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, Pirjo Soumela, has expressed her country's desire to strengthen trade relations with Nigeria. Speaking at a recent meeting with Nigerian business leaders, Soumela emphasized the importance of increasing bilateral trade between the two countries.

According to Soumela, Finland and Nigeria have a long history of cooperation, with Finland being one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Nigeria in 1962. However, despite this rich history, trade between the two countries has not reached its full potential.

"We believe that there is a lot of untapped potential in our trade relations," Soumela said. "We want to increase our trade volume and explore new areas of cooperation, such as technology, innovation, and sustainable development."

Soumela highlighted several areas where Finland and Nigeria could collaborate, including:

  1. Technology and innovation: Finland is known for its expertise in technology and innovation, and Nigeria has a growing tech industry. The two countries could collaborate on projects such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.
  2. Agriculture: Nigeria is a major agricultural producer, and Finland has expertise in agricultural technology and sustainable farming practices. The two countries could collaborate on projects such as agricultural research, processing, and marketing.
  3. Sustainable development: Both Finland and Nigeria are committed to sustainable development, and the two countries could collaborate on projects such as climate change mitigation, sustainable energy, and environmental protection.

To achieve these goals, Soumela called for increased dialogue and cooperation between Finnish and Nigerian businesses, as well as government agencies. She also emphasized the importance of building trust and understanding between the two countries.

"We need to work together to build a stronger and more sustainable partnership," Soumela said. "We believe that by working together, we can create new opportunities for growth and development in both our countries."

The Finnish Ambassador's call for improved trade relations with Nigeria comes at a time when the Nigerian economy is facing challenges, including a decline in oil prices and a rise in inflation. However, the country is also home to a growing middle class and a rapidly expanding economy, making it an attractive market for foreign investors.

Overall, the Finnish Ambassador's visit is seen as a significant step towards strengthening trade relations between Finland and Nigeria, and could lead to new opportunities for growth and development in both countries.