Innovation discusses the government’s venture capital – Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet

Innovation discusses the government's venture capital – Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet

In order to improve employment and Sweden’s competitiveness, the government has gathered a group of selected people to meet with each quarter. It is mainly about business representatives and academia, including Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg and Pam Fredman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg.

“Innovation Council has an important role to play in creating the conditions for more successful entrepreneurs who demand labor, “writes Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S) in a debate article in Dagens Industri.

” Innovation Council shall be an advisory body. The idea is to holistically get suggestions and ideas that lead to better coordination and efficiency so that all those everyday heroes who create tomorrow’s products, services and companies have better conditions. “

During the group’s first meeting Today, discussions about the state’s venture capital firms. It has long been an area of ​​concern. Among other things, the National Audit pointed out that venture capital is too late.

The appointment of and Innovation has been something of a prestige project for Stefan Löfven (S). According to Jonas Hinnfors, associate professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg, everything can be about the Prime Minister does not want to lose employment issue.

– The Social Democrats really want to be proactive and legitimacy as you feel that you have lost. The big problem for the Social Democrats in 2006 was the loss of voter confidence in the employment field to the Alliance, says Jonas Hinnfors.

– research, innovation, entrepreneurship and employment are areas where confidence in social democracy has been a bit sprained. It wants to build up again. Innovation sector may be part of it, he said.

In addition Innovation Council Government launched a number of other projects where calls should be in different configurations. Including the Government will discuss with the social partners on the issue of integration and with the Alliance of energy supply. Unless more specific policy proposals presented at risk talks to hurt voter confidence, think Jonas Hinnfors.

– Employment is a key area, especially for a social democratic government. There must be concrete actions and one must begin to see the unemployment rate fall. It has been pointed much on the previous government failed unemployment and it will not start to fall and it will not with measures may be sensitive, he says.

Innovation Council has received criticism from several direction, so well from the bourgeois parties and the industry.

– For each day increases competitive pressure on the Swedish company. It Sweden needs are concrete reforms for better matching, reduced costs and better access to capital. I fear that this advice in the worst case will serve as an excuse for Löfven not to implement the reforms industry have pointed out for years, says Annie Loof (C) according to a press release.

the investment Critics also includes Swedish Enterprise, who turned down the proposal before Stefan Löfven became prime minister.

– That the belief that we should go back to a state capitalism where the government tells where the future lies, it worries me terribly much, said the chairman Jens Spendrup to DI 2013.