Handelsfremme

Handelsfremme (trade promotion) refers to the policy area and set of activities aimed at supporting and expanding a country’s international trade. It covers measures to help domestic firms, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, access foreign markets, improve competitiveness, and navigate regulatory and market barriers. Handelsfremme is typically carried out by public authorities such as national ministries of trade or economy, regional authorities, and export promotion agencies, often in collaboration with chambers of commerce and industry associations.

Common instruments and activities include providing market intelligence and regulatory guidance, offering advisory services on export readiness, contracts, logistics, and compliance with foreign standards, and delivering financial support for market entry. Public programs frequently subsidize participation in international trade fairs, organize trade missions and business delegations, and facilitate business matchmaking between buyers and suppliers. Some frameworks also include financing tools such as grants for market development or credit guarantees and insurance schemes managed through public or semi-public institutions.

The overarching goals of handelsfremme are to broaden the export base, foster economic diversification, create jobs, and improve the country’s balance of payments. Programs are often designed to align with broader industrial strategies and international trade commitments, including regional or EU-level cooperation and standards.

Evaluation and debates around handelsfremme focus on effectiveness, equity, and sustainability. Outcomes can be highly sector- and market-dependent, and critics warn of possible distortions, reliance on subsidies, and the need for transparent performance metrics and compliance with state aid rules where applicable.