Trade Partners Sweden logo Trade Partners Sweden logo
  • sv
  • en

Log in

Log in to access membership discounts and other benefits!

Forgot password?
  • Advice & Support
    • Ask our experts
    • Agreement shop
  • Membership
    • Members portal
    • About the membership
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Become a member
  • Find an agent
  • Press
  • About
    • Contact
    • About Trade Partners Sweden

News

  • 2025-04-24
    With ETS requirements around the corner, it’s time to act – we help you secure greener and more cost-effective logistics
    Read more
  • 2025-04-09
    Trade Partners Sweden participated in ICC Sweden’s high-level seminar on the future of trade
    Read more
  • 2025-03-03
    Trade Policy Reflections After the 2024 Elections: Navigating Challenges in 2025
    Read more
  • 2025-02-27
    New collaboration with The Nordic Textile Academy to strengthen the industry’s expertise in sustainability
    Read more
  • 2025-02-27
    The EU’s New Extended Producer Responsibility for Textiles – A Key Milestone for the Industry
    Read more

Arba Kokalari responds ahead of the EU election

Our CEO Helena Waker met Arba Kokalari, Member of the European Parliament for Moderaterna, at D-Congress and we received an exclusive interview. In the interview, Arba discusses her goals for trade issues ahead of the EU election in June. She emphasizes the necessity of making it easier for companies to adapt to sustainability requirements, and the importance of strengthening Swedish companies by reducing business costs.

We want to encourage our members to vote in the European elections.

What are the most important issues for you to pursue in the coming years regarding trade?

I want to make it easier for companies to become sustainable by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, facilitating repairs, promoting the use of recycled materials, and other green services. The EU must do more to create a circular economy so that consumers can make sustainable choices more easily. During this mandate period, I have been Sweden’s sole voice in the committee on the internal market and have fought to remove barriers to green and digital trade.

How will you work to support the fashion, textile, and footwear industries in meeting sustainability goals?

The work to stop greenwashing must be strengthened. I have been involved in drafting new laws underway in the EU to stop false environmental claims and to increase the right to repair. I have also fought for Swedish eco-labels to be recognized throughout the EU. I want to continue this work. It must become more profitable to be green, and it must become easier for consumers to make sustainable choices. More renewable energy and nuclear power are also crucial for reducing emissions and achieving climate goals.

How should policy facilitate the digital transition for trading companies?

We must realize a digital internal market and introduce free movement of data within the EU by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy for data sharing. Startups and scaleups must have easier access to capital in Europe. I also want the EU to invest more in strengthening Europe’s cybersecurity to prevent hacker attacks and the spread of disinformation.

How can you, as a politician, contribute to simplifying regulations at the European level to benefit trading companies?

We must ensure that our common rules in the EU’s internal market are long-term and technology-neutral to prevent unnecessary regulatory burdens. Therefore, I want to introduce an ombudsman (complaints investigator) for the internal market to eliminate trade barriers.

How do you view the opportunities to support Swedish companies through trade initiatives to navigate through economically difficult times?

Politics must do more to support companies in reducing their costs. Especially small and medium-sized enterprises so that they dare to hire and expand in difficult times. Employer contributions and electronic taxes are examples of taxes that should be reduced.

Association of Trade Partners Sweden

  • Augustendalsvägen 7, Nacka strand, Sweden
  • +46 (0)8 411 00 22
  • info@tradepartners.se

Memberships

Founders of

We use cookies for our website in order to analyse and improve your experience. By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies in the manner described.
I understand!