Focus on space exploration during Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström’s Texas visit
Published
Mr Billström is visiting Texas on 13–15 May. The purpose is to present Sweden’s ambitions as a space nation and foster a good working relationship with Texas in relation to emerging technologies within the space industry.
“Sweden is actively pursuing space diplomacy and has an advanced space industry. We are well placed to contribute to international cooperation in relation to research, innovation and security – not least through the Esrange Space Center. That’s why it’s important to make public and private actors in Texas aware of Sweden’s capabilities and ambitions in this field. We will present Sweden as the space nation that it is,” says Mr Billström.
During this visit, Mr Billström will discuss Sweden as a space nation and its space diplomacy agenda. He will also meet with Governor of Texas Greg Abbot and visit NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston and several businesses within the space industry.
Facts
With a population of approximately 30 million, Texas is one of the ten largest economies in the world. The state has long played an important role in oil and gas extraction and in the petrochemical industry but also in innovation, not least within the space industry. The industry has seen rapid development in recent decades, with public actors increasingly working with privately owned companies. Around 70 Swedish companies operate in Texas as of February this year, which creates almost 30 000 job opportunities.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 130 85 34
email to Anna Erhardt
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