Minister Toivakka to lead a Team Finland trade mission to Bergen and Oslo

Minister of European Affairs and Foreign Trade Lenita Toivakka will lead a three-day Team Finland trade mission to Norway from 2 to 4 March 2015. The purpose of the trip is to promote Finnish companies' export and internationalisation and to market Finnish expertise and potential in Norway, especially in the field of marine and construction industries. Norway's importance for Finnish export is growing all the time and the country plays a significant role also in investments in Finland.

Minister Toivakka will take part in maritime and construction industry seminars in Bergen and Oslo and meet with Norway's Minister for Nordic Co-operation Elisabeth Aspaker, Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland and Minister for EU Affairs Vidar Helgesen.

Minister Toivakka will visit, for example, the Coast Center Base (CCB), which provides forwarding and logistics solutions services in Bergen, and go to see the Technopolis office space and the Gardermoen Airport extension project.

"Norway is undoubtedly one of the leading shipping and oil and gas industry countries. Innovativess and high quality are common to our maritime industries. Bergen represents traditions in Norwegian seafaring and its future prospects are promising even today. I have noticed even during my earlier visits to Norway that, in this country whose population is forecast to reach 7 million by 2040, there is a huge demand for Finnish know-how. This naturally opens up opportunities for the Finns and also a competitive edge based on our expertise, location and knowledge of languages especially in transport and energy network projects", says Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Lenita Toivakka.

The following companies will form the business delegation to Bergen and Oslo:  Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, Cosfim Oy, Delete Group Oy, Evac Group, The Federation of Finnish Enterprises, Foilpoint Oy, Fox1 Oy, FSO Staff Office Oy, Ab Hangö Elektriska – Hangon Sähkö Oy, Hella Lighting Finland Oy, Indewe QC Oy, Intelle Innovations Ltd, JTA Connection Oy,  Jyväskylä Regional Development Company Jykes Ltd, Kavika Oy, Kyynel Ltd, Leinovalu Oy, Machine Technology Center Turku Ltd, Metso Lokomo Steel Foundry, Okaria Oy, Pellopuu Oy, Penamek Oy, Plastep Oy, Potma Oy, Prizztech Oy, Pöytyän Koneistuspalvelu Oy, SteelDone Group, Team Arctic / Gaia Consulting Oy, Testlab Finland Ltd, Uwira Oy, VRT Finland Oy, Wärtsilä Corporation.

Additional information: Miika Tomi, Press Attaché to the Minister of European Affairs and Foreign Trade, tel. +358 50 574 0507.