Brussels, 24/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - Swedish business leaders support the priorities of the new European Union Presidency: - the famous "e"s (employment, environment and enlargement), as well as deregulation, greater flexibility and greater investment in research, education and training. These, in essence, are the main directions for action defined by Swedish representatives of employers and industry. Messrs Sören Gill, President of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (which is to replace the Swedish Employers' Confederation, SAF, and the Federation of Swedish Industries, Industriförbundet, in April); Anders Scharp, SAF President; and Leif Johansson, Chief Executive Officer of Volvo, gave their unequivocal support to the euro.
The internationalisation of the economy and the constant emergence of new technologies compel European enterprises to adjust increasingly rapidly to global developments in order to remain competitive. In this context, the Swedish business leaders deplore the characteristic over-regulation of European countries, considering this is one of the factors that explains why the growth of the old continent has always remained below that of the United States over the past twenty years. It is also why, they believe, the very top priority of the Swedish Presidency should be the triggering of a "deregulation" process. Other imperatives in an international environment characterised by rapid change: the flexibility of the job market and growth in investment for research, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills. To these priorities, the SAF and Industriförbundet adds several "major classics" such as the strengthening of free trade, an economic and monetary union that works harmoniously, a market economy based on competition with all European enterprises on a level playing field, and the consolidation and development of the internal market.
On this last point, Mr Jan Herin, Deputy General Manager and Chief Economist of SAF, confided to EUROPE the main improvements expected by Swedish economic operators during their country's EU Presidency. The Swedish business leaders would above all like homogenous implementation of Community legislation, which would mean effacing the existing discrepancies between Member States with regard to application of European law. Mr Herin insisted that the aim of SAF and of Industriförbundet could not be clearer on this: Community legislation must be implemented at one hundred percent in all EU Member States. Still with regard to improving the way the internal market works, Mr Herin considers that an effort has still to be made in the financial services sector, and also regarding the elimination of State aid and the opening of public procurement markets to greater competition. In many cases, all contracts are still taken up by local enterprises. Finally, recalling that the Swedish economy is an export economy, the SAF Chief Economist urged in favour of rapid extension of the single market to other countries in the context of EU enlargement.