Minister Väyrynen hopes to see companies participate in sustainable development efforts

Press release 364/2010
14 December 2010

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen hopes that companies will participate in development cooperation more than at present.

“The expertise of Finnish companies should be channelled for improving the business environment in developing countries. The development of the private sector plays a key role in efforts to eradicate poverty in a sustainable manner,” Minister Väyrynen stated.

According to Minister Väyrynen, cooperation between enterprises and civil society organizations should be increased in the development cooperation sector so that the best possible expertise existing in various circles could be put to use. The contacts and partnerships created at the same time would make it easier for companies to expand their operations to developing countries.

“The Finnish value added for development cooperation means that we must offer the best we have and utilize Finnish expertise when developing countries need outside know-how,” Minister Väyrynen explained.

The Minister spoke in Helsinki on Tuesday, 14 December, when receiving the report of the working group he had appointed in spring to investigate how to expand the base of development funding and enhance cooperation among various actors in society. The working group’s report includes eight recommendations and other proposals for action intended for the Government and the relevant ministries so that the targets set can be reached.

“The report contains good proposals, but it is a compromise. I hope that the new openings and ideas that emerged during the drafting process will lead to broad-based debate where further opportunities to increase funds allocated to development cooperation and the participation of various bodies are discussed boldly and openly,” said Minister Väyrynen challenging the representatives of organizations present at the event.

Additional information: Advisor Mika Vehnämäki, Unit for Sectoral Policy, tel. +358 9 1605 6165, and Hanna Saarni, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, mobile tel. +358 400 739 824