Local businesspeople expect visitors to be punctual and the approach to business is often direct and straightforward. Avoid business visits from mid June to mid August, which are prime holiday periods.
Business contacts should shake hands on arrival and departure, with business cards exchanged after introduction. Most Danes, particularly those in the international business community, speak excellent English and some speak German and French too.
Business visitors can expect to be well looked after. Nearly all meetings are held in non-smoking venues but moderate alcohol consumption over a business lunch or dinner is not inappropriate.
Office hours:Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (some offices close earlier on Fridays).
Economy:The standard of living is generally high. Compared to most industrialised countries, Denmark retains a large and important agricultural sector, two-thirds of whose produce is exported.
Most of Denmark's trade is conducted within the EU, of which it is a member, although it has proved reluctant to adopt measures that are perceived as threatening to its sovereignty. It has thus so far refused to join the single European currency zone.
Recent economic performance has been steady: inflation (1.3%) and unemployment (4.3%) are better than the EU averages. In 2009, annual growth was estimated at -4.3%.
Denmark is a member of the Nordic Union. Its links with Scandinavia were further enhanced by the Øresund road and rail bridge linking it to Sweden, which opened in 2000. The Malmö/Copenhagen region is now increasingly integrated economically.
Copenhagen is home to Scandinavia's largest convention centre, the Bella Center, near the airport. Further sizeable conference facilities can be found at Odense, Aalborg and Aaarhus.
US$308 billion (2010).
Main exports:Machinery, food, chemicals, wind turbines and furniture.
Main imports:Consumer goods, chemicals, food, petroleum and raw materials.
Main trading partners:UK, USA, Sweden, Norway and Germany.
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent.
Internet:Internet cafés are available in most urban areas, and most hotels offer a Wi-Fi connection in rooms.
Post:All telephone and postal rates are printed at the post offices.
Post office hours:Mon-Fri 0900-1730, some are open Sat 0900-1200.
Media:A free press operates under Danish law and the media, which cover a broad range of political views, are frequently critical of government policy. Danmarks Radio (DR), funded by a licence fee, is Denmark's main public broadcaster, operating two TV networks as well as national and regional radio stations. TV2, a national public-service TV station, is partly state funded. Private satellite and cable TV stations also exist. Newspapers are largely regional: the main papers in the capital include Berlingske Tidende, Dagbladet Information, Ekstra Bladet and Politiken. English-language newspapers and magazines are also available.
