UAE, Sweden Explore Joint Cooperation In ICT, Education, Clean Energy

ABU DHABI, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sweden are exploring the prospects of joint cooperation in ICT, education and clean energy, Minister of Economy, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, said on Wednesday.

Quoting Al Mansouri, Emirates News Agency (WAM) said 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 par 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 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 per cent in 2011 to US$725 million from US$609 million in 2010.

Al Mansouri said the UAE was projected to grow at 4.5 per cent 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.

-- BERNAMA

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