What does NIR do?

We support and broaden the scope of operations of Swedish business in markets which are politically, economically or socially complex. All our activities are carried out with a long term perspective. 
  

How do you operate?

Our interventions mainly focus on improving the structural conditions for business in the respective markets in which we operate, in order to promote economic and social development. We cooperate closely with both the public and the private sector, in Sweden as well as abroad. Additionally, our mission involves establishing networks and representing Swedish business as a collective. 
  

Where do you operate?

Our head office is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and we have local representation in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Presently we have ongoing operations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Please visit nir.se/programmes to find out more about them.
   

What is your background?

We were established in 1960 by Dr. Marcus Wallenberg Jr as the Swedish Industry’s Council for Foreign Affairs. Initially the Council functioned as a forum for deliberations concerning Sweden’s relations with the European Economic Community (the predecessor of the EU). In the late 1970s, the name was changed to the International Council of Swedish Industry (Näringslivets Internationella Råd, NIR) and focus shifted to emerging markets. In 2006 NIR again underwent an organisational narrowing of focus and since then we target complex markets with untapped potential for Swedish business. 
 

What type of business entity is NIR?

NIR is a non-profit organisation. Our principal is the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv). 
  

How is NIR’s operations financed?

NIR is financed by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (our principal) and our members. When our objectives coincide with those of other organisations, such as e.g. the Swedish International Developments Agency (Sida), we may choose to enter into a collaboration and receive external funding for our interventions. 
  

What are your core values?

One of our most central beliefs is that the private sector can be a positive force in society and that its competences and unique characteristics therefore should be used in this regard. NIR also believes in dialogue and engagement as the way to promote development.