Monday 02/December/2024 – 11:36 AM
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, met with representatives of the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Development Cooperation Authority (SIDA), to discuss the strategic partnership between Egypt and Sweden, as these development projects contribute to supporting sustainable development goals and strengthening economic relations between the two countries.
Swedish Development Cooperation Authority
The meeting was attended by Håkan Emsjord, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Jacob Granit, Director General of the Swedish Development Cooperation Authority (SIDA), Ms. Johanna Noder, Head of the Economic and Trade Promotion Department at the Swedish Embassy in Cairo, and Ms. Anna Rosendaal, Head of Regional Development Cooperation at the Authority’s office. In Amman, Ms. Stina Schildebrand, Advisor to the Director General of the Swedish Development Cooperation Authority.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat welcomed the attendees, expressing her deep appreciation for the bilateral relations between Egypt and Sweden, which extend for many decades of close cooperation. Economic, commercial and cultural cooperation between the two countries represents a major axis in these relations, as it reflects the depth of the ties between the two peoples.
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation confirmed that Egypt has witnessed in recent years an increasing presence of major Swedish companies, as many companies have increased their investments in Egypt in the fields of technological industries, consumer electronics, and medical equipment, along with many other companies that play a pivotal role. In strengthening economic relations between the two countries, noting that the export credit system is one of the important mechanisms that supports trade exchange and investments between Egypt and Sweden, which contributes to enhancing economic growth in both countries.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat referred to the current portfolio of development cooperation between Egypt and Sweden, within the framework of which a number of projects are being implemented, including a project to improve the stability and efficiency of the electricity network, enhance the electricity infrastructure and ensure its sustainability, in addition to urban transport and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which aims To improve public transportation and enhance sustainability in transportation.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat stressed the importance of paying foreign direct investments to Swedish companies in Egypt, as well as enhancing technical support within the framework of the “Novi” program, cooperation in the field of health care, capacity building, and small and medium enterprise development, pointing to the mechanism for adjusting European carbon limits and the state’s endeavors. Egypt to comply with it to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.
The Swedish side reviewed the development relations between Sweden and Egypt, which include many development initiatives and projects that contribute to supporting the Egyptian economy and promoting sustainable development, in addition to the efforts of the Swedish government aimed at developing new tools and mechanisms aimed at achieving integration between trade and development, which contributes to supporting exchange. Trade and enhancing investments between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Swedish side also expressed its desire to enhance cooperation with the Egyptian government in accordance with its development priorities, with a focus on creating new jobs, supporting trade, green transformation, and supporting the lowest-income groups, whether through technical support or export credit.
It is worth noting that SIDA is a Swedish government agency responsible for implementing development strategies that are determined by the Swedish government, as the partnership with Egypt in this strategy is based on its position as the largest country in the region, which makes it a major partner in the development initiatives funded by the authority.
