H.E. Rauli Suikannen, Ambassador of Finland said that Finland has expressed interest to collaborate with Pakistan in health, education, clean technology, renewable energy, water management, waste to energy solutions and many other fields while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Facilitating regular interactions between the private sectors of Finland and Pakistan is critical to realize these goals.

Ambassador also visited ICCI accompanied by Commercial Counselor of Finland in UAE, Hahlantera and Honorary Consul of Finland in Pakistan, Asad Ansari.

He said that Pakistan could achieve good economic benefits by enhancing cooperation with Finland as this year Finland aimed at highest economic growth in Europe. He said Finland would cooperate with Pakistan for training and skills development of its people with its comprehensive vocational training system. He added Finland the status of a supporter of EU’s GSP Plus status for Pakistan. He said under this facility Pakistan was generally exporting textiles products to EU and can further focus on exporting other products.

He said Finland would try to open its Embassy in Pakistan in future to enhance local presence in Pakistan.

Sheikh Amir Waheed, president, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, and Industry, said while speaking at the occasion that consensual trade between Pakistan and Finland was not of real potential and they should frequently exchange trade delegations to recognize new areas for mutual cooperation. He said CPEC has created sufficient business and investment opportunities in Pakistan with better law &order situation. He said Finnish investors are willing to explore Pakistan for JVs and investment.

Finnish investors should invest with newest technology in 9 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) establishing under CPEC in Pakistan. He said that potential areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries could be engineering, agriculture, energy, mining, telecommunications, biotechnology, health, and education. He said best way to explore business matchmaking is organizing B2B meetings.

Muhammad Naveed, ICCI, senior vice president, said that private sectors of both countries should work on finding collaborative models to strengthen trade relations. Fatima Azeem, Zia A Zikria, Muhammad Shakeel Munir and other also shared their views on occasion.