Over the past years, Sweden’s development agenda has increasingly highlighted the strong links between trade, trade promotion, and development assistance. But what does this shift look like in practice, and how does it translate into concrete action on the ground?
Since joining the Alliance as a core donor in 2024, Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), has become a key partner in advancing practical, business-focused solutions that help simplify and modernise trade processes. As part of this collaboration, we spoke with Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, to explore how Sweden approaches the intersection of trade and development, and why this agenda has become central to its international cooperation efforts.
In this Q&A, the Minister reflects on why trade is a key driver of economic growth, how trade facilitation reforms can boost productivity, and the important role of the private sector in delivering sustainable development outcomes. He also shares his perspective on how public–private partnerships can ensure that trade reforms are not only ambitious in design, but also responsive to real obstacles companies face.
Why has trade become such an important part of Sweden’s approach to development assistance?
“Trade is a key driver for economic growth and sustainable development. By supporting private-sector development and strengthening countries’ ability to participate in regional and global trade, we help create local jobs, increase domestic revenues, reduce poverty and long- term aid dependency.”
Why should trade facilitation be seen as a strategic issue for both development and economic growth?
“Trade facilitation is a high- impact reform that directly strengthens domestic economies by reducing bottlenecks, lowering trade costs, and increasing predictability for businesses. This boosts productivity and supports national and local enterprises (especially SMEs) which creates jobs and expands tax revenues, which are essential for sustainable development and long-term economic growth.”
In addition to finance, how do you see the private sector contributing to development initiatives?
“The private sector brings innovation, know-how, technology, and long-term investment that are essential for scalable and lasting sustainable development outcomes.”
How can public-private partnerships such as the Alliance help ensure that trade-related development initiatives respond to the practical needs of both governments and businesses?
“By involving businesses early, partnerships like the Alliance ensure that solutions are demand-driven and address real obstacles companies face — such as delays at borders, regulatory uncertainty and high compliance costs. This makes trade initiatives more practical and commercially relevant, while helping governments design initiatives and reforms that work in practice and attract investment for development needs.”
