A high-level meeting at Pakistan’s National Assembly highlighted Finnish interest in mining and technology. Stakeholders advanced plans for a multi-sector trade delegation to Finland despite diplomatic and institutional challenges.
Finland’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Hannu Ripatti offered key insights on Finland’s trade framework and institutional landscape. He emphasized that while Finland does not sign bilateral trade agreements independently as it follows the European Union’s common trade policy Pakistani businesses with well-structured proposals can receive support through Finnish chambers and relevant institutions.
“Finland is part of the European Union, so we follow the EU’s common trade policy,” Ripatti said. “We don’t do bilateral trade agreements individually, but Finnish chambers of commerce and institutions are available to guide and support businesses with credible proposals. A concrete plan opens doors.”
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The meeting, chaired by MNA Sharmila Faruqi, brought together Members of Parliament, officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and top figures from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) including the Pakistan–Finland Business Council (PFBC) alongside both Pakistani and Finnish diplomats.
Recent months have seen Finnish companies stepping into Pakistan’s mining and energy sectors. In April 2025, Metso Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) to provide advanced mineral exploration and processing technologies.
Meanwhile, Wärtsilä, a Finnish energy company, signed an agreement to supply a 204 MW power plant for the Reko Diq mining project, supporting its massive infrastructure and sustainability goals.
These developments underline Finland’s growing interest in high-value, long-term investment opportunities in Pakistan.
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Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Finland stands at around $80 million, with $53 million in imports and $27 million in exports. However, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Sweden and Finland, Bilal Hayee, who joined the session online, emphasized that these numbers don’t tell the full story.
“Many Finnish products reach Pakistan via third countries like China, so they don’t appear in official bilateral trade figures,” Ambassador Hayee said. “Finland may be small in population, but it leads in innovation and high-tech manufacturing. We need to rethink how we engage Finnish companies more direct collaboration could greatly expand trade.”
Shahzad Sabir, Chairman of the Pakistan–Finland Business Council (PFBC), revealed that the Council plans to lead a multi-sectoral trade delegation to Finland with support from the Embassy of Pakistan in Stockholm, the Embassy of Finland in Islamabad, Finnish trade organizations, and the Finland Chamber of Commerce.
“Our goal is to move from goodwill to ground-level engagement,” Sabir said. “We’re focusing on sectors like IT, textiles, clean energy, and climate-friendly technologies.”
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However, Sabir also pointed to diplomatic and institutional hurdles. “Our embassy in Stockholm covers Finland, but only via an honorary consul, which limits diplomatic capacity. We’ve been advised to work directly with Finnish institutions.”
He added that PFBC, despite being formally registered in Finland, has faced delays due to an intellectual property rights issue regarding the use of its name. “This recognition issue has slowed progress in organizing delegation visits and building formal linkages with Finnish counterparts,” he noted.
In response, Irfan Ahmed, former Ambassador to Turkmenistan and now serving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), acknowledged the concern but emphasized a solution is within reach.
“Once a concrete proposal is submitted, a slight name adjustment could satisfy Finnish requirements and resolve the intellectual property matter,” Ahmed said. “There’s willingness on both sides to keep the process moving.”
Pervez Madraswala, Senior Vice Chairman of PFBC, emphasized the need for personal diplomacy and meaningful presence.
“We recommend a business delegation visit to Finland for face-to-face dialogue with their chambers and stakeholders,” he said. “A Pakistan-only exhibition in Finland would help showcase our products, strengthen B2B ties, and open new export pathways.”
He added that PFBC does not seek confrontation but access. “We’re looking for information, engagement, and fair representation from our counterparts.”
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Chairperson Sharmila Faruqi encouraged the business council to finalize a visit with a compelling agenda.
“We’re ready to support, but success depends on the strength of your proposals,” she said. “If the delegation comes prepared with solid business offerings, we will ensure the right people are engaged including chambers and Finnish institutions.”
Rizwan-ul-Haq, Deputy Secretary for Europe at the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted the government’s proactive support for private-sector engagement with Finland.
“A nine-member gloves association from Pakistan recently held successful B2B meetings in Finland,” he shared. “Events like Texpo have also welcomed Finnish delegations to Pakistan, showing momentum on both sides.”
Ambassador Ripatti noted that partnerships between Pakistani universities like NUST and Finnish educational institutions are a promising avenue.
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While acknowledging language barriers Finnish and Swedish are the primary languages in Finland he encouraged Pakistani stakeholders not to be deterred. “While our language is not widely known, our institutions are accessible. With support, smaller Finnish agencies can assist, though they may charge consultancy fees.”
With Finland’s interest in mining, technology, and sustainability aligning with Pakistan’s development priorities, and Pakistani businesses eager for deeper engagement, the outlook is promising.
