Islamabad, Nov 12: Pakistan and Finland Strengthen Trade Relations, Eye New Sectors for Economic Collaboration. Pakistan and Finland are on the brink of a new era in their economic relationship following a fruitful discussion between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Hannu Ripatti, Finland’s Ambassador to Pakistan.
The ambassador engaged with Jam Kamal Khan at the Commerce Ministry to deliberate on methods to enhance trade connections and investigate unexplored areas for partnership, as indicated by a press release issued on Tuesday.
Minister Jam warmly welcomed Ambassador Ripatti and reiterated the Pakistani government’s dedication to bolstering economic relations with Finland. “I believe in strong cooperation with our counterparts to advance trade ties,” Jam asserted, stressing the necessity of pinpointing inactive sectors and mobilizing them for economic gain.
The minister outlined his vision of harnessing untapped resources and broadening outreach into sectors like education, information technology, textiles, healthcare, construction, and social development. He mentioned the potential for a government-level delegation from Finland to visit Pakistan, which could signify a pivotal moment for both nations, with hopes of solidifying agreements and enhancing investment opportunities.
A key topic of discussion was the launch of Pakistan’s National Compliance Council (NCC), aimed at ensuring local products adhere to international standards. Minister Jam Kamal indicated that the NCC would collaborate with both provincial and federal bodies to raise awareness about compliance, thus positioning Pakistani exports competitively in the global market. “The NCC will be instrumental in aligning our products with worldwide quality benchmarks,” Jam specified.
The presence of Finnish companies in Pakistan’s business sector has already yielded positive results, with firms like Nokia, Kone, and Qvantel Telecom collaborating with local businesses. Ambassador Ripatti commended the success of these enterprises and underscored their contributions to Pakistan’s education sector by offering technical training to university-level students. He remarked that this partnership not only bolsters Finland’s business interests but also strengthens Pakistan’s workforce by equipping students with skills relevant in the global arena.
The ambassador also recognized the capabilities of Pakistani engineers, labeling them as “assets of your country,” skilled in adapting to various conditions, and expressed the need for Pakistan to capitalize more on the global demand for proficient technicians.
In response, Jam Kamal highlighted Pakistan’s proficient yet cost-effective labor force, proposing that Finnish industries could further benefit from this human capital. He encouraged Finnish companies to view Pakistan’s “affordable, skilled professionals” as significant contributors to Finland’s economy.
Moreover, Ambassador Ripatti formally invited Minister Khan to participate in the forthcoming Finland-Pakistan Business Forum on February 12, 2025, in Karachi.This forum is anticipated to unite representatives from both nations to explore and promote collaborative business opportunities and investment possibilities. The conversations also identified specific areas of mutual interest, including education, information technology, textiles, healthcare, and construction, as potential fields for deeper collaboration.
Both parties expressed optimistic sentiments regarding the future, sharing a common vision of cultivating strong economic ties through these and other developing sectors.The meeting wrapped up with a shared commitment to intensifying economic engagement, positioning Pakistan and Finland to build upon their robust foundation for a more diverse and resilient partnership.
