Abu Dhabi, Oct. 25th, 2011 (WAM) -- Swedens Minister of Trade, Ewa Bjorling has said that Abu Dhabis New Year hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race will be a great platform for Swedish business and culture.
Speaking as Guest of Honour at a meeting of UAE Swedish Business Council held at The Yas Viceroy Hotel, the Minister said the hosting held out "business opportunities for a lot of the councils members."The Minister, who along with council members, was briefed on Abu Dhabis hosting plans by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) representatives, including the expansive Destination Village built on the UAE capitals Corniche for the fortnight-long hosting of the awesome Volvo Ocean Race fleet, called on the Swedish community to get behind the project. "There will be many opportunities. We have seen this before with this race in other countries and it is a great chance for Swedish companies here to come together and present themselves as Sweden in Business."Abu Dhabi will host the Volvo Ocean Race fleet from New Years Eve until it sails off to Sanya in China on January 14 becoming the first Arabian destination to host the race. The Destination Village the only beachfront host venue in the race stop-over programme - will open free-of-charge to the public on December 31 and will be packed with activities including shows, inport-racing, entertainment, restaurants and cafes. "The plans are really impressive," said Minister Bjorling. "I will have to consider returning during the host period."Also planning a return journey to Abu Dhabi was Swedish visitor Daina Alm of Stockholm, who attended the council meeting while staying with friends in the UAE and walked away with the top draw prize of a sailing experience on one of the competing Volvo 70 race yachts during the stop-over. "This is a fantastic prize and obviously I will have to consider coming back to take advantage of it," said Daina.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.
