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| Written by iceicechris | |
| 2008-07-09 | |
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June 25 2008
Sweden scoops third place in international trade ranking
Sweden ranks as the world number three in international trade and investment in a new report by the World Economic Forum.
The report studied which countries were most open and transparent in relation to international trade and investment. Hong Kong and Singapore held the top two positions, with Sweden and Norway placed in third and fourth.
Robert Lawrence, professor of trade and investment at Harvard University and one of the authors of the World Economic Forum report, says that despite the European Union having common trade legislation, there is a lot of difference how these laws are applied within the EU.
”Despite having the same legislation in the various EU countries, Sweden and the other top nations are better when you look at the efficiency of the government and civil servants, and how quickly they get things done. Even if some rules and regulations are the same, these are the people that apply the rules in different ways,” says Professor Robert Lawrence.
Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries are good at combining politics encouraging free international trade with a strong state. This is a key benefit for a successful trade environment, adds Professor Lawrence.
”It’s easy to think that countries either have a state that interferes with business, or a state that doesn’t. What is important is how the state interferes with business. In my view, the Scandinavian countries helps people, but still respects the market,” says Professor Lawrence.
The Global Enabling Trade Report, written by the international trade organisation World Economic Forum, covers 118 countries around the world. The report rates countries on four criteria, where openness for trade and infrastructure is among the most important.
Sweden is highly efficient in getting goods over borders, the report states. The country also offers well developed transport and telecommunications infrastructures, ensuring quick transit of goods to their final destination.
Hong Kong and Singapore are at the top of the list, ahead of Sweden, Norway, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and New Zealand.
Sources: SR.se, WEForum.org/getr08 |
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| Last Updated ( 2008-09-03 ) |
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