Geography of Sweden (Kingdom of Sweden). Description of the country by industry sector: agriculture Which industries are especially developed in Sweden

Industry

With a relatively limited volume of total ferrous metal smelting, Sweden stands out for the development of high-quality metallurgy (production of alloy and high-hydrocarbon steels). After the Second World War, industries that were practically new to Sweden grew up, the products of which found steady demand in the domestic and world markets. These are industries such as: mechanical engineering, large-tonnage shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing, aircraft manufacturing, energy-intensive mechanical engineering and precision engineering. Only 2/5 of the machinery and equipment produced in the country is exported. Sweden is the largest manufacturer of hydraulic turbines in Foreign Europe, the production of which began before the First World War, and was associated with the massive construction of hydroelectric power plants, both in Sweden itself and in neighboring Sweden. to her Norway. Swedish turbines were installed at the Volkhov hydroelectric station. One of the traditional branches of Swedish mechanical engineering, which gained worldwide recognition at the beginning of the 20th century, is the production of ball and roller bearings.

The main branch of the Swedish forest industry is pulp and paper production, which consumes over half of the harvested wood. Swedish paper, along with Finnish paper, is considered one of the best in the world. Many pulp and paper industries are located on the northern and northwestern shores of Lake Vänern.

Most of the enterprises are located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. Due to the limited raw material base, the chemical industry developed slowly in Sweden. Chemical reagents, biochemical and pharmaceutical products are produced in Stockholm, Suppsalla and Södertälje. One of the country's largest acid production plants (sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric) is located near the city of Suppsalla.

The textile, clothing and leather-footwear industries, which operate almost entirely for the domestic market, are distinguished by very modest production scales. The main enterprises of the textile and clothing industry have historically gravitated to the west coast, to the ports where overseas cotton and wool were delivered. A major center of light industry is Borås.

Among the branches of the food industry, the production of dairy and meat products stands out, represented mainly by cooperative enterprises in areas of intensive livestock farming - in the south of the country and in the lakeside lowlands of Central Sweden.

The centers of smelting and steel production are closely connected with ore deposits. The largest mines: Aitik - copper, Laisvall - lead. Centers of high-quality metallurgy: Sandviken, Hufors, Fagersta, Avesta, Degefors, Hagfors, concentrated in Central Sweden. In the old mining region of Berslagen, which accounts for 2/3 of steel production, including 9/10 of high-quality steel. Large plants with a complete metallurgical cycle were built in Borlänge and the ore export ports of Luleå and Oxelesund. Over 40% of steel is smelted in electric furnaces. The main centers of non-ferrous metallurgy are: Skellevtero (copper and lead), Sundsvall (aluminum), Västerås and Finspong (various non-ferrous metals, including tungsten, nickel, zinc, molybdenum and tin).

The automotive industry is represented by two large companies: SAAB (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolag) and Volvo. These companies are engaged in the production of cars, trucks and buses and have representative offices all over the world, including in Russia.

Various shipbuilding industries are developed in Sweden. Everything is produced: from small ships to huge liners, the height of a multi-story building. The main shipbuilding center is Gothenburg (Gataverken and Eriksberg companies). Shipbuilding is also developed in the cities of Malmö (Kokkums company), Uddevalla and Landskrona.

In electrical engineering, the production of powerful generators, transformers, various engines, concentrated at the factories of the Asena concern (Västerås, Ludvika), as well as the production of telephone equipment and other communications equipment, carried out mainly at the enterprises of the Ericsson concern (Stockholm), are distinguished.

Agriculture

Agriculture in Sweden is quite highly developed. This is due to the high mechanization and chemicalization of agriculture. Arable land is used with special care, and this allows preserving its fertile qualities.

Sweden is characterized by a Northern European type of agriculture, the same as in other Scandinavian countries. The predominance of intensive dairy farming is obvious, and in the crop production that serves it - fodder crops and gray grains. Agriculture is concentrated in the southern part of the country, as is most of the population. Main products: dairy products (milk, sour cream, butter, cheese), meat, barley, sugar beets and potatoes. Main agricultural centers: Kalmar, Karlskrona, Malmo, Kristianstad.

Sweden also fishes commercial fish (herring, trout, cod). Almost all cities in Sweden located on the seashore engage in fishing. Fish products, which are produced in factories in Sweden, along with Norwegian and Danish ones, are famous for their quality.

You can't even imaginewhat a lucky person I am.I came home on Friday evening from my next course and was bitterly wondering what I should do for my dear. I didn’t really want to take on something big. I’d like to write something light on the blog... And then a wonderful letter arrives.

Hello! I am interested in private business in Sweden, more precisely agriculture. I want to know all the necessary requirements for farming.

We bought land with outbuildings and plan to engage in organic cultivation of agricultural products, such as vegetables, honey, eggs, poultry, lamb + food products such as marinades, pickles, etc.

Since the co-owners are my parents, who live in XXX, I want to know what documents they need to provide to the Swedish embassy to obtain an Uppehållsltillstånd and where we can get advice on organizing a private business. We are interested in all kinds of sales of products and, of course, possible help from the community.

Guys, you know, I got terribly proud. I myself would never have thought to ask herself yourself about agriculture. I'm so far from him far away .:-)) Well, if someone else asks, then you need to roll up your sleeves and quickly run to the Internet.

And what did they say to me... It turns out there is a wonderful book, a practical guide to conducting ecological agriculture. Called Ekologiskt lantbruk: odling och djurhållning This is what she looks like

If you don't want to buy it, you can borrow it from the library. Here is a link to the website, where all the books in all the libraries of the country are collected. It turned out that it is in 28 libraries, including one that is located near the author’s place of residence.

Of course, there are a lot of other valuable books, but in this one, in addition tobasic principlesrunning such a farm,There are just basic regulations for each type of product.

And for now, agriculture and I will stop there.

Required documents for entry

As for the second question, about your parents obtaining a residence permit in Sweden, the situation is as follows. As co-owners of a private enterprise, they can apply on this basis and live in Sweden for more than 3 months. But they can come to you and just stay. It all depends on your joint goals and objectives.

The procedure for submitting applications/forms is well described on the websites of Swedish missions. On the right side there are the questionnaires themselves in electronic form, in Swedish and English.

In the first option, if they decide to move in as entrepreneurs, then they fill out a form where, in addition to personal information, they will need to describe the activities of the enterprise, i.e. services/products of the enterprise, customers, suppliers, premises, expected salary in the first two years, the need for permits for activities and permits already obtained. In addition, you will need to attach the following documents:

Operational plan for your enterprise/activity
- analysismarket
- contract with buyers/suppliers
- rental contract
- necessary permissions, if any are needed
- investment budget, budgetliquidity, budget of income and expenses
- budget balance

- certificates frombank, indicating that you have the money to coverexpenses for yourself and for business during the first year in Sweden.

- A certificate indicating their share of participation (shares or partnership agreement)

- Two recent annual accounts/annual reports if you bought a business that has already
created

I don’t know how you like this carousel. If everything is already there, then there may not be much to do. But if not, then you will have to sweat. After all, your enterprise development plan must also be approved by auditors. Maybe you should give up on everything and let your parents come to you as your closest relatives? :-))

Consultations on organizing a private business

I’ve already written about organizations that will help you with a business plan and information, but I can repeat it again. In short:-)) It would be good for you to go to the Center for New Entrepreneurs - Nyföretagarcentrum - which has offices in all cities. Choose the one that is closest to you and go ahead. :-)) These services are free and you can use them as much as you want and with the frequency that suits you. I assure you that there will be many benefits.

There they will also tell you who else can help you and what opportunities your community has.

Good luck to you! :-))

Economic importance of industry

The structure of the economy involves the stages of creation, subsequent distribution, exchange and final consumption of an economic good. All stages of the production chain form economic relations in society. If we talk about the market model of the economy, which has shown itself to be one of the more dynamically developing systems, then production in it is built on certain principles. Freedom of entrepreneurship and consumer choice creates an environment of healthy competition, which over time begins to self-regulate due to the built-in market mechanism. To ensure production, a base of raw materials and semi-finished products is required. These products are prepared by industry.

The main task of industry is the creation of tools, that is, objects from which the final product or service can subsequently be produced, ready for consumption. Therefore, according to economic principles, industry is divided into two subsystems:

• on the creation of means of labor;
• to create final products using these means.

According to the principle of working process, industry is divided into:

• mining, that is, extracting raw materials, minerals, as well as fish from the bowels of the earth and waters;
• processing, creating semi-finished products or products from the extracted product.

The entire industrial system is a collection of industries. The division into industries is formed under the influence of social and historical prerequisites of society, the pace of development of science, technical equipment, and the availability of necessary resources and minerals. Each industry has a special specialization. Typically, industrial sectors are energy- and resource-intensive, which requires production to be located near deposits or sources of cheap energy. Diversification of the economy allows us to find new ways to increase the liquidity and profitability of industrial production.

Economy of Sweden

Sweden is a highly industrialized, export-oriented country. The foreign market accounts for up to 25% of GDP and about 30% of manufactured industrial goods. For a European country, it has large reserves of natural resources, namely iron ore, timber, rivers and lakes that produce hydropower. However, the country is dependent on imports, which provide up to 25% of the country's needs for various resources, products and services.

Note 1

Sweden is characterized by a high degree of capital concentration. In addition, the country's economy tends towards monopolization. Large companies are connected to the banking structure, large amounts of money are held by individual family clans.

Sweden's economic system is mixed. It is based on private, cooperative and state ownership. Medium-sized enterprises belong to the private sector. Small and large businesses belong to the state or cooperation.

The state is represented in the service sector. Its share is almost one hundred percent. It is represented in healthcare, education, and social insurance. Employment in the private and public sectors is almost equal.

Initially, Sweden was a poor agricultural country. However, the efficient use of natural resources made it possible to create a reliable industrial base, which formed the basis of economic growth. The domestic consumption market was quite narrow and quickly saturated, so Swedish producers had to focus on the foreign market. At that time, there was no general globalization, and Sweden had practically no competitors in foreign markets.

Initially, the Swedish economy was built on ferrous metallurgy and raw materials. Currently, the emphasis is on high technology, complex engineering and biomedicine. In addition, industries such as media, design, music, tourism, and advertising began to generate income.

Highly developed production requires large amounts of energy, which are offset by imports of oil, gas and coal. Sweden itself uses hydropower and nuclear energy. There are several large nuclear power plants operating in the country.

Industry in Sweden

One of the leading branches of Swedish industry is mechanical engineering. Factories and enterprises in this industry are located in the south and central regions of the country. Most of the exports come from mechanical engineering, namely the automobile industry. Sweden produces Saab and Volvo cars. The largest importer of Swedish cars is the USA, which purchases up to 30% of production volumes. Sweden is also involved in the production of electrical and telecommunications equipment. The production of medical, computer and peripheral equipment is gaining momentum.

The chemical industry practically does not export its products. Many companies in this industry are subsidiaries of foreign corporations. The pharmaceutical industry is developing most intensively. It focuses on exporting its products. Thus, some Swedish pharmaceutical companies sell up to 90% of their products abroad.

Research and production of biotechnology products in Sweden specializes in livestock and crop production.

Ferrous metallurgy was initially in the hands of the state; now it is completely privatized. The production of this industry is concentrated on the creation of stainless steel strips, sheets, pipes and various types of steel.

Note 2

The forestry industry is a historical sector of the Swedish economy. Half of the forest land is privately owned, the other half is publicly owned. Sweden ranks third in the world in exports of pulp and paper products. Most of the exports go to the countries of the European Union.

The country's military industry fully meets its needs. This industry is high-tech and provided with the necessary capital funds. The cycle of complete weapons creation from scientific research to final products has been fully implemented. At the same time, weapons production is export-oriented.

A neutral capitalist state in Northern Europe, which proclaimed in its foreign policy the policy of “freedom from military alliances in peacetime and armed neutrality in time of war.” Adhering to a generally pro-Western orientation in international affairs, it acts jointly with non-aligned states when resolving many controversial issues at the UN.

In this article, based on foreign military press data, the following will be briefly discussed: the geographical conditions of Sweden; population and government structure; natural resources, industry and agriculture; ways of communication and means of communication; airfield network, naval bases and ports; border and coastal fortifications; teaching fields and hospital fund; armed forces.

Geographical conditions of Sweden

occupies the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the northwest and west it borders with Norway (for 1619 km); in the northeast - with Finland (586 km); in the east it is washed by the Baltic Sea and its Gulf of Bothnia; in the south - by the Oresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits (Fig. 1). The total area of ​​the territory is 449,964 km2, of which inland waters account for 38,485 km2. The length of the borders reaches 4,700 km, of which 2,500 km are sea. The length of the coastline exceeds 7600 km. The coast is heavily indented by fjords. Along the coast there are numerous rocky islands, forming a skerry zone ranging from 2 to 30 km wide.

Much of Sweden's surface consists of hilly moraine formations, covered primarily with coniferous forests. The northern half of the country is occupied by a mountainous and hilly region with the Scandinavian mountains in the west. The highest mountain peaks are located in Lapland: Kebnekaise (2111 m), Sarekchokko (2089 m), Kaskasatchokko (2076 m) and Sulitelma (Sulihjelma, 1877 m). Along the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia (length 700 km, width 100 230 km, depth in the northern part 10 15 m, in the southern part - 70 150 m) stretches a coastal lowland strip with a width
25 - 80 km, cut by the beds of numerous rivers originating in the foothills of the Scandinavian mountains. The middle and southern parts of the country are flat-hilly terrain with the Småland Plateau, located southeast of Lake. Vättern, the Skåne Plain on the Skåne Peninsula, as well as a numerous chain of lakes and rivers flowing mainly in a southerly direction.

Rice. 1 Map of Sweden

The most significant rivers in the country are: Klarelv - Götaelv (720 km), Muonioelv - Turneelv (570 km), Dalelv (520 km), Umeelv (160 km), Luleelv (450 km), Ongermanelv (450 km) and Kalikselv (430 km). km). Over 8 percent The country's area is occupied by lakes and about 14 percent. swamps. The largest lakes are: Vänern (5585 km2), Vetteri (1912 km2), Mälaren (1140 km2), Elmaren (484 km2) and Storsjöm (456 km2). Many lakes in the southern part of the country are connected by canals, which together with the Götaelv River form the Göta system, which provides navigation between ports located on the east and west coasts of Sweden. This system, according to Swedish experts, allows the maneuver of light forces of the navy.

The climate in a large part of the country is temperate, rather humid, with long frosty winters in the north (average January temperature - 16°C) and short mild winters in the south (+1°C). The climate of the coastal strip is characterized by cool summers and relatively warm winters. Ice cover in the bays lasts from 5 - 6 months in the north to 2 months in the south. Annual precipitation ranges from 400-500 mm in the east, to 700-1000 mm in the west, and in some mountainous areas - over 1500 mm.

Population and government structure of Sweden

The country's population as of July 1974 was 8,240 thousand people, of which more than 1,500 thousand were men aged 18 to 47 years (the age of conscription into the armed forces in wartime). The average population density is 20 people per 1 km2. In the central part of the country there are 230 people per 1 km2, and in the north - less than 3 people per 1 km2. The most densely populated counties (provinces) include Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmöhus.

The main types of settlements in industrial areas are cities and large urban-type settlements, and in rural areas - farm settlements. In total, there are 132 cities and 93 villages in the country. 50 percent live in cities. the entire population. The largest of them are Stockholm (the capital), Gothenburg and Malmo. The population of greater Stockholm (within a radius of 30 km) at the beginning of 1973 exceeded 1,350 thousand people, and Stockholm itself - more than 700 thousand people. At the same time, over 688 thousand people lived in the Gothenburg area, and approximately 4,500 thousand people lived in the city itself; about 452 thousand people lived in the Malmö area, of which over 250 thousand people lived in the city itself. Over 100 thousand inhabitants have: Jönköping, Skövde, Linköping, Norrköping, Örebro, Karlstad, Borlänge, Gävle, Sundsvall and Boden. Swedish cities are characterized by a uniform layout. In their central part, as a rule, the city hall, judicial authorities, as well as trade and financial institutions are located. Large bases and warehouses of logistics, especially post-war buildings, are located on the outskirts. Farm buildings are mostly one-story, tiled, surrounded by forest plantings.

The population of Sweden is homogeneous in terms of national composition: about 96 percent are Swedes, there are also Finns, Danes, Norwegians and a small number of people of other nationalities. The state church, numbering 14 dioceses, is Lutheran.

In military-administrative terms, the country is divided into 24 lena (provinces), 464 communes, 119 police stations, 6 military districts, 26 defense districts, 6 civil defense districts, 6 assigned areas, in which, as noted in the Swedish press, it is planned to deploy In case of war, over 2000 mobilization points. The historical division of the country into three parts has also been preserved - Morland (northern part), Svealand (middle part) and Götaland (southern part), which are divided into 25 landscapes (provinces).

The Swedish government is a constitutional monarchy. The state is headed by a king, whose power is limited by a unicameral Riksdag (parliament), consisting of 350 deputies from the five main political parties. The king is also the supreme commander of the armed forces. However, real power in the country belongs to the Riksdag and the government, formed on behalf of the king by the leader of the political party that has a majority in the Riksdag. The most influential political force in the country is the Social Democratic Party, which currently has 156 seats in the Riksdag. The left party - the communists - has 19 mandates, and the remaining 175 mandates are distributed among the bourgeois parties: the center party has 90 mandates, the moderate coalition - 51 mandates and the popular (liberal) - 34 mandates.

Natural resources, industry and agriculture in Sweden

- a highly developed industrial country with intensive agriculture. Its economy is characterized by a high degree of concentration of production and capital.

The country is rich in forests, which account for 55 percent. territory, iron and copper ore, as well as water resources, on the basis of which the timber, mining and metalworking industries developed. The bottleneck of the Swedish economy, as reported in the foreign press, is the lack of oil (in recent years there has been an intensive search for it in the Baltic Sea) and very limited reserves of coal (in Skåne). The bulk of the forestry (up to 60 percent) and mining industries, as well as electricity production, occur in Upper and Lower Norland.

The total reserves of high-grade iron ore (the main areas of Kiruna, Gällivare, Vittangi) are about 3.5 billion tons, and annual production exceeds 36 million tons. Most of the mined ore is exported to the UK through the ports of Luleå and Narvik (). Mining enterprises in the central part of the country are concentrated in the regions of the city. Kopparberg, Grängesberg (15 km southwest of Ludvik) and Borlänge. Leading metallurgical plants are located in the cities of Luleå, Sandviken, Dolnarvet (Burlänge), Avesta and Fagersta. In 1973, these plants produced 5.7 million tons of steel and 2.6 million tons of cast iron. The total reserves of copper ore (the cities of Buliden and Falun) reach 1.2 million tons with an average copper content of 0.5 percent in the ore. The production of refined copper in 1973 was 55 thousand tons, and lead - 45 thousand tons.

Annual electricity production reaches 77 billion kWh, including 53.6 billion kWh at hydroelectric power stations (1972). The country's largest hydroelectric power stations are Harspronget (Porjus), Sturnorforsen, Chilforsen, Trollhättan and Krongede. Hydropower reserves exceed 10 million kW. There are also three nuclear power plants.

In mechanical engineering, the leading place belongs to the production of ball bearings (Gothenburg), electrical equipment (the cities of Stockholm, Västerås, Ludvika), shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing. The automotive industry (Scania-Vabis and Volvo plants) annually produces about 350 thousand cars, of which about 30 thousand are trucks and buses.

The most important military industry enterprises are concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country: the cities of Karlskoga and Huskvarna (artillery weapons companies, ammunition and explosives), Landskrona (tank factories), Stockholm (electronic and radio equipment, precision instrument making), Linköping (aircraft factories), Trollhättan ( aircraft engines), Gothenburg, Malmö and Karlskrona (shipbuilding, military shipbuilding) and others. In addition to Sweden's traditional production of artillery and small arms, over the past 15-20 years it has established its own production of tanks and armored personnel carriers, modern multi-purpose aircraft, jet engines and radar installations.

8 percent are employed in agriculture. amateur population, which provides the country with its own food products by 95 - 98 percent. The shortage of its own food products is made up by imports, mainly from Denmark.

Transport routes and means of communication in Sweden

Swedish roads are divided into state, provincial, municipal and private. The total length of the road network reaches 340 thousand km, of which over 50 percent. with a hard surface, ensuring the movement of vehicles with an axle load of 8 tons. State highways (length 12.5 thousand km) provide traffic with an axle load of 10 tons. The road network in the central and southern parts of the country, according to foreign press data, provides average annual traffic with a density of 12 to 35 thousand cars per day, and in the north - from 3 to 6 thousand cars per day. The main road routes are European highways No. 3, 4, 18, 75. The road capacity in Norland is limited by the rugged nature of the terrain, the narrowness of the roads in certain sections, as well as the presence of a large number of bridges over water barriers.

The main nodes of the road network (including container traffic) are: Malmö, Gothenburg, Uddevalla, Jönköping, Norrköping, Stockholm, Västerås, Örebro, Karlstad, Gävle, Sundsvall, Östersund, Umeå, Luleå. Flows of imported container cargo to the central and northern parts of the country come mainly from the ports of Gothenburg, Malmö, Uddevalla and Stockholm (petroleum products, industrial and agricultural goods). Iron ore, construction timber, and cellulose are exported from the northern regions along the coastal highway and the parallel road Gällivare - Arvidsjaur - Östersund - Falun - Örebro - Huskvarna to the central industrial regions of the country and southern ports.

At the beginning of 1973, the fleet of trucks and buses exceeded 160 thousand units (mostly locally produced). At the same time, the country had 248 thousand tractors and about 2.5 million passenger cars of local and foreign brands. For transportation along inland and coastal waterways, light vessels, boats and motor boats, the number of which reaches 300 thousand units, can be widely used.

The country's railway network is trending towards collapse. So, if in 1938 its length reached 17 thousand km, then by the beginning of 1973 it was only 12.1 thousand km, including 1167 km of double-track and 7.5 thousand km of electrified ones. Only about 1 thousand km of railways are used for freight transportation. According to Swedish statistics, the transport fleet of state railways includes 880 electric locomotives, 250 diesel locomotives, 53.3 thousand freight cars with a total carrying capacity of 1,500 thousand tons, 2.3 thousand passenger cars with 142 thousand seats. The annual freight turnover of railway transport, according to the Swedish press, exceeds 17 billion t/km.

It has a fairly high degree of saturation with communication means. As of 1972, the country had 4.8 thousand radio stations, including 900 landlines, 4 million 680 thousand telephone sets, over 3 million radios and more than 2.5 million televisions. Wired overhead communication lines connecting Norland with the central and southern parts of the country are laid, as a rule, along the main highways.

Airfield network, naval bases and ports of Sweden

According to Swedish statistics, passenger traffic in Swedish air transport tripled from 1960 to 1970 and amounted to 5.7 million people. Subsequently, air traffic increased annually by 8-9 percent. About 170 airfields and landing sites are currently open for passenger traffic. Airfields are being prepared for opening in the areas of Arvidsjaur, Luxele, Strömsund, Kramfors and Skara. The construction of new airfields in Sturup and Herryda is being completed, and a joint Swedish-Danish airfield is also planned on the island. Saltholm (). Airports of international importance are Arlanda and Bromma (suburbs of Stockholm), Turslanga (Gothenburg) and Bulltofta (Malmo).

According to foreign press data, approximately 50 modern airfields with a runway length of up to 2500 m and a width of 40 - 60 m can be used for basing military aviation. In peacetime, military aviation, numbering 14 air flotillas, is based on 13 main airfields: Västerås ( 1 af), Frosø (4 af), Lyngbyhed (5 af - flying school), Carlsborg (6 af), Sotenäs (7 af), Barkokra (10 af), Nyköping (11 af), Kalmar (12 af), Norrköping ( 13 af), Söderhamn (15 af), Uppsala (16 af and 20 af - flying school), Ronneby (17 af), Kallah (21 af).

In order to increase the capacity of the airfield network and disperse aviation, if necessary, straightened sections for runways and asphalt parking for aircraft are created on highways adjacent to aviation flotillas. Electrical cables are connected to some runways on the roads to ensure night landing of aircraft. In total, according to foreign military press, it is planned to create up to 100 runways on the roads.

There are six naval bases on the Swedish coast (Gothenburg, Malmö, Karlskrona, Gustavsvik, Fårösund, Horsfjord) and over 400 ports and loading and unloading points. Home naval base Horsfjord, located on the island. Mysko, equipped in granite underground slopes. The most important ports: Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg, Helsinborg, Norrköping, Gävle, Umeå, Luleå. The length of the berthing front of Swedish ports reaches 150 km, of which Gothenburg accounts for up to 30 km, and Stockholm - 22 km. These two ports account for up to 30 percent. cargo turnover of sea transport.

According to Swedish press reports, in 1973 there were about 140 shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises in the country, with 20 dry docks and 18 floating docks, as well as 30 slips.

The volume of cargo turnover of external maritime transport in 1970 was 73.7 million tons; in 1975, about 80 million tons are expected. Up to 50 percent. of cargo turnover in maritime transport accounts for the share of petroleum products. To more efficiently deliver them to the central regions of the country, an oil pipeline project is being developed: Gothenburg - Jonköping - Skövde - Örebro - Västerås - Borlänge with a branch from Örebro to Karlstad. To improve internal transportation along the canal system connecting lakes Mälaren, Jelmaren and Veneri, it is planned to deepen the canal in the Södertälje area (50 km southwest of Stockholm) from 5.5 m to 6.8 m, and in the lake section. Veneri - Trollhattan - up to 5.3 m.

Land and coastal fortifications of Sweden

As reported in the foreign press, fortifications, created mainly during the Second World War, are divided into land and coastal. The basis of the land fortifications on the Swedish-Finnish border are the Kalika and Budensky fortified areas, equipped with long-term fire and engineering structures and guarded by mobile observation posts of the state joint-stock company security service. At some fire installations, as noted in the Swedish press, 24-hour duty was established for troops of the Budensky garrison. On the most important road routes of the border strip, reinforced concrete bumps and hedgehogs have been preserved since the Second World War. Similar barriers also exist on the Swedish-Norwegian border, in particular to the northwest of Lake. Wenern.

According to foreign military experts, the most advantageous defensive lines on the Swedish-Finnish border may be water barriers: Turneelv - Muonielv and Kalikselv, as well as Luleelv, Piteelv, Skellefteelv and Umeelv.

The basis of Sweden's coastal defense, as reported in the foreign press, consists of two naval defense areas (Malmö and Luleå) and five fortified coastal artillery areas: Norland (Hemsø island and the coastal zone, north of Härnösand), Stockholm (forbidden Vaxholm Island zone), Gotland (Fårösund exclusion zone), Bleking (Karlskorona skerry area) and Gothenburg. These fortified areas cover the most important sections of the coast and the approaches to the main naval bases and ports, as well as the industrial centers of the country. In peacetime, stationary and mobile units of fortified coastal artillery areas are consolidated into four regiments and one (Hernösand) coastal artillery division. Most of the long-term artillery and machine gun fire installations are currently mothballed. Along the southern coast from the city of Karlskrona to the city of Yetad, firing points, according to Swedish press reports, are echeloned in depth with the calculation of fire cover not only from the sea, but also from land. The composition of the forces of the naval defense areas of Malmö and Luleå is represented by units of security boats and minelayers.

Training fields and training grounds in Sweden

According to Swedish statistics, the Swedish armed forces have 330 thousand hectares of land for training fields, training grounds, airfields and barracks. The largest training fields and training grounds of district subordination are: Revingehed (Southern Military District), Remmene (Western Military District), Prestompa (Eastern Military District), Östersund (Lower Nordlands Military District), Buden (Upper Nordlands Military District), Martiel - Tofta (Gotland Military Command). Ground forces training grounds are located in the following areas: Kiruna (an artillery and missile range with an area of ​​5,500 km2), Skövde (an armored training ground), Jervafelt (a training ground for the Stockholm garrison troops and the Hemvern paramilitary organization).

Swedish Hospital Foundation

The country has 877 hospitals and infirmaries with 135 thousand beds. In wartime, a wide network of hotels, schools and boarding homes for the elderly can be converted into medical institutions.

Swedish Armed Forces

At the end of 1974, according to the foreign press, there were 74,440 people in the Swedish armed forces, of which: in the ground forces - 48,600, in the Air Force - 11,700, in the Navy - 11,900, in joint headquarters and central institutions of the Ministry of Defense 2,240 Human. At this time, the armed forces employed about 30,000 civilians.

The peacetime combat composition of the ground forces includes about 50 training and mobilization depot regiments and battalions (divisions), which are the main bases for the deployment of wartime formations and units.

According to official statements by representatives of the top military leadership, in the event of war, it is capable of mobilizing armed forces with a total strength of 700 thousand people within a few days, of which 600 thousand people are in the ground forces. Wartime ground forces will consist of field troops and local defense troops. As part of the field forces, it is planned to deploy 24 infantry and 6 armored brigades, consolidated into divisions, as well as up to 50 separate infantry, armored, artillery and anti-aircraft artillery (including missile defense) battalions and reinforcement divisions. It is planned to form about 100 separate battalions and up to 500 independent companies for various purposes within the local defense forces. The number of the paramilitary organization Hemvern is expected to increase to 100 thousand people.

The country's air force currently has 31 combat squadrons, of which: 17 fighter squadrons (aircraft), 9 attack squadrons (aircraft "and") and 5 reconnaissance squadrons. The squadron has 18 - 20 aircraft, including 3 - 5 reserve ones. In case of war, the Air Force is expected to have 20 fighter squadrons, 10 attack squadrons, 5 reconnaissance squadrons, 5 transport squadrons, 5 communications and interaction squadrons, 10 helicopter groups, as well as several dozen anti-aircraft artillery and missile defense units.

The Swedish Navy, according to foreign press reports, has more than 250 warships and auxiliary vessels, including 8 destroyers, 22 submarines, 5 patrol ships, 40 torpedo and missile boats, 84 mine-sweeping ships, 22 patrol boats, 70 landing craft boats, 6 icebreakers, a submarine mothership, 5 hydrographic vessels, 2 training vessels. In the coastal artillery, which is an integral part of the Navy, on the basis of the existing four regiments and one coastal artillery division, it is planned to deploy up to 65 units and subunits in case of war, of which 45 are stationary and 20 are mobile. In organizational terms, units and subunits of coastal artillery will be represented by separate brigades and battalions, barrage battalions and companies, artillery batteries and companies, ranger (security) companies, as well as minelaying divisions.

Economic Overview of the Kingdom of Sweden

Introduction

Sweden is one of the largest European countries; The geographical feature of the country is its great elongation from north to south, which causes division into economic zones and uneven population density. Of Sweden's 8.9 million inhabitants, 85% live in the southern regions of the country. Northern Sweden, which stretches thousands of kilometers from north to south, is home to just one million people, mostly along the coast. The inland mountain areas adjacent to the Norwegian border are dominated by industries such as tourism and forestry.
The highest population density is typical for three regions: the capital - Stockholm (with its suburbs - 1.8 million inhabitants), the city of Gothenburg (470 thousand inhabitants) and the city of Malmo (262 thousand inhabitants).
Half of Sweden's area is covered by forests; Less than 10% of the land is used for agriculture.
Northern Sweden is dominated by industries such as mining, metallurgy and pulp and paper. Mechanical engineering predominates in Central, Southern and Western Sweden. In the cities of Stockholm and Uppsala, the service sector is dominant, in particular communication services and information technology, as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Stockholm is the financial center of the country. Agriculture and the food industry are concentrated in the south of the country, which has more favorable natural conditions.
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party parliamentary system. Since 1973, the Swedish throne has been occupied by King Carl XVI Gustaf. Parliament consists of one chamber with 349 deputies elected through direct proportional elections for 4 years. Executive power is concentrated in the hands of the Cabinet, consisting of the Prime Minister and about 20 ministers. Currently the ruling party is the Social Democratic Party.
On January 1, 1995, Sweden joined the European Union. It participates in the Schengen Agreement. Norway and Iceland, which are not members of the EU, also participate in the Schengen agreement in order to ensure the unity of the Scandinavian visa-free area. Sweden participates in the WTO.
The Swedish economy is characterized by an even distribution of national income and combines the basic principles of a free market and a developed social security system.
The economic recession of the early 1990s led to a sharp increase in unemployment, government debt and budget deficits in the public sector. The streamlining of public finances and the introduction of a low-inflation policy, as well as the development of the communications and information technology industries, made it possible to achieve high rates of economic growth in the second half of the 90s. The peak was reached in 2000; After this, the global economic downturn began to affect the Swedish economy. The growth of Swedish exports is constrained by weak demand for cars and communications technology in foreign markets, as well as slowing economic growth in the eurozone.
The marginal tax rate in Sweden is 55% (previously 72%).
Effective corporate tax rates are relatively low; Legislation provides significant tax benefits for depreciation of equipment and production facilities. At the same time, social insurance contributions increase employers' expenses for paying employees by a third.
VAT has three rates: the general rate is 25%, for food products, domestic transport services and a number of tourism-related services - 12%. A 6% rate applies to newspapers and other printed products, sporting goods and services.

Main economic indicators

Like many other highly industrialized countries, Sweden has experienced declining economic growth over the past two decades. Between 1980 and 2000 the average annual GDP growth rate was 2.0% (for comparison, in the 1950s - 3.3%; in the 1960s - 4.6%). Due to weak economic growth, the share of GDP per capita has not increased as quickly as in other countries. In the 1970s, GDP per capita in Sweden exceeded the modern European average by 24%. By 1999, the gap had narrowed to 4%; the share of GDP per capita was 220 thousand Swedish kronor (approximately 27 thousand US dollars).
In the 1980s, the growth rate of the Swedish economy coincided with similar indicators for Western European countries. But, at the same time, the Swedish economy differed from the European one in a number of features. Unemployment remained low while unemployment rates increased sharply in Western Europe. The level of prices and wages in Sweden rose faster than anywhere else; and the current account balance was characterized by large deficits.
Between 1990 and 1993. Sweden's GDP fell by 5% and the number of jobs by 10%. By the end of 1993, the unemployment rate had risen to 8% (+6.5% over three years).
Economic crisis of the early 90s. was the most painful since the depression period of the thirties of the last century. The consequences of the crisis were aggravated by the fact that it coincided with a global economic downturn. Following the crisis, the government began to review economic and financial policies in order to reverse the trend towards increasing government budget deficits.
Structural reforms need to be viewed in the light of relatively low output growth and high inflation during the 1980s. Tax reform 1990-1991 was primarily aimed at stimulating private savings and included measures such as reducing payroll tax rates and unifying capital taxation.
In 1993, a new competition law was passed that explicitly prohibits anti-competitive agreements between market participants and the abuse of a dominant market position. The state refused to regulate a number of economic sectors: transport, communications and electricity supply. In some cases, this meant abandoning a previously existing state monopoly. In 1993, the consolidated state budget deficit reached 12% of GDP, which led to an increase in public debt and a jump in interest rates. Confidence in the national currency was shaken. In October 1994, the Social Democratic government presented a four-year plan to improve public finances, aimed at introducing a regime of fiscal austerity and increasing tax revenues by SEK 118 billion (7.5% of GDP). As a result of these measures, public finances were supposed to be balanced by 1998.
In 1998 and 1999, a government budget surplus of 2% of GDP was achieved. In 2000, the surplus should have amounted to 4.1% of GDP.
In 1996, new rules for the budget process were introduced, providing for a limited spending scheme and dividing the expenditure side of the budget into 27 items. Parliament determined the limits for spending budget funds for each item and in general. Unexpected spending was limited, which led to a reduction in allocations for budgeted needs. The main goal of the monetary policy of the Central Bank of Sweden is to maintain a stable price level. In November 1992, the Central Bank abandoned the unilateral peg of the Swedish krona to the ECU and switched to a free exchange rate regime for the national currency. After this decision, the exchange rate of the Swedish krona immediately dropped by 20%, as well as interest rates on the financial market. Then this coincided with a general decline in interest rates in Europe; however, the decline in the discount rate in the Swedish financial market continued even after the end of a similar process in Europe.
It can be said that the main reason for the reduction in discount interest rates is the more stringent budget policy of the state and the policy of maintaining a stable price level. At the end of the 1990s. the inflation rate did not rise above 2%.
Sweden is not yet committed to joining the European Economic and Monetary Union and introducing the euro, which was confirmed in a referendum held in September this year.
After the crisis of 1991-1993. the growth phase has begun. In the period 1993-2000. Sweden's GDP grew by an average of 3.2% annually. In addition, there was an increase in export volumes and, as a result, strengthening of the competitiveness of the national economy (including due to the depreciation of the Swedish krona after its delinking from the ECU). First of all, the rise was observed in manufacturing sectors due to growth in exports.
Intensive growth continued until 2000-2001, when the Swedish economy began to experience the negative impact of another global economic downturn.

The year 2002 did not bring significant development to the Swedish economy. The rate of increase in GDP was less than 2%. And although the first signs of a recovery in growth rates have appeared, the situation in the economy is still unstable.
Private consumption maintained its high level; this factor, coupled with the low exchange rate of the national currency (Swedish krona), made it possible to mitigate the negative impact of the global economic downturn.
As a long-term trend, there is a decline in GDP per capita. The volume of investment in the Swedish economy is one of the lowest among OECD countries. In 2002, the volume of investment was even below the long-term average level.
In general, based on the totality of economic indicators, we can conclude that in 2002 the economic recession reached its lowest point and in 2003 the growth rate will begin to recover.
The fact that business and consumer confidence in the Swedish economy has increased in recent months suggests a recovery in economic growth in 2004.
In general, it can be said that since the mid-90s, the Swedish national economy has undergone significant changes: order has been established in public finances, the conditions for business and educational activities have been improved, and powerful sectors of information technology and telecommunications have been created. Thanks to these measures, high growth rates, a stable state budget surplus, and an extremely high level of private consumption were achieved. In 1999, when the European currency, the euro, was introduced, the exchange rate of the Swedish mark to the euro was 9.50/1; in 2000 it was already fluctuating between 9/1 and 8/1.
As already mentioned, the Swedish national economy is characterized by an even distribution of income thanks to a developed system of public services. A significant part of the Swedish government's spending is represented by various social subsidies. Local authorities, in particular, pay social benefits to people whose incomes are below the poverty level.
Sweden's social security system is financed through taxes and employer contributions from wage funds. As a result, Sweden has high tax rates.
In the future, the Swedish government plans to reduce tax rates. As a first step, a tax credit was introduced in 2000, which allowed compensation for half the amount of contributions to pension funds.

International trade

The Swedish economy can be described as open and dependent on foreign trade, which generates 40-45% of GDP. Sweden's large industrial groups are multinational corporations with most of their production facilities located abroad, mainly in the EU. Considering Sweden's small population (0.2% of the world's population), its share of international trade is surprising (2%).
Sweden's foreign trade is directed primarily towards Western industrialized countries. More than half of Sweden's total exports go to EU countries. The Scandinavian countries – Finland, Norway and Denmark – consume 20% of Swedish exports; USA – 14% (the largest market outside the EU for Swedish exports); Asian countries (primarily Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore) – 12%.
Markets in developing countries are very important for Swedish companies: many of them are involved in infrastructure development projects in these countries. Eastern and Central Europe, including the Baltics, accounts for only 5% of Sweden's foreign trade. Since 1 January 1995, Sweden has participated in the Customs Union and the EU's common customs policy. Membership of the EU carries with it certain restrictions on trade policy towards non-EU countries. They are especially clearly visible in the field of trade in textiles, clothing and agricultural goods. Sweden had to introduce restrictive measures against imported goods with lower prices compared to Swedish ones. Before joining the EU, such goods were imported freely. The EU quite often applies restrictive (anti-dumping) measures against goods imported from Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Sweden consistently opposes such a policy of narrowing the market.
Sweden, Denmark and Great Britain refrained from introducing a new common European currency - the euro.
In 2001, Sweden's exports and imports amounted to SEK 780.6 and SEK 647.4 billion, respectively. Indicators of foreign trade in goods for 2001 reflect a decrease in its volume relative to 2000 due to the global economic downturn. The most noticeable decreases were in the volume of foreign trade with EU countries (from the point of view of the geography of foreign trade) and the volume of exports and imports of products from the information technology sector and communication equipment and oil imports (from the point of view of the commodity structure of foreign trade). In 2001, crude oil imports fell by more than 50% compared to the previous year.
In the first six months of 2002, exports amounted to SEK 401.1 billion and imports amounted to SEK 320.5 billion. Compared to the same period of the previous year, exports increased by 1% (from SEK 398.9 billion) and imports decreased by 5% (from SEK 336.2 billion).

Swedish industry is largely focused on the assembly of finished products from imported components. Assembly industries account for 70% of Swedish imports.

The main product groups of Swedish imports are the following:
- chemicals – 12%
- minerals – 8%
- paper and wood – 3%
- mineral fuel and electricity – 9%
- machinery and transport equipment – ​​47%
- other goods, such as textiles and food – 20%.

66.3% of imports come from EU countries; The main sources of imports are Germany (17.8%), UK (8.7%), Norway (8.5%) and Denmark (8.2%). Imports from African countries account for 0.4% of total imports, with oil and food imports dominating. For example, Kenya is the fourth largest coffee exporting country to Sweden. Imports of textiles and footwear from Africa have declined in recent years, now accounting for just over 0.9% of total imports. Naturally, the structure of imports from the Middle East is dominated by oil and petroleum products. Imports from Oceania account for only 0.3% of the total (food imports predominate - 2% of Swedish food imports). The share of South American countries in total imports began to increase in 1993 (food imports also predominate here (Brazil and Colombia account for more than half of coffee imports). Textile imports from developing Asian countries have been increasing in recent years.

In 2001, Swedish exports fell significantly: the figure dropped to its lowest level since 1975. The reason, first of all, is the decrease in exports of products from the information technology and communications sector. Sweden exports more than one third of its GDP. Mechanical engineering products (primarily electronic equipment, machinery and automobiles) account for more than half of Swedish exports. Despite their modest share in GDP, manufacturing sectors still account for the predominant share of exports. Large multinational corporations Ericsson, ABB, Electrolux, Volvo and Saab provide more than 70% of industrial employment and 80% of industrial exports.
The main destinations for Swedish exports are Germany (10.6%), UK (8.8%), Norway (8.6%) and Denmark (6.1%).
Export activities in Sweden are carried out freely and are practically not regulated by the state, with the exception of the export of weapons and military equipment and a number of high-tech products.

Investment activities

Sweden, located in the heart of the Baltic region, has become a strategically important springboard for the promotion of goods from the countries of the former socialist camp - Russia, the former Baltic republics of the USSR and Poland - to European markets. According to Swedish law, a subsidiary of a foreign company established in Sweden is treated as a Swedish company. The legislation does not distinguish between companies with foreign capital and companies with purely Swedish capital.
Sweden does not have a currency control system, and there are no restrictions on the export of profits or license fees. A subsidiary of a foreign company has the right to transfer fees for management services provided, for scientific research conducted, etc. to the founder’s accounts. Typically, investment income and interest earned may also be transferred. Foreign-owned companies can obtain loans from both the parent company and foreign credit institutions.

Main industries

Sweden is a highly developed industrial country with a developed internal and external transport infrastructure and significant resources of highly qualified personnel. The pace of development of the Swedish economy over the last century is impressive: at the beginning of the 20th century, Sweden was predominantly an agricultural country, and one of the poorest in Europe. However, rich reserves of iron ore, timber and hydroelectric power, and a skilled labor force allowed for accelerated industrialization, which turned Sweden into a modern affluent society with an economy based on the production of high-tech goods and services. In the period after World War II, Swedish economic policy was aimed at gradually replacing the primary sector with industrial sectors characterized by high technology, such as the production of transport equipment, electrical appliances and electronics and chemicals.
Particularly intensive economic growth, thanks to the high competitiveness of the Swedish export industry, was observed until the mid-70s. Only Japan could boast of higher annual GDP growth.
The share of industry and mining in GDP reached its peak in 1960. In the following decades, in Sweden, as in other Western economies, business-oriented services and high technology became more important.
Swedish companies have long recognized the need to be present in foreign markets, so the Swedish economy is now largely dependent on a small number of super-large multinational corporations. Currently, more than 300 thousand Swedish citizens work in companies with a share of foreign capital of more than 50%. 15 years ago this figure was two times lower.
About 60% of Sweden's industrial production is exported - the Swedish economy is focused primarily on the foreign market.
Industrial production in Sweden is highly concentrated, which creates the conditions for large investments in R&D. Swedish companies are among the first in the world in terms of the volume of such investments.
In the period from 1993 to 2000. industrial production increased by 60% (7% per year). Swedish industry has developed much more intensively than the industry of OECD countries.
The recent political and social changes taking place in Eastern Europe and the Baltic region have given Sweden the importance of a springboard for promoting the products of large Western companies into the markets of Eastern Europe, on the one hand; and to promote Eastern European goods to Western markets, on the other.

Private services sector

The honest services sector grew particularly rapidly in the 1980s. In 1980-2000 The sector's share of total employment increased from 48% to 60%, while the industry's share decreased from 33% to 27%. The sector of services aimed at entrepreneurs is rapidly developing, in particular companies providing information and consulting services.
Sweden has fully liberalized areas such as postal services, communications, domestic air travel, rail transport and the electricity market. The goal of liberalization is to reduce the price level while simultaneously improving quality by increasing competition between an increased number of enterprises.
The reduction of government intervention in the credit market led to the rapid development of financial services in the late 1980s. Due to the real estate market crisis of the early 90s, credit institutions suffered significant losses (due to debtors’ failure to fulfill their obligations); however, this became the reason for deep reforms of the credit and financial system, and in particular of banks.

Public services sector

The public services sector developed very intensively in the period 1950-1980. Tax-financed consumption of goods and services increased from 12.5% ​​to 30% of GDP, and the number of workers employed in the sector increased by one million people.
During the 80s. consumption of goods and services by the sector decreased to 26.4% of GDP; Average annual growth has also slowed.
A significant portion of public services is provided by Sweden's 289 municipalities and 20 local councils. Municipal authorities are responsible for organizing the work of schools, children's institutions and institutions for elderly citizens. Local councils are responsible for organizing the health care system and local public transport.
The crisis of the early 90s and the subsequent streamlining of public finances narrowed the scope of public services of local authorities.
In 1997, the Swedish Parliament approved an increase in subsidies for local governments. In the period 1996-2000. the amount of subsidies increased to SEK 20 billion, which corresponded to an increase in local budget revenues by 4.5%. In general, during this period the policy of cutting costs for public services provided at the municipal level was put to an end.

Forestry and timber industry

Forestry has been extremely important to the Swedish economy since the mid-19th century. Over the past years, the industry has acquired a predominantly export orientation. Sweden accounts for 10% of global timber exports; it is the world's fourth largest exporter of paper, third largest exporter of pulp and second largest exporter of softwood lumber. In Sweden, forestry is more important to the national economy than in any other EU country except Finland. Swedish forestry is considered one of the most modern and environmentally oriented.
There are 4 climate zones in Sweden:
- alpine/subalpine, which is characterized by treeless spaces or birch;
- boreal (moderately cold), in which coniferous species predominate, such as pine and spruce;
- boreonemoral, which combines coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved species such as oak, beech, ash, linden and maple;
- nemoral, in which deciduous broad-leaved species predominate.
Most of Sweden lies within the boreal (cold temperate) zone; a significant part of southern Sweden belongs to the boronemoral zone. The southwestern regions of Sweden can be classified as a nemoral zone.
Since the 1920s, Sweden's forest stock has increased by 60%. The annual increase in standing timber reserves is almost 100 million cubic meters. The fact that forests are growing faster now than 100 years ago is due to more efficient land use and forestry practices. 85% of standing timber reserves are coniferous timber reserves, with spruce predominating (with the exception of the far north of Sweden). Deciduous forests are dominated by birch (two-thirds of the deciduous wood supply). Since 1945, standing oak and birch stocks have more than doubled. The average productivity of one hectare of forest fund is 5.3 cubic meters of wood per year; in the south this figure is much higher and the forest grows 4-5 times faster than in the north. The cutting turnover (i.e. the time that passes from planting a tree to its felling) in the south is 60-100 years, in the north – 70-130 years.
In Sweden, only 3% of productive forests are owned by the state. In 1993, most of the state forest fund was transferred to the AssiDomän corporation, 35% of which is owned by the state.
The most important group of forest owners are private individuals (families): in the southern regions they own 80% of the forests. Before World War II, most private forest owners were farmers, living on the land they owned while also practicing agriculture and forestry. Since then, the area occupied by such agricultural and forestry enterprises has been reduced by more than half. Forestry work on private forest estates is carried out by employees of forest owners' unions or contractors.
The second most important group of forest owners are forestry enterprises. Their possessions are concentrated in Central and partly in Northern Sweden.
Paper production accounts for more than half of the gross value added and exports generated by the Swedish forest industry. Recently, this sector has been developing most intensively. Production volumes in the pulp industry remain at the same level. The Swedish pulp and paper industry ranks second after Finland and satisfies 10% of the corresponding needs of EU countries. Swedish pulp and paper suppliers' competitors in the European market include Scandinavian and local producers as well as non-European suppliers. Paper exports from Eastern European countries are increasing.

Largest producers lumber		Largest producers of pulp and paper
Industrial Group/Company	Production volume, cubic meters	Industrial Group/Company	Production volume, thousand tons
SCA/Scanning	1 400	Stora Enso	5 800
AssiDoman	1 200	Holmen	3 200
Stora Enso Timber AB	900	SCA	3 000
Sodra Timber	900	Billerud	2 200
Finnforest/Moelven	800	M-real	1 500
Mellanskog Industri AB	700	Sodra	1 400
Vidakoncernen	550	Korsnas	1 300
Jabo	450	Kappa	1 100
Geijergroup	370	Rottneros Bruk	600
Norra Skogsagarna	350	AssiDoman	600
Karl Hedin AB	350	Trebruk	500
Camfore-group	280	Frantschach Pulp & Paper Sweden	500
Bergkvist-Insjon	275	Munksjo	400
Holmen	270	Domsjo	200
Derome group	250	Klippan	200

The Swedish paper industry produces graphic paper (half of production), packaging paper (slightly less than half), as well as tissue paper and specialty paper. Half of the graphic paper production volume is newspaper. Recently, the share of writing and printing paper, packaging board and corrugated paper has increased. Kraft paper production has declined.
The pulp and paper industry is undergoing a process of enterprise consolidation. In 2001, 11.2 million tons of paper were produced at 48 mills and 11.9 million tons of pulp at 45 mills. Over the past four decades, average production per unit has increased eightfold and sixfold for paper and pulp mills, respectively. In the 1980s and 90s, large timber industry groups were created, producing a wide range of wood products: from paper to lumber. Throughout the 90s. The market was dominated by four industrial groups (80% of the market). The consolidation of Swedish enterprises in the industry allowed them to acquire production facilities in other EU countries and specialize in certain segments of the wood products market.
The total number of sawmills in Sweden reaches 200, but two thirds of the market belongs to twenty of them. The large number of factories is due to the fact that, as a rule, they are vital for providing work for rural residents.
In terms of foreign timber trade, Sweden mainly imports roundwood. Russia is the second largest exporter of timber to Sweden after Latvia.

Mining and metallurgical industry

For many centuries, Sweden remained the largest miner and exporter of iron ore and sulfur. Currently, the mining of iron ore, sulfur and the smelting of non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, silver and gold) is concentrated in the northern regions of the country. Swedish zinc is smelted abroad.
Currently, Swedish metallurgical enterprises specialize in the production of high-quality steels - stainless, bearing, tool and others. But traditional production of strip, plate and plate steel also takes place.
Swedish metallurgists are leaders in the introduction of new technologies: ladle furnace, thin-walled plate casting, powder steel production, computer process control.
Sweden's share in world iron ore production is about 2%; The country is Europe's only iron ore exporter. Sweden's share of copper, lead and zinc production in the Western Hemisphere is 1%, 3.7% and 3.3%, respectively. The share of steel exports as such in total exports reaches 4%. If we take into account the export of steel in the form of tools, machinery, machine tools, vehicles, etc., then this figure will be significantly higher.
In 2000, steel imports (mainly in the form of rods, beams and sheets) amounted to 3.3 million tons, and exports - 3.9 million tons.

In 2000, Sweden produced 20.6 million tons of iron ore, 24 million tons of sulfur ore containing sulfur, copper, lead, zinc and arsenic, as well as silver and gold. In addition, 6 million tons of limestone were mined, primarily for use in cement production.
Previously, steel and copper production focused on the production of intermediate products for export. Gradually, metallurgists switched to the production of products from non-ferrous and ferrous metals, thus laying the foundation for modern Swedish mechanical engineering. Many engineering enterprises have their origins in the mining and mineral processing industries and therefore have direct access to raw materials and energy resources.
Iron ore mining in Sweden began in the fifth century BC, when the inhabitants began to use bog ore to make malleable iron. Exploitation of the rich ore deposits of central Sweden did not begin until the 13th century and led to the creation of the coal blast furnace and the forging hammer. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Swedish ore and steel gained a strong position in the international market due to the absence of phosphorus impurities. Rich reserves of high-phosphorus iron ore remained untapped until the 1880s, when the introduction of the Thomas process made it possible to produce high-quality steel from such ore.
Strong demand for iron ore in continental Europe became a driver of exports, especially after the deposits in Kiruna and Malmberget in Lapland were connected by rail to seaports in Norway and Sweden in the early 20th century. More than 80% of the mined ore was exported.
In 2000, the mines in Kiruna and Malmberget produced 13.8 and 6.8 million tons of ore, respectively.
In 1926, the development of the largest deposit of non-ferrous metal ores in Boliden began, which continued until 1967. An ore smelter was built in Rönnsker on the Baltic coast.
Currently, 65% of non-ferrous metal ores are mined from Boliden AB's mines in central and northern Sweden. Due to the absence of a zinc smelter in Sweden, all zinc ore is exported and finished zinc is imported. The volume of lead production fully satisfies domestic and export needs. The insufficient volume of copper ore mining and copper smelting forces Swedish enterprises to import copper - in finished or intermediate form (about 35% of domestic needs). Gold production satisfies 100% of domestic needs and 60% of silver production.
The main deposits of iron ore are located around Kiruna and Malmberget: proven and probable reserves are estimated at 1,700 million tons. The largest copper mine, Aitik, is located in the same area. Deposits of sulfur ores are located in the Skellefteå region, in the mountainous regions along the border with Norway and in central Sweden.
In most mines, mining is already done underground.
Rights to develop ore deposits have a long history. Most of the mines were privately owned; then many of them joined the ore smelting and metallurgical plants. The large mines in northern Sweden, which dominate the ore sector and export the lion's share of production, remain independent.
Large-scale development of iron ore deposits required significant financial investments. It was decided that the state should be directly involved in the exploitation of such an important national resource, and in 1907 it was agreed that the shares of the company LKAB (Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB), which had the rights to exploit the deposits in Kiruna and Malmberget, would be equally divided between the government Sweden and Gränges AB.
The government was given the right to acquire the shares of Gränges AB after 50 years, which happened in 1957.
Enterprises developing sulfur ore deposits are in private hands. Mines, manufacturers of industrial minerals and equipment are united in the Swedish Mining Union (Svenska Gruvföreningen).

Metallurgical industry. By the mid-18th century, Sweden had become the world's leading steel producer and remained the most important supplier of steel to the world market until the industrial breakthrough of the mid-19th century. However, the industrial revolution significantly changed the structure of the metallurgical industry. Sweden does not have its own coal reserves and therefore, when new technological processes using coal and coke as fuel were introduced in continental Europe, it switched to the production and export of high-grade steel. This orientation continues today.
Steel production generates 4% of the gross value added of Swedish industry. 80% of the steel is exported, with a net profit of SEK 16 billion.
Of the 600 blast furnaces and industrial hammers in operation in the 19th century, 13 steelworks now remain. Rolling production operates at 9 enterprises. Most of the metallurgical enterprises are concentrated in central Sweden; they are all privately owned.
More than half of steel production is made up of special steels - alloy and high-carbon. This ratio is not found in any other industrialized country in the world. The largest producers of special steels are AvestaPolarit, Sandvik Steel, Ovako Steel and Uddeholm Tooling. Significant changes in the stainless steel production sector occurred in the 80s, when out of four enterprises in the sector, two remained - AvestaPolarit and Sandvik. The two companies jointly own a welded pipe company, Avesta Sandvik Tube AB, AST, and a steel wire company, Fagersta Stainless AB. The production of seamless stainless steel pipes is concentrated at Sabdvik Steel.
In 1991, Avesta AB joined the British Steel Stainless Group (now part of the Corus Group) and in 2001, the Finnish stainless steel manufacturer Outokumpu Steel, resulting in the creation of the modern company AvestaPolarit, the world's second largest stainless steel manufacturer. The company's net sales are approximately SEK 28 billion per year.
The second major company, AB Andvik Steel (net sales SEK 15 billion), is among the leaders in the production of specialty steel products such as stainless steel strip, seamless stainless steel pipes and stainless steel wire.
Ovako Steel, which owns the smelter and rolling plant in Hofors and the plants in Hellefors, produces 0.6 million tons of unheated steel per year. The most important products: bearing and engineering steel.
In 1991, Uddeholm Tooling AB, one of the world's leading tool steel manufacturers, was acquired by the Austrian metallurgical company Böhler.
Ordinary, i.e. unalloyed, low carbon steel is produced by two companies: SSAB and Fundia AB. Fundia AB, owned by the Finnish steel company Rautaruukki Oy, owns a smelter and two rolling mills and a hot rolling plant. The main products are commercial long products. SSAB, Scandinavia's largest steel producer, operates two production facilities; The annual production volume of thermally untreated steel is 3.8 million tons, strip steel is 2.7 million tons. Main products: springs, galvanized strips, organic coated strips, plate steel, semi-finished metals. Surahammars Bruk AB, owned by SSAB (25%) and Corus Group (75%), is the only electrical steel producer in Scandinavia.
Höganäs AB, whose factories are located in southern Sweden, is a world leader in the production of iron and steel powder.
In 1747, the Swedish Metallurgical Association (Jernkontoret) was founded.
Swedish specialty steels are used in the production of roller bearings, valve springs, razor blades, saw blades, hard rock drill bits, piping components for nuclear power plants, processing plants and other products.
International trade. In 2000, Sweden exported 3.9 million tons of steel, valued at SEK 34 billion. 3.2 million tons of steel were imported - mostly conventional steel in the form of rods, beams and sheet steel. Alloy steel exports amounted to 1.8 million tons, valued at SEK 24 billion. Stainless steel accounts for 48% of exports by weight and 70% by value.

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the most important industries in Sweden. In recent years, this industry has developed more intensively than any other. Over the past 20 years, production volumes have quadrupled. In 1900, mechanical engineering accounted for 9% of industrial production, in 1945 - already 23%, and in 1999. - 50%. The structure of the industry is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises. Companies with more than 500 employees make up only 1.9% of the total. Mechanical engineering accounts for 56% of Swedish exports.
The automotive and aviation industries play a very important role: Volvo and SAAB are famous all over the world, and both produce both automotive and aerospace products. SAAB produces, in particular, civil and military aircraft.

Construction

It was this industry that was most heavily affected by the crisis of the early 90s. In 1990-1994. the number of workers employed in the industry decreased by a quarter (about 100 thousand people).
The crisis of the industry should be considered in the light of its intensive development in the late 80s. Then, huge demand in the residential and commercial market, fueled by positive forecasts for the coming years, caused prices and rents to soar. Therefore, when the recession occurred, there was a significant predominance of supply over demand, which led to a sharp drop in real estate prices.
The consequences of the situation in the late 80s and early 90s are still felt: in many areas of Sweden, real estate properties built then remain unclaimed. However, in 1998, a gradual recovery of the industry began due to low interest rates, increasing prices and demand for real estate. The most intensive recovery is taking place in the country's three major cities - Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo - and in a number of other cities. But housing construction volumes still remain at an unprecedentedly low level.

Communications and information technology

It was these two industries - communications and information technology - that became the engine of Swedish economic growth in the late 90s, when Sweden began to set the pace in the practical use of the latest technologies. In 2000 and 2001, Sweden was awarded the title of the world's leading power in the field of information technology. The Swedish company Ericsson is widely known, supplying mobile telephone communication and digital information exchange systems to all markets around the world. The company ranks second in the world in the field of telecommunications.

Chemical industry

Chemicals have been produced in Sweden for over a hundred years. At first, the industry produced mainly matches and explosives; After World War II, paints and plastics accounted for a large share of production.
Over the past 20 years, the pharmaceutical industry has developed extremely rapidly. It is now the second fastest growing sector of the Swedish economy. More than 90% of medicines produced in Sweden are exported. Over the past ten years, consolidation has significantly reduced the total number of pharmaceutical companies. Currently, Astra Zeneca and Pharmacia & Upjohn are considered the largest.

Agriculture

More than half of Sweden's surface is covered by forests, one third by mountains, lakes and swamps. Less than 10% of the country's surface is cultivated - 3 million hectares. Considering Sweden's northern location, the climate is relatively favorable, although the type of agriculture in Northern Sweden differs significantly from that in Southern Sweden. Agriculture is most developed in the southern and central regions of the country. In the very south the growing season is 240 days, and in the very north it is less than 120 days. The food industry is concentrated in areas with developed agriculture and large population centers.
Over the past century, Sweden has transformed from a predominantly agricultural country to one with only 3% of agriculture's share of employment. The main products of Swedish agriculture - dairy and meat products, cereals and potatoes - go to meet the needs of the domestic market, although the volume of exports is gradually increasing.
With its accession to the EU, Sweden became a member of the Common European Agricultural Policy, which provides for the creation of a single European market for agricultural products and food products. It is expected that consumers will mainly buy products produced in EU countries. Exports of food and agricultural products outside the EU may be subsidized to compensate for price differences between European and world markets. Sweden advocates for easier access to the European market for goods grown or produced outside the EU.
It should be noted that Sweden will never become a major exporter of agricultural goods, since arable land is limited and climate conditions shorten the growing season and increase the cost of building and operating buildings in rural areas. However, Swedish agriculture is one of the most advanced in the EU. It is primarily based on high-intensity methods.
There is a trend towards consolidation of agricultural enterprises and a reduction in the number of workers employed in the industry. In 1950, there were 280 thousand farms cultivating more than 2 hectares of land. In 2000, their number dropped to 80 thousand. The average farm area was 34 hectares. Most farms are family-owned - most of the work is done on their own. Recently, the type of subsidiary peasant farms has become increasingly widespread, when their owners also have another source of income. In only 23 thousand households, the only source of income is grown or produced agricultural products.
In Sweden, agriculture and forestry are often combined: 74% of peasant farms have forest plots - an average of 47 hectares of forest per farm. Structural changes in Swedish agriculture often result in a narrow specialization of farms in cereal production, dairy farming or pig farming. Farmers invest significant funds in the purchase of modern agricultural machinery and equipment, and in construction.
Over the past five years, agricultural income has remained approximately the same. In 1999, they amounted to SEK 30.2 billion: livestock production accounted for 57%, grain production accounted for 5%, other fruits (potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers) accounted for 13%, and remittances from the EU amounted to 24%.
Climatic conditions for growing grain crops vary significantly in the northern and southern regions of the country. 60% of the cultivated area is concentrated in the south of Sweden. The production of feed grain crops (barley and oats) is concentrated in the north of Sweden - in the Norrland region. Sunflower is grown in the south and central regions of the country - in the regions of Götaland and Svealand. Potatoes are grown throughout the country, and sugar beets are grown mainly in the south. It must be taken into account that the yield in the north and south is different: for example, 5.5 tons of barley are harvested from one hectare in the south and 2 tons in the north. Vegetable growing and horticulture are concentrated in the southern regions of the country. In 1999, 3,580 enterprises were registered, of which 1,380 used greenhouses. Vegetables and fruits were grown in open ground by 75% of enterprises on an area of ​​13,900 hectares, with more than half of this area located in the southernmost region of Sweden - Skåne.
There are about 1.7 million head of livestock in Sweden; Dairy farming produces 3.3 million tons of milk per year, which corresponds to the quota established by the European Union for Sweden. Over the past ten years, the number of dairy farms has decreased by more than 50% and is now 11.5 thousand; however, milk production increased by 26% to 7,800 kg per year. There is a tendency to merge dairy and meat farming in one enterprise. Despite the increase in meat production in the country (145 thousand tons in 2000), it cannot yet keep up with the growth in demand, and therefore Sweden meets about 25% of its meat needs through imports.
In 1999, food and alcohol consumption amounted to SEK 180 billion (15% of private expenditure). The level of consumption is quite stable and is gradually increasing due to slight population growth.

Thanks to its participation in the EU's Common European Agricultural Policy, Sweden receives a number of subsidies for agricultural development:
1. Subsidies for arable land and bonuses for raising livestock. In 1999, Swedish farmers received SEK 3.4 billion in subsidies for growing cereals, sunflowers, legumes and flax, and SEK 627 million in premiums for raising bulls, calves and sheep.
2. Subsidies for environmental protection. The transition to intensive agriculture has had an extremely negative impact on the state of the natural environment. Swedish farmers can apply for financial support in the implementation of a number of projects to protect and preserve the natural environment. 50% of costs are financed by the European Union. In particular, support is provided for programs to conserve the biological diversity of pastures and hayfields, ecologically and culturally valuable areas, wetlands and small rivers and streams, the preferential use of organic fertilizers and the breeding of domesticated animals that are on the verge of extinction. In 2000, farmers received SEK 2 billion in this type of subsidy. Currently, more than 10% of arable land is fertilized exclusively with organic fertilizers (6 times more than 10 years ago). The average area of ​​a farm using exclusively organic fertilizers is 46 hectares, and that of a conventional farm is 33 hectares. The predominant use of organic fertilizers has become the main focus of Swedish agricultural development and reflects consumer preferences.
3. Regional support. The EU provides subsidies to expand agriculture in climate-sensitive regions of the country - northern Sweden, forested areas of southern Sweden and the islands of Gotland and Åland.

Food industry

The Swedish food industry is represented by small regional enterprises, large companies, farmer cooperatives and super-large transnational industrial groups. The industry predominantly uses agricultural products produced in Sweden: 70% of agricultural products produced in Sweden are supplied to food processing plants for processing. The food industry ranks fourth in terms of production volume among all sectors of the Swedish economy (in 2000 - 135 billion Swedish kronor). It accounts for 10% of Sweden's industrial production. The food industry is of particular importance in areas such as Skåne and Gotland, where it accounts for 25% and 30% of employment respectively.
The Swedish food industry is dominated by sectors such as the meat processing, dairy and bakery industries.
Foreign-owned enterprises account for 30% of the industry's production. Farmer cooperatives dominate among Swedish companies (45% of production); especially in the meat processing (Swedish Meats), dairy (Arla), bakery and flour industries (Cerealia). Also present are family businesses: Gunnar Dåfgard (frozen food), Spendrups (drinks), Löfbergs Lila (coffee), Pågen Group (baked goods) and Berte Qvarn - Sweden's oldest food industry, a flour mill opened in 1569.
Foreign participation in the Swedish food industry increased significantly during the 1990s through the acquisition of Swedish companies and the concentration of Scandinavian-oriented production in Sweden.
The food market is characterized by the preference that buyers give to highly prepared products. In the period 1995-2000. The sales volume of products of this type increased annually by 6%, while the sales volume of other products increased by only 1-2%.
Food prices tend to decrease: in the 90s, the general price level rose faster than the food price level, and in reality the latter decreased by 12%. In general, food is cheaper in Sweden than in Denmark, France and the UK.

Foreign trade in food products. After Sweden joined the EU, Swedish goods received open access to the pan-European market, and European goods began to penetrate into Sweden, contributing to an increase in foreign trade volumes. Contrary to pessimistic forecasts, this phenomenon did not have a negative impact on the Swedish food industry. Food exports have more than doubled since 1995, from SEK 10.4 billion in 1994 to SEK 21.1 billion in 2000. Processed foods account for more than half of total food exports. The most important export product groups are vodka, chocolate and confectionery, baked goods, frozen vegetables, seasonings, soups and broths, margarine, cider, soft drinks, concentrated juices and jams. In 2000, exports to non-EU countries reached SEK 8.7 billion: vodka exports accounted for 25% (mainly to the USA), roasted coffee was also an important export item (also mainly to the USA ), margarine (mainly to Russia and Poland), chocolate (mainly to Norway), pastries and bread (mainly also to Norway).
Since joining the EU, food imports have increased by 35% (to SEK 42.2 billion); 40% of imports are represented by goods that are not produced in Sweden - vegetables, fruits and juices, wines, coffee, tea and cocoa, and fish products. The EU accounts for about 70% of Swedish food imports.
Thus, the foreign trade deficit in terms of trade in food and agricultural products amounted to SEK 21 billion in 2000.