Finland Times

A Finnish business delegation led by Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb will go to China on a two-day visit from Wednesday with an aim to promote exports and incorporation of Finnish companies there. 

Stubb, however, started his visit to China from Monday. Before visiting Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Chengdu, Stubb is scheduled to accompany President Sauli Niinistö, who is now visiting China, too, said a government press release. 

There are almost 200 Finnish companies operating in the environs of Shanghai and around 40 in Jiangsu Province. The rapidly-growing Chengdu is an interesting market, particularly for information technology. 

The business team gathered by Finpro consists of 31 companies, representing the cleantech, telecommunications, IT, shipbuilding, financing, city planning, tourism, and well-being sectors.

China is Finland's biggest trading partner in Asia. The total trade between the countries amounted to EUR 7.2 billion in 2012. The purpose of the visit is to promote business opportunities of Finnish companies and enhance the image of Finland as a country of high and clean technology. 

When visiting Shanghai, Stubb will meet local authorities, participate in a business forum, and give a lecture at Fudan University. In Jiangsu, Stubb will attend the inauguration of Kone elevator plant. 

The itineraries in Chengdu include a visit to the Hi-Tech Zone industrial district, taking part in a business forum, and holding meetings with city authorities. 

The companies participating in the visit are ABB Oy, AFT-Aikawa Fiber Technologies Oy, Caprice Ltd, Capricode Oy, DigiEcoCity Ltd, Enoro Oy, FIAC Invest Ltd, Finnish Innovative Architecture and Consulting Ltd, Finnair Plc/Finnair Cargo Oy, Finnish Tourist Board, FluidHouse Ltd, GreenStream Network Oyj, Oy Hacklin Ltd, Honkarakenne Oyj, Jyväskylä Regional Development Co. Jykes Ltd, Oy Lunawood Ltd, Machine Technology Center Turku Ltd, MPS China Management Consulting, Neste Oil Corporation, Nokia Siemens Networks, Normet Trading Ltd, Pohjola Bank Plc, Raute (Shanghai) Machinery Co Ltd, Runtech Systems Oy, Santa’s Hotels, Takoma Oyj, TWS Shipping Line Ltd Oy, Shipbuilding, Vacon Plc, Vahterus Oy ja Valkee Oy, the press release said.