Story by Farai Gwaze
HARARE – SWEDEN has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic and developmental cooperation with Zimbabwe, pledging continued support across key sectors to foster sustainable growth.
The pledge was made during the commemoration of Sweden’s National Day, held at the Swedish Embassy in Harare this Thursday.
The celebration served as a platform to reflect on the long-standing bilateral ties between the two countries, relations which date back to 1903, when Swedish missionaries first arrived in Zimbabwe to establish schools and healthcare facilities.
“Today, we are celebrating the Swedish national day, Sweden was never colonised but we got united in 1523 when Gustav Vasa was appointed as Swedish King and we also celebrate this day for when we got the first pluralistic constitution on June 6, 1809. Sweden and Zimbabwe have a long relationship that goes back to 1903 when Swedish missionaries came to Zimbabwe, to build schools and health clinics. Then we supported the liberation struggle with humanitarian assistance and then we started our development corporation when Zimbabwe became independent in 1980,” Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E Per Lingärde said.
The Zimbabwean government says it values Sweden’s investments in various sectors of the local economy, including mining.
“We value Swedish companies operating in Zimbabwe which have contributed much in sustainable mining. We would also like to assure these and all foreign companies operating in Zimbabwe, that the government of Zimbabwe is willing to assist them to expand their operations for mutual gain. Zimbabwe is open for business and we invite all Swedish investors to come and invest in Zimbabwe,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira said.
Sweden is also working with Zimbabwe in preparation for the Africa Nordic Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for Victoria Falls later this year.
