Minister Väyrynen: Extensive growth potential for environment business in India
Press Release 321/2010
29 October, 2010
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen visited Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, India on 27–28 October. Minister Väyrynen was the first Finnish government minister to visit this capital city, which in recent years has grown into one of India’s major technology centres. The Minister sees great growth opportunities for Finnish companies in the region.
“India and the Hyderabad region in particular have increasingly come to realize the importance of sustainable development and ecologically sustainable innovations to the country’s future. This creates growing demand, for instance, for the Clean Tech know-how of Finnish companies,” Minister Väyrynen said.
The Minister welcomed the fact that so many Finnish companies are already established in the region and even more have plans to expand their business to the dynamic environment of Hyderabad.
In the discussions held during meetings, Finnish expertise in forestry and energy-efficient building rose to the fore on several occasions. Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, in particular, hoped for cooperation with Finland in order to promote sustainable forestry, especially in the northern regions of India.
In Hyderabad the Minister visited the Green Business Centre, which has the promotion of ecological construction as one of its aims.
“It is possible in the construction sector to improve energy efficiency significantly and to invest more in ecological construction materials, especially wood, which acts as an effective carbon reserve. I believe that there are numerous opportunities for Finland and India to cooperate in this sector,” Minister Väyrynen said, speaking at an event held at the Green Business Centre on Thursday.
On Friday, the Minister met with Minister of Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath in Delhi. Among other topics, the Ministers discussed road transport cooperation between Finland and India, which began last spring, and opportunities for Finnish companies to participate in various infrastructure projects.
Minister Väyrynen on many occasions also stressed the opportunities for Indian businesses in Finland.
“There is a direct, quick flight from India to Finland daily. This is India’s best route to Europe. Finland can be a gateway to Europe for Indian companies.”
During his trip the Minister took part in the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference, DIREC. He also met with the Indian Minister of Power Shri Sushilkumar Shinde and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Konijeti Rosaiah.
Additional information: Hanna Saarni, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, mobile tel. +358 400 739 824