A BUSINESS delegation comprising of 20 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Finland are currently in Zambia to explore the country’s market ranging from agribusiness to renewable energy sectors.
Companies from sectors such as information communication technology (ICT), construction, agribusiness, renewable energy and education are part of the delegation.
The SMEs will be participating in a comprehensive programme that takes off today and will bring together companies from the two countries.
The new Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, believed that there were many opportunities for long-term business partnerships between the two countries.
Ambassador Suomela-Chowdhury said the Finnish Embassy would help companies understand the Zambian market, as well as providing support and business advice to Zambian companies.
“We are moving to the right direction with our Zambian partners. It looks like joint efforts by the Finnish and Zambian governments to strengthen trade relations are bearing fruit.
“I am delighted to see that so many Finnish companies are interested in collaborating with Zambia. They have plenty of expertise and innovative technological solutions to offer, and can contribute to sustainable economic development in Zambia,” he said.
Finland and Zambia, he said, shared a long history of cooperation, and that the embassy was keen to build on that foundation, in the form of enhanced trade and business relations.
“The visiting Finnish businesses, apart from their programme in Lusaka, will also take part at the Nordic Pavilion on 11-13 April in the Agritech Expo in Chisamba, where several Finnish firms participated last year,” he said.