Pretoria - Trade between Sweden and South Africa has increased significantly over the past couple of years but has the potential to rise further, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Speaking at the 7th South Africa - Swedish Binational Commission in Stockholm on Thursday, Motlanthe said trade between the two economies offered many growth opportunities for increased investment and technical cooperation.
"While two-way trade between our countries has grown remarkably in the past few years, there is still great potential for further growth and to balance trade," he noted.
Turning his attention to the global stage, Motlanthe said that since the last meeting two years ago, the international arena had changed significantly and that the current deliberations were taking place during extraordinary times.
"As you are aware, we have witnessed various challenges arising out of social conflicts in North Africa and some countries in Middle East; thus adding new challenges to an already burdened multilateral system of governance.
"These challenges are further compounded by uncertainties in the global economy and their negative impact, requiring that we all work together to develop a response," he said.
Motlanthe also reaffirmed government's view on the importance of a continued international humanitarian effort to tackle global poverty.
South Africa and Sweden's joint commitment to stability, progress and sustainable development, should serve as the basis for equal and constructive partnerships in the two countries' multilateral efforts, he said.
The Deputy President also acknowledged the Swedish government's on-going support for institution building in Africa.
"We are happy that we can count on the support of your country in fulfilling our vision to make the 21st century, the African Century," Motlanthe said.
The two countries also shared interests in areas such as education, research and development; investment in food processing, and developing the green economy to create jobs and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
"We also hope that this meeting will unlock further opportunities for cultural exchanges in order to promote our respective Tourism industries and to strengthen our people to people contact.
"I am aware that we are both determined to review the implementation of commitments made before and to develop further programmes of cooperation between our countries," he said
Motlanthe was optimistic that at the end of his visit, both sides would have completed a clear roadmap to take the countries forward on the enhancement of its political and economic relations.
