Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation

The Government has decided to change the requirements on Almi Invest’s operations to facilitate investments in new and existing innovative companies. The measure is part of the Government’s efforts to facilitate the supply of capital to companies and reduce the economic consequences of the virus outbreak.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is increasing the number of student places. One hundred new places are already being created for summer courses this year and the number of places in the foundation year is being increased. The aim is to meet the increased need for education and transition in the labour market as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 virus.

The Government is relaunching an initiative for green jobs for people who are far from the labour market. The initiative is aimed at mitigating unemployment linked to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. SEK 150 million has been set aside for 2020 and is part of the Government’s proposed Spring Amending Budget for 2020, which is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

After the European Commission approved the Government’s state aid notification on Wednesday, the Government could today adopt an ordinance on a discount for fixed rental costs in vulnerable sectors as a way to mitigate the financial consequences of the virus outbreak. The new aid is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

On 9 April, the Government adopted a legislative amendment that makes it possible for the National Veterinary Institute to conduct diagnostic tests for the COVID-19 virus in people.

Listen to the Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation, Ibrahim Baylan, talk about company initiatives during the virus outbreak.

Through an investment initiative, the European Commission has proposed measures aimed at making it easier for countries and regions to introduce measures to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. On 27 March, the Government therefore instructed the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth to work with the regions to analyse needs and prioritise measures to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 within European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes. The Government considers that focus should be on measures to finance working capital in small- and medium-sized enterprises.

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

Unofficial translation 2020-03-12

On Friday 17 January, Minister for Rural Affairs Jennie Nilsson will open the Swedish stand at International Green Week in Berlin, the world’s largest food exhibition for consumers. For the third year in a row, a Swedish stand will be in place, showcasing food and beverages from more than 20 Swedish producers. On the same day, Ms Nilsson will also meet a large number of ministerial colleagues from around the world and showcase Swedish food and beverages for German consumers.

This information material contains a selection of the acts and ordinances – both new and amended – that enter into force in the second half of 2019 or some time thereafter.