Innovation

At the Government’s initiative, Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan and Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg met with colleagues from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway on 9 June to discuss opportunities to strengthen and create synergies in Nordic vaccine production.

Swedish Minister for Environment and Climate, Per Bolund, Minister for Gender Equality and Housing, Märta Stenevi, and Minister for Energy and Digital Development, Anders Ygeman, met with French Minister for Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili, on her visit to Stockholm, to discuss joint efforts to enhance the green transition at national, European and global levels.

On Friday 5 March, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will participate in a digital summit with Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi.

The Government’s Research and Innovation Bill outlines the direction of Sweden’s research policy over the next four years. The resources will increase considerably already next year to tackle major societal challenges and safeguard freedom of research. The aim is for Sweden to be one of the world’s foremost research and innovation countries and a prominent knowledge nation. The appropriation will increase by SEK 3.4 billion in 2021. The estimated investments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 are around SEK 3.2. billion, SEK 3.3 billion and SEK 3.75 billion respectively. Research and innovation are needed to restart the economy and build skills, competitiveness and welfare.

The national strategy for a circular economy sets out the direction and ambition for a long-term and sustainable transition of Swedish society. The Government adopted the national strategy for a circular economy earlier this year. The strategy is now available in English. The strategy is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Sweden’s national life sciences strategy was launched in late December 2019 to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Sweden as a life sciences nation.

"Sweden aims to be a leading life sciences nation. Life sciences contribute to improving health and quality of life of the population, ensuring economic prosperity, advancing the country as a leading knowledge nation and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

Today, 23 October, the Government’s 2019 Cultural and Creative Industries Export Prize was awarded to Goodbye Kansas Studios. The rising star award went to Rave Review.

The Government’s prize for extraordinary services to Swedish music exports in 2019 has been awarded to the rock band Ghost. The Government’s 2019 Special Prize for long-standing contributions to Swedish music exports has gone to Marie Dimberg.

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.