Record business delegation from China visited Finland

On 9-10 July, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen hosted a large Chinese business delegation visiting Finland chaired by Vice Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China Gao Hucheng. Väyrynen emphasised the importance of the visit for the trade relations between China and Finland and estimated that the Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum organised in connection with the visit was one of the biggest export promotion events he has ever attended. The Forum, organised on 10 July, was attended by some 240 Chinese and more than 300 Finnish business representatives. In addition to a high-level segment, the Forum included a sector-specific networking event for businesses lasting an entire afternoon.

In his speech at the Finland-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, Väyrynen underscored the correct timing of the event in the middle of the economic crisis. Väyrynen pointed out that the Forum gives a positive signal and shows that promotion of trade and investments and creation of partnerships between enterprises are the most effective ways of meeting the challenges of economic crisis. He also reminded the listeners of the meaning of free trade in the global economy and hoped that the economic crisis would not lead to protectionist measures.

Furthermore, Väyrynen considered it important that Chinese companies are increasingly prepared to make investments in foreign countries and seek foreign partners. In connection with the Forum, six separate agreements were signed between Chinese and Finnish companies.

During the visit, Minister Väyrynen and Vice Minister Gao also had bilateral talks. Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen took also part in the meeting, during which the ministers discussed, for instance, obstacles to trade with China and topical questions of international economy and trade. The ministers were of the opinion that an agreement should be reached in the WTO free trade negotiations as soon as possible so that new stimuli for the rise of global trade and economy would be introduced via this channel as well.

The export and investment promotion delegation chaired by Vice Minister of Commerce of People’s Republic of China Gao Hucheng visited Finland at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen and Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen.
 

• Speech by Minister Väyrynen at the Forum(Link to another website.)
• Webcast of the press conference(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)