Per Bolund

The Ministry of Finance today submitted a proposal that would strengthen the financial independence of the Riksbank by setting down in law a targeted level for its capital. The proposal also contains rules on how the Riksbank is to be recapitalised and how dividends to the State may be paid. In addition, it clarifies that borrowing in advance for the foreign exchange reserve may only be done if there are exceptional grounds. This proposal is in line with the Committee on Finance’s report from June 2016 which had the support of all parties represented in the Riksdag.

The Ministry of Finance proposes that Finansinspektionen should be able to take additional measures to counteract financial imbalances on the credit market. A Ministry of Finance memorandum containing proposals for new legislation is being circulated today for comment.

The Finance Minister of Norway and Finland, the Minister for Business of Denmark and the Minister for Financial Markets and Consumer Affairs of Sweden sign Memorandum of Understanding in order to facilitate the cooperation regarding cross-border banking groups containing one or more significant branches.

The Government has appointed an inquiry to identify ways to promote the market for green bonds. Mats Andersson, former CEO of the Fourth AP Fund, is Inquiry Chair.

Singapore, 18 November 2016. Check against delivery.

Today the Government adopted guidelines for the management of the central government debt. Its decision means that the maturity of the central government debt is extended slightly. Doing so reduces the risk in the central government debt at a low cost. The steering of the composition of the central government debt is left unchanged.

Following broad political discussions with the centre-right parties and the Left Party, the Government has agreed to expand the ability of Finansinspektionen (the Swedish financial supervisory authority) to take measures to counteract financial imbalances on the credit market, e.g. with regard to household indebtedness.

How can consumption be made more sustainable? What can be done to make it easier for consumers to make climate-smart choices? These are some of the questions in focus in the Government’s strategy for sustainable consumption. The aim is for the strategy to contribute to environmentally, socially and economically sustainable consumption.

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Sweden in autumn 2016 to conduct its annual review, or Article IV consultation, of the economic situation in Sweden and has now published its results. A complete report will be discussed by the IMF board in November 2016 and subsequently published.

On 15 June, Sweden’s Minister for Financial Markets Per Bolund met representatives of banks and government agencies to find ways forward that will make it easier for asylum seekers to gain access to bank accounts. During the meeting, Finansinspektionen (the Swedish financial supervisory authority) presented its response to the European Banking Authority’s opinion.