Join us for an exclusive business event uniting Finnish Ambassadors in the Arab States, leading companies, and industry experts to explore emerging opportunities across the region.
The Arab States offer a diverse range of business opportunities, driven by their strategic location, rich natural resources, youthful population, and ongoing efforts to diversify their economies beyond oil. These factors create significant potential for Finnish businesses across a variety of key sectors.
The Finnish Ambassadors present at the event: Ms Riikka Eela (Egypt), Mr Pekka Hyvönen (Algeria), Ms Anu Saarela (Iraq), Ms Marjaana Sall (Morocco), Mr Teemu Sepponen (Tunisia), Ms Anu-Eerika Viljanen (Saudi-Arabia), Mr Pekka Voutilainen (Qatar), and Ms Tuula Yrjölä (United Arab Emirates).
The event is co-organized by the Finnish Arab Business Association, Business Finland, Enterprise Europe Network and the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce.
Program
14.00 Coffee and Networking
14.30 Opening of the Event
Mr Jouni Maaranto, Chair, Finnish Arab Business Association
14.35 Company Case: Vaisala
Mr James Gardiner, Salers Manager MEA, Vaisala
14.50 Panel Discussion with the Ambassadors: Rich Gulf Region with High Purchasing Power
Iraq, Qatar, Saudi-Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Moderated by Jorge Fernández Gates, Senior Advisor, Middle East, Business Finland
15.10 Company Case: Valio
Mr Olli Osara, Vice President, Food Solution Sales, Valio
15.25 Panel Discussion with the Ambassadors: North Africa as a Neighboring Region of the European Union
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia
Moderated by Jorge Fernández Gates, Senior Advisor, Middle East, Business Finland
15.45 Company Case: Honkajoki Oy
Mr Janne Lukkarinen, CEO, Honkajoki Oy
16.00 Q & A
16.15 Closing Remarks and Networking
Mr Jouni Maaranto, Chair, Finnish Arab Business Association
17.30 End of the Event
Welcome!
N.B.
Please see also on the same day 20th August and place Katajanokan kasino at 12.00-14.00 event:
”Do Business From The Heart of Dubai, Home of Future Innovation”
Join us on 20 August 2025 at Made For Trade Live in Helsinki, held in partnership with Finland Chamber of Commerce and Finnish – Arab Business Association to find out why DMCC in Dubai is the ideal place to run and grow your business.
Home to 25,000+ member companies ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups – DMCC offers easy access to key global markets, industry-specific ecosystems, world-class infrastructure, and exclusive networking events to support your goals.
