Political commitment is now needed for a competitive Sweden

Digitization

In 2024, the government will present a new research and innovation bill for the next four-year period. Despite our current situation, politicians must look ahead and dare to make the decisions needed to enable a growing, dynamic and environmentally friendly business community. Sweden cannot afford to lag behind in digital development, which is also the basic infrastructure for the development of society as a whole and a great opportunity for Sweden to stand strong in the export market.

Sweden can no longer rely on previous digital advances and successes; the rest of the world has both caught up and overtaken us in the field of digitization and industrial application. Business, government, regions and municipalities are dependent on the development of the tech industry and close access to its know-how and solutions. Without the tech industry, the public sector will not be able to cope with the digital transition. It is therefore important that education, research and innovation policies promote and support continued digital development so that the tech industry can increase its productivity, competitiveness and exports. Without tech, there will be no competitive industry either, as these companies are increasingly looking to places where the supply of specialized service companies is high. 

Digitization has great potential to contribute to society-wide transformation, more efficient processes, new ways of working and reduced emissions. Technologies such as AI, IoT and quantum computers have enormous potential in the future and are fundamental for both a successful Sweden and for everyone's sustainable transition and society. Investments in research and development that support society's digital transformation therefore also mean investments in the climate, the environment, democracy, healthcare and the supply of skills in society. Investments in tech promote all of these areas, not least in the climate and environment area, where there is great development and export potential in the future. 

To enable this, the government should make proposals in the following areas in the research bill: 

  • Excellent, needs-driven and value-creating research to support the digital transformation and promote digital excellence (quantum technologies, AI, 5G/6G, cybersecurity). 
  • A substantial increase in the ambition of the Swedish research budget (a total of one percent of GDP) and, together with the business community, establish a national research strategy with research priorities. 
  • A world-class higher education. 
  • Strengthen higher education's interaction with business and industry and the link between higher education and working life. 
  • Increase the reimbursement rate for IT training and set up an inquiry to review the current division of reimbursement rates. 
  • Increase throughput from tech education. 
  • Establish a strategy for international talent attraction. 
  • Strengthen opportunities for skills development and transition.
    • Utilization and commercialization of research. 
    • Invest in promoting partnerships and consortia. 
    • Promote increased mobility between academia and industry. 
    • Review the R&D exemption. 

      We are competing for both business start-ups and skilled labor. A clear political commitment is now required for Sweden to be a sustainable and competitive country where opportunities can be seized. TechSverige and the industry expect nothing less. 

      Christina Ramm-Ericson
      Head of Industrial Policy and Chief Economist