Latest news with #Tavio
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Finland eyes deeper trade ties with Malaysia, pushes for EU-Malaysia FTA
KUALA LUMPUR: Finland aims to deepen economic ties with Malaysia, focusing on the circular economy, smart and sustainable energy solutions, digitalisation, and semiconductors to boost trade and investment in the region. Its Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio said the country is keen to strengthen collaboration through both bilateral engagement and the long-awaited EU-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA). "We have good relations based on mutual respect and cooperation. Many of the sectors that Malaysia is growing in are also areas Finland has been working on. So, I know we have things to do together. "We also want the EU-Malaysia free trade negotiations to move forward and be concluded. "The current trade is not yet at a high level, so there is a lot of potential," he told Bernama during his official visit to Malaysia which began yesterday until May 23. Tavio said around 40 Finnish companies currently operate in Malaysia including major names like Nokia Corporation and Kone, which supplied elevators for the Merdeka 118 skyscraper. He hoped more Finnish companies will be interested in the Malaysian market and, likewise, Malaysian companies will explore opportunities in Finland. Besides, Tavio said Finland will be closely following the 46th Asean Summit under Malaysia's chairmanship as Finnish companies are well positioned to support Asean's green transition through their expertise in sustainable technologies. "With the Asean chairmanship 2025 theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', the focus is very timely and relevant. "Our companies have many sustainable solutions. So, I think that is something we can really work with as clean technologies become more popular," he said. During the official visit, Tavio is leading a prominent business delegation comprising representatives from over 20 Finnish companies and organisations, with scheduled stops in both the capital and Penang. He will engage with federal and state governments, local businesses and other key stakeholders, and attend a business seminar co-organised with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Meanwhile, Finland's Ambassador to Malaysia Anne Vasara said the delegation will travel to Penang – often referred to as the 'Silicon Valley of Malaysia' to explore its dynamic technology ecosystem and further strengthen ties with regional industry leaders. "The visit will include a business seminar and our companies will also engage in meetings with local firms, Penang authorities, and key stakeholders to explore ways to enhance cooperation," she said. The Finnish companies and organisations include those spanning key industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum and cloud computing, the Internet of Things, decarbonisation, green construction and waste management. – Bernama
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Finnish trade minister to lead business delegation to Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Finland's Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio will undertake an official visit to Malaysia from May 21 to 23 as he leads a prominent business delegation to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The Embassy of Finland in Kuala Lumpur said in a statement that the visit, which includes stops in the capital and Penang, underscored Finland's commitment to advancing sustainable innovation and fostering long-term economic ties with Malaysia, particularly in the rapidly evolving technology and green economy sectors. During the visit, Tavio will engage with the Federal and state governments, local businesses and other key stakeholders, as well as attend a business seminar co-organised with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). In Penang, often referred to as the 'Silicon Valley of Malaysia', Tavio and his delegation will explore its dynamic technology ecosystem and further strengthen ties with regional industry leaders. His delegation includes representatives from over 20 Finnish companies and organisations spanning key industries such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, quantum and cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), energy and electric vehicles (EV), decarbonisation, green construction and waste management. – Bernama
Maroc
29-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, Finland to Enhance Economic & Trade Ties
Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, met with Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, in Rabat on Monday to discuss enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries. During these discussions, the officials explored opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the areas of digital connectivity, industry, logistics, and ecological transition and renewable energy. On this occasion, Tavio, accompanied by a delegation of companies, told the press that several promising sectors had been identified, including the construction of 5G networks. He also praised the cooperation in port logistics, calling it "an area of excellence in Finland." Tavio further reaffirmed the need to strengthen cooperation and trade exchanges between Morocco, Finland, and the European Union, particularly amid the current global geopolitical situation. For his part, Mezzour emphasized the importance of developing the economic and trade partnership between the two countries, particularly through support for Moroccan and Finnish businesses. He highlighted the shared will to further integrate Moroccan companies into development projects in Africa, adding that this cooperation is part of the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco's Trade minister also noted that this cooperation should open new investment and growth opportunities for both Morocco and Finland, while contributing to the prosperity of the concerned populations. In a similar statement, the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, who attended the meeting, pointed out the importance of developing a new framework for Morocco's foreign trade policy, targeting new European markets while maintaining traditional partnerships. "The Finnish market is an important one with which we are achieving significant figures," he said, noting that the discussions covered the opportunities offered by these markets and the measures to be put in place to better exploit them in the future. The Finnish delegation, consisting of representatives from companies specializing in digital technologies and renewable energy, will undertake a three-day visit, which will include, in addition to Rabat, stops in Casablanca and Tangier. This diplomatic and commercial mission reflects the growing interest of European countries in Morocco's economic potential, particularly within the framework of the European Union's strategy to diversify its supply chains and strengthen its partnerships with Mediterranean neighboring countries. MAP: 28 avril 2025
Ya Biladi
28-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Finnish Minister Ville Tavio visits Morocco to strengthen trade and economic ties
Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tapani Tavio, is visiting Morocco from April 28 to 30, 2025, accompanied by a delegation of business leaders. During his visit, Minister Tavio is scheduled to meet with several senior officials in Rabat. He will hold talks with Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Ghita Mezzour, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali, and Minister of Economy and Finance Fouzi Lekjaa. The discussions will focus on strengthening trade and economic ties between Finland and Morocco. Following a series of meetings in Rabat, Minister Tavio and the Finnish business delegation will continue their visit to Casablanca. The agenda also includes initiatives to promote exports, and Tavio will visit the city of Tangier, home to the largest container port on the African Atlantic coast, where several leading Finnish companies in the ports and logistics sectors are active. «Morocco represents a promising market for Finnish companies and serves as a strategic gateway to Africa», Minister Tavio said. He added, «With the Kingdom preparing to host the 2030 World Cup finals alongside Spain and Portugal, there are numerous infrastructure projects underway where Finnish companies can offer world-class solutions».
Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Finnish Trade Minister Heads to Morocco with Business Delegation
Rabat — Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio is making an official visit to Morocco from April 28-30, 2025, to explore investment opportunities in the North African country. The delegation will include companies, aiming to boost Finnish exports and strengthen economic ties between the two countries. During his stay in Morocco's capital, Tavio plans to meet with several high-ranking government officials. On the agenda, the Finnish minister has scheduled talks with Morocco's Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour, Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, Digital Transition Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali, and Budget Minister Faouzi Lekjaa. The talks will tackle opportunities to develop bilateral and commercial ties between the two countries, with the goal of building new strategic partnerships. Following Rabat, the delegation will visit Casablanca, where Tavio and Finnish business representatives will participate in several economic promotional meetings. A keypoint of the mission includes a Finland-Morocco economic forum, which will be organized in collaboration with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) to explore new investment and business opportunities. The minister's program also includes a strategic visit to Tanger Med port, Africa's main Atlantic seaboard shipping hub. This stop will exhibit the active involvement of several Finnish companies in the port and logistics sectors. Tavio recalled Morocco's significance for Finnish businesses, saying, 'Morocco is a particularly interesting market for our companies,' especially for its strategic location in North Africa, serving as a gateway to Africa. Read also: Autonomy Plan: Finland's Support Bolsters Pro-Morocco Momentum Within EU Speaking of potential opportunities for investment in the country, the Finnish minister mentioned that Morocco is on its way in developing infrastructure projects to meet international standards in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal. 'Finnish companies can offer excellent solutions,' he said. The delegation, coordinated by Business Finland, brings together several leading economic players. Among the companies represented are AMG Technologies, Confoot, Ecosir Group, Kalmar, Metso, Nokia, Vaisala, Wirepas, and Wärtsilä. These firms operate in various sectors ranging from industrial technologies to logistics, energy transition, and digital transformation. They hope to seize the many opportunities offered by Morocco's economic dynamism. In February of this year, both countries showed willingness to boost business collaboration in key sectors such as water, health, and digitalization. Stakeholders convened in 'Doing Business with Finland' seminar in Casablanca with the aim of nurturing business partnerships and knowledge exchange between Morocco and Finland. Through this high-level visit, Finland confirms its growing interest in Morocco and Africa, with a vision of mutually beneficial exchanges and new horizons for cooperation. Tags: businesseconomyFinlandMorocco
