Abu Dhabi: Sweden’s Minister for Trade Dr Ewa Bjorling who is on a six-day tour to the UAE to boost trade ties between both countries said that the country is trying to deepen ties and invest in health care and energy sectors in the UAE.
“The region provides a huge potential for Swedish companies to increase trade relations. We are trying to look into new areas for investment like the health care sector where Sweden has a lot to provide,” said Dr Bjorling speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
She said he UAE is a major trading partner for Sweden in the Middle East. “The road leading up to Expo 2020 will offer many opportunities for collaboration in fields such as ICT, cleantech and life science where Sweden has long experience and high-tech solutions,” says Minister Ewa Björling.
She said Emirates operates a daily flight between Dubai and Stockholm. “We would like to see more activity to increase our trade.”
UAE Companies
During her visit, Dr Bjorling will meet Abdullah Mohammad Bin Ghobash as well as the senior management of UAE companies such as Emirates airlines and Swedish companies such as Ericsson, Elekta, Mölnlycke Health Care, Diaverum, Getinge, GAC, Volvo Group Trucks, ABB and Clas Ohlson. She met UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi on Monday.
Jan Thesleff, ambassador designate at the Swedish Embassy in Abu Dhabi said that 150 Swedish companies are established in the UAE. “We are trying to double our exports to the UAE in the next five years. UAE is the second biggest market for Swedish products,” he said.
He said that Dubai is establishing itself as a fashion hub and Swedish companies have a lot to offer in the sector.
He said the latest trade figures between both the countries are €840 million (Dh3,943). According to him, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has invested in Swedish real estate and stock market.
