industristrategiska

Industristrategiska describes assets, sectors, or activities that are considered essential for a country’s economic performance, security, or resilience. The term is used in policy contexts to mark areas where government attention and potentially targeted support are warranted due to their strategic importance for long-term competitiveness, defense, or critical infrastructure.

The designation typically rests on criteria such as economic significance, strategic autonomy, innovation potential, and vulnerability of supply chains. Sectors deemed industristrategiska are often those with high technological content, capital intensity, or pivotal roles in critical services, energy, transport, or national defense. The concept also encompasses the resilience of these sectors to shocks, such as disruptions from geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or market concentration.

Policy instruments associated with industristrategiska designation include targeted funding for research and development, subsidies or preferential financing, strategic public procurement, resilience planning, and, in some cases, export controls for dual-use technologies. Governments may also pursue diversification of supply chains, stockpiling of critical inputs, and collaboration with industry through public–private partnerships to strengthen national capacity in these sectors.

The use of industristrategiska concepts reflects broader industrial policy goals, including maintaining technological leadership, safeguarding critical capabilities, and reducing dependency on external suppliers. Critics warn of potential distortions to competition or misallocation of resources if criteria are unclear or criteria fail to adapt to changing technologies and markets. Transparent criteria, periodic review, and sunset clauses are commonly recommended to mitigate such risks.

See also: critical infrastructure, strategic industry, industrial policy, supply chain resilience.