Czech-Sweden Technology Days
Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is the third largest country in the European Union (450,295 km²), and it has a total population of about 9.2 million. About 85% of the populations live in urban areas, and it is expected that these numbers will gradually rise as a part of the ongoing urbanization. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and a highly developed economy. It ranks first in the world in The Economist's Democracy Index and seventh in the United Nations' Human Development Index. Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 1995 and is a member of the OECD.
Economy
The World Economic Forum 2009-2010 competitiveness index ranks Sweden the 4th most competitive economy in the world. Sweden is ranked 9th in the IMD Competitiveness Yearbook 2008, scoring high in private sector efficiency. According to the Economic Survey of Sweden 2007 by the OECD, the average inflation in Sweden has been one of the lowest among European countries since the mid-1990s, largely because of deregulation and quick utilization of globalization. The largest trade flows are with Germany, the United States, Norway, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Finland.
Sweden's engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance. Agriculture accounts for 2 percent of GDP and employment. The 20 largest (by turnover in 2007) companies registered in Sweden are Volvo, Ericsson, Vattenfall, Skanska, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Electrolux, Volvo Personvagnar, TeliaSonera, Sandvik, Scania, ICA, Hennes & Mauritz, Nordea, Preem, Atlas Copco, Securitas, Nordstjernan, and SKF. Sweden's industry is overwhelmingly in private control; unlike some other industrialized Western countries, such as Austria and Italy, publicly owned enterprises were always of minor importance.
Research and development for an innovative business sector
The Swedish system of research finance was reorganized during autumn 2000, to bring about concerted R&D efforts. The Government's policy regarding R&D covers two policy areas: business and industry on the one hand, and research on the other. The Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications and the Ministry of Education therefore co-operate closely concerning R&D.
Aim of this policy area
The Government's aim is to boost knowledge and skills in the business sector. This is necessary in order to stimulate innovation, growth and modernization.
Priority issues
The Government intends to pursue a research and development policy oriented towards business and industry. The following research fields enjoy priority:
- Technical R&D, in which the strategic areas of IT, biotechnology and materials technology have a major bearing on development and modernisation of the business sector. Other key fields are engineering and medical technology.
- Space research affords scope for practical applications, such as global environmental monitoring, weather forecasting and long-distance telecommunications. The use of space requires extensive technological development, often conducted in international co-operation.
- Energy research in which large-scale research inputs are under way to permit a change-over to a sustainable energy system.
- Transport and communication research, in which efficient systems of transport and communication are highly significant in economic terms.
- Research on employment and the workplace helps to modernise the world of work. Knowledge of the human-technology interface and how work should be organised is bringing about a humane and efficient business sector.
- Research on testing and measurement techniques is required to permit introduction of new techniques, product development and quality assurance.
