Visit to Rwanda strengthens trade and political relations between Finland and Rwanda
Under-Secretary of State Nina Vaskunlahti and Director General of Business Finland Nina Kopola will visit Kigali from 28 May to 1 June 2022. They will be accompanied by a business delegation.
The visit by Under-Secretary of State Nina Vaskunlahti and Director General Nina Kopola will further deepen the extensive cooperation between Finland and Rwanda. The programme of the visit will focus on efforts to strengthen the commercial and political cooperation through ministerial meetings. The visit will also mark the opening of Finland’s new Honorary Consulate in Rwanda.
Both countries have a large offering of products and interesting new openings in the trade sector. The demand for Finnish expertise and innovative solutions is growing in Rwanda, and there are plenty of interesting opportunities for Finnish companies.
“The Finnish Government’s Africa Strategy emphasises the growing importance of the continent and African countries in global politics, economy and trade. In addition to peace and security, equality and education, the Strategy gives strong priority to trade relations, combating climate change, green transition and digitalisation. For example, circular economy and clean energy offer many opportunities for partnerships. Over the past two years, Rwanda and Finland have taken several steps towards deeper relations between their countries,” says Under-Secretary of State Vaskunlahti.
One of the objectives of the visit is to promote Finnish exports to Rwanda by companies representing different sectors. The programme will include visits to Rwandan ministries and companies as well as a business seminar and give opportunities for networking with important operators in Rwanda. The Team Finland visit will be led by Nina Kopola, who is Director General at Business Finland.
“We want to bolster trade relations and strengthen cooperation between Rwanda and Finland, and create new business opportunities for Finnish companies. I am happy that the business delegation consists of companies with interesting offerings to Rwandan and African markets. It is important that Finnish innovations enter global export markets and show in euros raising Finland’s gross domestic product,” Kopola says.
The business delegation coordinated by Business Finland includes 13 Finnish companies: Nokia Corporation, Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Tana Oy, Vaisala Oyj, VAMED Health Projects Finland Oy and Vumos Oy.