Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation

The Government has proposed a temporary discount for fixed rental costs in vulnerable sectors to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The proposal is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On Wednesday 25 March, a proposal was presented for loan guarantees to companies adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The aim is to make it easier for primarily small and medium-sized enterprises to access financing.

The COVID-19 virus has affected many Swedish companies. The Government therefore decided today to task a coordinator to collaborate with the social partners and the business sector, and to gather information about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the business sector. Anders Ferbe has been appointed as the coordinator.

On Thursday, Minister for Rural Affairs Jennie Nilsson called a meeting for the food industry to gain a picture of stakeholders’ preparedness in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Trade organisations, food companies and trade union representatives for the food industry took part in the meeting.

In light of the COVID-19 virus, the Government on March 19 decided that its proposed additional amending budget for 2020 will include a supplementary system of support for short-time work schemes. The new system was presented on Monday by the Government, together with the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, and means that central government will take a greater share of the costs for short-time work in 2020. It is proposed that the new rules enter into force on 7 April, but that they apply from 16 March.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Government, together with the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, on March 20 presented further measures that will make it easier for Swedish businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to access financing at this difficult time. Resources and capital are being injected into Almi Företagspartner AB in order to increase lending to small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the country, thus facilitating their access to financing.

The Government is now presenting additional measures to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The proposals are based on an agreement between the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party, the Liberal Party and the Green Party.

Listen to the Minister for Rural Affairs, Jennie Nilsson, talk about food security in Sweden. "We have plenty of food available. There is currently no food shortage in Sweden."

On 20 March, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party presented further measures to mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak on Swedish jobs and businesses.

Unofficial translation 2020-03-12