New ownership policy for state-owned enterprises
Published
On 20 February 2025, the Government decided on a new ownership policy for state-owned enterprises. Under the new policy, boards will have even clearer responsibility to develop and manage such enterprises professionally.
State-owned enterprises are ultimately owned by the Swedish people and make up a significant part of the business sector in Sweden. The state’s ownership policy has evolved over the years. It is important that the state adapts the policy in line with societal development.
The aim of an updated ownership policy includes clarifying owners’ expectations of state-owned enterprises with a clear framework for governance and greater focus on profitability.
“It’s important that commercially driven state-owned enterprises deliver value to taxpayers. Therefore, the new ownership policy emphasises profitability, adaptability, and responsibility,” says Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson.
According to the new policy, state-owned enterprises must:
- act on a commercial basis,
- have good corporate governance,
- generate sustainable value creation,
- have long-term ambitions and good transitioning capacity
- be characterised by security awareness and contribute to the country’s preparedness for crisis and war,
- pay reasonable and well-considered remuneration, and
- act transparently in relation to their stakeholders.
The new ownership policy will apply to state-owned enterprises as of the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
