Citing official figures for Q1 2018 released last week, Polano said Sweden witnessed “a continued strong increase” in its import and export activities with Qatar, particularly in the food sector.
“Trade volume between Qatar and Sweden increased substantially in 2017 compared to 2016; Swedish exports were up 32%, while Qatari imports increased 180%. This positive trend is keeping up. Food exports from Sweden have doubled, however, from low levels, but the upward trend is important,” Polano said in a statement to Gulf Times.
Asked about her forecast on the country’s economy amid the ongoing economic blockade, Polano said Qatar “must switch to the next gear” in preparation for major infrastructure projects for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which would “therefore lead to a positive upward trend” in the economy.
Polano also noted that the economic blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt played a role in accelerating “the already ongoing paradigm shift in Qatar away from its oil and gas economy into a knowledge-based and diversified economy, with focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.”
“I believe firmly that Qatar, because of the blockade, developed into a much stronger nation than it was before the crisis,” Polano stressed.
The ambassador also said Qatar and Sweden have forged partnerships in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.
She said HE the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Governor Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani and Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa held meetings with Sweden’s Minister of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mikael Damberg and the Swedish Central Bank Governor.
The meetings were also highlighted by a visit to the Stockholm Fintech Hub, which prompted QDB to develop the Doha Fintech Hub. Both hubs “will share an event in Doha this September,” Polano revealed.
