SA would probably find Sweden more sympathetic than other European countries who want to restrict SA's agricultural exports.
SWEDEN MAY go to bat for SA and help it lobby for a better free trade offer from the European Union, Swedish trade commissioner Peter Beckman told FTW.
Beckman said that deputy president Thabo Mbeki was due to meet senior Swedish diplomats last week to discuss the issue.
He said SA would probably find Sweden more sympathetic than other European countries who want to restrict SA's agricultural exports.
Beckman said that Swedish monarch King Gustaf could visit SA next year to promote trade links. The King already visited unofficially earlier this year but has now been invited by the SA government to return.
Beckman said SA and Sweden had a trading history that went back 150 years. SA imported more than R3,5bn worth of goods from Sweden last year and pace was picking up.