More and growing companies

Society constantly faces new challenges. Our ability to cope with these challenges and develop society in a positive direction is affected by the level of economic growth. Good economic growth generates more scope for development, innovation and improvements.

Since 1950, Sweden's growth measured by GDP has almost increased fivefold. Per capita GDP, the most common measure of a country´s prosperity, has increased by almost as much. So despite population growth, the resources per person have increased dramatically.

Effects of economic growth

Today we can afford better housing and food. We have more leisure and can go on holiday both in Sweden and abroad. We can afford a well-developed welfare sector, which contributes to better health and a longer life. Knowledge is more evenly distributed, gender equality is better — and the story is the same in many other areas. Thus one effect of economic growth is that people have more freedom of action, providing opportunities for higher quality of life.

Help to realise business concepts

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth has an assignment from the Government to support initiatives that help people to realise their business concepts. Our role is to get these concepts put into practice, which may lead both to new companies and to the development of existing companies. Our action is based on an innovation and sustainability perspective and is intended to create opportunities for a diverse range of entrepreneurs with different experience and a diverse range of different business forms.

Actions

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth works on co-financing different types of projects to provide advice prior to the start or development of a company. Other action focuses on influencing attitudes to make more people interested in enterprise. We also work on promoting business development in small and medium-sized enterprises, where special attention is focused on areas like product development, capital provision, knowledge development and preparations for internationalisation. We are also the government agency responsible for the official tourism statistics, and we work to promote visitor industry issues.