Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation

As the Government previously announced, turnover-based support for sole traders – which currently applies for the period March to July 2020 – will be extended to include the period August 2020 to February 2021. The Government also previously announced the introduction of a specific turnover-based support targeting trading partnerships, including limited partnerships in which at least one partner is a natural person. This support will cover the same period, that is March 2020 to February 2021. Today, the Government can announce that the level of support for November 2020–February 2021 will be raised from 75 to 90 per cent. The Government’s proposal is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

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.

This information material contains a selection of the acts and ordinances – both new and amended – that enter into force in the second half of 2020 or some time thereafter.

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’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.

Today, Sweden will co-host the global launch of the UN flagship project, the Human Development Report. This year’s report highlights how economic and human development can occur and be promoted in a way that does not come at the expense of the planet’s resources.

Work within the partnership groups in the four innovation partnership programmes has been well underway since they were first launched in June 2019. Viveca Bergstrand is the Project Manager for the innovation partnership programme Climate neutral industry, and she already sees positive results emerging from the work of the partnership group.

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.

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.

A transition of the society is required to achieve environmental and climate objectives, secure our welfare services and the competitiveness of the business sector and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this strategy the Government wants to stake out the direction of and ambition for this work. In addition to the strategy, action plans containing concrete measures will be adopted.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."

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.

On September 24 the Government decided to extend the possibility for the National Veterinary Institute to carry out diagnostics of COVID-19 in humans. The decision means an extension of one more year, until 31 December 2021.

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.