Press release 15 September 2009
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

How can people born abroad increase Swedish foreign trade?

"The Kosmopolit project will make use of the unique knowledge of people born abroad to create more jobs," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.

Sweden's population has increased by over 240 000 people in the last five years, 77 per cent of whom are immigrants. A new study, presented on Wednesday in connection with a press briefing, shows that immigration to Sweden contributes to greater Swedish foreign trade. The study shows, for example, that an increase in the number of people born abroad by some 12 000 people leads to an increase in exports by as much as SEK 7 billion.

We find ourselves in the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. The conditions for international trade, one of the cornerstones of Sweden's prosperity, have changed dramatically in a short space of time. There is a marked drop in demand. The conditions for Swedish companies to export and import must therefore be improved.

People with foreign backgrounds have a good knowledge of the business culture, politics, religion and language of their former home countries. They are in a particularly good position to conduct trade themselves and to guide the way for other Swedish companies. This, in turn, leads to market access for Swedish companies and better trade relations between Sweden and other countries.

A special initiative, the Kosmopolit project, is being launched to make use of foreign-born entrepreneurs with the aim of improving scope for small and medium-sized companies to break into new export markets. The background is a new study, produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, that examines the link between immigration and Swedish foreign trade.

Minister for Trade Ewa Björling invites you to a press briefing on Wednesday to talk more about the new initiative, the Kosmopolit project, and to present the new study.

Welcome!