prop · GX0334en · 2009-10-21 00:00:00 — resources of supplementary public financing providers have been strengthened to meet firms' increased need of capital. has increased the pace of reform work on competition. work on collusive tendering continues. amended to prevent public sector commercial activities from distorting The pharmacy market has been re-regulated. care systems will be introduced. New legislation to open the market for passenger traffic on railways to competition has into force. Government will also review co-ownership of nuclear power stations as well as the possibilities of increasing competition in the district heating In spring , the Government intends to present measures to improve competition that will be important for the economy. To facilitate commercialisation of innovations, innovation offices have been established at universities and colleges. Furthermore, the Industrial have been restructured and allocated additional To counter the real effects of the economic crisis, the Government gave the regional dismissal coordinators in 21 counties the task, on behalf of the Government of coordinating actors and available resources at the local and regional level to ensure that retains and improves its competitiveness. The Government has acted on a great many proposals on the labour market, education, infrastructure, business development, local government finances and financial markets. Government has presented a bill with measures to counter the impact of the financial crisis on the industry, which include initiatives for research and development with the focus on climate change. Moreover, the Government intends to take broadband measures within the framework of the Rural Development Programme, 20072113, as part of Economic Recovery Plan. The Government has also allocated further resources for the operation and maintenance of roads and railways and brought forward infrastructure investments. 3.1Enhanced initiatives for competitive research To increase and improve investment in R&D, in particular by private business To facilitate all forms of innovation The Governments goal is to strengthen position as a research nation, thus enhancing competitiveness in a globalised world in order to contribute to higher economic growth and welfare in . Research is to be of top international quality and is to be largely conducted in areas that are or have the potential to be important for human welfare, social development and industrial competitiveness. The Swedish business sector invests substantial resources in research and development (R&D) from an international perspective. In 2008, estimated R&D investment by companies with 50 employees or more was equivalent to 2.86 per cent of GDP. 's public investment in R&D is forecast to come to 1 per cent of GDP in 2009. exceeds the agreed EU objective by a good . In autumn , the Government decided on research and innovation legislation, A Boost to Research and Innovation (Govt. 2008/09:50). The Riksdag then adopted the legislation on 28 January 2009 (Committee Report 2008/09:UbU4, 2008/09:160). Estimated public funding of research in 2009, SEK billions Municipal and county council funds In the bill on research and innovation, the Government presented a major programme for research and development totalling billion A new initiative in the bill was the support for strategic measures to meet the challenges at the global level in those areas where Swedish research is world class and measures of importance for industrys After a competitive call for applications, the Government will decide which academic institutions will get most of the strategic funding, totalling billion annually. Some of the funding for the strategic areas will be used for development programmes on research infrastructure linked to the strategic areas, for example, biobanks, but it will also be used for large research facilities such as the synchrotron light facility. About 25 per cent of the increased appropriation for academic institutions will be allocated based on quality criteria. State funding for research and development is expected to amount to billion in 2009, which is an increase of billion compared with the previous year. In addition to this funding, investment made in R&D is estimated at billion from the research foundations established with state funding in the early 1990s, SEK1.8 billion from EU research funds and billion from local government research funds. In total, public funding for R&D is expected to amount to billion in 2009. This is estimated to be equivalent to about one per cent of GDP. The Swedish innovation system gets top ranking in a number of measures of innovation. In Innovation Scoreboard, ranks first, well above the EU average. The strengths of the Swedish innovation system can be found in the level of investment and the ability to create the climate for innovation. There are, however, shortcomings in the ability to commercialise and apply research results. Growth in the innovation system in is also lower than in a number of other countries. The Commission and Council pointed out in the Progress Report of as part of the 'points to watch' that would benefit by continuing initiatives to commercialise R&D, considering other instruments for innovation in addition to those that are related to R&D and bringing the innovation system more in line with the market's needs. The bill A Boost to Research and Innovation (Govt. 2008/09:50) that the Government proposed in autumn , presented a new objective for research policy, a key part of which is research that can be used to improve business competitiveness. The bill contains a number of different measures that help improve conditions for research-based innovation and increased commercialisation and application of research results. Academic institutions are important actors and the research conducted at universities and colleges needs to be of use to the business sector and society to a greater extent than it is today. The Higher Education Act (1992:1434) has been changed so that since 1 2009 one of universities and colleges tasks is to work to see that research results belonging to the university or college will be used. Work is under way on a proposal to on introducing an obligation for university teachers to report to their employer any inventions that can be patented. The Government also presented an initiative to stimulate research-based innovations. being established at a number of academic institutions. The Government has also strengthened the long-term financing of . are to work for sustainable growth by enhancing competitiveness and innovation in the business sector. In A Boost to Research and Innovation (Govt. 2008/09:50), an initiative by the Institute for million for strategic skills development was presented. In January 2009 the holding company previously known as became () , with an expanded mandate to work to develop the institutes. At the end of 2009, is expected to be transferred from the State to . To improve the innovation, quality and efficiency of public sector activities as well as the capacity to innovate and the potential for structural change in the business sector, the Government intends to appoint a with the remit to examine what is required in order for public actors' investments to better contribute to the development of knowledge intensive companies than they do today. The potential for such programmes is to be investigated in activities in which public actors are responsible for major sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and health care. In , the Government decided an initiative aimed at stimulating the commercialisation of innovations in health care. The initiative has a total funding of at least million over three years. In , the Government presented the bill The State's Responsibility for Companies with Research and Development Activities and Other Activities in the Vehicle cluster, etc. (Staten som huvudman för bolag med verksamhet avseende forskning och utveckling och annan verksamhet inom fordonsklustret m.m.) (Govt. 2008/09:95). The bill contains a major initiative for research and development activities in the vehicle cluster for a total of billion. Behind this initiative is the need to develop new motors and fuels for a more climate-friendly vehicle industry and transport sector. Research and innovation plays an important role in restructuring the industry in the direction of more climate-friendly production and retaining national competitiveness. In the 2010 Budget , the Government announced a three-year initiative of million a year to encourage young innovators in cooperation with academic institutions, companies and business organisations. Protection of intellectual property rights The significance of intellectual property rights for economic growth in society has increased substantially. Therefore, strengthening the protection of these rights is a high priority for the Government. Many measures have already been taken in this area, and more are under way. In 2008, changes were made in the patent law which involve a significant relaxation of the translation requirements for European patents as well as the introduction of the possibility of sending in patent applications to the Swedish Patent and Registration Office electronically. Both these reforms make it simpler and less costly for firms to protect their inventions, thus contributing to further stimulating investment in research and development. Work is currently under way to draft a new trade mark act and extensive amendments to the law on trade names. A bill is planned for spring . The proposal involves a number of improvements and simplifications for applicants and trade mark proprietors and firms. In line with the growth of the information society, and not least with the increased importance of cultural and creative industries, copyright has increasingly come to the fore. In connection with the implementation of the EC Directive on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (ToR. 2004/48/EC), the possibility for the courts to decide whether an Internet provider is to supply copyright holders with information on which subscribers have a particular IP number used to commit copyright violations was introduced on . The aim of the provisions is to improve the conditions for the legal sale of copyright protected material over the Internet and reduce copyright violations. To achieve the same aim and to contribute to the development of legal user friendly services, the Government also initiated business sector discussions between copyright holders and Internet providers in 2008. The Government has appointed an inquiry chair to review the provisions of the Act on Copyright in Literary and Artistic Works on the transition of copyright, to review certain issues about contract licences and to review the Act with respect to editing and language. The inquiry chair is to report on its findings with respect to the first two issues no later than 31 January 2010 and on the remaining parts on 31 January 2011. 3.2A sustainable information society for all To facilitate the spread and effective use of ICT and build a fully inclusive information society The goal of the Swedish IT policy is for to be a sustainable information society for all. The aim of the measures taken under the information society policy is to create good conditions for well- functioning markets and effective competition. continue to have a high level of IT maturity compared with other Ninety-six per cent of companies with 10 or more employees use computers and the Internet. The number of persons having access to the Internet at home is also relatively high. statistics from 2009, 88 per cent of people aged 18 to 74 had access to the Internet at home. In 2008 the possibility of support for channelisation construction when expanding or rebuilding other infrastructure was introduced, for example, by laying empty tubes for IT infrastructure when burying electricity The Government also intends to implement broadband measures within the framework of the Rural Development Programme, 20072013, which is part of Economic Recovery Plan. measures make it possible to increase broadband access as part of local The Frequency Inquiry () (SOU 2008:72) has proposed more effective and more appropriate regulations for awarding licences with market-based allocation of frequencies and state procurement where the market fails. Its report is being circulated for comments and the Government intends to present a bill in 2010. modernisation of the regulatory framework will contribute to the aggregate social benefit through improved opportunities for development The development of eGovernment has an ever increasing need of IT and electronic communications technology, which makes security, accessibility and robustness of vital importance. The Government's strategy for developing eGovernment is based on a concerted effort by state public authorities for open standards and principles for the utilisation of IT and electronic communication, which individuals and business will ultimately be able to benefit from and which facilitates cooperation between public authorities. By increasing the supply of electronic services for businesses, the public sector can also contribute to more efficient enterprises. To implement the Government's action plan for developing eGovernment decided in January 2008 and to lead and coordinate eGovernment, the Government established an eDelegation in 2009 (ToR 2009:19). Its first task is to draft proposals for a strategy for public authorities' work on eGovernment and propose guidelines on how public sector development of e-services will be able to support the changeover to new technology. The proposal is to be submitted to the Government no later than . () has reported statistics showing the expansion of mobile communication networks. All licence holders subject to a coverage requirement meet them, in some cases with a large . 2009 the operators have begun to cooperate more on network expansion. The provision of services has been expanded to mobile broadband services on a large scale and the number of subscriptions for mobile broadband connection has increased sharply. The permits in the 2500 bandwidth, which were auctioned off in spring will most likely be used for this type of service, thus giving consumers more access to high speed mobile communications services. In addition, after the and 's decision in 2009, the operators have been given the opportunity to also offer mobile broadband services in the 900 band width (och ). of the operators who have permits in this bandwidth have also provided information on their plans to use the bandwidth for mobile broadband networks with high transmission speeds. The Government decided on on the digital dividend, that is to say, the frequencies freed up for other uses upon the changeover from analogue to digital terrestrial TV. that the frequency range will be freed up for applications other than TV. The decision has been followed by several other countries in the EU and the Commission has published proposals whereby Member States will be obliged to use the band in this way. PTS has been given the remit to produce a planning solution that will make it possible to issue licences for the frequencies freed up under the Electronic Communications Act and according to the schedule published by the authority, it plans to issue permits in autumn . This decision is of great importance to the communications sector, since the frequency range is relatively broad and has particularly good properties for supplying mobile services with good geographical coverage. On 1 2008, the Act was changed to enable PTS to enjoin the dominant actor who operates, manages and supplies the copper access network to separate these activities from other activities, particularly the sale of subscriptions to the end customer. A decision on functional separation must be preceded by a thorough investigation and consultations with the market parties and the Authority and others. Before a decision is taken by the PTA, the Commission must also give its approval. The Act also gives the dominant operator the alternative option of implementing functional separation voluntarily. A voluntary separation of this kind can be approved by the PTA in a decision. 3.3Open well-functioning markets in a sustainable economy To strengthen the competitive advantages of its industrial base To extend and deepen the internal market To ensure open and competitive markets inside and outside Europe and to reap the benefits of globalisation One of the 'points to watch' that the Commission and Council adopted concerning is to continue the work on increasing competition, particularly in the service sector. The aim of the Government's policy is open, functioning markets with good competition. This is a prerequisite for long-term sustainable growth. The current economic downturn is no reason to deviate from this policy; on the contrary, it is important that all markets function well when the business cycle turns upwards. Ensuring open markets is the basis for actions in the EU and in the WTO. The EU internal market is the engine for growth and job creation and thus one of the cornerstones of European cooperation. The Government's goal is to create sustainable growth through new and expanding companies and new jobs. Innovation and creativity are to be encouraged through such measures as the action plan for cultural and creative businesses decided by the Government in autumn . The opportunities for new actors and more freedom of choice need to be improved, not least in the area of welfare. To achieve the Government's goal, market efficiency must be ensured. Business policy contributes to this while business sector restructuring supports more sustainable development. An environmentally friendly economy that reconciles business policy with climate and energy challenges is a valuable concept to apply in and the EU. The Government established the in 2006. Council has now finished its work and recommends in its final report that the political system and society as a whole give the issues concerning competitiveness, adaptability and attractiveness higher priority to enable to take maximum advantage of globalisation. To ensure open and competitive markets inside and outside Europe and to reap the benefits of globalisation The Governments policy at both the national and international level continues to be to remove barriers making market access more difficult and to ensure competition on equal terms. A prerequisite for sound competition is a restrictive approach to the use of public support of business. The market must have full confidence in the regulatory framework and in supervision. has continued to pursue a policy based on the premise that more trade and economic integration is one of the strongest engines of economic growth and increased welfare. Safeguarding and advancing the work on opening markets both in the EU and elsewhere is thus a fundamental part of trade policy. These are the principles that guide 's ongoing work in the WTO, in EU negotiations on bilateral and regional free trade agreements and in the work on the EU market access strategy. A forward looking policy for more extensive free trade and external openness is fundamental to promoting economic growth, job creation and competitiveness in the EU. But thus far external trade has played a minor role in the EU growth strategy. That a EU strategy for growth and jobs must have a clear external dimension that takes external trade into account is self-evident and advocated by in the EU. Swedish Presidency in autumn , this issue is a priority in the trade in an efficient internal market The distinguishing feature of the EU internal market is the free movement of goods, services, persons and capital. internal market is an engine for growth and job creation and thus one of the cornerstones of European cooperation. In order for the internal market to function in practice, all countries are required to implement the directives or regulations adopted by the EU. therefore made the correct implementation and application of EC law a priority during the period. The Commission's recommendation of 30 2009 on measures to improve the functioning of the internal market will play an important role in the work in the coming period. priorities are more information on the internal market, better application of the rules systems and removing trade barriers. continues to meet the EU objective for implementing the internal market directives. In 2009 reported that 99.4 per cent of the directives are implemented (an implementation deficit of 0.6 per cent). Thus meets the target of an implementation deficit of one per cent. Implementing directives on time is a Swedish priority. important priority for the EU as a whole is, however, the implementation of all directives in all Member States in order to realise the full potential of the internal market. The latest measure shows that about six per cent of the internal market directives have not yet been implemented in all The Internal Market Inquiry presented its report (SOU 2009:71) to the Government on . an integrated and simplified horizontal regulatory framework for goods and services, including amending Swedish law so it is in accordance with the 'Goods Package'. The Inquiry has also presented proposals and points to consider regarding inter alia an increased impact of the 's fundamental principles on free movement, a higher profile Swedish internal market authority, clearer roles and responsibilities for local government, expertise and information initiatives that concern the internal market, and better terms for businesses. These proposals will be followed by work drafting a bill in 2009 and 2010. Measures have been taken to strengthen the ongoing work to disseminate information on the application of the principle of the mutual recognition of product requirements to both the public and private This principle means that if a good is approved in one EU country, it will then have free access to other EU countries' markets. contact point for goods is being established at of The Swedish ordinance adopted in spring (2009:52) will be considered part of the follow-up of the internal market inquiry. The internal market inquiry's proposal for a horizontal regulatory framework includes adjustments to EC regulation 765/2008 on accreditation and market surveillance, both in a material sense and for the Prior to the entry into force of this ordinance, the Swedish market surveillance authorities have prepared material adjustments inter alia in the framework of the coordination body, the The national accreditation organ SWEDAC has on a remit from the Government begun developing a web portal to inform the public and business community about such matters as CE marking and market surveillance. Work on implementing the Directive resulted in the Government's presentation of a bill in 2009 (2008/09:187) to the Riksdag with proposals for a new law on services in the internal market and other arrangements for implementing the Services Directive. autumn , a large number of training courses for those public authorities that will apply the new rules and adapt to the electronic procedures by way of the contact point for services and the electronic information system are planned. The development of the Swedish contact point for services is progressing and has consulted a large number of other Member States in the technically complicated In 2008 the Government presented a communication to the Riksdag on the importance of standardisation in a globalised world. will focus in particular on identifying the strategic areas that should concentrate on from the perspective of increased competitiveness. In spring , a final agreement was reached on the third internal