Peter Schwalbe, 46, Senior Investment Manager specializing in establishing projects in China, India and Vietnam among others. As of 1 January 2009 Department Director in Project Development Department.
“IFU contributes intelligent money to the business sector”, says Peter Schwalbe who has a thorough knowledge of Danish business life from his time in e.g. Carlsberg where he sat at the other end of the table during the investment process: “Seen in the large perspective IFU’s goal is to create sustainable economic development in e.g. the countries I work with: China, India and Vietnam. IFU assists in raising the standards for the environment and helps abolish poverty by creating a tax base and workplaces. I have seen tax income being the foundation for the purchase of lamp posts and construction of roads in connection with a Carlsberg project in Hanoi in which IFU was a co-investor. Moreover the investments have the impact that know-how, management and resources are being transferred, things which give the countries the possibility of standing on their own feet. This has a humanitarian background, but the goal is also to create a stable world with markets where Danish products can be sold”.
Peter Schwalbe sees it as a positive development that not just large companies venture into investments in developing countries. This requires IFU to see things from new angles: “The most important challenge for us these years is the change in the investment pattern. Previously only the large companies made investments. Today we are contacted by a large number of minor companies which need another kind of sparring which we need to be better to offer. Minor companies’ investments tend to be less secure and their international experience is often limited. This means that our experience and advice become much more important.”
The versatility of the job is a great advantage. “I like the contact to all the Danish companies: one day a single proprietorship producing brushes, and the next a brewery project together with Carlsberg in Vietnam. Moreover it is marvellous to get a thorough knowledge of Danish trade and industry and to meet all the interesting and capable business profiles. These are persons which can teach you a lot. I am really impressed by the drive and energy which many of them possess, although they may only have limited resources at their disposal.
Employment with IFU Since 1 January 2007.
Mini CVCand.jur from the University of Copenhagen, Master of Law from Cambridge University and Master of Business Administration from University of Exeter. Has worked as lawyer with Gorrissen & Federspiel and for the Carlsberg Group. Has held several director positions within Carlsberg in e.g. Vietnam. His latest position was General Director for Puratos Nordic A/S.