By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on Wednesday welcomed Sweden’s Minister for International Development and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, at the National Palace in Mogadishu, in a meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
During the high-level talks, the leaders reviewed the current state of Somalia-Sweden relations and explored ways to enhance collaboration in key areas such as economic development, trade, and institutional capacity building. President Hassan Sheikh stressed the importance of international partnerships in supporting Somalia’s ongoing efforts to rebuild public institutions, improve governance, and boost economic growth.
Minister Dousa reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to Somalia’s development agenda, highlighting the country’s long-standing support in areas such as governance reforms, education, and trade facilitation. He also noted that Sweden is keen to explore new avenues of cooperation, including investment in Somali infrastructure, private sector development, and programs to strengthen public sector efficiency.
The meeting further addressed strategies for institutional capacity building, focusing on technical support, knowledge transfer, and training programs aimed at improving the performance of Somali government agencies. Both sides agreed that strengthening institutional frameworks is essential for sustainable development, good governance, and economic stability.
President Hassan Sheikh welcomed Sweden’s continued support and emphasized the role of such partnerships in fostering long-term socio-economic progress in Somalia. The leaders concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to deepening strategic ties and pledged to hold follow-up consultations to implement the agreements discussed.
The visit of Minister Dousa is part of Sweden’s broader engagement in Somalia, reflecting a mutual interest in enhancing diplomatic, economic, and development cooperation between the two countries.
