From optimizing working capital to leveraging data for global expansion, digital tools are giving small and mid-sized exporters the edge in an uncertain market.
Today’s global trade environment is defined by rapid geopolitical shifts and evolving economic landscapes. Swedish exporters are facing a dual reality: unprecedented opportunity paired with significant trade policy uncertainty.
In a recent webinar with Business Sweden, Elin Hagberg, Acting Head of Trade and Invest Facilitation and Senior Trade Advisor joined Mitigram CEO Joshua Kroeker to discuss how technology and proactive strategy have become essential tools for companies navigating these complex global waters.
The State of Global Trade
Hagberg set the scene for Swedish exporters, highlighting that we live in “very uncertain times when it comes to international trade”. According to Business Sweden’s quarterly interviews with exporting companies, managers are taking a cautious approach. The index from Q4 2025 revealed a shift; while Swedish companies are increasingly cautious about North America, they maintain a more positive outlook on Western Europe.
Despite these concerns, trade continues to flow. Hagberg noted that “trade is like water” – it finds new ways and new patterns even when traditional routes are blocked by policy shifts.
This renewed emphasis on FTAs is evidenced in the ongoing European Union negotiations with Indonesia, India and the Mercosur region. These pacts provide the predictability and rules-based frameworks that companies need to invest in new relationships with confidence.
The Complexity Challenge for SMEs
While large corporations often have dedicated departments to manage international logistics and finance, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) often struggle with the mounting complexity. The “complexity gap” creates several key hurdles:
Leveraging Technology for Global Growth
For small and mid-sized Swedish exporters, finding new growth avenues is a necessity, and finding a way to manage risk is still going to be critical to their success and the success of the country.
To address these gaps, Kroeker explained that Mitigram has launched a suite of digital tools designed to give exporters – regardless of size – the same level of insight as major global players.
These tools include:
Conclusion: Do Your Homework
The consensus for the year ahead is clear: Do your homework. Rather than broadly learning about international trade, Hagberg suggests companies must find answers to their specific questions – about their specific products in specific markets. Success in 2026 will belong to the exporters who utilize data to understand their specific market requirements and embrace technology to manage the inherent risks of global expansion.
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About Mitigram:
Mitigram is the leading digital platform for global trade finance execution. In 2024 alone, the platform facilitated over $41 billion in transactions across 120+ markets – empowering corporations, commodity traders, and financial institutions to transact with confidence. Mitigram supports risk coverage on more than 1,000 issuing banks and has enabled over 10,000 completed trade flows – bringing speed, control, and transparency to an industry long held back by fragmentation and paper.
Collaboration to pioneer EBICS-driven trade finance transformation.
