Honorary consuls of southern Africa to visit Finland for the first time
Press release 331/2008
12 September, 2008
16 honorary consuls of Finland from Sub-Saharan Africa will visit Finland on 15-19 September at the invitation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The programme of the honorary consuls is part of the training the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is organising for its network of honorary consuls in various parts of the world. From the Finnish point of view, the honorary consuls form an important network, with help of which Finland can be present even in countries where it does not have other kind of representation. The programme organised for the honorary consuls of Sub-Saharan Africa is first of its kind in that particular area.
During one week, the honorary consuls will acquaint themselves with the Finnish foreign policy and development policy, the Finnish foreign trade and the trade with the southern African countries in particular. The fact that Finnish people are making more and more visits to foreign countries has also been taken into account in the programme, and also consular and judicial questions are on the agenda.
Due to the forthcoming municipal elections, the honorary consuls have an opportunity to visit Lohja and become familiar with a well managed township and municipal democracy. The programme also includes visits to Fiskars, Nokia and Geological Survey of Finland. Finpro, a promoter of internationalisation of Finnish companies, organises programme concentrating on import trade in particular, but handling also Finpro’s new Africa strategy. The programme organised by Finnfund introduces the visitors to investment activities and imports from developing countries. For instance, the franchising groups of Finnish retail trade will also participate in the programme. Additionally, the course programme will include appointments related to the interests of the honorary consuls themselves.
Some of the honorary consuls are accompanied by their spouses, for whom a special introductory programme to Finnish school system, musical life and art has been organised.
Further information and possible requests for interviews: Ambassador Kari Karanko, tel. +358 40 837 8562, Advisor Antti Loikas, tel. +358 40 530 4813
List of participants (Opens New Window)