Latest news with #VilleTavio
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
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
Zawya
27-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio to lead trade mission to Morocco
In Morocco's capital Rabat, Minister Ville Tavio will meet Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali, and Minister of Economy and Finance Faouzi Lekjaa. The discussions will focus on bilateral and trade and economic relations between Finland and Morocco. From Rabat Minister Tavio and the Finnish business representatives will travel to Casablanca. The programme for the Minister's visit includes export promotion events, such as the Finland–Morocco Business Forum organised in cooperation with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM). The Minister will also visit the largest container port on Africa's Atlantic Coast in Tangier. Key Finnish port and logistics companies have operations there. 'Morocco is an interesting market for Finnish operators and a gateway to Africa. The country is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 with Spain and Portugal. This involves several infrastructure projects for which Finnish businesses have excellent solutions to offer,' Minister Tavio says. The delegation accompanying Minister Tavio on the visit was coordinated by Business Finland and consists of representatives from the following companies: AMG Technologies, Confoot, Ecosir Group, Kalmar, Metso, Nokia, Vaisala, Wirepas and Wärtsilä. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Zawya
31-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister Tavio to visit Zambia and attend Least Developed Countries (LDC) Future Forum
Finland, Zambia and the United Nations will organise the Least Developed Countries Future Forum (LDC Future Forum) in Lusaka on 1–3 April. The Forum will seek innovative solutions to enhance the resilience of LDCs. The Finnish delegation will be led by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. In addition to attending the Forum, Minister Tavio will have several bilateral meetings, including with the President of Zambia, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, and counterpart ministers. The third LDC Future Forum will address LDCs' resilience by exploring climate-smart agriculture, water management, renewable energy, circular economy and sustainable industrial processes. The Forum will bring together policy makers, researchers, and representatives of the UN, international organisations, the private sector, government and civil society. Minister Tavio will give an opening address at the Forum. "Focusing on the challenges and opportunities of LDCs, the Forum will provide an excellent platform for bringing together a range of stakeholders and presenting solutions Finland has to offer. LDC markets have demand for the products and services of selected Finnish businesses," says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. The Forum is one of the series of five LDC Future Forums organised by Finland and the UN. The UN partners include the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER). Minister Tavio's programme of bilateral meetings will focus on export promotion, aided by Finnish businesses operating in the circular economy, water industry, meteorology, forestry, and renewable energy. The programme will also include a school visit to learn about a school meal scheme, which Finland supports. Finland chairs the global School Meals' Coalition together with France and Brazil. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
