Transport and infrastructure

On 4 November 2016, Minister for Home Affairs Anders Ygeman and US Ambassador Azita Raji signed an agreement on US preclearance at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Negotiations on the agreement had been ongoing since mid-2015.

The Government decided on the 1st of September 2016 to relaunch Vision Zero, the initiative to end deaths and serious injuries on the roads. The relaunch is to strengthen the focus of the Government’s transport safety work . At the annual road safety conference held in Tylösand, Minister for Infrastructure Anna Johansson presented the three assignments decided upon for this area.

The 1st of September 2016 the Government announced its decision to relaunch Vision Zero, an intensified initiative for transport safety in Sweden. The Government is presenting a policy document clarifying its focus for Swedish transport safety policy. The Government is beginning by presenting three assignments to improve the prospects of positive transport safety developments.

Swedish transport safety work is a success. However, there is still a long way to go to achieve Vision Zero and the reduction in the traffic fatalities has levelled off somewhat in recent years. A renewed commitment is needed now.

New information material on the government's politics for Renewed Commitment to Vision Zero - intensified efforts for transport safety in Sweden.

The Government wants to further strengthen Sweden’s position as a climate leader. The Budget Bill for 2017 proposes the largest investment budget in the area of climate and the environment in Sweden’s history.

The Government is launching five innovation partnership programmes to help meet a range of the societal challenges that Sweden is facing. These programmes involve new ways of travelling, residing, doing business, living, communicating, and using and preserving the world’s resources and ecosystems. Partnership between public actors, business and academia creates new, innovative solutions that strengthen competitiveness, contribute to sustainable development and create more jobs.

On the afternoon of 12 May, Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet left Sweden following a three-day State Visit. The President was in Sweden at the invitation of HM the King. This was the first State Visit by a Chilean president to Sweden. Several of the Government ministers took part in the programme. The purpose of the visit was to broaden and deepen bilateral relations between Chile and Sweden.

On 10 May, Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet began her State Visit to Sweden. The President is visiting Sweden at the invitation of HM the King. The Visit will last from 10 to 12 May and is the first incoming State Visit from Chile to Sweden.

The Government is now launching action to inject new energy into road safety efforts, for all modes of transport. On 15 March 2016, Minister for Infrastructure Anna Johansson hosted a meeting of industry and government agency representatives to build an understanding of the challenges in the area and to begin discussing initiatives and solutions to meet these challenges.

Swedish road safety efforts are successful; the Vision Zero model serves as inspiration throughout the world. But there is still work to do, which is why the Government is launching a new road safety initiative for all modes of transport. 15 March the Minister for Infrastructure Anna Johansson will host a meeting of road safety stakeholders to discuss future initiatives and solutions.

A Swedish maritime strategy – for people, jobs and the environment. Summary.

The Government decided today to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls. The Government also proposes identity checks for ferry passengers.

In the Budget Bill for 2016, which is based on an agreement between the government parties and the Left Party, the Government will propose the introduction of a Swedish maritime tonnage tax system. The purpose is to give Swedish shipping companies in international traffic competitive conditions equal to those of shipping companies in other European countries.

The Government’s objective is that Sweden will have the lowest unemployment in the EU by 2020. The new Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation will be the hub of activities to create jobs and sustainable growth throughout the country.