Trade and Industry

On the leading edge
Volvo, Saab, SKF, SCA Mölnlycke, Astra Hässle, ESAB and Autoliv are just some of the companies with their roots and bases in Västra Götaland that have made their mark on the global scene. The region's trade and industry are highly international in outlook, and Göteborg enjoys a long tradition as a seafaring centre and Sweden's window on the west.

Almost a fifth of Sweden's industry in terms of numbers employed is based in Västra Götaland. The main centres are Göteborg, Trollhättan, Skövde and Borås. The automotive industry and its subcontractors lead the way, followed by petrochemicals, engineering, foodstuffs, textiles and paper.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing
20% of Sweden's foodstuffs originate in Västra Götaland. The plains in the vicinity of, and in between Lakes Vänern and Vättern are some of the best agricultural land in the country. It's here, too, that R&D work and further training in agriculture and the foodstuffs industry are based. And some two-thirds of Sweden's fish processing industry is based along the coast of Bohuslän.

Västra Götaland accounts for half of Sweden's fishing industry. In addition to coastal and deep-sea fishing, fishing in Lakes Vänern and Vättern also makes an important contribution.

Forestry plays an important role in the economy of Dalsland and the southern part of Västergötland.

Tourism
The tourism and travel industry also means a lot to Västra Götaland. Events of international calibre attract visitors from all over the world to Göteborg, which has become a major centre with The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, the new Opera House, the Göteborg Symphony Orchestra and the city's sports arenas acting as magnets. Liseberg Amusement Park welcomes more visitors every year than any other tourist attraction in Sweden, while the Bohuslän coast is one of the country's most popular holiday destinations. Dalsland and Västergötland, too, are attracting more and more visitors with their rich variety of cultural and natural environment.

Other aspects of the private services sector are also growing, although the number of those employed in private services is generally lower than the national average.

EU support
The development of certain areas of Västra Götaland is being supported by the European Union's structural funds:

• The four municipalities of Lysekil, Uddevalla, Trollhättan and Vänersborg constitute an industrial region in the process of structural conversion, and between them form an Objective 2 area.
• Northern Bohuslän and Dalsland are designated as an Objective 5b area in which priority is given to development of country districts.
• The new administrative region is also affected by the designation of its archipelagoes as an Objective 5b area.
• Community Initiative INTERREG II covers the borderlands along the frontier with Norway.
• A further INTERREG Initiative covers the area facing onto the North Sea.
• The archipelagoes and Northern Bohuslän are covered by Community Initiative LEADER II.
• The KONVER Initiative is supporting the municipality of Karlsborg in its efforts to develop local industry in an area that has until now been heavily dependent on the military.
• The northernmost municipalities in Dalsland are also entitled to national support for the regions.