(observer) AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA,
FAO, G-6, G-8, G-9, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Anders THUNBORG; Chancery at Suite 1200, 600 New Hampshire Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 944-5600; there are Swedish
Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York
US:
Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN; Embassy at Strandvagen 101, S-115 89
Stockholm; telephone [46] (8) 783-5300; FAX [46] (8) 661-1964
Flag:
blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical
part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog
(Danish flag)

:Sweden Economy

Overview:
Aided by a long period of peace and neutrality during World War I through
World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a
mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has
essentially full employment, a modern distribution system, excellent
internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber,
hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy that is
heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for
about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for
50% of output and exports. In the last few years, however, this
extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by inflation, growing
absenteeism, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets.
The new center-right government, facing a sagging economic situation which
is unlikely to improve until 1993, is pushing full steam ahead with economic
reform proposals to end Sweden's recession and to prepare for possible EC
membership in 1995. The free-market-oriented reforms are designed to spur
growth, maintain price stability, lower unemployment, create a more
efficient welfare state, and further adapt to EC standards. The measures
include: cutting taxes, particularly the value-added tax (VAT) and levies on
new and small business; privatization; liberalizing foreig