MFA: Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Toivakka leads a Team Finland trade mission to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
http://formin.finland.fi

Press release 235/2015
29 October 2015

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Toivakka leads a Team Finland trade mission to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka will be accompanied by a delegation of nearly 40 business representatives on a Team Finland mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 31 October to 2 November and to Saudi Arabia from 2 to 4 November. The delegation comprises representatives from healthcare, education and cleantech businesses.

"The visit gives an excellent opportunity for us to present leading edge Finnish expertise in several sectors in the Persian Gulf region, which in investing heavily in development," Toivakka says.

Several high-level meetings will be arranged to promote Finnish companies' projects. The Minister and her delegation will meet Emirati and Saudi Arabian ministers and representatives of state institutions. During the trade mission, they will also visit companies.

The UAE is Finland's second biggest export destination in the Middle East. The country offers significant long-term business opportunities for Finnish companies. The UAE's economic outlook is positive and its economic growth has been stable despite oil price volatility. The country is continuing large-scale infrastructure and development projects and diversifying its economy in order to reduce dependency on oil. In addition to big infrastructure projects, the UAE is looking for the most advanced top quality technology and expertise.

The UAE is the biggest of the Persian Gulf economies and for Finland the most important trading partner in the region. The country's growth is based on a strong energy sector, the Government's substantial growth initiatives, and a dynamic business sector. The UAE is striving to diversify and modernise its economy and services and to reduce oil dependency. This trend offers significant business opportunities for Finnish companies.

The trade mission is organised together with Finpro, which is part of Team Finland.

The composition of the Minister's delegation to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia:

Kemira

Centre for Measurement and Information Systems (CEMIS) / Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

Konecranes

Pöyry Switzerland Ltd

Textile Finland

Sintrol

Wärtsilä Corporation

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences

Isku Interior

Lappeenranta University of Technology

seppo.io

University of Helsinki

Abomics

Aino Health Management

Commit

Ecosir Group

Genano Ltd

Health Puzzle Ltd / Lähteenmäki Consulting Ltd

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Intelle Innovations Ltd

JAMK University of Applied Sciences

Medanta

Nuovo Nordic Healthcare Services

NXme FZ-LLC

Solarch

Sunit

Inquiries: Laila Clyne, Desk Officer, tel. +358 50 442 7471, Unit for the Middle East and North Africa and Juha Kirstilä, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 40 552 8200