Rousseff on official visit to Sweden and Finland
In Sweden, Rousseff is expected to pay a visit to the company which produces the new-generation Gripen military fighter jets - Foto Stefan Kalm - SAAB_divulgacao.jpg
President Dilma Rousseff arrived this Saturday (Oct. 17) in northern Europe on an official visit to Sweden and Finland. The purpose of the trip is to expand commercial ties, strike defense deals with the two Scandinavian countries, and seek beneficial initiatives for Brazil in technology, innovation, and education. To meet those goals, the Brazilian president will meet with investors and the heads of state of both nations.
In Sweden, Rousseff is expected to pay a visit to a Saab factory, a company which recently signed an agreement with Brazil for the sale of 36 new-generation Gripen military fighter jets. The president will see Swedish King Carl XVI on Sunday and keep most of her appointments in the country on Monday (19), when, among other conferences, she is scheduled to hold a private meeting with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.
Rousseff will also take part in a meeting with the Brazil-Sweden Business Council and deliver a speech at both countries' business seminar. As she did on other occasions during gatherings with international executives, the president will urge entrepreneurs to participate in Brazil's infrastructure concession plans.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Relations, over 200 Swedish companies operate in Brazil, providing jobs to some 70 thousand people. In 2014, trade deals between Brazilians and the Swedish added up to $2.1 billion. Apart from commerce and investment, Brazil has built partnerships with Sweden in science, technology, innovation, education, renewable energy, environment, and culture.
On Tuesday (19), the president lands in Finland, where she is expected to sign education agreements. The Scandinavian country's basic education programs are Brazil's main focus. Apart from meeting with investors and businesspeople, Rousseff will go on a tour at a Finnish university and also see President Sauli Niinistö, along with Prime Minister Juha Sipilä.
Data from the Ministry of Foreign Relations reveal that approximately 50 Finnish firms are active in Brazil in such fields as energy, paper and cellulose, maritime technology, and telecommunications, with 20 thousand workers in the country. Last year, commercial exchange between both nations amounted to $1 billion.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Rousseff on official visit to Sweden and Finland
