Trade and investment promotion

On 19–21 November, HM The King paid a State Visit to Singapore at the invitation of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Sweden’s Government was represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson, State Secretary Håkan Jevrell from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and State Secretary Miriam Söderström from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Around 50 Swedish companies, government agencies and higher education institutions took part in the business delegation arranged by Business Sweden.

On 22 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard visited Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. During her visit, Ms Malmer Stenergard met with her Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa, and with Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The visit underscores the significance of the ties between the two countries – both bilateral relations and discussions on regional security and global challenges.

On Thursday 14 November, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih visited Sweden. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa hosted the visit, which focused on Swedish companies.

On 12 November, the Embassy of Sweden was officially inaugurated in Dublin. The Embassy has been long-awaited in Dublin, and its establishment has been met with great interest from both Swedish and Irish parties.

On 11–13 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa and Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz will receive Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan.

The Government decided today to task Business Sweden with stepping up its efforts to promote investments in the Swedish battery value chain, i.e. in all parts of production. The aim is to enable capital and important expertise to be brought into and retained in the Swedish business sector. The assignment also includes helping relevant companies and national, regional and local actors with advice and contacts.

On 5–8 November, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa is visiting Beijing and Shanghai. He will meet with business representatives and representatives of the Chinese Government.

On 27–29 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa is visiting Saudi Arabia. Mr Dousa will have meetings with the Saudi Government, meet with Swedish and Saudi businesses and take part in the Future Investment Initiative’s international investment conference.

On 17–18 October, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Sweden to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, regional security and global issues. Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard hosted the visit, which is an important step in strengthening the ties between the countries – not least by exploring new opportunities for cooperation in business and innovation.

On 16 September, the Swedish Government received the Government of Finland for a joint government meeting. The aim was to further strengthen the deep cooperation between the two countries. It also provided an opportunity for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ two new ministers to welcome their Finnish counterparts for the first time. Support to Ukraine and support to innovative scale-ups were the focus.

On 3 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell received Türkiye’s Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat. The aim of the visit was to promote dialogue between Sweden and Türkiye within the framework of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

The Government submitted a communication entitled Strategy for businesses in the cultural and creative industries to the Riksdag. It applies for the period 2024–2033.

The first-ever Swedish minister-led business delegation visited Ukraine this week. The delegation was headed by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. In Kyiv, the delegation met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held roundtable discussions with a tailored line-up of Ukrainian ministers, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The new Swedish trade office was also inaugurated.

The EU single market is by far the most important market for Sweden. It is therefore crucial that it is at the core of the Strategic Agenda and a top priority for the EU Commission. This 10S booklet outlines the top ten political commitments that are needed for the EU single market to remain competitive in an era of fierce global competition.

In 2019, Sweden and Chile celebrated 200 years of bilateral relations. Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren Stork now confirmed the strong relations by signing a bilateral roadmap.

On 10–11 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will travel to Berlin to take part in the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference together with Business Sweden’s CEO Jan Larsson and Director-General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Jakob Granit. This year’s conference will focus in particular on the important role of the private sector in reconstruction, the importance of international cooperation and the human dimension. During his visit to Berlin, Mr Forssell will also meet with the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze. He will also visit the German Vattenfall office.

On Monday 3 June, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took part in a press conference together with Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith. Microsoft announced new investments in Sweden related to AI totalling SEK 34 billion.

On 3 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell presented the Government’s 2023 Cultural and Creative Industries Export Prize. The Prize has been awarded since 2017 and the winner is chosen by a jury consisting of representatives of the cultural and creative industries. This year’s Prize went to Svenskt Tenn, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Rising Star Award was presented to Hanna Hansdotter, one of the most interesting and innovative glass artists of our time.

Speech by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell on the occasion of Africa Day. Egyptian Embassy, Stockholm, 28 May. Check against delivery.

On 23 May, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is travelling to London for the third annual UK-Sweden Business Forum. Mr Forssell is meeting with Minister of State for Trade Policy Greg Hands and Swedish and British companies for a roundtable discussion on trade and investments in the building, transport and logistics sectors.