OREANDA-NEWS. October 6, 2008. On September 16-18, 2008 Azerbaijan-Sweden Business Forum and Azerbaijan Country Presentation Seminar in Norway were organized in Stockholm and Oslo by AZPROMO and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Sweden. The Business Forum in Stockholm has been opened by the speech of the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Sweden Mr. Rafael Ibrahimov. The Ambassador gave brief overview of the political situation, international relations and trade perspectives of Azerbaijan.

Trade Minister of Sweden Mrs. Ewa Bjorling talked about trade perspectives of Sweden, giving some important figures of the economy of Sweden. According to the Minister Sweden is in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. The government plans to sell billion in state assets during the next three years to further stimulate growth and raise revenue to pay down the federal debt. GDP per capita in 2007 made ,500 with 2.6% growth rate. President of AZROMO Mr. Emil Majidov gave detailed information on geopolitical and economical features of Azerbaijan. He also shared the latest success of Azerbaijan in “Doing Business” report recently published by World Bank and International Finance Corporation. According to the report Azerbaijan took 1st place in world reformers rate, improved its results in 6 of 9 other rates and rocketed from 97th place to 33rd overall. Director of Stockholms Enskilda Bank Mr. Jens Mansson, representative of Swedish Trade Council Mrs. Ekin Ergun, President of Azerbaijan Investment Company Mr. Anar Akhundov and director of the Swedish Investment Company Mr. Runbek Mangus continued the event with their speeches. The Country Presentation Seminar in the University of Oslo attracted a significant amount of interest among the students of the university both Swedish and Azerbaijani. Guest public figures and professors also participated the event. Ambassador Mr. Rafael Ibrahimov opened the seminar with a presentation of the political situation and international relations of Azerbaijan. He also provided the students with the information concerning current condition of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict and its possible solutions. Mr. Emil Majidov gave detailed information on geopolitical and economical features. The event continued with the questions and discussions between students and speakers.