OREANDA-NEWS.  September 20, 2012. Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in the Russian Federation hereby informs that on 14 September 2012 GAZ Group President/CEO, citizen of Sweden, Bo Inge Andersson, comes into office of the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Sweden for Nizhny Novgorod with the consular district including Nizhny Novgorod Region. Bo Andersson is the first Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Sweden who is not a diplomatic official, reported the press-centre of GAZ Group.

The Honorary Consulate opening ceremony in Nizhny Novgorod was attended by the Plenipotentiary Minister at the Swedish Embassy in Russia Martin Aberg, the Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Valery Shantsev and the head of Nizhny Novgorod Oleg Sorokin.

Nizhny Novgorod is one of the biggest cities of Russia, and a significant part of Swedish-Russian trade exchange falls on Nizhny Novgorod and its region. The purpose of establishing the position of the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Sweden for Nizhny Novgorod is to promote positive dynamics of future trade and economic exchange between Sweden and Nizhny Novgorod Region. The Honorary Consul will also perform an important function of resolving consular and other issues.

Plenipotentiary Minister at the Swedish Embassy Martin Aberg: “I am glad that the relations between Sweden, Nizhny Novgorod and Nizhny Novgorod Region are strengthened through the appointment of an Honorary Consul of Sweden to the city. We are also satisfied with the fact that Sweden in the person of Mr. Andersson will have an excellent representative in promoting stronger links between our country and Nizhny Novgorod”.

President/CEO of GAZ Group, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Sweden Bo Inge Andersson: “I am most grateful to the Government of Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden in the Russian Federation for their confidence and my approval as Honorary Consul. Russia and the Kingdom of Sweden have enjoyed long-standing close relations in the spheres of economy, commercial exchange and culture. Sweden is one the five largest international trade partners of Nizhny Novgorod Region. Opening of the Swedish Consulate in Nizhny Novgorod demonstrates high international prominence of the region”.

Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Valery Shantsev: “I think that such an experienced leader as Mr. Andersson – he is known not only in Nizhny Novgorod, but also all over Russia – will help us develop specific measures to strengthen economic links between Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Kingdom of Sweden, to broaden interaction in the areas of culture, education and health care. We are ready for this. A happy journey!”

Head of Nizhny Novgorod Oleg Sorokin: “We hope to develop twin-city relations with one of the Swedish cities. We would do well to learn from Sweden in ecology, construction and many other areas where the Swedes excel. And it goes without saying that appointment of Bo Andersson, a manager so well known in Russia and internationally, the Honorary Consul of Sweden is a very significant step in development of cooperation”.