Business Climate Surveys

Sweden and India share a long history of collaboration, and 2023 is a very special year that marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India is now home to 260 Swedish companies, and this number is growing with the boost towards trade and investment by the Government of India.

Commercial relationships between Indonesia and Sweden continue to develop in a positive direction. Bilateral trade between the two countries has continued to increase as both economies recover from the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sweden and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a long history of strong bilateral relations and fruitful cooperation. The first Swedish companies established themselves in the UAE back in the 1960s, and today there are over 220 Swedish companies present in the market.

The United Kingdom is proud of its reputation as a global hub for business. Thanks to its mature, high-spending consumer market coupled with an open, liberal economy, the UK presents a plethora of opportunities for Swedish companies.

With over 68 million inhabitants, France is the second-largest economy in the EU and the seventh-largest economy in the world. France has historically been an important trade partner for Sweden, and this relationship keeps growing.

Sweden and Portugal have enjoyed a solid diplomatic and trade relationship since the 17th century. The business communities of our countries have become more integrated – thereby strengthening both our political ties and our trade relations. Today Portugal ranks among the top 30 export markets for Sweden, and more than 150 Swedish companies are active in the Portuguese market.

This business climate survey offers a comprehensive assessment of Swedish companies operating in Singapore. The survey provides factual insights into the performance and challenges faced by Swedish enterprises, set against the backdrop of Singapore's macroeconomic outlook.

The Netherlands is Sweden's seventh-largest export market (94 billion SEK) and the third-largest market for imports (206 billion SEK). With its geographically advantageous location, together with its high level of digitalisation, technological advancements, innovative practices, and commitment to sustainability, the Netherlands makes an appealing destination for Swedish enterprises.

As the world’s eighth-largest economy and the EU’s second-largest industrial producer, Italy provides a wide range of business opportunities to Swedish companies in various sectors, offering excellent access to service providers, distributors, and suppliers.

Japan has long been known as a strong and profitable market for Swedish companies. Whilst it can initially put up some high barriers to entry, those who persevere usually find a comfortable niche where they can consistently show good margins.

With a concerning overall economic outlook in Germany, it is encouraging that among respondents in the 2023 Business Climate Survey, a rather positive picture of the business climate emerges. The bilateral trade volume between Germany and Sweden has, over the last 10 years, experienced a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 6.95 per cent.

With its vibrant economy and vast population, Mexico stands as a key player in the Latin American market and on the global stage. Its position as Latin America's second-largest market and the world's fifteenth-largest economy demonstrates its potential.

Last year's Team Sweden Business Climate Survey – conducted in March 2022 – was particularly influenced by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year's survey – conducted in March 2023 – paints a different picture in various ways, where several negative trends have been reversed.

In 2022, export volume from Sweden to Türkiye increased by 35 per cent compared to 2021 and amounted to 20.4 billion SEK, reaching an all-time high in the last 10 years. Despite Türkiye's sustained growth in the past decade, the global economic slowdown following the Covid-19 pandemic and recent macroeconomic policies have hindered its GDP growth.

2022 was the year when we experienced the toughest pandemic management ever seen in the market, which had a strong impact on companies and individuals. It was also the year when the zero-Covid policy was dropped overnight, and life rapidly went back to normal. The pandemic is now over, but world trade is still facing turbulence and uncertainty.