Enterprise and industry

Sustainable development is a cornerstone of Sweden’s trade promotion. In a globalised and increasingly polarised world, needs for dialogue and cooperation are more important than ever. Through trade, we create more platforms for dialogue. The prosperity of Sweden, and the business models of our companies, shall be based on economically, socially and environ-mentally sustainable development and contribute to resolving the challenges stipulated in the 2030 Agenda. The Government has set the ambition for Sweden to be the world’s first fossil-free welfare nation.

The Government has announced further restrictions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In order to save jobs and businesses, turn-over based support for sole traders is being extended for the period January and February 2021. The announced support intended for trading partnerships – including limited partnerships – where at least one partner is a natural person is being extended in a corresponding manner. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The Government today proposed extending the government credit guarantee programme ‘Företagsakuten’ into 2021 so as to cover lending after 31 December. The programme is intended to facilitate lending to small and medium-sized companies affected by the pandemic. The Företagsakuten programme was launched in spring 2020 as part of the Government’s measures to support the business sector during the ongoing pandemic and builds on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The situation facing the package tour industry is serious. The pandemic has created a situation in which many travellers have not received refunds for cancelled trips. The Government is therefore now working on a proposal for government loans to package tour operators with the aim of enabling these operators to refund remaining debts to travellers. The proposal is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

In light of the severe financial impact of COVID-19 on many sole traders, the Government today decided on turnover-based support for sole traders. The support enters into force on 9 November and builds on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On September 24 the Government decided to extend until the end of the year the government credit guarantee programme aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises that have experienced financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme was launched in the spring as part of the Government’s measures to support the business sector during the ongoing pandemic and builds on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party. As a result of this decision, the option for businesses to take part in the credit guarantee programme applies to loans granted until 31 December 2020.

The State is a significant company owner in Sweden. The portfolio of state-owned enterprises contains 46 fully and partially owned enterprises, of which two are listed. The State has a substantial responsibility to be an active and professional owner. The Government’s overall objective is for the enterprises to create value and, where applicable, to ensure that the specifically adopted public policy assignments are performed well.

Research and innovation are crucial to Sweden’s competitiveness and to rebooting the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the autumn budget, the Government is therefore proposing increased funding to Vinnova, RISE and Business Sweden for measures that help reboot Sweden. The proposal is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Global warming continues regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change will remain the defining issue of our generation. The Government is therefore proposing investments of SEK 9.7 billion in green recovery initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2021. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

In light of the severe financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many sole traders, the Government is now proposing SEK 3.5 billion to support these companies in 2020. The Budget Bill for 2021 proposes that an additional SEK 1.5 billion be set aside for 2021. It is proposed that the Government’s proposals, which build on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, enter into force as soon as possible.

The Government has decided to extend the ordinance that enables the provision of compensation for the temporary suspension of fishing activities – tie-up support – to commercial fishers who have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 30 June, SAS presented a plan for the recapitalisation of the company and a plan to accelerate its climate action, including the halving of emissions by 2030. The Government has the Riksdag’s mandate to participate in the recapitalisation on behalf of the Swedish State during 2020 to an amount not exceeding SEK 5 billion. The Government supports the plan that has now been put forward and the measures necessary for its realisation.

The Government proposes that the Riksdag authorise the Government to take part on behalf of the State in a recapitalisation of SAS AB (SAS) with an amount totalling SEK 5 billion at most. SAS is important to meeting society’s fundamental needs in terms of accessibility by air travel in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. This authorisation means that the Swedish State will be given a mandate to take the measures necessary to enable the State’s participation in a recapitalisation of SAS. If the Swedish State is to take part in a recapitalisation, the Government will work to ensure that SAS sets new ambitious goals to reduce emissions. Participation of the Swedish State also requires approval by the European Commission.

The Government proposes a capital injection of SEK 3 150 million to Swedavia AB in the amending budget to be presented to the Riksdag today. This capital injection will enable the Government to guarantee a state aviation network with good accessibility throughout the country.

The Government proposes a capital injection of SEK 150 million to Lernia AB in the amending budget to be presented to the Riksdag today. This capital injection will give Lernia the conditions to strengthen its financial standing to be able to continue its activities in the area of adult education and staffing.

As of Saturday 13 June, domestic travel is permitted for people with no symptoms. One important prerequisite is that the regions receiving visitors can meet their health care needs. The National Board of Health and Welfare has therefore been tasked with supporting the coordination of the regions’ health care resources during the summer. In addition, the Government will instruct the county administrative boards to carefully monitor compliance with the current recommendations throughout the country.

To mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, on 11 June the Government presented a government bill to the Riksdag that entails giving exploration companies an additional year to carry out their work.

At the government meeting on 4 June, the Government decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation with the aim of strengthening efforts against foreign direct investments that threaten Swedish security and public order. At the same time, the Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) have been given assignments to further develop these efforts.

Together with the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, the Government is proposing an additional SEK 400 million for Almi Invest. The additional funding is aimed at bridging the crisis in small innovative businesses and avoiding the loss of structural capital and intangible assets in the life science sector and others.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2023.