Qatar, Sweden: strong relations, promising prospects for future

Within the framework of the policy of openness, cooperation and friendship pursued by the State of Qatar with various brotherly and friendly countries and people, as well as its keenness to push its foreign relations to new horizons in various fields, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani begins his European tour with a visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, out of several Scandinavian countries.During the visit, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will meet with HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of the Kingdom of Sweden and HE Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, to discuss developing and strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields in a manner that serves the mutual interests and aspirations of the two countries and peoples. The discussions will also include several international issues and topics of mutual interest.The visit of HH the Amir to the Kingdom of Sweden is expected to contribute to developing relations between the two countries as well as opening new horizons for cooperation between them in may sectors, in a way that serves the interests and aspirations of the two countries and their friendly peoples.The two countries have had good relations with steady growth in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. The first Qatari ambassador presented his credentials to the Kingdom of Sweden as a non-resident ambassador in 2011, while the Qatari embassy in Stockholm was inaugurated in December 2014.Relations between Doha and Stockholm have been strengthened in various fields as a result of mutual visits and agreements signed between the two countries, which include, among other things, UN activities and humanitarian aspects.In 2019, the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.Represented by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, the State of Qatar signed an MoU for cooperation and exchange of expertise in several work areas with both the Kingdom of Sweden and the International Labor Organization (ILO), to enhance cooperation in the areas of occupational health and safety at work, as well as corporate social responsibility through institutional cooperation and exchange of expertise.In the educational sector, there is a cooperation agreement between Qatar University (QU) and Lund University in Sweden to cooperate in joint research projects, exchange of academic materials, joint conferences, seminars and workshops, and student exchange.There are regular political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, and the third round of these consultations was held in Stockholm in February 2024, during which the Qatari side was led by HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, while the Swedish side was led by HE State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson. The political consultation addressed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and support them.In previous political consultations, several international issues were discussed, as well as support for the United Nations and mediation efforts in many issues around the globe.There is coordination between the two countries in international forums considering that they share visions on the idea of assuming responsibility in global crises.Within the context of mutual visits, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater visited Sweden upon the invitation of HE State Secretary for International Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Sweden Diana Janse.The visit included meetings with several senior Swedish officials, during which the two sides discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of development as well as joint efforts in the areas of security, peace and humanitarian aid, and ways to enhance cooperation between relevant Qatari institutions and the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.On the parliamentarian level and within the context of exchanged visits between Doha and Stockholm, HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti visited the Swedish Parliament in July 2022, upon the invitation of the parliament, during which Her Excellency and the members of the delegation were briefed on the Swedish Parliament's experience in parliamentary work with the aim of exchanging expertise in this field.On the commercial level, trade discussions are held between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Sweden on a regular basis, and trade and economic relations between the two countries have developed in recent years. Trade exchange between the two countries has witnessed a growth of 79 percent in 2023, reaching roughly QAR 1.55 billion, compared to QAR 866 million in 2022.In May, Qatar Chamber (QC) discussed trade and industrial cooperation relations with Sweden, and ways to enhance partnership, especially in the sectors of food, agriculture, energy, information technology, and others. During that meeting, HE Chairperson of QC Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani met with a delegation of Swedish businesspersons and urged Swedish companies to invest in Qatar, highlighting its position as a leading global hub for investment and business, given that Qatar owns a world-class infrastructure, a pro-investment environment, and stimulating economic legislation that allows non-Qatari investors to own 100 percent capital in most economic sectors.HE Chairperson of QC also said that many Swedish companies operate in Qatar, wholly owned or in partnership with Qatari firms, pointing out that the Qatari market highly welcomes more Swedish companies. He indicated that Qatari business owners aspire to foster cooperation with their Swedish counterparts by establishing new commercial alliances and joint industrial ventures.The economic and trade consultations and meetings between Qatari businesspersons and their Swedish counterparts showed the interest of both parties in exploring prospects for cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, recycling, extracting biogas from waster, water treatment, food security, artificial intelligence, advanced technology and innovation. The consultations also showed the Swedish companies' aspiration to learn about the investment climate in Qatar and the available opportunities, and to enhance cooperation relations between the private sector in the two countries.Sweden is located in the far north of the globe, and it is the third largest country in the European Union, with an area of more than 450,000 square kilometers, and a population of more than 140 million people. Sweden is characterized by a diversified and highly competitive economy, and it ranked fourth in the 2022 Global Competitiveness Ranking, after Denmark, Switzerland and Singapore.In addition to maintaining competitiveness in goods and manufacturing, Sweden's economy is characterized by strong growth in service sectors, such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Sweden has a long history of innovation, having been ranked first in the European Innovation Index several times.Researchers and companies in Sweden have particularly excelled in green technology, life sciences, and green energy. About 98 percent of electricity is generated from non-fossil energy sources, with renewable energy sources accounting for more than 70 percent of this energy, while the rest comes from nuclear energy. Stockholm's government aims to produce electricity entirely from non-fossil energy sources by 2040.Sweden has a great natural and climatic diversity, and is distinguished by its long coastline, vast forests, and many lakes. Sweden, where the sun never sets from late-May to mid-July, is visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists from all around the globe