Their Majesties of Sweden invited on State Visit to Indonesia

Their Majesties The King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia attending Global Child Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 5 May 2016. Photo Copyright: Joakim Persson

The Swedish Royal Court has announced that Their Majesties The King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will pay a State Visit to Indonesia on 22–24 May 2017 at the invitation of President Joko Widodo. The Swedish Government will be represented.

The State Visit is an opportunity to strengthen the political, economic and cultural relations between Sweden and Indonesia in the long term. Trade, sustainability, research and innovation are the main themes of the visit.

With 260 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and its third largest democracy. It is a high-priority export market with great potential, and a Swedish business delegation will accompany the State Visit.

His Majest The King Carl XVI Gustaf speaking at Global Child Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 5 May 2016. Photo Copyright: Joakim Persson

“I and the team in Jakarta are of course thrilled that we will have the King and Queen visiting. This has been in the making for a while, so it’s not a surprise for us. It will be an excellent opportunity to put Sweden on the map here and to open up the eyes of Swedes for Indonesia,” Sweden’s Ambassador to Jakarta, Johanna Brismar Skoog tells ScandAsia.

“This is part of the regular exchange at high level between governments but the first time for a state visit between our countries,” the Ambassador replies concerning the reason behind the invitation.

As for themes/focus areas the ambassador says: “Sweden is relatively unknown in Indonesia and Indonesia in Sweden too. We want to change this. There is also an untapped potential for increasing trade in both directions, and throughout the visit creativity, innovation and sustainability will be in the focus.”

Sweden’s Ambassador to Jakarta, H.E. Johanna Brismar Skoog

“There is space for stronger ties in trade, business, culture, tourism and international collaboration, just to name a few. We have many shared interests and challenges, and have a lot to win by exchanging experiences, more people-to-people contacts and stronger business relations,” thinks Johanna Brismar Skoog.

Further information about the programme and participants will be published closer to the time of the visit.

“I cannot disclose anything yet, but the King and Queen would also like to visit something outside Jakarta too.”

Their Majesties The King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia attending Global Child Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 5 May 2016. Photo Copyright: Joakim Persson