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K. Frangogiannis: Creation of new bilateral economic ties with Sweden

At the opening of the branch of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber in Stockholm, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy, Costas Frangogiannis, completed yesterday, during a two-day working visit, the contacts of political and economic officials with the two countries.

In particular, according to an announcement by the Foreign Minister, regarding the branch of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber, Mr. Frangogiannis said in his greeting that “it was a result of the need to create an institution that will be a reference point for Greek businessmen who want to develop commercial relations with Sweden, or to operate in that country “. He estimated that “with a dynamic presence in Greece, the branch will function as a springboard for the creation of new bilateral economic – and not only – ties”. In fact, with a symbolic move at the opening ceremony, he tied the ribbon with the colors of the two countries.

The inauguration was attended by the President of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber Ourania Patsiopoulou, the President of the Branch Marcus Pettersson as well as Ambassador Charlotte Sammelin, Head of the International Trade and Single Market Department of the EU, and former Ambassador to Greece.

Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Trade

An overview of bilateral trade relations between the two countries and the prospects for their promotion was made, according to the same announcement, during the meeting that Mr. Frangogiannis had with the Minister of Foreign Trade and Scandinavian Cooperation, Anna Hallberg. At the same time, the dynamics of investment opportunities in Greece, in the fields of energy, innovation and technology, as well as the geopolitical situation and the effects on the energy self-sufficiency of Europe were evaluated, while the new dynamics that our country acquires as an energy hub with its investment was presented. FSRU in Alexandroupolis.

During his two-day visit, the Undersecretary of State also had the opportunity to visit the offices of the Swedish Business Confederation, Business Sweden and Northvolt, as well as the municipality of Solna, a role model for its development.

Visit to the Swedish Business Confederation

At the offices of the Swedish Business Confederation (Svenskt Näringsliv), Mr. Frangogiannis met with its CEO Jan-Olof Jacke.

The Swedish Business Confederation (Svenskt Näringsliv) is the largest and most important business association in Sweden. It represents 49 organizations and 60,000 companies with more than 1.6 million employees.

The subject of the meeting was the investigation of business cooperation opportunities in areas of common interest, the promotion of Greece as an investment destination to the members of the confederation, as well as the investigation of cooperation with relevant Greek bodies.

Visit to the offices of Business Sweden

In the offices of Business Sweden, the Undersecretary of State also met with the Vice President of Business Sweden, Nina Lindberg, who is responsible for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Business Sweden is jointly owned by the Swedish state and the Swedish business sector, with the mission of assisting in both attracting and implementing foreign direct investment and extroverted Swedish companies.

The subject of discussions with Ms. Lindberg was the exploration of the possibility of utilizing best practices, as well as the cooperation with Enterprise Greece.

Visit to Northvolt’s offices

One of the biggest projects to accelerate the green transition in Sweden, was presented by the leaders of Northvolt to the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister at the company’s headquarters in Stockholm.

It is a manufacturer of high performance lithium ion battery components, which recently completed the construction of a “gigafactory” in Northern Sweden (Skellefteå), which in its final form is expected to cover an area of ​​500,000 square meters, employing over 3000 people. and 300 robots, consuming exclusively green energy.

Northvolt is already planning with Volvo the construction of a second “gigafactory” in Gothenburg, while it has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the state of Schleswig-Holstein for a third “gigafactory” in Germany.

At the meeting, Northvolt executives made a presentation on the business model and the company’s prospects for the future. Mr. Frangogiannis presented the investment opportunities for major innovation projects in our country, while there was a thorough presentation of the incentives prepared by the Greek government in the areas of de-ligation, for foreign direct investment. A special discussion was held on the project of Astypalea Smart and Sustainable Island as well as on the GR-eco Islands.

Visit to the municipality of Solna

The investment and business achievements of the municipality of Solna had the opportunity to present to Mr. Frangogiannis, the mayor of the city, Pehr Granfalk, in the last meeting he had before his return to Athens.

The municipality of Solna is a role model for its growth in twenty years, from a marginal municipality to one of the largest urban centers of business and investment in Stockholm, attracting large companies such as Scandinavian Airlines, Skanska, NextJet, Vattenfall , Telia, ICA etc. but also major organizations such as the Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Source: AMPE

Source: Capital

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