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'Give 100 million in export support': Löfven

Published: 7 Jul 12 10:56 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41884/20120707/

The Social Democrats want to invest in small and medium-sized export companies, wrote the party’s head Stefan Löfven in an opinion piece on Saturday.

Löfven, who is slated to hold his speech in Almedalen later on Saturday, suggested that the Swedish Export Council (Exportrådet) should receive 100 million kronor ($14.2 million) extra over a period of four years.

This extra cash would be directed to support smaller companies in their export. The millions “aim to help companies establish business connections and break into new markets”, he wrote in his opinion piece in newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (SvD).

Löfven states that as Sweden’s exports make up roughly half of the country’s BNP, has a major influence on tax revenue and welfare, and adds that increased export support is needed for small and medium-sized companies.

“Partly this is so that we can export more products, but it’s also because in a global economy, smaller Swedish companies aren’t just competing with other companies in Sweden, but all over the world. We have to start thinking exports much sooner,” said the Social Democratic leader to news agency TT.

When asked whether 25 million kronor per year is really enough to make an impact in this area, Löfven responded:

“Based on what the Export Council receives today, it’s an increase by more than ten percent, and 100 million isn’t so bad. Then we’ll have to see what we can do in future.”

TT/The Local/cg (news@thelocal.se)

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13:55 July 7, 2012 by Svealander
"Löfven states that as Sweden's exports make up roughly half of the country's BNP"

Uhh... BNP?
14:41 July 7, 2012 by Dazzler
YAY! Let the taxpayer funded union payoffs begin!
20:45 July 7, 2012 by calebian22
Svealander,

BNP=Bruttonationalprodukt

GDP=Gross Domestic Product

As for the idea. Wow! A Social Democratic leader who doesn't have his head completely up his a**.
22:32 July 7, 2012 by eurobloke
@calebien22

I would agree, it is good that it is a idea that isn't normally from the Social democratic handbook, but it is something that many of us from left to right support
10:12 July 8, 2012 by Svealander
@ calebian22

Yeah I know, I'm just surprised they'd use it on a English news website, I guess.
12:04 July 8, 2012 by Uncle
What is not mentioned and somehow not asked is on the account of WHAT should this investment be done? Since budget is not a magical bag that produces money out of nothing, one has either to harm some other industry or service or get it on the account of a loan.

Besides, there are budget committees in Riksdag, where Social democrats have their own representatives. They are more than welcome to move forth the proposal. I do not quite understand why would he use public arena to propagate this minor budget shift. The proposed money corresponds to 0,034% of public revenues, which if translated into an average yearly income of a family with 2 working persons, it is a discussion about what shall we do with 200 kronor next year.

WOW, what an important and essential progress in swedish economy. Let's buy more paper towels, one more beef package and a gum someday NEXT YEAR!

Demagogue.
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