Swedish-Saudi relations vibrant as envoy leaves

RIYADH: Outgoing Swedish Ambassador Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt chalked out the excellent ties binding his country and Saudi Arabia as he leaves his post for cross-posting in Malaysia on Aug. 31.

“Sweden and Saudi Arabia are bound by excellent ties as I leave after five years of posting here. The embassy achieved much with guidance from my government in Stockholm,” the Swedish envoy said.
He added that strong partners and Saudi friends also helped “during my tenure as ambassador for the establishment of a Saudi-Swedish joint business council.”
“The joint business council will be formed within the framework of the bilateral cooperation,” said the 56-year-old envoy, who assumed his post in the Kingdom on Sept. 16, 2011.
Juhlin-Dannfelt added that under his watch, the avoidance of double taxation agreement was also signed, and the two countries had close cooperation in the health and education sectors.
Sweden was also instrumental in the propagation of the K-12 education program in the Kingdom. “We have one school for this program in Riyadh but it caters to the children from Sweden and Scandinavia,” he said.
Soon, he added, the Swedish company, Knowledge Academy, will establish 12 schools offering the K-12 program.
“But initially, it will set up two schools — one for boys and one for girls — to start operating in September,” he added.
He added that bilateral trade “is robust at 11 billion Swedish crowns or 1.4 billion euros,” and 90 percent of the amount comprises Sweden’s exports to the Kingdom.
He expressed his gratitude to numerous Saudi officials, particularly Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, for the cooperation he received during his Saudi stint.
“Our stay in the Kingdom — I, my wife and my three children — has been productive and meaningful, to say the least. I am both happy and sad to leave,” he said.
He said he’s happy because he believes in a job well done but sad because he’s leaving behind an accommodating Saudi leadership and fellow diplomats, as well as others who have become personal friends.
Last week, a farewell reception attended by 16 ambassadors, four deputy chiefs of mission and other invited guests attended a reception hosted by Dr. Mansour Memon, a personal friend, in the Saudi capital.