From Monday 28 December it will be easier for service companies to conduct their activities across borders in Europe. The entry into force of the Services Directive in all EU Member States means that trade barriers are removed and companies' contacts with authorities are simplified.

"For Sweden, which is an open, trade-oriented country with many industries that have development capacity, cross-border trade in services has an enormous potential. I hope that the changes being implemented will help encourage Swedish companies to consider expanding abroad to an even greater extent," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.

In addition, on 28 December the Member States are launching 'points of single contact' for services, i.e. web functions containing information as to which conditions apply for service activities in a certain country. Companies can use this web function to find the right authority, and to electronically apply for a permit and report an activity. The point of single contact will be the only portal to service activities that an entrepreneur needs.

In Sweden, this service is available on the website for entrepreneurship that the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth is designing together with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and the Swedish Tax Agency, at either www.verksamt.se or www.Sweden.se.

All EU countries' points of single contact will be accessible via the European portal www.eu-go.eu, which will be launched in the beginning of 2010. The Member Sates have agreed on the name 'EUGO' as a common trademark to make recognising points of single contact for services easier.

The point of single contact in Sweden is supported by a service function under the National Board of Trade. This function can be reached by telephone if you cannot find what you are looking for on the website. The number to the service function is +46 8 690 48 80.

Swedish consumers will be able to turn to Konsument Europa (European Consumer Centre) at the Swedish Consumer Agency for help in matters such as finding out the requirements regarding a foreign company in the country of origin, obtaining information on consumer legislation and on the opportunities for obtaining a judicial review in the event of a dispute between a business operator and a consumer via www.konsumenteuropa.se or +46 54 19 41 50.

Better opportunities for service companies will strengthen economic growth and thus contribute to increased employment. There are currently some 3.4 million people in Sweden who work in the services sector. Export of services is the fastest growing sector of the Swedish economy. On average, it has grown by 9 per cent a year since 1995. In Western Europe, only Denmark and Ireland can boast a better growth rate. Today, export of services is a relatively small part of the services sector in the EU as a whole.

Facts: the Services Directive
The Services Directive was adopted by the EU Member States in December 2006. The Directive aims at facilitating both establishment and temporary trade in services in Europe. This includes services in sectors such as construction, tourism, hotel and restaurant, and retail trade, as well as information and business-related sectors (such as consultancy services in management, administration, certification and testing).

Implementation of the Services Directive clarifies several points regarding the free movement of services, i.e. that a company from one EU country is to have the same opportunities to conduct trade in services as a domestic company. In future, no country will be able to make requirements regarding nationality or that an entrepreneur must reside in the country where the service is provided. Nor will the authorities be able to make requirements on companies in situations where the company already fulfils the same requirements in their home country. The Services Directive affects 90 laws and 75 regulations.

For further information please contact:

Lena Rooth, Head of Department, Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth
+46 8 681 91 58
lena.rooth@tillvaxtverket.se

Fritz Steneberg, Point of Single Contact service function, National Board of Trade
+46 8 690 48 42
fritz.steneberg@kommers.se

Jolanda Girzl, Director, Konsument Europa
+46 54 19 40 52
+46 76 110 40 52
jolanda.girzl@konsumenteuropa.se