Sweden needs to take on the UK's digital leadership

The UK's impending exit from the EU means that we have lost a friend and ally on many issues, not least those related to trade and the economy. The UK has been the only major EU country with which Sweden has shared views on almost all issues related to economic policy, not least digitalization and free trade. Together with the Nordic countries, the Benelux countries, parts of the Baltic States and Ireland, it has the most developed and export-dependent knowledge-intensive economy in the EU.

The UK leaving the EU may also have a negative impact on the Swedish services sector. Sweden's service exports to the UK account for as much as 10 percent of Sweden's total service exports and one fifth of Sweden's exports of intellectual property rights, according to Statistics Sweden's statistics on service exports for 2015.

After Brexit, the remaining knowledge-intensive economies in the Union will need to significantly strengthen their cooperation. For better or worse, there is great potential for improvement. Several recent reports have also shown that Sweden is facing a choice. And that cooperation with other economically progressive countries is a must to balance more conservative and protectionist policies.

So far, Sweden is a digital champion. At the same time, progress is fast and many countries are catching up and overtaking. The Swedish National Audit Office's new report on the digitization of the state, for example, shows that there is still a lot to do. And that the need for a policy that understands and takes into account digitalization is a must.

To avoid being left behind, Sweden now needs to make its voice heard more clearly in the EU. We need to pursue a policy that takes advantage of the opportunities of digitalization and globalization. Otherwise, that voice will be significantly weaker after the UK's withdrawal.

Now, if ever, Sweden should therefore take the digital lead in Brussels.

Reading tips:

National Audit Office report on the digitization of public administration: http://www.riksrevisionen.se/sv/OM-RIKSREVISIONEN/Pressrum1/Nyheter1/2016/Mer-maste-goras-for-att-digitalisera-den-offentliga-forvaltningen/

Top of Digital Europe's report on collaboration on digitalization in the Baltic Sea region: http://topofdigital.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SODR_report_web.pdf

Boston Consulting Group report on the digitization of Europe: http://www.bcg.dk/documents/file209395.pdf

Stefan Fölster on Brexit's opportunities for Sweden and the EU: http://www.svd.se/sa-kan-brexit-bli-en-fordel-for-europa/om/eus-framtid-efter-brexit