7: Regional Development
Regional development and cohesion Other Information:
There are both similarities and differences between different parts of Sweden. This poses a problem for regional development
policy, whose aim is growth and vitality all over the country. General conditions such as infrastructure, local government
economy, demography and education are crucial to development opportunities in all the regions. There is, moreover, a need
for special measures to stimulate development in some regions. New technology and entrepreneurship are also to be found outside
the growth regions. In Sweden – as in many other countries – there is a strong link between regional development and agriculture
and forestry. Although employment in these sectors has declined sharply. Agriculture and forestry, like other primary industries,
are still very important to rural and sparsely populated areas. Objectives: The long-term objective of regional development
policy is properly functioning and sustainable local labour market regions that offer a good level of service all over the
country. The objective of Sweden’s rural policy is sustainable and environmentally sounder food production, employment, regional
balance and sustainable growth. To a large extent, the objectives of ecologically sustainable food production are embodied
in the national environmental quality objectives, in particular the objectives A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing
Coastal Areas and Archipelagos, A Varied Agricultural Landscape, A Magnificent Mountain Landscape, Thriving Wetlands, Flourishing
Lakes and Streams, Zero Eutrophication and A Non-Toxic Environment. The forest policy objectives are included in the environment
quality objective Sustainable Forests; in addition, forests and forest land are to be used efficiently and responsibly so
as to ensure good, sustainable yields. The objective of Sweden’s fisheries policy, which falls under food policy, is to promote
sustainable and responsible management of fisheries. The objective of Sami and reindeer husbandry policy is to promote a flourishing
Sami culture based on ecologically sustainable reindeer husbandry and other Sami industries.
Objective(s):
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