Sweden explores investment in Duqm economic zone

Muscat: Ann Linde, Minister of European Union (EU) Affairs and Trade of Sweden commended the good relations binding her country with the Sultanate. She hoped that her current visit to the Sultanate would contribute in increasing trade and economic exchange between the two friendly countries. In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), she said that the Swedish investment in the Sultanate will focus on ICT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, hospital management, life sciences, education, logistics, services and electricity. She affirmed the keenness of Sweden to invest in the Sultanate and raise the volume of trade with the Sultanate. Around 10 Swedish companies have investments in telecommunications and information technology. The Swedish Minister of EU Affairs and Trade pointed out that her visit includes holding meetings with Omani officials to discuss cooperation in trade, industrial, tourism, agricultural and fishery fields, as well as setting up of joint ventures. Minister Linde met Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday and discussed means of promoting the economic and investment relations between the Sultanate and Sweden. They also reviewed opportunities of investment available at the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZD) particularly food industries. They also discussed the Sultanate’s potential benefit from Swedish expertise in food processing and packaging, as well as methods of funding private projects, in addition to benefiting from the Swedish experience in privatisation of electricity, water and telecommunications. The Swedish delegation’s visit comes due to the international interest in the Sultanate’s strategic location that enables the Sultanate to play a major role in trade as well as logistics. The Swedish delegation comprises businessmen in sectors of alternative energy, food industries and packaging, logistics and health. Tourism Minister Meets Swedish Trade Minister Ahmed bin Nasser al Mehrzi, Minister of Tourism, received Minister Linde and her accompanying delegation on Tuesday. The two ministers discussed aspects of possible cooperation in tourism sector, as well as potentials available to promote cooperation between the two friendly countries. The meeting was attended by officials at the Ministry. — ONA