Policy actions for strengthening EU competitiveness

Bruegel’s 20th anniversary event in Stockholm, jointly organised with the Ministry of Finance and the Sveriges Riksbank

Time and location: 26 May 2025 14:30-16:30 Regeringskansliet, Stockholm
Format: Public, Onsite-only, On the record
Contact: Matilda Sevón Katja Knežević

Speakers

Karolina Ekholm

Director General, Swedish National Debt Office

Johanna Lybeck Lilja

State Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Sweden

Sten Nyberg

Professor of Economics, Stockholm University

Clas Olsson

Chairman of the Productivity Commission, Ministry of Finance, Sweden

Anna Stellinger

Head of International and EU Operations, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Agenda

Check-in & welcome coffee

14:00-14:30

Agenda

Opening speech

14:30-14:45

Johanna Lybeck Lilja, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Sweden

Agenda

Presentation

14:45-15:15

Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Bruegel Director

Agenda

Panel discussion

15:15-16:00

Chair: Karolina Ekholm, Director General, Swedish National Debt Office
Sten Nyberg, Professor of Economics, Stockholm University
Clas Olsson, Chairman of the Productivity Commission, Ministry of Finance, Sweden
Anna Stellinger, Head of International and EU Operations, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Bruegel Director

Agenda

Q&A

16:00-16:20

Agenda

Closing remarks

16:20-16:30

Karolina Ekholm, Director General, Swedish National Debt Office

If EU countries are to increase their prosperity in an increasingly polarised world, where free trade and openness are challenged, higher productivity growth and strengthened international competitiveness are required. At the same time, the EU is facing investment needs stemming from the green and digital transitions, and the deteriorating security situation. Strengthening competitiveness from various dimensions is therefore high on the EU's agenda.

To mark the fact that the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel has contributed to European economic policy analysis and public debate for 20 years, Bruegel, together with the Ministry of Finance and the Riksbank, organised a seminar in Stockholm on 26 May on the theme of the EU's competitiveness. Issues that are expected to be addressed by experts in this field include:
• What are the challenges for the EU's competitiveness?
• What promotes productivity growth?
• What are the Swedish experiences?
• What policy actions should be prioritised

In the frame of Bruegel's 20th Anniversary celebrations we are organising a series of events in our members states, to bring important European conversations to the capitals and hear views from national policy makers and experts on potential challenges and solutions.

You can see all of Bruegel's 20th Anniversary news and activities on our dedicated page.

Partners

This event is jointly organised by Bruegel, the Swedish Ministry of Finance and the Sveriges Riksbank.