Sweden exploring business opportunities in NegOcc

SWEDEN is looking to explore business opportunities in Negros Occidental, the country’s envoy said.

Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries, who met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City Friday, June 23, said the “main mission of the embassy is to increase trade and investment exchange between Sweden and the Philippines,” adding that his country recently reopened its Embassy in Manila.

Fries, in a media interview, said he came to the province to ask the governor if they can explore developments, opportunities, and business partnerships in the province.

The Swedish official said that Marañon told him the sugar industry is “important” in the province although the Negros economy has diversified in recent years.

“This opens possibilities for business relationship between Sweden and this province,” he added.

Fries said the governor also mentioned that business process outsourcing (BPO) is one of the growing industries in the province.

He added that Swedish BPO company Transcom Worldwide is “very successful” in Bacolod, and the firm is “happy” to be here.

Fries said he will talk with the businessmen in his country and “tell them they should come and see for themselves what opportunities they can invest in, and do business in this province.”

He also said that his country has a “very diversified economy,” adding that “we cover all areas of business,” including the BPO industry.

Fries said that Sweden is “very strong” in the information technology sector, adding that his country is known as the startup technology capital of Europe.

There are a lot of young Swedish people in the IT sector who are coming to Manila and try their business models there, he said.

They should also come to Bacolod to see the opportunities here, he added.

Fries said the Provincial Government told him there are young people in the province who are very good in speaking English and well-educated.

“The cost of living is lower here and the quality of life is very high, compared to the congested Manila,” he pointed out.

Moreover, Fries said that Swedish companies can also partner with the province on infrastructures.

“There are many arguments that I can give to Swedish business people to take a look at this region,” he added.