NORTHERN VIRGINIA

For NOVEXUS customers interested in establishing their company in Northern Virginia, the "Internet Valley" of the world, the region offers thriving commerce, revolutionary technologies, and a multitude of industries.

Home to more than 2 million people, the area’s population exceeds that of many U.S. states. Northern Virginia cities and counties lead much of the country in the number of executive jobs, in high-income households, and in the excellence of its public school system. Northern Virginia is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

In recent decades, Northern Virginia has experienced enormous growth in the technology sector, most especially in the Dulles Technology Corridor, boasting such well-known companies as AOL. This economic boom has attracted many people from all over the United States and throughout the world. The region has recovered relatively quickly from the effects of the dot-com bubble because of increased defense spending in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the Iraq War. Other large corporate employers include ExxonMobil near Falls Church, IBM in Manassas, and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in Reston.

Moreover, its close proximity to Washington, D.C. makes Northern Virginia a desirable spot for government and defense contractors. The federal government is a major employer in Northern Virginia, which is home to numerous government agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon (the headquarters of the Department of Defense), Fort Myer, Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the United States Geological Survey. The activity in this area tends to shield Northern Virginia from the effects of recession.

From Northern Virginia, businesses can access a regional market of 6 million people and link directly to national and international markets. Its strategic location on the mid-Atlantic coast puts businesses within 500 miles of nearly half of the nation’s population.

Business Services and Resources

The organizations below can provide support to business development efforts in their respective areas.*

Virginia Chamber of Commerce www.vachamber.com

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the only advocate for Virginia’s entire business community and speak for entrepreneurs and leaders in every business sector who share a common understanding that Virginia’s strong business climate is key to Virginia’s prosperity

Northern Virginia Technology Council www.nvtc.org

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is the membership and trade association for the technology community in Northern Virginia and is the largest technology council in the nation. NVTC has about 1100 member companies representing more than 200,000. Its membership includes companies from all sectors of the technology industry including information technology, software/hardware, Internet, ISPs, telecommunications, biotechnology, bioinformatics, aerospace, and nanotechnology as well as service providers.

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) promotes Fairfax County, Virginia, as a world-class center of commerce and trade and the technology hub of the east coast. The FCEDA provides a wide array of information and free services designed to help American and international businesses locate or expand commercial operations in Fairfax County.

SWEDEN

For NOVEXUS customers seeking information about entering the Swedish market, Sweden is a technologically advanced country with a solid infrastructure and efficient transportation and communications systems. The country is characterized by its long coastlines, large forests, and numerous lakes.

Sweden is one of the countries located furthest from the Equator. It extends from north to south at roughly the same latitude as Alaska or—in the Southern Hemisphere—the stretch of ocean between Cape Horn in South America and the Antarctic continent. In terms of area, it is similar to Spain, Thailand, or California. In population, it is comparable to Belgium, Ecuador, or New Jersey.

Listed below are specific organizations that can assist Swedish companies in the United States.*

*The list of organizations does not claim to be complete in any way, nor does it imply that NOVEXUS has any business arrangement with these organizations.

Embassy of Sweden, Washington DC The Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C. is one of the largest Swedish legations in the world. The Embassy is the official communications link between the Swedish and American governments. The Ambassador heads the Embassy and is the official representative of the Swedish Government to the United States Government. 901, 30th Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Telephone: (202) 467-2600 Fax: (202) 467-2699 Visit Web Site

The Swedish Institute (SI) The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that promotes interest in Sweden abroad. SI seeks to establish cooperation and lasting relations with other countries through active communication and cultural, educational and scientific exchanges. The SI’s operations are carried out in close cooperation with Swedish and foreign partners, as well as with Swedish embassies and consulates around the world. Visit Web Site

The Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the USA SACC-USA’s mission is to promote trade and commerce between the United States and Sweden by providing leadership and guidance to the Regional Chamber network and to Swedish and American Companies. 1403 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Telephone : (703) 836-6560 Fax : (703) 836-6561 Visit Web Site

The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C. SACC-DC is a membership organization dedicated to the development of business relationships between the Greater Washington area and Sweden. House of Sweden 2900 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Phone: (202) 536-1570 Fax: (202) 536-1501 Visit Web Site