Ibrahim Baylan

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

More people than ever before are now employed in exporting companies in Sweden. Exports drive the Swedish economy and keep around 1.5 million people in employment. To continue to strengthen Swedish exports, on Friday 13 December the Government launched an updated Trade and Investment Strategy to create jobs and growth throughout the country.

Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan will travel to India on 1 December to take part in the State Visit by the King and Queen. The Innovation Partnership and Sweden and India’s economic exchange are two of the areas that Mr Baylan will highlight during the visit.