Swedish State Secretary for Trade, Oscar Stenström met Saturday with Egyptian Trade Minister Tarek Qabil to discuss means of deepening bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, both sides talked over enhancing joint cooperation in both trade and economic fields within the upcoming period in the attendance of Swedish Ambassador to Egypt, Charlotta Sparre. Minister Qabil asserted on government's keenness on strengthening trade and economic ties with European Union states since the EU is Egypt's biggest trade partner. The minister pointed out to the necessity of deepening and expanding joint cooperation through enhancing cooperation between Egyptian private sector and its Swedish counterpart to execute joint projects and attract more Swedish investments to the Egyptian market. The Egyptian government has future visions to improve state's economic progress through implementing a plan for comprehensive economic reform, thus, increasing growth rates, providing more job opportunities, and achieving sustainable development, Qabil added. On other side, Stenström asserted that Sweden keens on deepening mutual cooperation with Egypt since it is the gate to the Middle East and Africa. He added that achieving comprehensive stability for Egypt represents a high priority for Sweden. This visit comes to implement an inclusive scheme to enhance Sweden trade relations with 26 countries including Egypt, Stenström clarified, adding that both sides have major cooperation opportunities in different fields notably in industry, transport, and housing sectors.
