Record deals signed during PM´s China visit

A large number of trade and investment agreements and letters of intent have been signed during Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s recent visit to China.

The number of agreements signed this week is as high as 54, said a government press release.

“The visit is a culmination of high-level political discussions and preparations over several years. Our cooperation with China is based on good and extensive relations. We believe these agreements prepared within the Team Finland framework may bring several billion euros to Finland in the coming years through investments and commercial cooperation,” said Finland's Ambassador to China Marja Rislakki.

In hundreds of meetings held within the past few days, the business delegation comprising more than 60 people discussed possible concrete cooperation projects that could be launched on the basis of the joint declaration issued during President Xi’s visit to Finland in April.

Future cooperation opportunities were reviewed in, for example, the energy sector, clean-tech and digital solutions, and education. Finnish expertise in winter sports is also of interest to China, because it is preparing for the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022.

“This has been a very successful trade mission. Our hosts have expressed great and genuine interest in what the Finnish companies have to offer. The Chinese companies have also greatly valued the presence of Prime Minister Sipilä and his meetings with the president and prime minister of China,” said RistoSiilasmaa, Chair of Nokia's Board of Directors, who led the business delegation.

More than 300 people took part in the Finnish-Chinese Economic Forum arranged by Finpro in Beijing on 29 June.

“In addition to trade between our countries, investments are increasing too. China has become the number one country for Finnish private investors, and Chinese investors have found Finland, of which I am very pleased,” Sipilä said in his inaugural address to the forum.

In connection with the economic forum, a committee for innovative business cooperation between Finland and China met for the first time.