RP embassy in Finland sees closer relations

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Embassy in Finland has proposed the sending of economic delegations from Manila and Helsinki following the opening of the Philippine diplomatic mission and a keen interest of Finnish companies to invest here.

The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that economic cooperation between the Philippines and Finland is poised for further expansion.

Speaking before Finnish businessmen in a meeting entitled “Philippine Markets” hosted by the embassy and co-hosted by Finland’s World Trade Center and Helsinki region Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Ambassador to Finland Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina said she sees more robust economic ties between the Philippines and Finland in the coming years.

The event was attended by high-level representatives from around 20 important Finnish companies dealing with power, renewable energy, information technology, legal services, education, heavy industries, academe, clean technology, banking and aviation.

Sta. Catalina proposed sending economic delegations from the Philippines and Finland to look into possible business opportunities in both countries.

“With the appointment of a resident ambassador and the establishment of a fully functional embassy in Finland, we are now ready to move forward and work closely together with you. I am very pleased to extend this personal invitation to consider our country as a business partner,” Sta. Catalina said.

In support of these efforts, specific details and a portfolio of investment opportunities that best match Finnish business interests were further discussed by Philippine trade officials, which included Mary Borromeo-Hedfors and Michael Alfred V. Ignacio of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTIC) in Stockholm and London, respectively.

In response, Finnfund and the Finnish Business Partnership Program, two of Finland’s most prominent companies, expressed their willingness to provide funding to Finnish companies willing to expand and locate their operations to the Philippines.

Vice-president for relationships of the Nordea Bank of Finland Mikko Lindfors also expressed keen interest in funding and financing opportunities.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Finland Association of Southeast Asian Nations Trade Association Gaius Gyllenbogel expressed his high regard and satisfaction over the meeting and the opening of the embassy in Helsinki.

The embassy said managing director of Finland’s World Trade Center Sirpa Rissa-Anttilainen expressed satisfaction over the result of the breakfast meeting, the first for the Philippines in Finland.

She also expressed the center’s pleasure and willingness to work closely with the country’s resident mission in Helsinki to raise deeper awareness on the Philippines as a trade and investment destination among Finnish companies.