RIYADH, 16 January — Sweden sees biotechnology as one of the areas with a huge growth potential in the Kingdom. "In fact, Swedish experts in biomedical physics are already involved in this field for the treatment of cancer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center," Anders Bengtcen, charge d'affaires at the Swedish Embassy here, told Arab News yesterday.
Bengtcen said Swedish expertise was available in the field of environmental protection, especially for the treatment of sewage water and recycling solid waste. "Several Saudis, including those from the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, have already been pursuing studies in Sweden for their doctoral programs or for postgraduate courses in science and technology," he said.
He added that another promising field of cooperation was information technology in which Sweden was particularly strong.
The charge d'affaires said Swedish companies were also interested in the Kingdom's transportation sector, as Saudi Arabia was drawing up plans for extending its railroad network to Jeddah.
However, the details of the scheme were still awaited. There are around 25 Saudi-Swedish joint ventures in areas like telecommunications, power generation, transportation, mining, consultancy and manufacturing. The number of Swedish companies in trading and contracting is placed at more than 150.
He said the Kingdom's economic reforms were attractive, as they envisage tax reduction, streamlining of visa procedures and easing of other restrictions. "They are potentially promising for overseas investors. But the details of the investment regime are not yet in place. "
Referring to the relations between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bengtcen said a preparatory meeting will be held in Brussels at the end of March to prepare the agenda prior to the 11th annual meeting which Bahrain, the current president of the GCC, will host in Manama in April. Sweden has recently assumed the rotating presidency of the EU for the first half of this year.
The GCC is the fifth largest trading partner of EU with the tow-way trade amounting to over $35 billion in 1999.
Asked about Sweden's priorities during its term as the EU president, the charge d'affaires said they were 3E's --enlargement (of EU membership), boosting employment opportunities and protecting the environment. "Sweden takes its responsibility seriously and these priorities will engage our time and energy."
On the Middle East peace process, he said, "The peace process is in a crisis. The Union has an important role to play in the peace process which will therefore be a central issue for the Swedish Presidency."
Bengtcen observed that it was not just a matter of managing crises. "It is more important to try to start up the negotiation process and to this end aim for common initiatives and positions within the EU. The Swedish EU presidency has launched a website, eu2001.se, which provides information about the EU news, calendar, media service and many other items," he added.
