Sweden needs to make economic growth the top priority on the political agenda. That is the message delivered by the chairman of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Jacob Wallenberg, and CEO Jan-Olof Jacke in an opinion piece where they urge the country’s political parties to unite around reforms that strengthen companies’ competitiveness.
“We are not engaging in party politics, but we have a responsibility to clearly state what is best for entrepreneurship in our country in the long term,” Jacob Wallenberg and his colleague begin their campaign in Svenska Dagbladet with only a few months left until the election.
The background, according to the two, is increasing concern about Europe’s economic development. According to Wallenberg and Jacke, the gap with superpowers like the USA and China is widening, as their economies are growing faster and attracting more investment. For Sweden to maintain its position as a competitive country, a sharper focus on growth and entrepreneurship is required.
Wallenberg and Jacke describe how :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: competition has intensified. They point, for example, to the Chinese automotive industry, where new models are developed much faster than in Europe. At the same time, they highlight the rapid development in artificial intelligence as an area where the pace of innovation is increasing and where Europe risks falling behind.
In the opinion piece, they argue that Sweden needs to create better conditions for investment, entrepreneurship, and technological development. They believe that both the EU and Sweden should reduce the regulatory burden on companies and instead focus on measures that promote innovation and growth.
A well-functioning capital market and more free trade agreements are also described as important factors to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.
Ahead of this autumn’s parliamentary elections, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise wants to see broad political consensus on several key issues. Among other things, the organization highlights the need for a stable electricity supply with competitive prices, something considered crucial for both the business community and the country’s resilience.
They are also calling for long-term policy rules for energy that can win support across political blocs.
Tighter immigration policy has “worsened the opportunities”
Another area identified as crucial is companies’ access to skilled labor. The authors argue that the education system needs to be better adapted to labor market needs and that regulations for labor immigration have made it harder for companies to recruit qualified personnel from abroad.
Create better conditions for companies to access the right skills. Higher education must better match the needs of the labor market. Despite acute recruitment problems in many sectors, labor immigration has been regulated in ways that have worsened the chances of finding talent abroad.
The housing market is also highlighted as an obstacle to growth. According to the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, current regulations make it harder for companies to attract workers, especially in metropolitan regions where the housing shortage is most severe.
At the same time, Wallenberg and Jacke criticize several political proposals that they believe risk slowing development. They warn, for instance, against a general reduction in working hours, which according to their calculations would have major economic consequences and worsen the labor shortage.
Proposals to abolish the qualifying deduction (karensavdraget) are also questioned, as they argue that past experience has shown that such reforms can lead to increased sick leave.
To strengthen Sweden’s role as a country of innovation, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise also wants to see increased investments in research and development in areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, and the green transition. The organization also stresses the importance of continued investment in roads, railways, and other infrastructure that can support the business sector’s development.
As part of this effort, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is now inviting all parliamentary parties to discussions about how Sweden’s growth can be boosted in the next legislative term.
According to Jacob Wallenberg and Jan-Olof Jacke, a growing economy is a prerequisite for more jobs, increased tax revenue, and a strong welfare system. Therefore, they believe that the growth issue should be at the center when voters head to the polls this autumn.
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