Finnish ambassador wants nigeria finland trade relations improved

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Finnish Ambassador Seeks Improved Trade Relations with Nigeria

The Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jyrki Juhani Pulkkinen, has expressed his country's desire to strengthen trade relations with Nigeria. In a recent meeting with the Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of increasing trade between the two countries.

Current Trade Relations

Currently, Finland and Nigeria have a relatively modest trade relationship, with Finland's exports to Nigeria valued at around €100 million (approximately N40 billion) in 2020. The Ambassador acknowledged that this figure is relatively low compared to other countries and emphasized the need to increase trade volumes.

Areas of Cooperation

The Ambassador identified several areas where Finland and Nigeria could cooperate to improve trade relations, including:

1. Agriculture: Finland is a leading producer of agricultural products, and Nigeria is a significant producer of agricultural commodities. The Ambassador suggested that the two countries could collaborate on agricultural trade, technology transfer, and capacity building.
2. Manufacturing: Finland is known for its expertise in manufacturing, particularly in the fields of forestry, paper, and pulp. Nigeria has a growing manufacturing sector, and the Ambassador saw opportunities for cooperation in areas such as textile production, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.
3. ICT: Finland is a leader in information and communication technology (ICT), and Nigeria has a growing ICT sector. The Ambassador suggested that the two countries could collaborate on ICT projects, including software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
4. Education: Finland is renowned for its high-quality education system, and Nigeria is seeking to improve its own education sector. The Ambassador proposed that the two countries could collaborate on education and training programs, including teacher training and capacity building.

Ambassador's Call to Action

The Finnish Ambassador called on Nigerian businesses and government agencies to take advantage of the opportunities for cooperation and to work together to improve trade relations between the two countries. He emphasized that Finland is committed to supporting Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs and is willing to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them succeed.

Overall, the Ambassador's visit and statements highlight the potential for improved trade relations between Finland and Nigeria, and the need for both countries to work together to achieve this goal.