Latin America and the Caribbean are becoming increasingly important partners for Finnish companies in sectors such as sustainable industries, energy, mining, digital infrastructure, forestry, and the circular economy. Driven by economic transformation, green transition investments, and growing international cooperation, the region offers strong potential for Finnish expertise, innovation, and technology.

We warmly invite you to join the second edition of the Latin America Business Forum, a high-level event bringing together Finnish ambassadors, business leaders, experts, institutions, and companies to discuss emerging trends and business opportunities across the region.

The program will explore key themes including data centers, circular economy, sustainability, forestry, education, and digital infrastructure, while also showcasing initiatives such as the Chile–Finland Platform and the Finlandia Circular Platform. Attendees will gain practical market insights, hear business cases and regional perspectives, and engage directly with Finnish diplomatic missions and companies operating in Latin America.

The event will conclude with networking and B2B meetings, creating opportunities to build connections, strengthen partnerships, and explore future collaboration across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event is co-organized by the Finnish-Latin American Business Council, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland, Enterprise Europe Network, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.

Time
31^st of August 2026 at 13.00 – 17:30
Venue
Haaga-Helia University Applied Sciences, Ratapihantie 13, Helsinki or online
Registration
The event is free of charge. Please, register at latest on the 25^th of August 2026 
Parking:
Please, use public transport if possible. Haaga-Helia is located right next to Pasila train station.
The nearest parking options are:

• Shopping center Tripla  
• Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (Messukeskus)   

There is a 5-minute parking area next to the main entrance of Haaga-Helia for dropping off and picking up guests.

Program 

12.30 – 13:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee

13.00 – 13:10
Opening remarks
Ms. Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta, President and CEO, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences

13.10 – 13:20  
Farewell to the Finnish Ambassadors of Chile and Argentina and Consul in Sao Paulo and introduction of their successors                 

13.20 – 13:30
Overview of Business Opportunities and Call to Action in Latin America
Ms. Heidi Virta, Head of Trade Latin America, Consulate of Finland in São Paulo, Brazil

13.30 – 14:00
Panel: Latin America’s Data Center Boom - Opportunities and Challenges· 

• Mr. Antti Kaski, Ambassador of Finland to Brazil·
• Mr. Ari Mäki, Ambassador of Finland to Mexico·      
  Ms. Johanna Kotkajärvi, Ambassador of Finland to Chile·      
• Moderated by Mr. Juan Pablo Romero, Senior Trade Advisor, Embassy of Finland in Mexico 

14.00 – 14:15
Chile-Finland Platform and call to action by VTT
What are the business opportunities for Finnish companies and to participate in the Finland-Chile platform?·   

• Mr. Andro Lindsay, Business Development Manager, VTT  

14:15 – 14:30
Presentation of “Doing business in Brazil”·

• Mr. Renato Pacheco and Ms. Juliana Meyer, Lawyers and Founding Partners, PNST 

14.30 – 15:10
Panel: A Multisector Approach to the Circular Economy featuring the Finlandia Circular Platform·      

• Mr. Lasse Keisalo, Ambassador of Finland to Peru·
• Ms. Eija Rotinen, Ambassador of Finland to Colombia·
• Mr. Pertti Ikonen, Roving Ambassador for the Caribbean
• Finnish company or institution (TBC)·    
• Moderated by Mr. Roberto Requejo, Senior Trade Advisor, Embassy of Finland in Lima, Peru  

15.10 – 15:20
Activities of the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in LAC region
Haaga-Helia’s cases in Latin America and how Haaga-Helia can support Finnish companies in their export efforts· 

• Mr. Klaus Lüttjohann, Head of Global Education, Haaga-Helia Applied Sciences· 
• Mr. Milton Aldrete, Sales Manager, Haaga-Helia Applied Sciences

15.20 – 15:50
South America's Forestry: The Next Big Investment Game Changer

• Ms. Nicola Lindertz, Ambassador of Finland to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay· 
• Finnish company representative (TBC)·
• Finnish company representative (TBC)·  
• Moderated by Mr. Tomas Pacheco, Senior Trade Advisor, Embassy of Finland in Santiago, Chile  

15.50 – 16:00
Closing Remarks · 

• Mr. Aleksis Kajava, Sales Director, Europe and Latin America, Vaisala and Vice Chair, Finnish-Latin Business Council

16.15 – 17:30
B2B meetings, Coffee – Networking & Education Export Project Showcase  

17.30
End of the event

WELCOME