Bilateral Cooperation between UAE and Finland

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, has received in his office Ilkka Pekka Simila, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the UAE. Al Mansouri discussed with Simila ways of developing economic and trade relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, Al Mansouri stressed the UAE's keenness and interest in the growth and development of bilateral relations with Finland, especially economic, trade and investment, as well as in the fields of advanced technology, industry, knowledge, small and medium enterprises and other areas important to the economy of the two countries.

Al Mansouri pointed out the importance of regular meetings between officials of the two countries, as well as between representatives of the private sector, to strengthen bilateral relations, noting in this regard the recent UAE-Finland Business Forum which was held in Dubai, and the Abu Dhabi-Finland Business Forum hosted by Abu Dhabi in March.

He also stressed that such meetings and conferences are considered an important platform for the exchange of ideas and opinions, and highlighted the necessity of discussing challenges and obstacles that hinder the development of economic, trade and investment relations, and working to overcome them.

Al Mansouri emphasised the need to implement the work of the UAE- Finland Joint Committee, describing it as the perfect platform to promote bilateral trade and the establishment of joint investment projects in key sectors. He reaffirmed the commitment of the UAE to promote economic relations with Finland.

He went on to state that the UAE, in the framework of adopting its strategic vision represented by the shift towards a knowledge of economy, is keen to benefit from the experiences of friendly countries on this level, including the distinct benefits attainable from the expertise of Finland in the areas of advanced technology, education, research and development.

Al Mansouri pointed out that trade between the UAE and Finland reached U.S.$ 500 million in 2011, and reiterated his conviction that the number could grow through effective cooperation programmes that develop common strategic objectives of the two countries in certain sectors, saying especially that dialogue is a key factor in promoting strategic relations.

For his part, Simila stressed the importance and strength of relations between his country and the UAE, especially at the economic, trade and investment level. He expressed his country's aspirations to strengthen its relations with the UAE in various fields. He pointed out that the UAE is one of the most important trade partners of Finland in the Middle East and Gulf region.