Nassau, Bahamas - The Ambassador designate of Sweden to The Bahamas Claes Hammar makes courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Brent Symonette on May 10, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Hammar will present his Letters of Credence to Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes on Thursday, May 12 at Government House. Pictured from left: Patricia Rodgers, permanent secretary; Claes Hammar; Minister Symonette; and Anders Wiberg, consul general for Sweden. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel)

Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas can benefit from the experience of Sweden in renewable and alternative energy, information technology and entrepreneurship. Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes made the statement on Thursday, May 12, when the new Swedish Ambassador presented his Letters of Credence at Government House.

Sir Arthur Foulkes welcomed Claes Hammar, Ambassador-designate of The Kingdom of Sweden to The Bahamas during the ceremony and also accepted Letters of Recall from the former ambassador.

“I am especially pleased, Excellency, to recognise the significance that your government, in the past, and presently, places on ensuring international peace and stability, which is evidenced by the fact that Sweden continuously ranks among the top donors to UN peacekeeping and stabilisation missions around the world.”

The new envoy said his government would continue to support efforts to strengthen ties between The Bahamas and Sweden.

Mr. Hammar was born on July 7, l954 in Gothenburg, Sweden and is married to Katharine Hammar, nee Lewis. Prior to being posted as Ambassador to The Bahamas, Mr. Hammar served as Minister for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D. C. from 2005 -2010.

Letters accrediting Mr. Claes Hammar, left, as Ambassador of Sweden to The Bahamas are passed on to Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes as the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. Brent Symonette looks on. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna).