Daniel Gronvius

Trade and economic development – understanding the relationship

There are strong links between a country's trade policy and its economic development. Properly designed, open international trade can contribute to increased growth and reduced poverty in a country. This requires that the country also has a national policy that ensures that development benefits everyone – including...

The importance of trade for Sweden's development

Sweden has a strong and competitive economy from a global perspective. Having previously been one of the poorest countries in Europe, Sweden is now one of the richest countries in the world. This is a development that would not have been possible without international trade – and policy initiatives that ensure that...

Ecuador – implementing the EU trade agreement

In 2016, Ecuador joined the free trade agreement that Peru and Colombia had previously signed with the EU. In order to realise the agreement, the following year Ecuador entered into a cooperation with the National Board of Trade Sweden. This cooperation lasted until 2020 and resulted in new working methods and a...

Namibia – a development cooperation at the EU level

In February 2022, the National Board of Trade Sweden launched a development cooperation with Namibia. The cooperation is part of a larger EU project which aims to increase the country’s participation in international trade and contribute to Namibia’s economic growth.

“Enhanced trade helps to reduce poverty in the country”

In cooperation with the National Board of Trade Sweden, Zambia is aiming to strengthen its capacities within technical barriers to trade. Trust Mufune, Chief Economist at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Zambia, believes this could help to reduce poverty in the country.

The Trade Academy provides a holistic learning experience

Zungaye Phiri is a Principal Economist at Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. She took the Trade Academy Trade Policy course – and realised that trade is not a zero-sum game.

Zambia – development cooperation for increased trade in goods

Zambia wants to increase trade with other countries. To help achieve this, the National Board of Trade Sweden and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Zambia began cooperating towards this goal in the spring of 2022. The aim is to strengthen the Ministry's capabilities in technical barriers to trade, so...

We got the skills that we need in our daily operations

Zakaria Hassan is a Trade Advisor at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Somalia. He is also a participant on the Trade Academy’s Advanced Trade Policy Course 2023. Now he is ready to use his new skills to tackle the challenges of Somalia’s growing economy.

I realised that imports are just as important as exports

Chantal Tuyishimire works as an E-commerce Associate and Advisor at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Kigali, Rwanda. After participating in the Trade Academy’s Advanced Trade Policy Course, she has learned about the importance of imports for enhancing the value chain.

Trade Academy Trade Promotion

The Trade Academy Trade Promotion is a one-month programme for professionals working to promote trade in a developing country. This free course is conducted in hybrid format and weaves together trade promotion with trade policy.

COP28: What is the impact of the EU Green Deal on EU's trade relations?

The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 starts the 30th of November, and this year includes a day specifically dedicated to trade and trade policy. The National Board of Trade will organise a seminar the 3rd of December at the Swedish Pavilion at COP28.

Johan Andersson

The underappreciated role of imports

The global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, have taught us that global shocks can have devastating economic consequences. While knee-jerk reactions sometimes blame external dependence for this, there is strong evidence that economic integration strengthens both competitiveness and...

Good intentions of EU legislations could have opposite effect

There is a risk that the objectives of the EU’s due diligence legislation, i.e. where companies have a duty to address negative human rights and environmental impacts in their own operations, will be counter-productive. This is according to a new report by the National Board of Trade.

Potential Impacts of EU Due Diligence Obligations on Companies’ Suppliers in Developing Countries

This report is about the impact EU legislation on due diligence could have on EU companies’ suppliers in developing countries. Trade Policy Adviser Kim Larsson tells more.

See afterwards: Competitiveness through better functioning of the single market – a wish list for the next EU Commission

National Board of Trade Sweden arranged a seminar during the EU Days Lund 2023. The event was organised by the City of Lund, Lund University, the European Commission Representation in Sweden and Europe Direct Lund. Our Director-General Anders Ahnlid talked about the improvements that can be done to develop the single...

Anastasiia Shtanieva

Sophie Berner-Eyde

Challenges remain in harmonising circular economy product labelling

Will forthcoming EU legislation reduce fragmentation of labelling requirements on the single market? Harmonisation is the key, and some steps forward are foreseen. However, legislative challenges remain.