The importance of imports for productivity and exports

Despite the close link between imports and exports, most of the analysis and policy discussions have traditionally focused on how to strengthen exports, without further consideration of the potential for imports. Against this background, this paper aims to highlight the link between imports, productivity and exports.

Increased productivity after foreign acquisitions

Companies that are bought up by foreign owners increase their productivity.

Sara Sandelius

Productivity Effects of Foreign Acquisitions in Sweden: A sectoral analysis

Companies that are bought up by foreign owners increase their productivity. The greatest increase in productivity is seen in very small companies in the service sector. This is shown by an economic analysis carried out by Kommerskollegium before Sweden introduces a mechanism to review foreign direct investments.

Why the EU misses the mark with the Net Zero Industry Act

The Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) misses the chance to harness trade policy in support of the worthwhile aims of ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies.

What is needed to restore the WTO Appellate Body?

The WTO Appellate Body has not been functioning since the end of 2019. What has caused this crisis and what could be done to get the Appellate Body up and running again?

The WTO Appellate Body Crisis

The WTO Appellate Body has not been functioning since the end of 2019. The WTO Members have, however, agreed to have a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system that is accessible to all WTO Members by 2024. An informal process is now underway to restart operations.

Malin Ljungkvist

Zdenka Petrovic

CBAM and Ukraine: Special circumstances call for special measures

In 2023, two of the EU’s top priorities are the implementation of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and continued support for the recovery of Ukraine’s economy. However, it looks as though Ukraine will be among the countries most affected by CBAM. Can support for Ukraine’s recovery co-exist with a carbon price...

Critical minerals – important pieces on the geopolitical chessboard

Countries that control trade in critical raw materials have leverage over import-dependent economies like the EU. It is therefore rightly a priority for the EU to diversify the supply by developing on trading relations with like-minded partners and finding alternative sources of import.

The Swedish market for food ingredients

In this study, you will get to know the Swedish market for food ingredients, such as turmeric, groundnuts, carrageenan, and guar gum.

More needs to be done to increase trade in environmental goods

Many regional trade agreements (RTAs) contain specific environmental goods provisions aimed to promote, facilitate or otherwise support trade in climate- and environmentally friendly goods. However, these agreements do not lead to increased trade in environmental goods.

The Role of Trade in the Green Transition

Trade policy can play a key role in facilitating the green transition. However, trade barriers on environmental goods make the green transition more expensive than necessary. In an attempt to address these barriers, several countries include specific environmental goods provisions in their regional trade agreements.

The need for enhanced EU cooperation with the CPTPP

EU economic integration with like-minded partners in the Asia-Pacific is crucial to diversify trade relations and improve competitiveness. This article presents concrete proposals on how this can be achieved without negotiating entirely new trade agreements.

Press

For press inquiries, contact our press office at press(a)kommerskollegium.se or by phone +46 8 690 49 00. Who we are The National Board of Trade is the Swedish government agency for international trade, the EU internal market and trade policy. Our mission is to facilitate free and open trade with transparent rules as...

Pauline Degerth

Anders Ahnlid heads the EU working group on frozen assets

The Director-General of the National Board of Trade Sweden, Anders Ahnlid, has been appointed by the government to lead a working group that will investigate the possibilities of using frozen Russian for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Digital innovation creates challenges for technical regulation

Digital goods that make use of AI technology and/or which are subject to cyber vulnerabilities increase regulatory complexity, according to a new report.

Innovation, AI, Technical Regulation and Trade

In this report, the National Board of Trade Sweden highlights the challenges that digital innovation creates for technical regulation. The report questions whether artificial intelligence and cyber vulnerabilities are changing the way industrial goods, such as some smartphones, medical devices, and vehicles with...