Nevertheless, Sweden has many good sides. There is good infrastructure, roads, aviation, IT and the telecommunications are considered good, however, the railway is not as good.

Good skills provision exists but there is a need for specialists and skilled industrial workers. Most often, companies must address their needs with the help of consultants and agency workers, which is not always the long-term solution.

Company taxation is approved but the individual taxation is not, and the total wage bill in Sweden is too high, and the social wage costs (31.42 percent) are too high as well. This level of individual taxation implies that it is difficult to attract and recruit foreign workers.

The attitude to business in Sweden has improved, but there has to be a greater interest from the government and politicians for the industry and everyday lives.

It is difficult to grow in Sweden, the market is “saturated” for many of the participating companies. The business environment has several shortcomings that complicate the expansion, and the absence of clear long-term information on such important energy issues. All these factors together are barriers to continued investment in Sweden.

The foreign companies are very positive to that Sweden says yes to membership in EMU.


                                                                                   Cecilia Helland