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Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure SE-2020-13/740 Updated – measures in Sweden

Increased loan facilities and credit guarantees for Swedish businesses

Utökade låne- och garantimöjligheter till företag i Sverige

Country Sweden , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 26 March 2020 – 30 September 2021
Context COVID-19
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Supporting businesses to stay afloat
– Access to finance
Author Anna-Karin Gustafsson (Oxford Research) and Eurofound
Measure added 20 April 2020 (updated 20 July 2021)

Background information

To mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak on jobs and businesses, a range of measures were presented to make it easier for Swedish companies, particularly small- and medium-sized ones, to access finance. The two bodies administrating this support measure are Almi Business Partner (Almi Företagspartner AB) - a Swedish state-owned company group consisting of 16 regional subsidiaries providing loans and business development, and The Swedish Export Credit Corporation - the authority with the task of promoting Swedish exports.

Content of measure

Almi Företagspartner AB will receive a capital contribution of SEK 3 billion to increase its lending to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the country. This reinforcement of the loan fund will increase Almi’s preparedness to meet the needs of businesses whose activities have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Swedish Export Credit Corporation’s credit framework will be increased from SEK 125 billion to SEK 200 billion and can be used to provide both state-supported and commercial credit to Swedish export companies. This will give the agency enhanced opportunities to meet the export industry’s increased demand for credit.

The Swedish Export Credit Agency promotes Swedish exports and the competitiveness of Swedish industry by providing guarantees that facilitate the financing of purchases of Swedish goods and services. Increased credit guarantees totalling SEK 500 billion and lower risk for banks will provide new and improved credit opportunities for companies. A new guarantee for faster and more secure payment to Swedish export companies will also be introduced. This will apply to small- and medium-sized export companies, major export companies and their suppliers.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

08 June 2021

The duration of this measure has been extended until end of September 2021. The Government argues that although demand for liquidity support has decreased, it is important to ensure a solid recovery before ending the support measure.

13 July 2020

In April 2020, Almi started granting a new type of loan for start-ups and established small and medium sized companies whose need for financing is connected to the COVID-19 crisis.

Start-ups may loan up to SEK 500,000 (approximately €50,000). No information available regarding the maximum amount for established small and medium sized companies.

Use of measure

The demand for this measure has been high: by the end of May 2020, the Swedish Export Credit Corporation had issued guarantee offers worth over SEK 120.7 billion.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers SMEs
Larger corporations
Start-ups
Importing/Exporting companies
Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Informed Informed
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

No information available.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sources

  • 24 March 2020: Increased loan facilities and credit guarantees for Swedish businesses (www.government.se)
  • 01 May 2020: The most common questions about Almi's Brygglån (Vanligaste frågorna om Almis Brygglån) (www.almi.se)
  • 08 June 2021: Government extends ‘Företagsakuten’ for a further three months (www.government.se)

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Increased loan facilities and credit guarantees for Swedish businesses, measure SE-2020-13/740 (measures in Sweden), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/SE-2020-13_740.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.