H.E. Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, recently met with the Finnish Ambassador to the UAE, Ms. Rita Swan, at the Ministry's head office in Dubai to talk about ways to enhance bilateral relations at the financial and business levels. The two parties also supported the exchange of investments and more joint cooperation particularly in the areas of information and communications technology, innovation, development and research, and aviation. They invited the possibility of opening direct flights between the two nations to additional promote trade and tourism.

Ms. Swan handed H.E. Eng. Al Mansouri a letter of invitation from Finland's Minister of Economy motivating him to check out Finland and explore joint financial investment chances in between the two countries.

H.E. Eng. Al Mansouri stated that the UAE and Finland have delighted in unique bilateral relations, highlighting the desire of the state to enhance joint economic and trade ties particularly involving their particular countries' top priority sectors such as innovation and scientific research study and financial investments in the areas of education, health, and renewable energy.

The Minister mentioned that trade between the two nations has yet to take full advantage of existing potentials and capacities, exposing that the UAE's non-oil trade with Finland was at around USD 348.6 million in 2015, while the overall trade volume in the free zones stood at about USD 91.5 million during the same year. He included that the UAE is house to around four Finnish companies registered with the Ministry in addition to 18 trade firms and about 540 Finnish brand names. H.E. even more discussed that development is a high top priority in the nations' next stage of collaboration along with information and interactions, research, and technology sectors.

The Minister likewise invited the invitation from Finland for him to head an economic and trade delegation to observe the progress made by the nation in the areas of development and little and medium enterprises and explore broader areas of cooperation to further promote trade between the two countries

Ms. Swan confirmed the interest of her nation in boosting economic and trade cooperation with the UAE, pointing out that the UAE is a popular destination for Finnish tourists. She stated that around 20,000 Finnish tourists and business people visit the country yearly. Finland, on the other hand, is one of the most visited tourist locations amongst Emiratis. Ambassadress Swan added that there is strong interest among Finnish businessmen and investors to broaden in the UAE market and benefit from its appealing chances for business development.