It's Time to Simplify Rules and Regulations for Businesses , Everywhere

As someone who has built and run companies in both Sweden and China, I’ve seen first-hand how different countries approach the idea of "business-friendly environments." And one thing has become increasingly clear to me: rules and regulations are often far more complex than they need to be , especially in countries that pride themselves on being modern and efficient.

Sweden: A Land of Order , But Also Over-Administration

Sweden is known for its structure , transparency , and rule of law , all positive traits for running a business. But for entrepreneurs , especially small business owners , the administrative burden can quickly become overwhelming.

You don’t just pay taxes , you constantly report everything. It seems like every agency wants a slightly different version of your financial data:

• Monthly VAT reports

• Employer declarations

• Industry-specific statistics

• Payroll breakdowns

• Environmental impact data

• Income statements in several formats

And most of it isn’t about avoiding fraud , it’s about satisfying a system that’s grown far more complex than it needs to be. A system built on the idea that every scenario must be documented , instead of trusting entrepreneurs to focus on building value.

China: Fast , Practical , but Not Without Challenges

In contrast , my experience running a business in China has been refreshingly straightforward , at least when it comes to daily operations.

Setting up a company in China can be bureaucratic , but once you're established , the system often favors speed and efficiency. For example:

• You don’t have to file 10 different monthly reports

• You won’t spend hours every week updating data for multiple authorities

• Day-to-day compliance tends to be handled with minimal paperwork

• You can open a shop , launch a campaign , or adjust pricing structures far more freely

The focus is clearly on enabling economic activity , which is something I believe all countries could learn from.

That said , China isn’t perfect either. When it comes to cross-border trade or working with foreign partners , the complexity increases. Banking restrictions , foreign exchange rules , and export documentation can quickly get frustrating. You can run a local business efficiently , but scaling it globally from within China still comes with heavy friction.

The Bigger Problem: Red Tape Is a Global Issue

What I’ve come to realize is that most countries make things harder than they need to be. Whether it’s Europe , Asia , or the Americas , governments often design systems to protect themselves from misuse , instead of empowering honest entrepreneurs to create jobs , innovate , and grow.

We end up with:

• Redundant paperwork

• Outdated reporting systems

• Rules that change often but are poorly communicated

• Platforms that don't connect or talk to each other

• An ever-growing list of "compliance obligations" that few small business owners truly understand

The result? Less time spent on growth , product development , customer experience , and international expansion , and more time spent on checking boxes for systems that don't directly add value to the business or the economy.

We Need a New Mindset

This isn’t about removing oversight altogether , it's about simplifying and modernizing how we do it.

Imagine if:

• Tax reporting was automatic and integrated with accounting software

• Business registrations took 30 minutes , not 30 days

• One agency handled all monthly compliance , not five

• Rules were written in plain language , not legal jargon

• Governments trusted that 95% of entrepreneurs are trying to do the right thing

We have the tools to make this a reality , we just need the political will and digital competence to design systems that serve entrepreneurs , not slow them down.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a Swedish freelancer or a Chinese manufacturer, the problem is the same: we spend too much time serving the system instead of serving customers. My hope is that more policymakers, in Sweden and elsewhere, start listening to business owners who are asking for less red tape and more room to breathe.

Let’s create systems that trust people, simplify the path forward, and free up time to build real value, across borders.

If you need help navigating the red tape in Sweden or China, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to assist in any way I can, whether you're just getting started, planning expansion, or looking to simplify your existing setup.