Trade
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, July 4, 2018 (NAN) The Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, has expressed the commitment of her country to promote trade relations with Nigeria.
Chowdhury who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, expressed optimism on the commitment, said that funding instruments were available for promoting business partnership between Finland and Nigeria.
The envoy, who was not specific about the volume of trade between two countries, said she had put in place a lot of efforts in the last four years to improve on the commitment.
“I came here, wanting to make Nigeria-Finland relationship as active as possible. My main focus was trade promotion. Clearly, I can see everything I do here in relation to that.
“I wanted to promote trade relation and more visibility for Finland in Nigeria for Nigeria to know more about Finland and for Finland to know more about Nigeria.
“There are activities and interests in many sectors and some companies are very much present in Nigeria and much more to be done.
“This is what I try to do by educating Finnish companies about Nigeria and try to facilitate their businesses in Nigeria,” she said.
The envoy, however, advocated a right environment for sustainable development in the nation economy.
”What we need is to a vibrant economy and private sector and thriving businesses with the right kind of environment.”
The envoy said that Finnish business activities in Nigeria, bordering on trade and investment among others, could take place in many different sectors of the economy in the country with notable Finish companies: Nokia and Wartsila.
According to her, Wartsila in Nigeria has interest in solar power, shipping, industrial; concerns among others.
According to her, Kone, another Finnish Company is doing business in Nigeria but operating through a representative.
“It produces lifts, escalator, cranes and conveyor belts in airports, represented in Nigeria by a company called Crystalrail.
She also identified Vicesala as another Finnish company, offering meteorological technology services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the new Birnin Kebbi Airport as well with advanced in technology for weather detecting.
“There are also other Finish companies in the health sector for years now. First Foundation is a good example; it represents a company that actually operates in many countries.
“In Finland, it is called Pelkingeme, they do new screening technology where new born babies can be screened for certain illnesses among others.”
According to her, there is a big Finnish dairy company, Valio in Nigeria that produces lactose free milk. (NAN)
IAA/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed