Trade and investment promotion

Life sciences company Nordic Biomarker received the Government’s prize Exporter of the Year, and Region Norrbotten received Exporting Region of the Year. The prizes will be awarded on 31 August by Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg in the presence of H.R.H. Prince Daniel.

The 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) concluded on Friday morning. It was the WTO’s first major conference in five years. Addressing the enormous challenges that have paralysed world trade – the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the food and energy crisis – was on the agenda.

Dear Executive Vice- President Dombrovskis,

On 10 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will present a new Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. A Statement of Foreign Policy was presented on 16 February this year. In light of the new security environment, the Riksdag and the Government decided that a new Statement of Foreign Policy and debate are needed.

The world is going through broad societal changes. Digitalization, automation and the transition to a fossil-free future mean that we face a transformation comparable to the industrial revolution. In addition, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has created a new geopolitical situation. Russia’s brutal war is not only an attack on Ukraine, the European security order and the UN Charter, but also on peace, prosperity and democracy more broadly. Generations of European will live with the consequences of it. We are entering a new era.

On 11 May, Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg will travel to Berlin with the aim of strengthening the good trade and investment relations between Sweden and Germany. During her visit, Ms Hallberg will meet with Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck. She will also meet with representatives of German business organisations and Swedish businesses active in Germany.

The Government’s Music Export Prize was established in 1997 and is awarded every year to an artist who has been internationally successful during the preceding year and has contributed to Swedish musical export success and to a positive image of Sweden. The winner will be announced on 23 March by Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the following sanctions, the Government is now strengthening preparedness for the Swedish business sector and foreign trade through close dialogue with relevant actors. The economic effects on Sweden are currently limited, but the situation concerning increased energy and oil prices, as well as the turbulent capital market, may deteriorate. There may be quite extensive and serious consequences for the world economy, which is why the Government is closely monitoring developments and is prepared to act depending on how events unfold.

Heads of state and government from the EU and the African Union (AU) will meet in Brussels on 17–18 February. It is the seventh time the EU and AU leaders will meet. The aim is to establish foundations for a renewed and deepened partnership between the two unions. The leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration on closer cooperation in a range of areas. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will represent Sweden.

On 16 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2022 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will present the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. This year’s Statement of Foreign Policy is Ms Linde’s third as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Sweden’s seventh international Office of Science and Innovation was established at the Embassy of Sweden in London on 1 January 2022. The Office will develop and strengthen collaboration between the UK and Sweden on issues linked to the Government’s life sciences strategy, its export and investment strategy, the Research and Innovation Bill, and the Government’s strategic partnership programmes.

As the EU heads of state and government meet in the European Council in Brussels, the agenda includes the COVID-19 vaccine situation and how the EU can advance digital transformation. The high energy prices in many Member States will also be discussed. At Sweden’s initiative, the leaders will hold a strategic discussion on trade issues.

The Government’s Music Export Prize is awarded every year to an artist who has been internationally successful during the preceding year and has contributed to Swedish musical export success and to a positive image of Sweden. The winner will be announced by Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic affairs Anna Hallberg.

On Monday 29 March, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven is on a virtual visit to Singapore.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented global crisis. The worldwide spread of the virus highlights the importance of collaboration and solidarity in tackling global challenges, leaving no one behind. Sweden continues to stand up for international principles and commitments and to support multilateral organisations working to fight the pandemic and its impacts. This is in line with Sweden’s work and ambitions to meet the 2030 Agenda. With a well-considered response, the international community can together lay the foundations for a more sustainable, equitable and gender-equal world that will be better equipped to manage future crises.

Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. This year’s Statement of Foreign Policy was Ms Linde’s second as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

On 24 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2021 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

Anna Hallberg has launched a trade policy advisory group to discuss how to shape future trade policy in light of the way the pandemic has changed international trade conditions. The members of the group have a wide range of experience from business, public authorities, trade unions, civil society and academia. The aim is to come up with new and different initiatives to enable trade to be an instrument of change.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party committed in the 2019 January Agreement to implementing an export initiative for more jobs throughout the country and to updatet he existing export strategy with a focus on economic, social and environmental sustainability.