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By Beverly Chandler, Opalesque London:

London-based Alvine Capital and Citi recently hosted a seminar in London where over 100 delegates heard a panel of four Nordic managers making the case for investing in the Nordic region.

The arguments for why the region is a bright spot in an otherwise fairly bleak European investment environment included:

• Strong public finances
• Strong, stable GDP growth
• Low unemployment
• Healthy exports and industrial output
• Well-capitalised banking sector
• Exposure to emerging markets
• World-class global companies

One of the key selling points for the region is the low public debt numbers, with debt as a percentage of GDP, ranging from 45% for Sweden to just over 63% for Norway. The seminar cited this in comparison with 220% for Japan, 60% for Spain and 143% for Greece. Another argument lies in the low unemployment and strong GDP growth enjoyed in the Nordic area. In Sweden, for instance, GDP is estimated to grow at 4.4% for 2011. In terms of competitiveness, three of the four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland and Sweden) are all in the top 10 in the IMF’s 2011 Global Competitiveness Report. One of the reasons for the high rankings was the ease in which business is conducted in these countries. Other criteria such as transparency, ethical reputation, technological adaptation, productivity and innovation are also listed.

In terms of hedge fund assets under management in the Nordic region, Swede......................

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