Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry to visit Finland

The Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Mr George Yong-Boon Yeo will visit Finland from 29 June to 1 July. He will get acquainted with the Finnish know-how in high technology. Singapore is particularly interested in the communications network of Finnish authorieties called VIRVE.

The trade between Finland and Singapore is developing positively, and there is a surplus in Finland´s favour. However, tourism from Singapore to Finland has been declining. The Minister for Foreign Trade Jari Vilén will host a one day visit for Minister Yeo to Lapland and Rovaniemi,where he will learn about local tourism services and technological know-how.

One purpose of the visit by Minister Yeo is to inform about the initiative taken by Singapore to sign a free trade agreement between the European Union and Singapore. Singapore has already signed such an agreement with Japan, New Zealand and EFTA and it is negotiating on a similar agreement with the United States, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

Minister Yeo will have official talks with Minister Vilén on Monday, 1 July. Questions related to the new negotiations round of the World Trade Organisation will also be on the agenda. Minister Yeo will also meet the Minister for Transport and Communications Kimmo Sasi.

Additional information: Press Attaché Paula Parviainen, mobile 040 571 9370 and 1st Secretary Jyrki Kallio, tel 1605 5669