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IT IS NOT A new phenomena; our welfare state is built on early international expansion by large Swedish companies. The world is at our feet. Sweden has a lot to offer, especially to fast growing countries like India and China where water shortage and environmental problems are like big dark clouds in the sky. In Sweden, environmental consideration has become “default standard”. We have unique qualifications and long experience in system thinking when it comes to environmentally efficient production techniques as well as environmentally adapted goods and services. This is valuable knowledge that should be exploited. Large Swedish companies are world famous, have a good reputation and are used as role models. In a seminar about Swedish competitiveness, Michael Porter, professor at Harvard Business School, pointed out the environment as an unexploited competitive edge.
GROWTH AND WELFARE go hand in hand. Sweden’s challenge is how take advantage of our long experience. With sensible investments, more small companies will become active players in the global field. The potential is great but so is risk. There are few incentives for internationalisation and trade promotion is disruptive and unclear. Several reports show that we have a number of things to learn from other countries where promotion is clear and focused. Another problem for small companies is high leverage (debt ratio). This is an obstacle when looking for new markets with long time to market.
TRADE PROMOTION, low small company debt ratios and access to the R&D world are important factors to take full advantage of globalisation and contribute to rich and poor countries. Swedish companies have a lot to offer!
Source: the Globalisation Council