Prime Minister Katainen and Minister Stubb promote exports in Qatar

On Sunday and Monday, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb had meetings with the Qatari political and business leaders in Doha. A business delegation, put together by Finpro and consisting of almost 50 Finnish companies, is accompanying Ministers Katainen and Stubb on their visit to the Arabian Peninsula. The delegation has representatives of the Finnish construction, energy, ICT, health care and education sectors.

"Qatar and the whole Arabian Peninsula offer great opportunities but also massive challenges for Finnish businesses. Qatar is an extremely wealthy country and it requires top class foreign products and technical solutions. In our discussions, the country's leadership has expressed interest in the Finnish education solutions, energy saving expertise and healthcare technology. The Finnish companies accompanying us in Doha have had opportunities to showcase their business know-how to truly knowledgeable and potential customers.

In Qatar, Prime Minister Katainen and Minister Stubb met the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Qatari Ministers responsible for energy, education, health and foreign affairs, and civil servants in charge of Qatar's state investments and information society development.

"The Ruler of Qatar, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, told us that the state of Qatar is very interested in adding shares of major Finnish companies to its investment portfolio. They already own shares, for example, in Outotec," said Katainen.

Minister Stubb underlines that currently Qatar is making investments in significant development projects: "Qatar is a prime example of a country where the state leadership may open doors for Finnish companies. With such a magnificent group, it is simply great to promote the export of Finnish expertise and work towards attracting investments. Finnish businesses should target the Arabian Peninsula and get there now!"

On Monday, Ministers Katainen and Stubb and the business delegation will continue to the United Arab Emirates where they are to meet a number of the country's highest political and business leaders. In addition to bilateral political, trade and economic relations, discussions with the national leaders of the United Arab Emirates are to focus on regional political issues and the situation in Syria.

Companies represented in the business delegation: Aino Health Management Oy, Arc-Pro Solutions Oy, BaseN Corporation, Capricode Oy, Codenomicon Oy, Commit; Oy, Comptel Corporation, Crown Cro Oy, Ductor Corporation, EduCluster Finland Oy, Eedu Oy, Eigenor Oy, Eltel Networks Corporation, Enersense, International Oy, Environics Oy, Gasum Oy, Halton Group Ltd, HELBUS / Helsinki School of Business Oy, Hubconsepts Inc., HYKSin Ltd, InnoSchool Finland Ltd Consulting, Keitele Forest Oy, Konecranes Plc, Konecranes Middle East, Lappset Group Oy, Maineconsulting Oy, Mantsinen Group Ltd Oy, Mirasys, Hospital Neo / Hermes, Nestor Cables Oy, Niras Finland Oy, Nokia Corporation, Nordic Clinic Oy, Oilon Oy, OK Management Oy / NXme FZ-LLC, Patria Oyj, Pölkky Oy, Relaxbirth Ltd., RTV-Yhtymä Oy, Architecture Office Sigge Ltd, Solarwheeler Oy, Star Arcade Oy, StellarQ Ltd., Trapeze Finland Oy, Vahanen International Ltd., Oy Vallila Interior Ab, Vapo Oy ja Wärtsilä Gulf FZE

Inquiries: Antti Vänskä, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (International Affairs), tel. +358 40 513 1458 and Kari Mokko, Director of Government Communications, tel. +358 9 1602 2012 or +358 40 751 3281