SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Dousa: Aid should benefit Sweden

It has been stormy around Swedish aid in recent years. The government has reduced the budget and it will become more business-oriented – and also benefit Sweden. No country has been lifted out of poverty solely through aid, says new aid minister Benjamin Dousa (The Moderate Party).

» Updated: 29 October 2024, 14:36

» Published: 11 October 2024

Dousa: Aid should benefit Sweden
Photo: Jessica Gow / TT

The former MUF chairman Benjamin Dousa (M), came directly from the business sector into the role of Minister for Development Cooperation about a month ago. Not a coincidence, since aid under the Tidö government is to become more business-oriented. At least when it comes to development cooperation, i.e. long-term aid that is not acute humanitarian aid such as disaster relief.

When Swedish companies establish themselves in a poor country - yes, it's good for the money from a monetary perspective, we get new tax revenues. But they also bring Swedish values, Swedish views on how to conduct business, Swedish views on equality. I think that's also important.

But is it part of the new reorientation of aid policy to benefit Sweden?

Absolutely. And above all, benefit the recipient country, says Dousa.

Ukraine as an example

The line is not uncontroversial and has been criticized for risking that aid money instead of going where it does the most good for the recipient country goes where it does the most good for Sweden.

To get out of poverty, it's trade, strong institutions, property rights, and market economy that can make a difference.

I think it's the combination of that and aid that can really get countries' economies going, says Dousa.

He takes Ukraine, the country Sweden gives the most aid to, as the example he thinks has come the farthest in combining benefits for both countries. In addition to military and humanitarian support, Ukraine has also received support for development and trade policy.

Recently, we opened a trade office in Kyiv with a special envoy who will also help build up Ukraine's business sector.

The combination with Ukraine as a model, I think can be duplicated in other environments as well.

"Nothing to be ashamed of"

When Dousa had been in office for a week, the news came that aid would be reduced from today's 56 billion to 53 billion during the years 2026-2028. This has been met with strong criticism from the opposition and civil society, as it happens at a time with many severe crises and wars in the world.

Dousa believes it was entirely right to scrap the previous one percent goal of GNP and that the money is a well-balanced budget considering the global situation.

Sweden is and remains one of the world's most generous aid donors.

We have nothing to be ashamed of, says Dousa.

Anna Hansson/TT

Facts: Swedish aid

TT

The Tidö government scrapped the goal of allocating 1 percent of GNP to aid. Instead, a lower budget of 56 billion per year was set for 2023-2025.

On September 17 this year, the government announced that aid for the years 2026-2028 would amount to 53 billion.

Swedish aid is primarily distributed by Sida and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

In 2023, aid amounted to 59 billion. Almost 32 billion of it went via the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to, for example, UN organizations. Just over 26 billion was distributed via Sida. The largest recipient country was Ukraine.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Al Jazeera: Criticized documentary is well-balanced
2 MIN READ

Al Jazeera: Criticized documentary is well-balanced

Suspected Object Was Harmless
1 MIN READ

Suspected Object Was Harmless

"Being able to scroll on Tiktok is not IT competence"
3 MIN READ

"Being able to scroll on Tiktok is not IT competence"

Seriously Injured in Collision
1 MIN READ

Seriously Injured in Collision

Expensive food and a whiff of oil – this is the top meeting
3 MIN READ

Expensive food and a whiff of oil – this is the top meeting

Allegations: Murder Contract on SVT Employee
1 MIN READ

Allegations: Murder Contract on SVT Employee

The Taliban makes its climate debut at the top meeting
2 MIN READ

The Taliban makes its climate debut at the top meeting

Sweden sends multimillion support to climate fund
1 MIN READ

Sweden sends multimillion support to climate fund

3,000 kronor in additional pay for Members of Parliament
1 MIN READ

3,000 kronor in additional pay for Members of Parliament

Detained for knife attack on school
1 MIN READ

Detained for knife attack on school

Prison sentence for knife attack on ex-wife's new partner
1 MIN READ

Prison sentence for knife attack on ex-wife's new partner

Kristersson on wind power: "Incomprehensible"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson on wind power: "Incomprehensible"

Three suspected of having supplied Swedes with weapons
1 MIN READ

Three suspected of having supplied Swedes with weapons

Edholm: Too Many Charlatans in Swedish Schools
2 MIN READ

Edholm: Too Many Charlatans in Swedish Schools

Large police operation at murdered man's funeral
1 MIN READ

Large police operation at murdered man's funeral

Social Services Should Seek Out Young Criminals
3 MIN READ

Social Services Should Seek Out Young Criminals

Invasive cannibal flatworm found in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Invasive cannibal flatworm found in Malmö

Remote Work - Negative for Sense of Community
2 MIN READ

Remote Work - Negative for Sense of Community

Prosecutor missed deportation - verdict appealed
1 MIN READ

Prosecutor missed deportation - verdict appealed

Milder sentence after Emporia murder
2 MIN READ

Milder sentence after Emporia murder