Business Sweden was founded on 1 January 2013 through a merger of the Swedish Trade Council (Exportrådet) and Invest Sweden. The organisation has two owners: The Swedish government and the private business sector in Sweden. The government is represented by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Utrikesdepartementet) and the business sector by the Swedish Foreign Trade Association (Sveriges Allmänna Utrikeshandelsförening).
Business Sweden’s purpose is to help Swedish companies grow global sales and international companies to invest and expand in Sweden, which will contribute to increased exports, higher employment rates and sustainable growth.
Our services are intended for both start-ups and established companies. As every company is at a different stage of their internationalisation process, we work with tailor-made solutions to suit their particular situation. Read more about our Services.
Our History
Financing
Business Sweden is financed by an annual government grant for export and investment activities and by income from consulting fees from Swedish companies.
Collaboration
We cooperate and consult with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and collaborate with Swedish embassies and consulates abroad. We also work closely with organisations within the Team Sweden network and chambers of commerce, as well as with public and private organisations in the countries where we have a local presence including Sweden.
Government assignment
Once a year, the Swedish government confirms the scope of Business Sweden’s assignment and how it should be reported. Business Sweden accounts for the assignment in ”Redovisning av statens uppdrag till Business Sweden” (Report of Business Sweden’s Government assignment).
The assignment includes these areas:
- Basic export service
Information, basic export advice and general trade promotion in international markets. - Small business programme
Consulting services for small and medium-sized companies, offered in Sweden and abroad. The services include corporate skills development and export advice as well as specific market information and contact networking. - Targeted export promotion
Export preparation, promotion activities in selected markets, support for public sector contracts abroad, and identification and management of strategic projects. - Investment promotion
To boost employment and provide capital and skills to all parts of Sweden, Investment promotion is carried out to attract high quality investments from our prioritised markets. Our Investment promotion is carried out in close cooperation with the Swedish regional investment organisations. Companies in selected investment areas and industries are approached directly, and foreign investors receive expert advice and support. - Additional assignments
Business Sweden receives additional assignments from the government and ministries, in addition to the basic assignments above. An example of such an assignment is to implement a strategic and long-term export programme within Sweden’s food strategy.
Business consulting
Fees for consulting assignments are sold to companies in Sweden and to their subsidiaries abroad. Income from our consulting services enables us to have a larger overseas presence, which means that we can support Swedish companies in more markets and reach more international investors.
Business Sweden's consulting services are offered on market terms and include strategic advice and operational support to increase companies' global sales. The services are divided into four main areas: Market expansion, Sales acceleration, Business to government and Business incubation & operations.
Our global presence
Business Sweden has 44 offices in four regions: Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Our headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden. Most of our more than 500 employees work in our international offices in close cooperation with Swedish embassies, consulates, chambers of commerce, companies and other local networks.
We also have a strong presence in Sweden, with 16 offices from north to south. Our global business developers in Sweden work directly with the internationalisation of companies, from education and inspiration to practical advice. At the head office in Stockholm we have a number of export and investment experts who can help companies with advice and market information.
You will find our contact details here.
Team Sweden
Swedish companies that plan to expand abroad can get help in the form of strategic advice, hands-on support and funding from a number of different organisations. To make it easier for Swedish companies to find the most relevant support mechanisms, the Swedish government set up Team Sweden, a network of organisations, agencies and authorities that promote Sweden abroad. The coordinated approach makes the internationalisation process easier and more effective.
Read more about Team Sweden.