Finland Times

The Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen and Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb will visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from March 2 to March 7, said a government press release on Wednesday.

The aim of the visit is to enhance bilateral relations between Finland and the two countries of  the Middle East.

 A  delegation of  trade mission will also be included in the Finnish team along with the ministers for the promotion of exports and business in the international arena.

The objective is to strengthen Finland's image as a stable country characterized by high technology and a centre of top class education and skills.

The business consisting of almost 50 Finnish companies includes the representatives of the Finnish construction, energy, ICT, health care and education sectors.

In Qatar, Prime Minister Katainen and Minister Stubb will meet the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and other ministers and business representatives.

 In the United Arab Emirates, they are scheduled to meet a number of the country's highest political and business leaders. In addition to bilateral political, trade and economic relations, discussions with the national leaders of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are to focus on regional political issues.

Both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates offer great business potential but competition in the open markets is extremely hard. The long-term expectations of growth are good in both countries and they have undertaken extensive development projects.

Companies represented in the Finnish business delegation: Aino Health Management Oy, Arc-Pro Solutions Oy, BaseN Corporation, Capricode Oy, Codenomicon Oy, Commit; Oy, Comptel Corporation, Crown Cro Oy, Ductor Corporation, EduCluster Finland Oy, Eedu Oy, Eigenor Oy, Eltel Networks Corporation, Enersense, International Oy, Environics Oy, Gasum Oy, Halton Group Ltd, HELBUS / Helsinki School of Business Oy, Hubconsepts Inc., HYKSin Ltd, InnoSchool Finland Ltd Consulting, Keitele Forest Oy, Konecranes Plc, Konecranes Middle East, Lappset Group Oy, Maineconsulting Oy, Mantsinen Group Ltd Oy, Mirasys, Hospital Neo / Hermes, Nestor Cables Oy, Niras Finland Oy, Nokia Corporation, Nordic Clinic Oy, Oilon Oy, OK Management Oy / NXme FZ-LLC, Patria Oyj, Pölkky Oy, Relaxbirth Ltd., RTV-Yhtymä Oy, Architecture Office Sigge Ltd, Solarwheeler Oy, Star Arcade Oy, StellarQ Ltd., Trapeze Finland Oy, Vahanen International Ltd., Oy Vallila Interior Ab, Vapo Oy ja Wärtsilä Gulf FZE