Pretoria – South Africa’s collaboration with Sweden presents enormous opportunities in addressing the challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment, says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Speaking on Monday at the 9th session of the South Africa-Sweden Bi-National Commission in Stockholm, Sweden, Deputy President Ramaphosa said the partnership will be beneficial for South Africa as it is on a quest to effectively deal with developing the economy, create jobs and develop skills that are supportive to the needs of the economy.
“We are confident that we will succeed because we have dependable, strategic partners such as Sweden which will continue to be with us to achieve higher levels of growth and employment and increase the international competitiveness of our economy,” Deputy President Ramaphosa said.
He said the co-operation between the two countries will also promote trade and investment.
Sweden was also facing its own youth unemployment challenge, which it is working hard to address. “In our relationship, we can share ideas and develop strategies to address this common challenge.”
He expressed gratitude for the tangible benefits derived from the bilateral cooperation and its positive impact on South Africa’s key national priorities, especially in the field of education, the creation of employment, skills development and vocational training.
Deputy President Ramaphosa acknowledged the broad-based bilateral relationship between the two countries and also the South Africa - European Union Strategic Partnership, which enables South Africa and Sweden to further deepen and broaden its relations.
The Deputy President’s visit to Sweden is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of trade and industry, science and technology, higher education, environment, water and sanitation, telecommunications and co-operative governance. – SAnews.gov.za
