THE SWEDISH CENTER RIGHT APPROACH IS A BOWL OF FRESH AIR

Despite headwinds from the Eurozone, Sweden's track record of sound monetary, fiscal management and high level of national savings leaves it well placed to cope with increased macroeconomic risks. The country's public finances are among the strongest in Europe, which provides scope for boosting investment to create more jobs in growing enterprises, while policies aimed at reducing exclusion and creating more paths into jobs for people who are far removed from the labour market will continue.

The focus of economic policy is to counteract the impact of the crisis on jobs and welfare, while Sweden's long term growth capacity continues to be strengthened and more people enter the labour market.

Look at what Sweden is doing: In the 2013 Budget Bill, the Government will:

• Propose investment in infrastructure (€ 11.7 billion);
• Propose investment in research (€ 1.3 billion);
• Improve investment climate to provide jobs, growth and increased prosperity;
• Create more paths into work for young people (€ 950 million);
• Focus on growth markets in other parts of the world;
• Lower the corporate tax by 4.3 points to 22% to reinforce the environment for investors and growth.

At a time when other EU member states are confronted with increased taxes and a reduction of social services, the Swedish approach deserves compliments for taking the right path.