Welcome effort, but targets and governance missing

In the report the authorities note that other countriessuch as Germany, Finland and France, are making strong investments in digitalization and that Sweden too, just as we at IT&Telecom companies have emphasized, need to do the same if we are tohave a chance to compete globally. The authors highlight highlight four areas that initially should form the program:

• Digitalization for green transition and social sustainability
• Advanced digitization
• Digital infrastructure and data
• Digital skills and maturity

The authorities write that the program will be implemented in the form of collaborative sub-programs with different main focuses and with different types of initiatives, and that the sub-programs will evolve over time. In total, the authors propose that the public sector should invest SEK 5.5 billion per year from 2024.

IT&Telecom companies welcome the proposal for a sustained effort in broad collaboration between industry and the public sector, among others. But to ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction and that resources are invested correctly, a clear picture of what is to be achieved and clear and measurable goals that can be realized are required. Clarity is also needed on the program's governance, mandate and timetable. Otherwise, there is a risk that the gathering of forces will be a powerful blow in the air where no one has the baton and everyone does what they want. Not least for all the companies that want to contribute, it needs to be clear who is responsible for what and how decisions are made. It must of course also be possible to follow up and evaluate the program.

The report does not do this. Instead, it is proposed that an inter-agency program office be established. We think it is important to first establish what is to be achieved and how it is to be ensured before considering the forms and resources for setting up an office. We see a risk that an office could complicate the work and become another actor with an unclear mission and mandate that is difficult for market participants to relate to. There are already established forms of cooperation for authorities today without the need to create offices. We also call for a clear description of how the actual collaboration with the rest of society - not least with the business community - is to take place so that the focus is on realization, i.e. actual implementation and transformation, rather than on studies, analysis and policy.

Sweden is currently facing many societal challenges where we need to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization. This requires the right conditions and that the right political decisions are also made. The transition towards a sustainable digital structural transformation has already begun, and Sweden needs to step up its efforts here. The report notes that over the past 20 years, a number of IT and digitalization initiatives have been initiated. However, many have been short-lived and fragmented, and serious work has been lost. Creating the right conditions and maintaining Swedish competitiveness requires leadership and a concerted approach to digitization with concrete initiatives supported by the business community. This is where a concerted effort for digitization should begin. But for this to happen, there needs to be a clear political ambition and will! It is not enough to delegate to authorities without direction and clear mandates.

Christina Ramm-Ericson
Head of Industrial Policy, IT&Telecom Industries