UAE, Sweden explore prospects of joint cooperation in ICT, education, clean energy

Abu Dhabi: Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said on Wednesday that the UAE was looking forward to expand its cooperation with Sweden for boosting its capacities in science and knowledge driven sectors to transform its economy into the knowledge-based economy and deliver the UAE 2012 Vision. Al Mansouri added the UAE would be interested in particular vital sectors like innovation, scientific research, Small and Medium size Enterprises SMEs, export development, and upgrading health and educational systems at bar with international standards. The minister made his remarks during a meeting with Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Bjorling, who is leading a Swedish high-profile delegation to the Middle East and North Africa Summit 2013 in Dubai. He also stressed on the importance of building strategic relations with Sweden in areas like manufacturing industries, clean energy, technology, IT and SMEs. The UAE, he said, would also like to draw lessons from the Swedish learning model in scientific research and innovation.. He noted that trade exchange were not up to expectations given the huge available economic resources in both countries and that progress and development should provide a catalyst for further increasing trade exchange rates. Figures showed that two-way trade exchange rose 19% in 2011 to US$ 725 million from 609 million in 2010. He said the UAE was projected to grow at 4.5% this year, the highest since 2008. He also called for encouraging the business sector in both countries to play an active role for pushing trade and economic relations forward to serve mutual interests. The meeting discussed avenues for future cooperation in educational and health systems where the Swedish side welcomed cooperation with the UAE in various health domains. – Emirates New Agency, WAM