Enterprise and industry

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.

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 is travelling to Paris to meet with his French counterparts. The purpose of the visit is to take a further step under the Swedish-French partnership for innovation in the area of sustainable digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI). The promotion of French investments in Sweden and discussions on the EU’s industrial policy will also be in focus during the visit.

Sweden took over the two-year chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council at the ministerial meeting in Arkhangelsk on 19 October 2017. Since its inception, the Barents cooperation has aimed to promote peace, stability and the development of the Barents region, through cross-border collaboration and people-to-people contacts. The Swedish chairmanship programme, with the title ‘Regional sustainable development for the future’, was formed with a view to advancing cooperation and deepening collaboration in key areas of common interest.

The Government’s 2018 Cultural and Creative Industries Prize was presented Wednesday, 2 October, by Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg. The Prize was awarded to Norstedts Agency for the Millennium series.

The State is a significant company owner in Sweden. The state company portfolio contains 46 wholly and partially owned companies, 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 companies to create value and, where applicable, to ensure that the specifically adopted public policy assignments are performed well.

When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven met French President Emmanuel Macron today in Paris, the countries’ strategic partnership for innovation, digital transformation and green solutions was updated and deepened. When Mr Löfven and Mr Macron entered into the partnership in November 2017, it was agreed that Sweden and France needed to work together in a number of strategic areas to better address digital transformation and climate adaptation.

At the EU summit on 21–22 March, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and his EU colleagues agreed to offer the United Kingdom an extension until 22 May on condition that the British Parliament approves the withdrawal agreement next week. The heads of state and government also addressed the EU’s long-term climate strategy and the EU’s relationship with China.

When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven meets his colleagues in Brussels on 21–22 March, Brexit will dominate the meeting’s first day. The EU heads of state and government will also address the EU’s long-term climate strategy and discuss jobs, growth and competitiveness.

The Government’s Music Export Prize is awarded every year to an artist who has been internationally successful during the preceding year and has contributed to Swedish musical export success and to a positive image of Sweden. The winner will be announced by Minister for Foreign Trade, with responsibility for Nordic affairs, Ann Linde at a ceremony at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Wednesday 6 March at 14.30.