Sweden’s deputy PM visits Mozambique

Sweden’s deputy prime minister, Jan Björklund, started his official visit to Mozambique on Monday where he will promote bilateral trade and encourage Swedish firms to set up in the African nation.

Björklund will meet with Mozambique PM Alberto Vaquina and the country’s deputy finance minister, Pedro Couto, to talk about the economy and investments in the Mozambique market that could be beneficial to both nations.

Ulla Andren, Sweden’s ambassador to Mozambique, said Sweden will continue to support the Southeast African country’s budget and its civil society because they feel pluralism in Mozambique should be expanded.

The government of Sweden is set to put a new corporation strategy in place for between 2014 and 2020 focused on developing the economy and creating jobs, which are two key priorities for Mozambique. The strategy will focus on good governance, research and innovation, assistance to state institutions like administrative courts, and the agricultural sector, which employs the majority of the population.

As part of Björkman’s official visit, there will be a meeting for representatives of the Investment Promotion Centre, the Banco Nacional de Investimentos, the Confederation of Economic Associations, and Swedish companies Volvo Equipamentos, Ericsson, ABB, Levas Flor, Eltel and Atlas-Copco.