Skr. 2016/17:213  promote an open, free and secure internet in support of human rights and global development. Trade and economic cooperation Objective: Cyber security is to be promoted as part of the ambition to safeguard free flows in support of innovation, competitiveness and societal development. A free trade that makes full use of the opportunities of digital transformation has great potential for contributing to new job opportunities, enhanced competitiveness and sustainable growth. Regardless of sector, most companies are now dependent on free, cross-border data flows in their activities. At the same time, digital transformation means a greater interest in safeguarding intellectual property rights and security for companies in international competition. This is particularly relevant for a country like Sweden, which has innovation- and knowledge-driven companies on a global market. A robust infrastructure and a well-developed cyber security are also essential for Sweden’s ability to attract investments in competition with other countries. The Government stresses the importance of safeguarding cyber security as part of an overarching ambition to promote innovation, competitiveness and societal development. Free data flows are a prerequisite for an effective digital single market and for trade with the rest of the world. The EU’s digital single market strategy aims to enhance and deepen the single market with particular relevance to policy areas affected by digital transformation from a cross-border perspective. Free data flows are also an important offensive interest for the EU in the external trade relations between the EU and the rest of the world. The Government stresses the importance of continuing the work to ensure that there are no barriers to data flows on the single market or between the EU and the rest of the world. Barriers might, for example, consist of unjustified or disproportionate localisation requirements. The purpose of localisation requirements is to force companies to localise data in their own country that would have otherwise been placed in other countries. Such barriers should be eliminated at the same time as it must be possible to consider certain localisation requirements justified with reference to national security and other public interests. The Government will work to   continue Sweden’s digital leadership within the EU and drive the digital agenda forward by completing the digital single market and by being a driving force as regards discussions on future issues, ensure that the EU actively and offensively counteracts digital protectionism and at the same time respects legitimate public interests, such as data protection and national security. 27