A meeting has taken place in Moscow between Advisor to the President of
the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov and Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Sweden to the Russian Federation Malena Mård. The
individuals discussed developing business dialogue between Russia and Sweden,
cooperation in the Arctic, participation in international events, and new ways
of working together.
«In 2019 Sweden became one of the 10 biggest foreign investors in the
Russian market. In total, more than USD 5 billion in direct investment was made
by Swedish companies. Around 500 Swedish companies operate in the Russian
Federation. I firmly believe that there is excellent potential to further
diversify the ways in which our nations can work together on new projects encompassing
the economic sphere, energy, the development of northern regions, and the
cultural and humanitarian sector,» said Kobyakov.
Cooperation on matters concerning
the Arctic is a particularly important matter for Russia and Sweden. The two
nations work together within numerous multilateral bodies. These include the
Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, the Arctic
Council, and the Northern Dimension. In addition, the countries play a key role
in the partnerships forged by these bodies. These aspects, together with
environmental protection, form the main agenda for cooperation between Russia
and Sweden in the region.
Every
two years, Russia hosts the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’
International Arctic Forum. Discussions at the event focus on several key areas
affecting the development of the Arctic. These include the development of new
technology, improving human capital in the Arctic, the economics of growth in
the region, the rational use of resources, and sustainable development.
«I took interest in
the information on the International Arctic Forum that will take place in
Russia in 2021. I will immediately inform my colleagues in Stockholm about
that. It is really important to develop cooperation with other countries, when
it comes to the Arctic region. Participation of the Swedish delegation headed
by Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven demonstrated how important the Arctic
agenda is for Sweden,» commented Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Sweden to the Russian Federation Malena Mård. Besides, Madam Ambassador
assured the Russian party that she would inform members of the Swedish business
community and the country’s officials about other events organized by the
Roscongress Foundation: the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September
2020 and the Russian Energy Week in Moscow in October 2020.
Participants also discussed ways to increase dialogue between Russia and
Sweden, including through joint initiatives and the establishment of a project
development centre set up by the Roscongress Foundation and an authorized
Swedish organization. This centre would aim to coordinate action and establish
a joint plan on mutual investment and business projects implemented in
partnership between the two countries. The first priority will be to exchange
proposals on promising areas in terms of investment, export, trade and
commerce, attracting investors, and promoting projects. It will also prioritise
the sharing of expert and analytical information.
Info: Over the past four years, the Embassy of Sweden together with Business Sweden (a regional partner of the Roscongress
Foundation) and the Roscongress Foundation have been organizing events during the
International Arctic Forum and St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Thus,
the Russia—Sweden Business Dialogue took place at SPIEF 2019, which involved
several senior executives from leading Swedish companies.
