Finland Times

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb and Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala will visit Zambia and Tanzania from May 20 to May 25.

The first joint trade and development trip of the ministers will be accompanied by a delegation consisting of representatives from businesses and civil society organisations, which has been compiled by Finpro.

"Both development cooperation and trade play an important role in these countries. It's good if our enterprises get a foothold in growing markets - and at the same time support the country's development," Development Minister Heidi Hautala said expressing hope that the trip would also inspire enterprises and organisations to deepen their cooperation.

Tanzania and Zambia are among the world's fastest growing economies, but at the same time they are still poor developing countries.

Finland's trade with the countries is still at a low level but it is growing, especially in Zambia, she said.

Finland's development cooperation with the countries emphasises good management of natural resources as well as the achievement of transparency and equal development.

Finns in these countries have extensive cooperation relations, among others, in agriculture, forestry, geological research, meteorology, education and the development of public administration, as well as in science, technology and innovation.

During the trip, the intention is to explore the possibility for trade, particularly in the natural resources and ICT sectors, to present Finnish know-how, and to get a realistic picture of the business environment.

"Trade is one of the most effective ways of supporting poor countries. Jobs are created in countries if investments are made in productive activities,” Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb said.

The aim is to promote sustainable development and at the same time to strengthen the positions of Finnish enterprises in the world, he added.

Ministers Hautala and Stubb, together with the business delegation, will meet with their minister colleagues in both countries and will speak at seminars.

The export promotion component of the trip has been structured in accordance with the interests of the enterprises and organisations.

The delegation participating in the trip (some participants only in one country): Cathodex Oy, CYRR Group, Digita Oy, Emerald Growth Innovation Oy, Festo, Finnish Water Forum, Finnpartnership, Finnvera, Gaia Consulting, Indufor Oy, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, KOSEK - Kokkolanseudun Kehitys Ltd, Metso Minerals, Forestry Development Centre TAPIO, NIRAS Finland Oy, Nokia, Outotec Oyj, Pajat Solutions Oy, Sibesonke, Plan and World Vision.