From the office in Austria, Business Sweden covers Austria, Switzerland, Israel, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo. 

The twelve markets have different economic structures, regulatory frameworks, and business conditions. For Swedish companies, this means access to both mature industrial markets and markets where investment and economic development are creating new demand. 

Business Opportunities 

Opportunities vary across the twelve markets. Several markets, however, show clear demand in areas where Swedish companies have relevant technologies and expertise, particularly advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and energy and transport infrastructure.

  • Advanced manufacturing  
    Switzerland has almost 70,000 manufacturing companies and Austria nearly 30,000. Demand is driven by automation, electrification, energy efficiency, and industrial digitalisation. Hungary has more than 55,000 manufacturing companies, supported by significant investment in automotive production, electric vehicle batteries, and electronics.
  • Life sciences  
    Switzerland has strengths in pharmaceuticals, oncology, medtech, contract development and manufacturing, and precision manufacturing. Opportunities for Swedish companies include digital health, precision medicine, advanced therapies, manufacturing technology, and sustainability. Austria has capabilities in vaccines, diagnostics, hearing technology, and cancer research, with opportunities in areas including digital health, clinical research, and precision medicine.
  • Energy and transport infrastructure  
    Planned investments in the Western Balkans cover electricity transmission, hydropower, energy storage, and strategic transport corridors. Financing includes the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
  • Critical raw materials  
    North Macedonia has 289 active mineral concessions and four active polymetallic mines. Exploration for copper and gold, among other minerals, is creating opportunities in mining development, processing, and critical raw material supply chains. 
Growth potential for Swedish companies 

Swedish strengths in automation, electrification, industrial digitalisation, and energy efficiency meet demand across several of the markets. The same applies to expertise in digital health, precision medicine, power transmission, grid automation, and rail systems. In North Macedonia, there are also opportunities in mining development, processing, and critical raw material supply chains. 

The office’s broad market coverage also enables Swedish companies to explore business opportunities across several markets from a single regional base. 

Potential challenges 

The twelve markets differ significantly in their regulatory and legal frameworks, and most are outside the European Union. Compliance requirements can therefore vary between markets and become particularly complex in projects involving multiple stakeholders and structures. 

How we support Swedish companies 

Business Sweden supports Swedish companies through local market expertise, networks, and a regional presence. Support includes market assessments, sales development, partner searches, acquisition advisory, and engagement with the public sector. Business Sweden also provides practical support with company establishment and recruitment.