With the two-way trade expected to reach Dh5 billion in 2008, the UAE is Finland's most important trade partner outside of the European Union, according to Paavo Vayrynen, Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development.
Vayrynen said in Finland that his country is keen to bolster the already strong ties with the UAE.
"As of now, I can say that our relations with the UAE are witnessing a qualitative leap. Being a major centre for re-export of Finnish products, the UAE is undoubtedly our largest trade partner in the Middle East and also the most important partner outside the European Union," he said.
In view of current exchange of visits between officials of both countries, UAE-Finnish ties are set to grow at a greater pace, he said, adding that several ministers from Finland visited the UAE recently.
The Minister expressed his wish to see more UAE investments in Finland.
He said: "There are more than 40 Finnish companies in the UAE, operating in diverse areas such as construction, communications, etc. It is our hope that UAE investors would take up opportunities offered by Finland in the areas of advanced technologies, telecommunication and clean energy technologies."
As a leader in clean energy technologies, he said, Finland is looking forward to co-operating closely with Masdar Initiative, an innovative Abu Dhabi project to invest in alternative and clean energy.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
