2018) shows the country is eager to promote agile regulation in the tech sector, supporting Denmark as a digital frontrunner. The strategy puts forward innovative solutions such as new business models and easy access to public data.
Fintech and UK expertise
Fintech companies are the fastest growing start-ups in the Nordics. In full support of this, Denmark is focussing on its ambition to attract companies to its flourishing fintech community. With London recognised as Europe’s tech capital, Danes are keen to use British expertise and help companies from all over the UK to adapt to the Danish business environment.
Industry 4.0 and smart cities
Copenhagen aims to become carbon-neutral capital by 2025. It has the largest smart city lab in Europe, and is inspired by UK smart city solutions. Denmark is focused on smart manufacturing and advanced robotics, and is open to collaboration with UK suppliers within areas such as AI, machine learning, big data analytics and IoT (Internet of Things).
Maritime
Denmark is a maritime hub with a concentration of ship owners and operators. It also hosts a vibrant maritime services and supply chain industry.
Strong shipping industry
Denmark is the world’s 5th biggest shipping nation, measured in operated tonnage (IHS Sea-web, 2020), and hosts one of the worlds’ biggest shipping companies, A.P. Møller-Maersk. This has helped create the basis for a strong maritime industry, offering great opportunities for UK maritime industries and service providers.
Demand for professional services
The UK is a world leader in financial and legal services to the maritime market. Denmark is an obvious market for these service providers to target, given the size of the maritime industry, the proximity and the close ties between the 2 nations.
