Swedish Presidency should improve opportunities för enterprises

Får ej publiceras före kl 16.30 Swedish Presidency should improve opportunities for enterprises Swedish business leaders today summarised their priorities for the first Swedish presidency of the EU at the Autoworld in Brussels. The presentations had one overall theme in common: The EU and its member states must move towards a more enterprising and competitive Europe. Sören Gyll, formerly CEO of Volvo, is President Designate of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, a new body that in April will replace the present two leading business organisations in Sweden, the Swedish Employers' Confederation (SAF) and the Federation of Swedish Industries. Mr Gyll gave an overview of the priorities presented by Swedish business. Under the headline Enterprising Sweden he stressed the need to make Europe more competitive and to develop the single market further - both by abolishing remaining barriers within the EU and by enlarging it with new members. Anders Scharp, Chairman and formerly CEO of Electrolux, is President of SAF. Mr Scharp focussed on the need for fewer and simpler rules in order to improve the business climate and encourage new enterprises. The focus for the EU should be more on stimulating the individual and the entrepreneurial spirit. Leif Johansson, CEO of Volvo, underlined the need to improve knowledge, competence and research. He also pointed out that a sustainable social and environmental development is not only compatible with but also actually helped by free trade and strong economic growth. Their presentations and the official business priorities for the Swedish presidency are found at our website: www.eu2001.swedishenterprise.se For further information please contact : SAF/Industriförbundet Brussels office, 3 rue Luxembourg, B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32 2 501 53 00 - Fax: +32 2 501 53 20 - Email: bryssel@saf.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/10/20010110BIT00680/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/10/20010110BIT00680/bit0002.pdf