Catching up with Consul General: Introducing Michael Hecht, Honorary Consul of Finland in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi

Consul General Mika Koskinen interviewed Michael Hecht, newly-appointed Honorary Consul of Finland in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Hecht tells more about the great three states, commercial and cultural opportunities and his aspirations as an Honorary Consul.

Mika Koskinen: You have recently been appointed as Honorary Consul of Finland in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Congratulations once again! What are your aspirations for your new position?

Michael Hecht: Thank you! I am honored and thrilled to be the new Honorary Consul of Finland in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

My aspirations in this new position are three-fold: First, to promote economic and cultural relations between Finland and Louisiana, Arkansas & Mississippi; second, to assist Finnish citizens residing in, or traveling to, our region; and finally, in the context of the emerging new geopolitical order, to maximize opportunities for Finnish companies in Greater New Orleans and beyond, in order to support Finland, and strengthen the Finnish – U.S. bond.

MK: Your family has deep roots in Louisiana. Please, tell us what makes Louisiana so unique?

MH: My family has roots in Louisiana, going back to the 1830s when they emigrated from Alsace-Lorraine. What makes Louisiana so special is its unique, multi-cultural history. 

The state is a true melting pot (or “gumbo,” as we say) of many traditions: French, African, Caribbean, Spanish, English, German, Indigenous – even Nordic, due to its maritime history. Louisiana is today famous for its unique food (Creole and Cajun), music (Jazz), and festivals (Mardi Gras). This extradentary culture is delivered with a warmth and a human touch that is unrivaled – when someone in Louisiana asks you, “How you doing?” they really care about the answer!

MK: You have been promoting Louisiana in your work as President and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc. What possibilities do you see for increasing commercial contacts between Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Finland?

MH: Several industries are shared by Finland and our region, including Software & Video Games, e.g., Finland’s Rovio (Angry Birds); Manufacturing, e.g., Finland’s KONE; and Petrochemical, e.g., Finland’s Neste. Both Finland and our states have a shared interest in innovation, clean energy, energy independence, and entrepreneurship – for example, “green” hydrogen. Further, Finland has several laudable attributes that we can learn from, including the highest-ranked primary education in the world, being named the “Happiest Nation in the World” for five years in a row, and a consistent Top Ten ranking in “Economic Freedom.”

MK: What are the main opportunities for cooperation of each state that you cover as an Honorary Consul and Finland?

MH: To be more specific about the answer above - with Mississippi, there are excellent advanced manufacturing capabilities that should be of interest to Finland. Plus, there is a wonderful blues music tradition. With Arkansas, there is a nascent but exciting opportunity to be a global leader in clean energy production based on wind and hydrogen. With Louisiana, the cooperation runs from industries like tech and video games to cultural exchanges ranging from music (our Jazz Fest) to entrepreneurship (Helsinki’s “Slush”).

MK: Louisiana has a big port, and traffic has increased considerably in recent years. The city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana have also been investing in the infrastructure of this port recently. Please, tell us what kind of possibilities this port offers to the foreign trade exchange, including Finland? 

MH: New Orleans is building a new $2B container facility that will be able to handle the huge neo-post-Panamax vessels. This new facility called the “Louisiana International Terminal” will establish New Orleans as the primary port that serves imports and exports for the middle 1/3 of America. This will help promote a range of Finnish exports to the United States, including chemicals, machinery, petroleum and coal products, paper, and transportation equipment.

MK: New Orleans has vibrant cultural life. Do you see any possibilities for cultural exchange between Louisiana and Finland? 

MH: I work closely with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, as well as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. I would love to see a New Orleans “Jazz Fest” in Finland, perhaps in conjunction with Slush. Having a Danish wife, I have come to understand how jazz was “born” in New Orleans but is truly appreciated and loved around the world, especially in the Nordic countries. Maybe we could then have a Finnish “metal festival” in New Orleans!

MK: You have family ties with Denmark, and you know us Nordics well. What is your perception of Nordic countries so far?

MH: I have a deep admiration and respect for the Nordic culture and have taught myself Danish. I look forward to learning Finnish next. As a sociologist by training, I have always been fascinated by the Nordic social and economic policies model. There are many lessons to be learned. For example, the fact that Finland was ranked the “Happiest County in the World” in the 2021 World Happiness Report is (in my opinion) more than a measure of simple “happiness” - it reflects the profound benefit of a reliable safety net and robust social contract. However, this safety net is coupled with a world-class market economy and top ten “economic freedom.” There is a lot to learn from our Nordic and Finnish friends.

MK: You will participate in the Meeting of Honorary Consuls of North America in Helsinki at the beginning of June. What are your expectations of this meeting?

MH: I am very excited to participate in my first meeting of Honorary Consuls of North America. In recent months, Finland has taken on heightened geopolitical importance, so the responsibilities of the consular corps have also increased. 

I see our role now as promoting not only trade and cultural exchange but also stability and peace. The Finnish-U.S. relationship can help bring prosperity to our own nations and the world. I look forward to meeting my fellow consuls and discussing these emergent issues.

MK: A warm welcome to our active network of Honorary Consuls in the United States; we are glad to have you as our new Honorary Consul of Finland!

MH: Thank you, Mika – I am so very humbled and excited!