Chamber of Commerce: Kuwait-Finland Goods Trade Exchanged Saw 27.5% Growth in 2024 - Sarmad
The Assistant General Manager of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Firas Al-Awda, affirmed the depth of relations between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Finland, as well as the growing opportunities for economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, based on their stable ties and shared interest in strengthening long-term partnerships.
Al-Awda, in his remarks during the Chamber’s reception of a Finnish economic delegation, stated 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 noted 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 between Kuwait and Finland recording an annual growth of 27.5 percent in 2024. This demonstrates expandable commercial interest, and the next phase requires transforming this into a sustainable trajectory through diversifying traded products, involving more companies, and enhancing market access opportunities in both countries.
He emphasized that the Finnish delegation’s visit represents a practical starting point for enhancing cooperation, highlighting that Finnish companies possess advanced expertise in cybersecurity, communications, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced engineering.
Al-Awda explained that this expertise is of great significance to Kuwait amid its efforts to strengthen economic security, modernize 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, Jarno Sirjala, 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, noting significant potential to enhance and broaden cooperation between the two nations.
Sirjala stated that 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 fulfillment of commitments.
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 the defense sector, 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, expressing hope that the meeting would strengthen ties between the business communities and lead to tangible partnerships and investments.
For his part, Yrjö Mustonen, Finnish Ambassador to Qatar and Non-Resident Ambassador to Kuwait, stated in his remarks that positive relations between Kuwait and Finland are gaining momentum. He pointed out that both countries face common challenges as small states in a regional environment marked by security concerns.
Mustonen said that 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 several companies specializing in communications, technology, defense, civil protection, security, education, and investment.
