transformations will be key driving forces
for possible mutual business cases going
forward. Mölnlycke, Sandvik, Scania,
Skanska or Tonak–these are only some of
the best examples of the great SwedishCzech cooperation in the region.
Which commodity is currently in greatest
demand in Sweden?
To answer the question at face value,
crude and refined petroleum as well as
cars are still among Sweden’s biggest
commodity imports. But to shed light on
this question in a different way, I would
say competent people, and skills, are what
is in greatest demand to continue being
a competitive and attractive global trading
partner. Innovation across all industries
is the main driver for sustainable growth
and for that you always need diverse and
motivated people working together. This
is maybe the most important conclusion
on our part, that we have a very strong
partner for continued growth and technical
cooperation in the Czech Republic.
What do you like about the Czechs?
Are they an inspiration to you? If so, what
inspires you especially?
I think you have noted, from my answers
to your other questions, that I believe that
an important motto of today could be
summarized with the word ‘cooperation’.
No country can make it on its own. In
order to prosper and flourish in a situation
with a growing competition on the global
scale, we need to be able to find good and
reliable partners. And this is an area that in
very important ways adds to what I have said
before, about the structure of our industries,
our technical knowledge and our research
facilities. Certainly, for all of these reasons,
our countries are a good match.
But I also think that we have many other
things in common, things in the more social
sphere. It might be true that Czechs and
Swedes are not among the most extroverted,
but once we open up, and when we let others
get close to us, it is clear how we in both our
countries value true partnerships based on
transparency, generosity and mutual trust.
We want long lasting relationships. And this,
I can sense very clearly, is very true also here
in the Czech Republic.
There are also great similarities in how we
want to lead our lives, with our love for
literature, the arts and nature around us. Since
I arrived here in the autumn, I have learned
a new word, the beautiful ‘mushrooming’.
Our love for the small but so important things
in life is certainly something that we have in
common. One thing that has struck me here
is the very open and curious attitude of the
Czechs. Also in these days, faced with the
pandemic, it has been very easy to meet new
and interesting people, and many of them
I am sure will become dear friends.
Mr Ambassador, thank you for the interview.
Text: redakce
Foto: archiv Fredrik Jörgensen
www.swedenabroad.se
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