Pretoria - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is today co-chairing the 9th session of the SA-Sweden Bi-national Commission (BNC) in Stockholm, with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister, Asa Romson.
The Deputy President arrived in Sweden on Sunday to consolidate bilateral political and economic relations between the two countries.
The Presidency on Sunday said the session will put specific focus on trade and industry, science and technology, higher education, environment, water and sanitation, telecommunications and co-operative governance.
“Upon arrival in Sweden on Sunday, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited and paid his respects at the graveside of the late former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, who played a pivotal role during the struggle for peace, freedom and justice in South Africa,” said the Presidency.
Today, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to meet with the Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken chairperson Marcus Wallenberg. He will also address the SA-Sweden Business Forum, interact with African Ambassadors accredited to Sweden, attend an interactive session with South African students studying in Stockholm and inspect a Volvo electric bus.
Deputy President Ramaphosa will on Tuesday pay a courtesy call on Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to strengthen bilateral relations.
He will also hold discussions with former President of the Social Democratic Youth League Ellinor Eriksson, pay a visit to the Global Sales Ericsson, and hold meetings with IF Metal Trade Union Federation Chairperson Anders Ferbe and the Minister of Strategic Issues in the Office of the Prime Minister, Karl-Petter Thorwaldson.
“This year's 9th session of the SA-Sweden Binational Commission will witness the launch of the environment, energy and water sub-committee in addition to taking stock of progress made thus far in building and consolidating bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The launch of this committee will bring to four the number of committees that form the structure of the Binational Commission. Current committees include political affairs, economic affairs, science and technology and a forum on human rights.
“During the visit, the South African delegation will also explore initiatives to implement ICT SMME development, digital opportunities programme under SA Connect through skills development for communities, e-skills development programme and the research, development and innovation,” said the Presidency.
It said the delegation will also seek co-operation to expand twinning partnerships between South African and Swedish municipalities to support training and capacity building in infrastructure planning, improvement of public participation, municipal governance through exchanges.
According to the Presidency, the BNC will also receive reports from special events taking place on the margins of the Binational Commission.
The SA-Sweden Binational Commission will on Tuesday culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Water Resource Management and a Letter of Intent on Environmental Protection and Climate Change. - SAnews.gov.za
