The China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides a unique platform for Finland to tap deeper into the Chinese market for win-win cooperation in areas like green economy, investment and tourism, Consul General of Finland in Shanghai Anu Vuori-Kiikeri said recently.
Finland is participating in the CIIE in Shanghai for the seventh year in a row, with its enterprises covering a wide array of sectors like energy, chemical materials, machinery, and lifestyle consumption.
Speaking in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) outside the Finnish pavilion shaped like a giant ice block, Vuori-Kiikeri said the number of industries represented by the Finnish companies has expanded to show the growing importance Finland attaches to the annual expo. She highlighted cooperation potential between China and Finland in the green economy.
"It is a unique exhibition, a place where we can show Finland, showcase our country, to the Chinese audience, the strength of our companies. It is something very concrete because we can really feel that we get important deals for our companies forward. And last year we signed [deals on] milk powder and then also Finnish meat-based products, some other companies as well, more on technology side. So, that is a huge achievement. This year, I expect again an exciting exhibition. We have a great interest to bring to China companies environmentally sustainable solutions, low-carbon solutions, recycling. We would really like to bring to China," said Vuori-Kiikeri.
Vuori-Kiikeri said Finland, which is among the world's leading countries in energy conservation and environmental protection, medical education, Internet and communications, looks forward to making inroads in the Chinese market in smart energy, circular economy and digital health, given that embracing a low-carbon economy and green development has become part of China's national strategy.
"The green transition, low-carbon, this sector is something where our companies are extremely strong, and they have innovations which can help China in order to attain, for example, the low-carbon targets China has already set. This can be a win-win opportunity," she said.
China and Finland enjoy robust trade relations and have seen the partnership grow from strength to strength since they established diplomatic ties 74 years ago. China has remained Finland's largest trade partner in Asia for 21 consecutive years while Finland is China's third largest trade partner in Northern Europe, according to Chinese official data.
In October, the two countries signed cooperation documents covering areas such as education, water conservancy, environmental protection, circular economy, and agricultural food products. Beginning on Nov 8, holders of the Finnish passport will enjoy visa-free entry into China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days.
Vuori-Kiikeri said favorable government measures like the new visa policy will be conducive to boosting two-way investment and promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Finland.
"Chinese market is very appealing. It is big, it is huge. In China, there is more and more arising interest towards healthy and sustainable products and especially in what comes to food. Then we also want to promote some consumer brands, also food brands. I wish that also Finnish tourists will find China again. Of course, we welcome Chinese tourists -- that goes in both ways. We would like to have much more Chinese investments in Finland. Of course, one field is batteries. China in some sectors is very developed in what comes to innovations and technology. So, most welcome to Finland!" she said.
The seventh CIIE is slated to conclude on Sunday. This year's six-day expo has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders in attendance.
CIIE offers platform for closer China-Finland cooperation: Finnish official
