Sweden ready to work with the next administrator to “build better”
MANILA – The Swedish Embassy in Manila looks forward to establishing close relations with the next administration to “build up better” after the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
During Sweden’s National Day reception on June 6, the Swedish Ambassador to Manila Annika Thunborg said that with the pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, subsequent socio-economic difficulties and the climate crisis, “it is of great importance that we build back better, greener and more inclusive, not leave anyone behind and build sustainably and resiliently for future generations. “
“I thank the outgoing government for its excellent cooperation. And I congratulate the incoming government and look forward to working closely with you, including with the European Union, to advance this agenda,” she added.
At the same time, Deputy Foreign Minister Jaime Victor Ledda sees that the two nations’ partnerships are growing further, especially in innovation and sustainable business.
“Sweden actually has many, many things to offer as a pioneer in the use of digitalisation as part of society, Sweden’s innovative smart and green technologies have potentially beneficial benefits for the Philippines,” he said.
This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations between Sweden and the Philippines. To remember, Sweden did not open its embassy in Manila until 2016 after its closure in 2008.
The recent re-establishment of the Philippine Embassy in Stockholm has also enabled a greater exploration of trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.
Thunborg said that the number of Swedish companies in the Philippines has increased since then, which includes ABB, AstraZeneca, Atlas Copco, Ericsson, H&M, Retail Associates, Swedish Match, Tetra Pak, Transcom, Volvo Buses and Volvo Cars and IKEA.
In the same reception, Thunborg emphasized Sweden’s support for the Philippines’ efforts to promote booster vaccination “as a way to move forward from the lingering effects of the pandemic.”
“We launched a booster vaccination campaign against Covid-19 because it was worrying for us to find out that only 13 percent of the Filipino population had received a booster injection despite the easy access to vaccines,” she said.
“Team Sweden and the local authorities, including Pasay City, helped organize the vaccination campaign in the many Swedish companies that already have corporate vaccination and booster programs for all their employees. No one is safe until everyone is safe and further shutdowns will hurt us all,” she added. (PNA)