Arab Staes and Their Business Opportunities in 2025 and Beyond

Join us for an exclusive business event uniting Finnish Ambassadors in the Arab States, leading companies, and industry experts to explore emerging opportunities across the region.

The Arab States offer a diverse range of business opportunities, driven by their strategic location, rich natural resources, youthful population, and ongoing efforts to diversify their economies beyond oil. These factors create significant potential for Finnish businesses across a variety of key sectors.

The Finnish Ambassadors present at the event: Mr Pekka Hyvönen (Algeria), Ms Riikka Eela (Egypt), Ms Anu Saarela (Iraq), Ms Marjaana Sall (Morocco), Mr Pekka Voutilainen (Qatar), Ms Anu-Eerika Viljanen (Saudi-Arabia), Mr Teemu Sepponen (Tunisia) and Ms Tuula Yrjölä (United Arab Emirates).

The event is co-organized by the Finnish Arab Business Association, Business Finland, Enterprise Europe Network and the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce.

Time
20th August 2025 at 14.00–17.30
Venue
Katajanokan Kasino, Laivastokatu 1, 00160 Helsinki and online

Registration
The event is free of charge. Registration is needed at latest on the 18^th of August 2025.

Program

14.00  Coffee and Networking 

14.30 Opening of the Event
Mr Jouni Maaranto, Chair, Finnish Arab Business Association

14.35 Company Case: Vaisala
Mr James Gardiner, Salers Manager MEA, Vaisala

14.50 Panel Discussion with the Ambassadors: Rich Gulf Region with High Purchasing Power
Iraq, Qatar, Saudi-Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Moderated by Mr Jorge Fernández Gates, Senior Advisor, Middle East, Business Finland

15.10 Company Case: Valio
Mr Olli Osara, Vice President, Food Solution Sales, Valio

15.25 Panel Discussion with the Ambassadors: North Africa as a Neighboring Region of the European Union
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia
Moderated by Mr Jorge Fernández Gates, Senior Advisor, Middle East, Business Finland

15.45 Company Case: Honkajoki Oy
Mr Janne Lukkarinen, CEO, Honkajoki Oy

16.00  Q & A

16.15 Closing Remarks and Networking
Mr Jouni Maaranto, Chair, Finnish Arab Business Association

17.30 End of the Event

Welcome!

Picture: Pixabay