SECTORS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
Sweden is often ranked as one of the world's most innovative countries, and the Triple Helix model—collaboration between academia, industry, and government—has been pivotal in driving this. Sweden’s industrialisation started with a focus on iron- and steel manufacturing, went through a rapid economic expansion promoting welfare and education, and in recent decades has diversified focusing on innovation-driven sectors such as IT, biotech, clean energy, and design, shifting towards a knowledge-based economy.
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Sweden is often ranked as one of the world's most innovative countries, and the Triple Helix model—collaboration between academia, industry, and government—has been pivotal in driving this. Swedish universities work closely with industries and receive support from different government agencies, a collaboration that fuels research, technology transfer, and commercialisation efforts, enhancing Sweden's competitiveness on the global stage.
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The industrialisation in Sweden started mainly with a focus on iron- and steel manufacturing, textiles, and shipbuilding. Sweden then experienced a rapid economic expansion, driven by government policies promoting welfare, education, and innovation, which led to the start of companies like Volvo, Ericsson, and IKEA. In recent decades, Sweden has diversified its industrial base, focusing on innovation-driven sectors such as IT, biotech, clean energy, and design. Sweden is shifting towards a knowledge-based economy, investing in education, research, and entrepreneurship to foster innovation and economic resilience. Many Swedish companies have expanded globally, contributing to the country's economic competitiveness and international influence.
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Based on this development the current main sectors in the Swedish Business Ecosystems are Artificial Intelligence and Technology, Healthcare, Industry, Retail and Manufacturing, Telecommunication, Energy, Transport, Construction, Agritech, Cleantech, Fintech and Waste management. In several of these sectors Sweden’s performance shows exceptionally high standards for sustainability and competitiveness. Sweden is also a cleantech pioneer and a global leader in waste management and circular economy models.
In addition, Sports and Culture, Tourism, Academia and Investments also form important parts within the Swedish Business Ecosystem.
Find Out More
Learn more about the Swedish ecosystem, discover what Sweden has to offer and explore partnership opportunities through the below organisations and companies or reach out to the Embassy at ambassaden.doha@gov.se for personalized assistance and support.
Example of Main Actors within the Swedish Business Ecosystem
Business Sweden is an organisation jointly owned by the Swedish State and the business sector that supports and promotes Swedish exports and investments in Sweden. It helps Swedish companies to grow global sales and international companies to invest and expand in Sweden
Avfall Sverige or Swedish Waste Management in English is a stakeholder and trade association in the field of waste management and recycling
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce represents Swedish businesses domestically and internationally. It advocates for favorable policies, provides networking opportunities, and supports companies in expanding their global presence through trade promotion and business services. The Swedish Chambers of commerce International (SCI) is an umbrella organization for Swedish chambers of commerce abroad. It consists of over 30 Swedish Chambers from all over the world, they assist both Swedish companies wishing to expand abroad as well as foreign organizations wishing to explore business possibilities in Sweden.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise mission is: ‘better business climate leads to successful companies thus in turn secure jobs and creates a solid and flourishing Sweden’. This is for example done through producing concrete proposals for measures and reforms that improve the business climate. Providing knowledge and inform opinion as well as seeking to influence politicians and other decisionmakers and being the voice of the trade in Sweden. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise's members are employers' associations, trade associations or other groups of companies