Swe-Cham News Feed | May 4, 2026

Global Economic Outlook by Business Sweden

Business Sweden has released the first edition of the year of its Global Economic Outlook, presenting two possible scenarios for the coming months. The global economy showed resilience in 2025, growing by 3 per cent despite geopolitical and trade policy turbulence.

“If the war in the Middle East becomes prolonged, we will see a major setback,” says Lena Sellgren, Chief Economist at Business Sweden and speaker at our upcoming Business Climate Survey – Netherlands Presentation on 5 June 2026.

Margareta Bloom Sandebäck/imagebank.sweden.se

Government presents new support package for global health

The Government has presented a new support package for global health totalling SEK 72 million for 2026. The support includes SEK 50 million in core support to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for work with vaccines in low-income countries, and SEK 2 million to the Partnership for International Politics and Diplomacy for Health, a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and the Stockholm School of Economics.

The Government is also giving SEK 20 million in support for donations of medical technical equipment and medical supplies.

Vattenfall Sustainability Chief named among Sweden’s top green leaders

We are pleased to highlight that Annika Ramsköld, Head of Sustainability at our Patron Member Vattenfall, has been named on Aktuell Hållbarhet’s list of Sweden’s most influential sustainability leaders. Ranked number 19, she is the highest-ranked sustainability executive in Sweden. We extend our congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Annika Ramsköld was also a keynote speaker at the Swedish Chamber Sustainability and Innovation Summit 2025.

Read press release

Apply today and join the Swedish Chamber and Young Professionals Mentorship Program 2026/2027

Applications for the Swedish Chamber’s Mentorship Program 2026–2027 are still open! This program offers Young Professionals the unique opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, gain guidance on career growth, and build meaningful connections across industries. The program is made to accelerate your personal and professional growth, gain insight into cross-border business and leadership, develop new skills and knowledge and expand your professional network and connections.

Through this eight-month program, mentees will gain:

• Five interactive group sessions,

• One-on-one mentoring sessions and

• Insights from leaders shaping the Dutch and Nordic business landscape.

Don’t miss this chance to be guided by these experienced mentors and take your career to the next level. Deadline to apply is May 15, 2026.

160 million invested in innovation in AI, digital infrastructure, and communications for Swedish industry

Vinnova is funding 26 projects to help industry create and benefit from digitalisation opportunities.

The investment of 160 million supports solutions such as digital twins, AI-based decision support, autonomy in air, surface, and underwater environments for extreme conditions, technologies for reliable interoperability, and robust connectivity for 6G.

Jens Lindström/Johnér/Imagebank.sweden.se

Sweden launches 10-year strategy against gender-based violence and exploitation

The Swedish Government is presenting a new 10-year national strategy for combating men’s violence against women, domestic violence, exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking, and honour-based violence and oppression.

In parallel, the Government has decided on two Government Commissions tasking several government agencies to take part in a national collaboration structure and to monitor progress in relation to the gender equality subgoals to combat violence, oppression and exploitation.

Read press release

Brand Sweden Report 2026

According to a report from Swedish Institute, Sweden continues to have a very positive international image in 2026, strongly associated with democracy, reliability, and innovation. This makes the country attractive for investment, work, study, tourism, and partnerships, even in a time of global uncertainty. Sweden also remains ranked among the top countries in the Global Soft Power Index.

At the same time, there is a clear challenge: in many parts of the world, especially outside Europe and North America, awareness of Sweden is still relatively low. This creates a gap between being well-liked and being well-known, which means Sweden may not always be considered when important decisions are made.

To stay competitive globally, Sweden needs to increase its visibility so it becomes a natural choice for people, companies, and organisations.

Also, stay tuned for our flagship event "The Strength of Brand Sweden" in end of October 2026.

Kista.io/Jean Lapin/imagebank.sweden.se

Webinar: Brand Sweden - How strong is it?

Find out what signifies a strong brand, and how strong Sweden’s nation brand actually is.

The Swedish Institute has just launched Brand Sweden Report 2026 and will share insights as well as discuss how the report can serve as a starting point for communication and promotion of Sweden abroad.

King Carl XVI Gustaf gifted honorary professorship in green transition

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is launching a royal jubilee professorship aimed at advancing the green transition in Sweden and globally. The initiative is a gift to King Carl XVI Gustaf on his 80th birthday on 30 April 2026, recognising his long-standing commitment to the environment and science.

“It is very important that we look ahead and achieve results in the green transition through research. This is a collaboration and a fantastic initiative that will make a difference,” says King Carl XVI Gustaf.