Sweden launches ‘Time for India’ campaign in November
Sweden does not require vaccination from international travelers, including those from India, says its ambassador to India Klas Molin Hindus in an exclusive chat on Wednesday.
The envoy said that Sweden will soon launch a trade promotion event – Time for India – to increase bilateral trade and suggested that the Swedish government may adopt a more liberal post-COVID visa policy for India soon.
“There is no vaccination requirement for entry and there is no quarantine regime in place. But travelers must take a covid-19 test on arrival,” said Molin, reiterating his country’s general visa and entry policy. The envoy participated in the Business Climate Survey (SCS) conducted by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India and the Swedish embassies discovered that a positive business climate remains in India despite the setback in the second wave of covid-19.
Mr Molin said that Stockholm allows “necessary” travel from India, which also includes certain types of travel from business owners.
“Sweden has had an entry ban during the pandemic. It is being reviewed and I hope that travelers from India will soon be exempted. At the same time, we have issued visas throughout the pandemic for necessary travel, for students and for business purposes. ” The envoy said that there is no “general ban” on tourist visas, but Sweden has not yet strengthened the policy. India has not yet opened a tourist visa, which, the envoy said, has led to “fewer travelers” from Sweden to India.
Sweden’s “global entry policy” is part of its recovery plan after COVID19, which is reviewed continuously depending on the extent of the pandemic. Business Climate Survey (BCS) reveals that Swedish companies reported growth and profit during the third quarter of 2020 despite the pandemic scenario in India.
Mr Molin will lead a Swedish diplomatic and economic delegation in the second week of November to Sweden and merge with the Indian Embassy in Stockholm and launch an advertising campaign for Indian companies. The team will hold meetings and seminars in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, which are expected to be attended by a large number of companies and Swedish investors. Ambassador to Sweden Tanmaya Lal is planned to join the events which are part of a Swedish initiative to popularize Indian business opportunities for their business class.
“We will use these seminars to inform interested companies and individuals about trading and investing in India,” Molin said, announcing the campaign, which will consist of breakfast seminars.