Egypt and Sweden will intensify their collaboration toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through knowledge exchange in the challenging areas, according to the ambassador of Sweden to Egypt, Jan Thesleff.
He emphasised the possibilities that the long and historic relationship between Egypt and Sweden can offer.
“Egypt is an exciting market. With its large population, strategic geographical location, and an economic situation that has stabilised, Egypt has features that stand out in a region where the big traditional economies are experiencing less growth,” the ambassador told Daily News Egypt.
Most existing Swedish companies in Egypt look positively on the future, and some of the larger companies are currently planning to expand their businesses in Egypt, while others are looking to enter it, the ambassador asserted.
The embassy of Sweden celebrated the country’s National Day on 17 June with holding a reception and exhibition in collaboration with more than 20 Swedish companies committed to Egypt and more than 2,000 invitees.
The Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Niklas Johansson, participated in the event as a guest of honour. The embassy celebrated Sweden Day under the theme “SWEDEN. Globally Committed. Committed to Egypt,” and it highlighted the Swedish commitment to Agenda 2030, the SDGs, and Egypt.
Johansson’s visit focused on deepening the Swedish-Egyptian trade relation and Swedish efforts to support Egypt in its development agenda.
Egypt is a top Swedish trading partner, both in the Middle East and in Africa. During the reception, both multinational Swedish companies and smaller ones presented their latest innovations, products, and services, allowing guests to experience their offerings first-hand. A startup-corner featured Swedish tech innovations with a strong Egyptian connection.
“Today is about celebrating the strong Swedish-Egyptian ties, as well as looking toward the future and exploring how we can utilise and develop this relationship,” ambassador Thesleff said in his speech.
Egyptians and Swedes alike are skilled, innovative and knowledgeable, and by learning from each other, both sides can more efficiently move toward a sustainable, fair, and inclusive world, the ambassador added.
The evening featured music produced, written, and sung by Swedish artists, as Sweden is the world’s number one exporter of chart music relative to its GDP. Famous Swedish artists include ABBA, Avicii, and Zara Larsson.
Sweden Day 2019 was organised in collaboration with the following Swedish companies: ABB, Astra Zeneca, Baxter, Celemi, Electrolux, Ericsson, Gamma Knife, IKEA, Nordic Water, Oriflame, Quest, Scania, Tetra Pak, Volvo Cars, Volvo Buses, Trucks and Construction Equipment, Xylem, Absolut, Atlas Copco, Blueair, Newstag, Novelari, SKF, and the Swedish startup Kitab Sawti.
