Stockholm - Two Swedish cabinet members Monday visited company headquarters of Saab, the loss-making Swedish carmaker that US automotive giant General Motors wants to shed.

Saab on Friday filed for bankruptcy protection as part of attempts to reorganize its business, including creating a new independent entity from GM. GM wants to pull out of Saab latest January 2010.

Enterprise Minister Maud Olofsson told reporters in Trollhattan, south-western Sweden, that she had had "very good talks with the Saab management and several employees" and union leaders.

Olofsson welcomed that Saab management was working on its business plan and reorganization along with a court-appointed administrator.

"The ownership issue remains key," Olofsson said, referring to GM's stated plans to shed Saab. "If we are to have a chance to turn things around, there has to be an owner that believes in the business plan and is prepared to put in capital."

The government has said it would not take over ownership of Saab.

Olofsson and Employment Minister Sven Otto Littorin said the government also had to prepare a contingency plan should the reorganization plan fail.

Littorin said Sweden planned to apply for funding from the European Globalization Adjustment Fund, noting it was a lengthy process.

Saab's chief executive Jan Ake Jonsson has in several interviews said the company has been approached by several possible partners but declined to offer details saying Saab first had to secure state guarantees for a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Documents filed to the court last week, suggested Saab posted losses of some 3 billion kronor (341 million dollars) for 2008, and expected losses of the same magnitude this year.

The losses were attributed to lower demand for its products, including ageing car models and unused assembly capacity.

Saab employs some 4,000 people in Sweden. GM's interest in Saab - one of Europe's smallest car makers - dates back to the early 1990s, and the concern took full control in 2000. (dpa)