Swedish inventors to visit city

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 19, 2006

NATCHEZ &8212;Natchez will play host to a group of Swedish inventors looking for investors and a little fun Tuesday.

Eight companies will take in the sights and present their ideas Tuesday at the Natchez Historic Foundation building on Commerce Street from noon to 4 p.m.

Inventors will present ideas dealing with healthcare, education and security, among others.

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&8220;They&8217;re looking for alliances here in the United States,&8221; said Steve Vassallo, president of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in the south-central United States.

&8220;One of those (inventions) may register with some businessperson in Natchez,&8221; he said.

Along with investment opportunities, the visiting Swedes could spread the word for Natchez as a tourist destination, Vassallo said.

Last August, Mayor Phillip West went to Sweden to establish relationships with officials and promote Natchez.

&8220;We&8217;ve found the best advertising you can do in Sweden is through direct contact,&8221; Vassallo said.

Many Swedes are interested in history, Vassallo said, especially American History because so many with Swedish heritage live in the United States.

&8220;I&8217;m really happy this is happening,&8221; he said. &8220;Natchez is a premier tourism destination. And they&8217;re fascinated with the Mississippi River,&8221; he said. &8220;Every one of them who comes here wants to see the river.&8221;

Tuesday&8217;s event is open to the public.

&8220;Anybody who has a remote interest should come by,&8221; Vassallo said. &8220;They can see the products, they can talk to the inventor and they can promote Natchez and see what these people have.&8221;