New report points to several challenges for Kalmar County’s infrastructure, electricity and skills supply

– Through the report, we want to show the opportunities but also the challenges that the basic industry and the transport sector face in Kalmar County.

Basic industry accounts for approximately 20 percent of Sweden’s GDP. Just over 90 percent of the basic industry’s production is exported. The basic industry is important for employment.

– The industry’s competitiveness in Kalmar and throughout the country affects employment. It is through increased growth and productivity that the industry can create space for more jobs and for a green transition. Therefore, we have called in a number of questions and proposals for measures so that industry and transport can continue to develop, compete and export, says Per Widolf, head of negotiations for the Industrial Employers.

The transport industry, in turn, is absolutely crucial for society to function. Competitive transport is a prerequisite for Swedish exports. Over 90 percent of all exports go via the Swedish ports. The ports in Kalmar county have an important role in getting Swedish products onto the international market.

– Now we want to call on responsible politicians, both at municipal level and at regional and national level, to work immediately to create the best conditions. This is so that the county will also have a basic industry and transport sector in the future that contributes to the continued positive development of Kalmar county and the whole of Sweden, concludes Tina Thorsell.

Now a number of issues need to be resolved so that the basic industry and the transport sector in Kalmar County can contribute to jobs and a green transition.

1. Lack of personnel and the possibility of ensuring the long-term supply of skills in the county.

Dimension the educations according to the needs of the labor market, strengthen the vocational programs’ connection to industry, review the upper secondary school’s program structure, give more access to vocational adults and create more places at the university of applied sciences.

2. Access to fossil-free energy at competitive prices both in the county and throughout the country.

Simplify and shorten the permit processes that currently slow down the expansion of the electricity grid and electricity production. Protect existing electricity production, such as hydropower and cogeneration, and facilitate the expansion of new nuclear power.

3. A well-maintained infrastructure to enable the transport sector to meet the requirement for delivery security.

Remove bottlenecks and capacity gaps in the road and rail system, increase the pace of upgrading infrastructure capable of handling 74-ton trucks, and create contiguous transport lanes for 74-ton trucks. Halve the maintenance debt by 2030 with a long-term financed maintenance plan for the infrastructure. Reinforce supports for charging for heavy vehicles. Support actors who develop the production of fossil-free aviation and maritime fuels and introduce investment support for electricity connection for ships in port.

Download the report as an attached document.

For press inquiries, contact Johan Hasslow, Transport companies [email protected] or Ebba Fredin, Industriarbetsgivarna, [email protected] or 0730-447120