Sweden – A Strategy for trade, investment and global competitiveness

The overarching objectives are further specified by interim objectives to enable continuous monitoring and evaluation. Concrete measures and mandates to government agencies will contribute to implementing the interim objectives. The Government’s ambition

is to achieve the overarching objectives by 2030. Implementation of the strategy will be an ongoing effort that will continue for the rest of the electoral period. An evaluation will be carried out in 2026 to determine the status of the objectives and interim objectives and what remains to be done.

Including objectives to strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness and conditions for trade, investments and innovation broadens the strategy and its objectives significantly in comparison with the previous export and investment strategies adopted by the Government in 2015 and 2019.

The trade strategy outlines the framework for governance of relevant government agencies and promotion stakeholders in this area. In addition, Sweden’s missions abroad, Business Sweden and its offices abroad, and the innovation, development and sales capabilities of Swedish businesses themselves will play a key role in achieving the objectives outlined in the strategy.

The strategy is a central element of the Government’s overall work in several areas to strengthen Sweden’s and the Swedish business sector’s competitiveness and ability to continue to attract investments and skills. These measures comprise, inter alia:

• a productivity commission that will conduct an analysis and make proposals on strengthening productivity in the business sector and the public sector,
• initiatives adopted by the Government to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses,
• the Act on the Direction of Energy Policy and the climate action plan, which will improve conditions for the green transition,
• the forthcoming strategy for northern Sweden and the announced updated industrial strategy,

•  the forthcoming research and innovation policy bill for Swedish research and innovation to maintain high quality and remain competitive in a global arena,

•  an update of the national strategy for life sciences will be carried out. The strategy’s aim, for Sweden to be a leading life sciences nation, has a bearing on innovation, investments and competitiveness within the sector,

• the Swedish Migration Agency has been tasked with promoting immigration of highly skilled labour,

• the Government’s forthcoming mineral strategy, which is aimed at strengthening Sweden’s position as a leading industry and innovation nation,

• a national food strategy 2.0, which is aimed at boosting competitiveness in the Swedish food production chain,

• the planning process for Sweden’s transport infrastructure which has been initiated in an infrastructure bill for a new plan period.

Other government agency mandates also have bearing on the objectives of the trade strategy, such as the mandate to support the green transition within
the automotive industry and battery sector. The Government also plans to draft a national strategy

to promote businesses in the cultural and creative industries with the aim of fostering better conditions for increased exports within these rapidly growing sectors.