Despite global economic uncertainty, Värmland's business sector is showing positive signs with fewer bankruptcies and increased new business startups in the first quarter of 2026. According to data from credit reporting company Synas, bankruptcies in Värmland County decreased by 9 percent during the first quarter compared to the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, new business startups increased by 16 percent compared to 2025, which was already a strong year with 15 percent more startups than 2024.
Sofia Strindholm, CEO of Handelskammaren Värmland, commented on the region's economic resilience: 'The Värmland business community has become skilled at transitions. We had a strong 2025, and it's very positive that this is spilling over into 2026, despite having had a fairly tense global situation throughout 2026.'
The Värmland business sector has become skilled at transitions
Among the new entrepreneurs is 25-year-old Edwin Åkerberg, who recently took over a tire company in Sunne. The positive trends come despite challenging global conditions, including the Middle East conflict affecting the economy and volatile stock markets with fluctuating energy and fuel prices making markets unpredictable.
I got the chance and opportunity to do it now, so I just had to do it