Finnish trade mission arrives for talks

A 21-man trade delegation from Finland arrived in Manila Wednesday to try to improve trade relations between the Philippines and Finland.

Finland Trade Minister Jari Vilen, head of the delegation composed of Finnish businessmen, said that his government wants to correct the trade imbalance between the two countries.

Vilen admitted that there is an existing trade imbalance in favor of Finland and wants to correct it by encouraging more Philippine exports to Finland.

The visiting Finnish official said that his country’s biggest exports to the Philippines are Nokia cellphones and metal products which account for more than 400 million euros a year.

"We are here to discuss with Philippine government officials on how to correct the trade imbalance between our two countries," Vilen said.

The Finnish trade minister also said that they have scheduled meetings and discussions with Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas II and other local businessmen on what kind of Philippine products should be exported to Finland.

The Finnish trade delegation will be in Manila for three days to discuss and sign bilateral trade agreements designed to improve trade relations between the two countries, and to correct the trade imbalance aimed at helping shore up the Philippine economy.

The Vilen trade delegation was welcomed by Finnish Ambassador to the Philippines Raimo Anttola and Philippine trade officials.