Export companies concerned about rising interest rates and higher financing costs

The barometer shows that 52 percent of export companies now expect higher interest rates over the next 12 months, compared with 5 percent in the corresponding survey last fall. At the same time, the proportion who expect lower interest rates has fallen to 11 percent, compared with 41 percent last fall.

"Above all, it is the war in the Middle East and its possible effects on the economy that are behind the major changes," says Erik Hådén, head of macroeconomic analysis at SEK, in a press release.

The new edition of the Export Credit Barometer is based on interviews with 203 export companies from March 30 to April 27.