Concrete partnerships urged for Finland, India trade growth

Speakers at a forum on Tuesday underscored the need for concrete commercial partnerships and stronger business cooperation to boost trade between Finland and India.

The City of Vantaa organized the event, “From Insight to Impact: Bridge to India,” in cooperation with Embassy of India in Finland and the Sisu Factory Global Growth Program at a city hotel.

Officials and representatives from business and economic development organizations sought effective measures to explore opportunities in trade, investment, technology, and market expansion.

Vantaa Mayor Pekka Timonen said that the city was committed to supporting international businesses by offering reliable connections, export services, investment support, and business networks.

He assured the participants that necessary support would be provided to help Finnish and Indian companies explore markets and develop partnerships across Finland, the Nordic region and Europe.

“This is the place where it’s very easy to build a business and grow, although it’s not only Finland but also Europe, Northern Europe. We provide good locations and reliable connections. And, my message is: we are here for you. That’s our job,” Timonen said.

He encouraged companies to make use of the city’s business services and networks to support their international expansion.

“We offer specific export services to companies looking out from here and investing services available for everyone,” he said.

Indian Ambassador to Finland Hemant H Kotalwar highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two countries at a time when global supply chains face uncertainty.

“When everybody is confused, when the supply chains are challenged, when you don’t know what is going to happen, I think this is where you need these connections between the like-minded partners where trust is very important,” Kotalwar said.

He said that the Vantaa initiative had reflected growing interest in strengthening business relations between India and Finland at the local level.

“I think this is where I see the City of Vantaa taking this initiative. And, this is the first time any city has come up with this,” said the ambassador, congratulating the mayor on taking the initiative.

Gitta Perez, commercial counsellor and head of trade and business promotion at the Embassy of Finland in India, said that the country’s economic development had offered opportunities for Finnish businesses across several sectors.

She encouraged companies to look beyond current market conditions and anticipate how consumer demand, infrastructure, and technology needs could evolve in the coming years.

Perez also highlighted the EU–India free trade agreement, which she said could improve opportunities for European exporters when it enters into force.

“The agreement is now in the European Union approval process and entry into force is expected next year,” she said.

She urged Finnish companies to prepare for market opportunities before the agreement takes effect.

She highlighted various sectors, including logistics, electrification, renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, construction, water and waste management, healthcare, sports, creative industries, and education, for business growth.

The Team Leader for South Asia at Finland’s foreign affairs ministry, Ville Anderson, highlighted the importance of the EU–India trade relationship in strengthening bilateral cooperation and creating new growth opportunities for Finnish companies in India.

The secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Anant Swarup, said that India’s economic development was creating opportunities for international companies.

He urged Finnish companies to identify business objectives and understand the Indian market before deciding how to establish a business presence.

“You need to get to the ground, understand the market, have a partner, develop relationships, and then you will be able to survive,” he said, adding that the federation of Indian chambers could help Finnish businesses identify potential Indian importers and connect with relevant partners.

A panel discussion, “From Market Potential to Market Access: Building the Finland–India Growth Corridor,” was also held where Rajiv Arora, founder and CEO of Sattva Projects Oy, Nakul Yadav, global relationship manager at ICICI Bank in Germany, Olli-Pekka Mäkirintala, head of invest and startup activities at the City of Vantaa and Anant Swarup attended.

The discussants focused on how Finnish companies can enter the Indian market, establish trusted business partnerships, and overcome financial and operational challenges.

They also discussed how Vantaa could support companies through business networks, funding connections, and international growth programs.

Finland and India have previously committed to multiple bilateral trade goals by 2030. The forum sought to strengthen the connections between businesses and support organizations that could help translate that ambition into practical cooperation.