Faisalabad can play important role in European market: Finland envoy
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FAISALABAD: (APP) Pakistan's share in two billion Euro textile imports of Finland is very negligible and Pakistan in general and Faisalabad in particular should play its role to increase its share in the well-developed European market, said Rauli Suikannen, ambassador of Finland in Pakistan.
Addressing the business community at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here on Monday, he said that Finland was a small country with total population of only 5.5 million. "Its 70 per cent area is covered with forests," he said and added that there are water bodies on 10 per cent area while only 20 per cent land is available for population and industrial activity.
He said that Finland has achieved excellence in technological development and Nokia is one example of its cutting-edge technologies.
He said that Finnish technologies are being used in American spaceships and auto-mobiles, manufactured by leading brands of Germany.
He quoted ups and downs in the economic development of Finland, saying that in one year period, exports of Finland recorded historic increase of 200 per cent.
He said that 300 Finnish companies are present throughout the globe. Many new companies have also been established, which are intending to invest in South Asian countries. "These are searching for serious partners," he said and added that their data was available on the internet. However, they want fine-tuned matchmaking to make these agreements a win-win situation for both countries.
He said that there were various sectors in which Finland had excelled and could help other countries to get benefits of these. He identified cellular technology, bio-energy and recycling industry in addition to many more and told that Finnish companies were offering technology and advisory services to various partners all-over the world.
Earlier, FCCI President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh welcomed the Finland ambassador and congratulated him on the 100th anniversary of his country.
He said that Faisalabad had the privilege to contribute 55 per cent towards the total textile exports of Pakistan, which were around 13 billion dollars.
He said that Pakistan's exports stood at $52.33 million while imports from Finland were around $90.72 million. Thus the balance of trade was in favour of Finland.
He said that Finland had unique opportunity to expand its exports to China, India and Central Asian countries through Pakistan.
Similarly, Pakistan could also have access to other European countries through Finland, he added.
