LONDON: Two-day Saudi-Sweden Expo 2020 Dubai event highlighted investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, Sweden and other countries.
On Jan. 16-17, a series of panel discussions focused on how to improve trade relations between the two nations at the pavilions of both countries as part of Expo.
The event was co-organized with the Saudi Ministry of Investment, Invest Saudi, the Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden.
The first day, hosted at the Sweden Pavilion, included opening remarks by Niclas Trouv, ambassador of Sweden to Saudi Arabia; Hussain Hanbazazah, commissioner general of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pavilion; and Jan Thesleff, Commissioner General of the Swedish Pavilion.
Hanbazazah highlighted how Swedish companies have operated in the Kingdom for more than 70 years, noting that Saudi Arabia is Swedens largest economic partner in the Middle East and No. With more than US$6 Billion in trade exchanges over the past five years, Sweden is the number one trade partner of the Scandinavian nations.
As a continuation to our historical relationship, we are inspired by the efforts made by our leaders towards advancing bilateral relations between our two countries, resulting in the recent establishment of the Saudi-Swedish Business Council in Stockholm, exchanging expertise and knowledge, and setting plans and programs to seize investment opportunities and turn them into tangible partnerships, he said.
Saudi Arabia welcomes and invites Swedish businesses to invest in the country. This includes opportunities and initiatives such as Vision 2030. These include sustainability, smart cities, manufacturing, and areas like e-commerce.
Trouv, the Swedish ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Ambassador to Sweden, stated that talks at the two-day event were primarily focused on progressive performance.
He said that Saudi Arabia and Sweden are on a great journey to protect the planet and people through sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions. This is possible by strengthening partnerships between government and private sector to move forward together.
The two-day event ended with a cultural performance. Guests were invited to another important event on February 7, when the Saudi Pavilion will partner with MISA, Invest Saudi to host a full day business forum at Dubai Exhibition Center. This forum will discuss sectorial investment opportunities for Saudi Arabia.
