Chamber of Commerce Hosts Finnish Economic Delegation: Stable Relations and Shared Interest in Strengthening Long-Term Partnerships
The Assistant General Manager of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Firas Al-Awadi, affirmed on Monday the deep ties between Kuwait and the Republic of Finland, as well as the growing opportunities for economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, given their stable relations and shared interest in strengthening long-term partnerships.
Speaking during a reception hosted by the Chamber for a Finnish economic delegation, Al-Awadi noted that Kuwait and Finland enjoy stable relations and a shared commitment to dialogue and long-term development, providing a strong foundation for building a robust economic partnership. He emphasized that diversifying economic relations and enhancing reliable partnerships have become strategic assets in the current environment.
He pointed out that the latest trade indicators reflect the dynamism of commercial relations between the two countries, with total bilateral merchandise trade growing by 27.5 percent annually in 2024. This growth demonstrates expandable commercial interest, and the next phase requires transforming this momentum into a sustainable path by diversifying traded products, engaging more companies, and enhancing market access for both countries.
Al-Awadi highlighted that the Finnish delegation’s visit marks a practical starting point for enhancing cooperation, noting that Finnish companies possess advanced expertise in cybersecurity, communications, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced engineering.
He stated that this expertise is of great significance to Kuwait amid its efforts to strengthen economic security, upgrade infrastructure, and develop a more diversified, technology-driven economy. He stressed the importance of building long-term cooperation encompassing joint investment, technology transfer, and vocational training.
For his part, Yrjö Serjala, Deputy Minister for International Trade at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and head of the delegation, affirmed in his speech that economic relations between his country and Kuwait are built on a solid foundation, pointing to significant potential to enhance and broaden cooperation between the two nations.
Serjala said Finland holds advantages in technology, innovation, education, and sustainable solutions, emphasizing that trust is a central pillar of its business approach, alongside reliability, transparency, long-term partnerships, and commitment fulfillment.
He added that cooperation between the two countries could expand in areas such as digital transformation, technology, energy, green transition, education, skills development, advanced industrial solutions, as well as defense, which has become increasingly important.
He noted that Kuwait’s ambitions for economic diversification and innovation open multiple avenues for cooperation with Finnish companies and institutions, hoping the meeting would strengthen ties between business communities and lead to tangible partnerships and investments.
In his speech, Juha Mustonen, Finnish Ambassador to Qatar and non-resident Ambassador to Kuwait, affirmed that positive relations between Kuwait and Finland are gaining momentum. He pointed out that both countries face common challenges as small nations in a region marked by security concerns.
Mustonen said Finland is distinguished by its advanced education system, leadership in technological innovation, clean environment, and tourist destinations, highlighting the potential for exchanging expertise between the two countries in several fields.
The Finnish delegation included representatives from various companies specializing in communications, technology, defense, civil protection, security, education, and investment.
