Extensive Finland–China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Helsinki on 10 July
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Employment and the Economy
Finpro
Confederation of Finnish Industries
Invest in Finland
Press release 189/2009
9 July, 2009
A large export and investment promotion delegation from China led by Mr Gao Hucheng, Vice Minister of Commerce, arrives in Finland on 9 July at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen and Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen. Besides the official delegation, the visitors include representatives from about 240 Chinese businesses in various sectors. The purpose of the trip is to promote bilateral trade and networking between Finnish and Chinese businesses.
During the visit, the one-day Finland–China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and meetings among businesses are held at the Marina Congress Center in Helsinki on Friday, 10 July. The Forum itself takes place in the morning; the afternoon is reserved for corporate matchmaking to promote networking. The Forum has been prepared jointly by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, Finpro, the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries and Invest in Finland. Mr Pekka Huhtaniemi, Under-Secretary of State for External Economic Relations from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, chairs the Forum.
In addition to the Finnish Ministers, the official Chinese delegation and the Chinese business guests, about 300 Finnish business representatives are expected to attend. Several trade agreements between Finnish and Chinese companies will be signed in connection with the Forum; more information about these agreements will be disclosed then.
China is Finland’s fourth largest trade partner, and the importance of trade with China has increased during the current year. Finnish companies have invested in China considerably more than average. It is hoped that the visit will open Chinese markets also for small and medium-sized enterprises that have not yet gained a foothold in the country. In particular, it is hoped that the visit will strengthen the position and recognition of Finnish companies as suppliers of environment-friendly and energy-efficient technology and know-how.
Aided by its cooperation network comprising regional corporate networks and the Employment and Economic Development Centres, Invest in Finland has put together investment projects in Finland worth about 10 billion euros, for presentation to the Chinese delegation. Projects are offered in different parts of Finland and in various sectors. Invest in Finland, part of the MEE Group, is an expert service organisation promoting foreign direct investment in Finland.
In connection with the Forum, Minister Väyrynen and Minister Pekkarinen will meet with Vice Minister of Commerce Gao. Topics on the meeting agenda include, for instance, bilateral economic and trade relations and investments, and trade relations and investments between the European Union and China. Other topics on the agenda are international economic and trade issues.
Additional information:
– Ministry for Foreign Affairs: Counsellor Pekka Kaihilahti, Department for the Americas and Asia, tel. +358 9 1605 5669, Director Juha Markkanen, Unit for Communications, mobile tel. +358 40 520 3925 and Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, tel. +358 9 1605 6171.
– Ministry of Employment and the Economy: Head of Division Merja Paavola, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, mobile tel. +358 50 396 1161 and Information Officer Johanna Leinonen, mobile tel. +358 50 3593 813.
– Finpro: Head of Business Delegations Kirsti Tarvainen, mobile tel. +358 40 3433 434.
– Confederation of Finnish Industries EK: Chief Policy Adviser Simo Karetie, tel. +358 9 4202 2704 or mobile tel. +358 40 837 5431
– Invest in Finland: CEO Tuomo Airaksinen, tel. +358 10 773 0302 and Communications Director Minna Hakaoja, tel. +358 10 773 0320.