The proposed measures are contained in a Trade Ministry memorandum entitled: "Implementation of the Services Directive" which will be circulated for consultation during the next three months.

"Swedish companies are ready to expand in the European services market. I see it as my task as Minister for Trade to remove legal and administrative barriers obstructing this development. Effective implementation of the EU Services Directive is an important tool in the process and I am now looking forward to comments and ideas about how we can best go about this," said Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.

The Services Directive states the rules and conditions that are to apply to service providers that want to set up operations or provide temporary services in the EU’s internal market.

The Swedish government has conducted a broad review of regulations in the service sector to weed out trade barriers that are against the rules. To ensure that Sweden fulfils the provisions of the Services Directive concerning freedom of establishment and free movement of services, a memorandum has been drawn up with proposals on how existing legislation in the sector should be amended or revoked. New legislation on services in the internal market is also proposed.

To simplify contact with the authorities and improve information to companies and consumers, it is proposed that a Swedish contact point will be set up in 2009. In addition, an information system will be developed that will simplify interagency co-operation to the benefit of both companies and government agencies.

The government then expects to be able to present a bill on the Services Directive in spring 2009. The Directive has to be implemented in EU Member States and EEA (European Economic Area) countries by December 28, 2009.