Ministry of Employment and the Economy of the Republic of Finland

05/25/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/25/2021 02:14

Minister Lintilä to discuss cooperation and recovery of trade after the coronavirus pandemic with China’s Minister of Commerce

Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will hold a video conference with the Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on 25 May 2021. They will discuss trade and investment between the countries, work of the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation and current changes in the business environment. The aim is to speed up cooperation between Finland and China in trade and the economy.

The Ministers will discuss, among other things, how to promote bilateral trade during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Wang became Minister of Commerce in December 2020, and this is his first ministerial discussion with Finland.

'The pandemic has caused challenges to trade between our countries. We must support the cooperation of our companies and be ready to exploit the potential offered by the commercial and economic cooperation after the pandemic,' says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

There are opportunities for cooperation between Finland and China related to low-carbon, circular economy and wellbeing technologies. China has stated its aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions starting at 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2060. In its new five-year plan, China emphasises the importance of innovations. This is an opportunity also for Finnish companies.

The China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation was established in 2017 by a joint declaration of Minister of Economic Affairs Lintilä and the Chinese Minister of Commerce. The business-led committee aims to promote joint commercial projects between Finland and China. The Ministers want to support an active dialogue between companies and help them find solutions to common challenges in order to boost trade and investment.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused changes in the business environment, including in the movement of people and goods, which has been restricted. The Ministers will exchange information and views on developing the business environment.

Inquiries:

Nina Alatalo, Adviser to the Minister (EU and international affairs), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7171
Mikko Puustinen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 714
Riikka Astala, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7057