Swedish citizen Krister Kling has formally presented his credentials – a diploma signed by His Majesty the King of Sweden – appointing him Honorary Consul General of Sweden in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Honorary Consul General made commitment to promote ties between the two countries, at the ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices.
At the same ceremony, Kling also received a diploma from the Vietnamese Government accepting him as the Swedish Honorary Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.
The ceremony was held in Hanoi on February 9 in the presence of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Phu Binh and the Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam, Ms Anna Lindstedt. Vice Minister Binh affirmed the long standing relations between Sweden and Vietnam. He also stressed the potential for increased trade. Ambassador Lindstedt underlined that Swedish companies in Vietnam are committed to exercising corporate social responsibility (CSR), in line with the Swedish Policy for Global Development.
Also present at the ceremony was the Chief Representative of the Swedish Trade Council in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Håkan Ottosson. He has been appointed Honorary Vice Consul. Mr Kling and Mr Ottosson will be promoting business opportunities in both countries.
Mr Kling foresees increased contacts between Sweden and Vietnam in many different areas and pointed out the importance of investing in rural areas. This will further increase the significance of the Swedish Honorary Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and in the south of Vietnam. He also said that he was confident that bilateral trade between Sweden and Vietnam will increase further, and he will, together with Mr Ottosson, promote business opportunities for Swedish and Vietnamese companies in both countries. Bilateral trade between Sweden and Vietnam has shown a steady increase in the past five years. Imports from Vietnam increased by 7 % 2004-2005 and Exports from Sweden to Vietnam increased by 9 %, reaching about SEK 1 billion (VND 2 trillion) in both directions.
Mr Kling is currently working as Managing Director for Guston Molinel Workwear, responsible for all activities in Sweden, France and Vietnam. Guston Molinel Workwear is a garment company that has been active in Vietnam for 15 years.
