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.
For Finnish and European companies, the Arab States offer significant potential across a wide range of sectors—from energy and digital solutions to education, healthcare, food systems and green technologies. At the same time, success in these markets requires a strong understanding of local business environments, regulatory frameworks, and the importance of long-term relationships.
The Finnish Ambassadors present at the event: Ms. Ann-Christine Krank (Algeria) Ms. Riikka Eela (Egypt), Mr. Antti Putkonen (Iraq),
Ms. Anne Meskanen (Lebanon), Ms. Marjaana Sall (Morocco), Mr. Juha Mustonen (Qatar), Ms. Anu-Eerika Viljanen (Saudi-Arabia), Mr. Teemu Sepponen (Tunisia) and Ms. Tuula Yrjölä (United Arab Emirates). Mr. Markku Lampinen (future Ambassador to Tunisia) will also be present.
The event is co-organized by the Finnish Arab Business Association, Enterprise Europe Network, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.
Program
08:00
Coffee and Networking
08:45
Opening remarks
Ms. Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta, President and CEO, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
09:00
Welcoming words
Mr. Maher Khadour, Chair, Finnish-Arab Business Association
09:05 Company Case: Foodiq Oy
Mr. Rober Savikko,CEO and Founder
09:20
Panel Discussion with the Ambassadors: From Diversification to Resilience: Gulf Opportunities for Finnish Companies
Iraq, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi-Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Moderated by Mr. Jorge Fernández Gates, Senior Advisor, Embassy of Finland to the UAE
09:50
Company Case: Konecranes,
Mr. Jussi Suhonen, VP Regional Sales EMEA, Port Solutions at Konecranes
10:05 Panel Discussion with the Ambassadors: Strategic location between Europe, Africa & Middle East
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia
Moderated by Mr. Karim Ali, Vice Chair of the Finnish-Arab Business Association
10:35
Company case: Halton Group
Mr. Kai Konola, President, CEO, Halton Group
10:50
Haaga-Helia’s cases and future activities in the region
Mr. Klaus Lüttjohann, Head of Global Education and Ms. Carina Falck-Brown, Specialist Education Export
11:00
Q & A
11:10
Closing Remarks and Networking
Mr. Maher Khadour, Chair, Finnish Arab Business Association
11:30
End of the Event
Welcome!
