Sweden Seeks Increase in Trade Volume With Nigeria

• Sweden Seeks Increase in Trade Volume With Nigeria

Sweden is seeking opportunities that will increase the trade relations and volumes between it and Nigeria.

Swedish Minister for European Union (EU) Affairs and Trade, Mrs. Ann Linde, who led the Swedish delegation to Nigeria, disclosed this in Lagos on Wednesday, during an interaction with journalists.

Linde said the coming of the Swedish Delegation to Nigeria, was mainly to promote trade between the two countries, stressing that Sweden recognised Nigeria as an investment destination and a big trade country.

“The aim of the delegation is to highlight business opportunities in Nigeria for Swedish companies. The focus of the delegation is developing sustainable and smart societies using Swedish innovations in ICT, transport, energy, health and finance,” she stated.

According to her, Sweden is the highest ranked country in terms of connectivity, digital economy and e-governance and has a strong tradition in innovation in different sectors of the economy. She said Sweden is conceived as one of the most advanced post-industrialised economies and Swedish companies are perceived as innovative, reliable and good partners.

Speaking about Nigeria, Linde said the country is the largest and fastest growing middle class globally, stressing that there is ongoing effort by the current government to diversify its economy. “During this visit the Swedish experience and how its innovations and ICT technology can enhance productivity in many sectors will be shared.”

She hinted that the Swedish intent to strengthen commercial ties goes beyond single business opportunities and industry sectors, but extends to strategic collaborations with not only private businesses but also public sector and academia.

While a document made available to journalists indicated that the trade between the two countries is over 5.94 billion SEK, which makes Nigeria Sweden’s second largest export market in sub-Sahara Africa, Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Inger Ultvedt, lamented that there was still deficit between the two countries.

Ultvedt put trade export between the two countries at 6.3 billion SEK (N222.7 billion), while import as at 2015 stood at 2.1 billion SEK (N74.237 billion).

According to her, there was a need for the two countries to improve their bilateral trade relations so as to be able to engender more cordial relationship.

The Ambassador reiterated that ICT, energy, infrastructure and transport are key areas for the Swedish-Nigerian and European Union, EU cooperation. She stressed that the growing and dynamic nature of the ICT sector in Nigeria offers a promising avenue to expand the two countries commercial ties, with continuously increasing number of mobile and Internet users, which in turn will require further investments in expanded networks and across other sectors.

“Sweden, ranking as the most digitalised economy in the world, with Stockholm as a leading incubator for ICT start-ups, has a lot to offer in terms of expertise and knowledge,” she stated.

According to her, Sweden has a number of strong, world-leading companies in the area of ICT, agriculture, finance, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and transport, many of which already are present in Nigeria, including Ericsson, ABB, Altas Copco, Tetra Pak, Gulf Agency Company, Flexenclosure, Oriflame and Sandvik.

Speaking from Ericsson’s angle, the Managing Director for Nigeria, Johan Jemdahl, disclosed that the firm has been in Nigeria for almost 60 years, saying that the country is the most important market for Ericsson in Africa.

He said Nigeria needs to attract more businesses and that mobile broadband was key in get that done, including mobility.

Jemdahl however, listed insecurity, foreign exchange fluctuations and getting approval and licenses for some major works as some of the challenges currently confronting doing business in Nigeria.

The Ericsson Nigeria MD, called for the building of smart cities in Nigeria, to ensure that Nigeria becomes a digitalised economy in the world with the help of Swedish companies expertise and knowledge.

“When it comes to developing smart cities, you need to have the broadband, network inter-connectivity, cooperating with public institutions and mobile operators, among others,” he said.