Swedish trade with Saudi Arabia has not yet been affected by the murder

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced over the weekend that the country was blocking her arms exports to Saudi Arabia, while waiting for answers to the journalist's fate. Jamal Khashiggi.

At the same time, several companies and heavy organizations have put their participation in the big conference of Saudi investors held in the country during the week.

In the Swedish way the tone was more cautious.

– This is a way of waiting for the moment. We obviously think this is worrying and that it is a personal tragedy for the journalist and his family, "said Patrick El-Sheikh, secretary general of the Swedish-Saudi Business Council in DN.

The Council, set up by the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, brings together Swedish exporting companies to Saudi Arabia to establish contacts and exchange business opportunities.

Saudi Arabia is Sweden's largest exporting country to the Middle East. Exports amounted to about SEK 9 billion in 2017. Imports accounted for only one billion.

Patrick El-Sheikh says that the council follows closely the evolution of the situation and that it has spoken with companies that are looking at how the murder affects relations with the country.

"It's clear that this deal can affect businesses.In the short term, I know some representatives are thinking about how they act here, others can postpone trips and visits. all affected, he says.

Until now, no collaboration has appeared. Swedish government signals and malicious plans could lead to major changes on the part of companies.

"I do not see how this would have led Swedish companies to terminate their contracts, but on the other hand, you can now take probes and have a suspicious attitude," says Patrick El-Cheikh.

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Swedish arms exports to Saudi Arabia It's high at 6.6 million kroner in 2017. Exports have to be approved by ISP inspection, but until now, they have not been affected by the murder allegedly of Jamal Khashoggi.

– In the current state of affairs, we have no current case to evaluate this evolution. Christer Ahlström is secretary general of ISP at DN.

He does not want to speculate on how the alleged murder might affect a future assessment, but points out that democracy and human rights are not a determining factor for Swedish arms exports.

– They are conditional. This means that they can be a barrier to exports, but that they can be weighed for good reasons to export, he said.

What's more likely The cessation of exports would rather call unconditional barriers. This could be a decision of the United Nations Security Council or the EU, or if Sweden should declare itself neutral in relation to the Hague Convention.

But this The alleged killing of Jamal Khashoggi does not necessarily mean anything new that would make Saudi Arabia's assessment worse, Christer Ahlström believes.

"I do not know to what extent it would be something new.We are conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine whether there are serious and widespread violations of human rights," he said. .

Saudi-Saudi Business Council Patrick El-Cheikh believes that a change for Swedish exports could be relevant if the alleged murder increases the risk of bad publicity.

– Some people think that he is associated with this question with imagination. Then you can wait and see how the government will act, he says.

The Council does not foresee any decision on the matter, but hopes that trade with Saudi Arabia will continue.

– The basic idea is that trading is a gentle influence of change. Trade is a good way to reform a country. We are not that kind of organization either, which imposes demands or counterclaims, "says Patrick El-Cheikh.

DN searched for some of them large Swedish export companies operating in Saudi Arabia.

Ericsson responds in an email that they follow the developing region and know the case, Jamal Kashoggi, but that they have taken no action after the alleged murder.

New guidelines for the export of weapons

On April 15 of this year, new directives were introduced for Swedish arms exports.

They establish that the democratic status of the host country is an essential requirement of the Inspectorate of Strategic Products, PSIs and State Assessments.

Previously, human rights were also a condition and a fair and sustainable development of a country.

However, none of them imposes direct or binding obstacles to the export of arms, but can be weighed against other factors, such as the interests of security policy.