Latest news with #KimmoLahdevirta
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Gujarat: Finland Ambassador Kimmo Lahdevirta visits Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to greet him
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 10 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was paid a courtesy call by Finnish Ambassador to India Kimmo Lahdevirta in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. According to a release, in order to boost Gujarati industry-investors in Finland and to accelerate efforts for education, sustainability, and development between Finland and India, Gujarat, a Finnish Consulate Office has been made operational in Ahmedabad, and Kulin Lalbhai has been appointed as the Honorary Consulate. The Finnish Ambassador has visited Gujarat with his delegation in this context and held a congratulatory meeting with the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed Gujarat's eagerness to learn about the achievements made by Finland in the Happiness Index and School Education and to study the Finnish school system operating in Finland. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi, Gujarat is today a leader in the education and startup sector. The government cooperates with startups to make them self-reliant by providing funding and market support. He expressed interest in startup cooperation between Gujarat and Finland so that the state's startups can benefit from the expertise that Finland has in the fields of skilling and education to scale up. The Finnish Ambassador also appreciated the ecosystem that Gujarat has created in renewable energy, green transition and infrastructure. He said that about 10 Finnish companies are operating in Gujarat, and other companies have expressed interest in investment and business. Terming his visit to Gujarat as historic, he said that with the opening of the Finnish Consulate Office in Ahmedabad, a new chapter has been added to the relations between Gujarat and Finland. During this meeting, fruitful discussions were held between Gujarat and Finland towards moving forward with mutual cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, skilling, startup cooperation and education. Chief Minister Patel expressed his expectation that Finland can also move forward in energy storage in addition to green energy, renewable energy. In this meeting, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister M K Das, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Mamta Verma, Industries Commissioner, P. Swaroop and other dignitaries were present. (ANI)
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India, Finland have very good relationship, concentrating on developing good sides on ties: Finland envoy
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 9 (ANI): Lauding ties between Finland and India, Finland's Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta, said on Monday that the two nations share a 'very good relationship' and are focused on developing the good sides of the ties. Speaking to ANI, he said, 'We have a very good relationship. Last Year, we celebrated already 75 years of diplomatic relations. We don't have any problems and we are concentrating on developing the good sides on the relationship, which I do feel mutually beneficial in many ways.' His remarks came as the Honorary Consulate of Finland was inaugurated in Ahmedabad on Monday. Kulin Lalbhai, a business leader based in Gujarat, has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Finland in Ahmedabad. On cooperation between India and Finland, Lahdevirta said, 'We have certain let's say niche areas in Finland like telecommunications, also sustainability energy transition where we do have considerable expertise and I think there the potential for corporation is very good also. Finland is not only four its innovation and education for examples and they do have cooperation regarding start four examples and also between between educational institution I think they are very promising field as well.' He condemned terrorism and said that nations have right and duty to protect their citizens. On India's fight against terrorism, he said, 'Finland condemns terrorism, and I think we agree that all the countries have the right and duty to protect its citizens.' He emphasised that India can make good progress in the technology sector and spoke about how leading Finnish firms like Nokia operate here in India. On cooperation between India and Finland in the technology sector, he stated, 'Thats another area where I think India can make great progress and where we see very good potential. We have of course leading companies like Nokia already operating here in India not just manufacturing but also in research and development and the universities and other institutions are really the cutting edge. So, there is a very good potential for cooperation.' Vice Chairman of Arvind Limited, Kulin Lalbhai, who has been appointed as Finland's Consul General in Ahmedabad, stated that the opening of an honorary consulate will increase Finland's presence in Gujarat. Speaking to ANI, he said, 'I think the opening of an honorary consulate will definitely increase Finland's presence in Gujarat. Finland has identified that Gujarat and its economy are very important, and by opening this consulate, we will increase our connections. As an honorary consul for Gujarat, my focus will be on how to bring Finland and Gujarati companies together, how we will build partnerships. Similarly, how to bring our educational institutions together, how to increase R&D, and how to bring startups together and create more innovation. We will focus on how to increase this people-to-people exchange and how to benefit both economies.' He also talked about how they will work on increasing collaboration between universities of Ahmedabad and Finland. He said, 'We can work on how we can increase the collaboration between universities of two sides. How we can create joint R&D between their universities and universities of Ahmedabad, how we can increase student exchange, joint programme between universities of two to increase skilling, which is a focus in Finland. So, these are the areas where we can focus in education sector.' He expressed hope that the increase in exchange will have more presence, partnerships and there will be collaboration between the two sides in sustainability, innovation, circular economy, clean energy, AI and robotics. Kulin Lalbhai said, 'Over 10 Finnish companies operate in Gujarat, more than 20 companies are in Finland. We hope that the increase in exchange will have more presence, partnerships and the areas of innovation, sustainability, circular economy, clean energy, AI, robotics, in all these areas where Finland is very strong, we should increase collaboration in the areas and it will be beneficial for both sides will be focus.' In a Finnish Embassy in India press release on June 6, Kimmo Lahdevirta stated, 'This is an important moment for Finland-India relations.' He further stated, 'Gujarat's leadership in industrial development, sustainability, and digital innovation makes it a natural partner for Finland. The opening of the new Honorary Consulate reflects our commitment to deepening regional collaboration in India.' (ANI)
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Good chance that India and EU will finalise trade deal by year-end: Finnish ambassador
Finland's Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta , expressed confidence on Monday about finalising a much-awaited trade deal between India and the European Union (EU) by year-end. The ambassador inaugurated the honorary consulate of Finland in Ahmedabad. Kulin Lalbhai, a prominent businessman from Gujarat and Vice Chairman of Arvind Ltd , has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Finland. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I lost my wife, now my son is in danger, please help him! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The Finnish ambassador termed as "historic" the visit of the European Union College of Commissioners to India in February, stressing for a solution agreeable to both parties. "It was a really historic visit, and I think it also created very good momentum for the negotiations to go ahead. I think both leaders on the European side and India are now committed to the goal of having an agreement by the end of this year," he told reporters. Live Events Admitting that a lot of work needs to be done, Lahdevirta emphasised there is a good chance to achieve this goal. "At the moment, I would say that the momentum and the prospects are very good," he added. Lahdevirta said the overall annual trade between India and Finland is nearly 3 billion Euros. When asked about Finland's views on the outcome of the trade deal, he stressed "meaningful" tariffs on industrial goods. "Well, from our side, of course, a meaningful tariff level for industrial goods is very important. But it is of course important to reach a solution which both sides feel is just and beneficial. So, finding the balance is the key. But I don't want to go into more specifics here. It's up for the European Commission (to decide)," he said. He said a Finnish business delegation led by him will meet the representatives of the Gujarat government on Tuesday, and added that several Finnish companies are interested in investing. He said the honorary consulate reflects the deepening partnership between India and Finland and growing business interest. "Nearly 10 Finnish companies are already present in Gujarat. Our cooperation has focused on energy, but today, Finnish companies are engaged across multiple sectors: clean energy, circular economy, skilling, smart infrastructure, and sustainable design. Gujarat offers an ideal environment for these collaborations to flourish," the ambassador said. He said Finnish companies are contributing to Gujarat's growth and development goals through world-class technologies, sustainable solutions, and investments.
India Gazette
02-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Finland to open new Honorary Consulate in Gujarat to boost ties in innovation, education, and sustainability
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 2 (ANI): The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi has announced the opening of a new Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, scheduled for June 9, 2025. The move marks a significant milestone in Finland-India relations and highlights Finland's growing commitment to strengthening ties with India, particularly in Gujarat. The new Honorary Consulate will focus on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as digitalization, education, sustainability, and innovation. Prominent Gujarat-based business leader Kulin Lalbhai has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Finland. In his new role, he is expected to play a vital part in boosting economic collaboration and fostering close bilateral relations between Finland and the state of Gujarat. To formally inaugurate the consulate, Finland's Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta, will visit Gujarat next week. The Ambassador will be joined by a high-level business delegation and will hold meetings with government officials, industry leaders, corporate executives, and members of the academic community. 'This is an important moment for Finland-India relations,' said Ambassador Lahdevirta. 'Gujarat's leadership in industrial development, sustainability, and digital innovation makes it a natural partner for Finland. The opening of the new Honorary Consulate reflects our commitment to deepening regional collaboration in India.' Expressing his enthusiasm on the appointment, Honorary Consul Kulin Lalbhai said, 'I'm excited to take on this role at a time when there is so much potential for meaningful collaboration between Finland and Gujarat. Both regions share a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and education, and I look forward to helping accelerate our joint efforts in these areas.' The establishment of the Honorary Consulate is expected to provide a further boost to Finland's diplomatic and economic presence in western India. Finland and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations. In recent years, bilateral relations have acquired diversity with collaboration in research, innovation, and investments by both sides. (ANI)
