Arab States and Their Business Opportunities in 2025 and Beyond, 20.8.2025
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: Ms Riikka Eela (Egypt), Mr Pekka Hyvönen (Algeria), Ms Anu Saarela (Iraq), Ms Marjaana Sall (Morocco), Mr Teemu Sepponen (Tunisia), Ms Anu-Eerika Viljanen (Saudi-Arabia), Mr Pekka Voutilainen (Qatar), 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.
The event is free of charge. Registration is needed at latest on the 18th of August 2025 HERE.
Welcome!
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 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 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 Remarksand Networking
Mr Jouni Maaranto, Chair, Finnish Arab Business Association
17.30 End of the Event
Please cancel your registration in case you cannot participate in the event.
Changes may apply.
Further details
Johanna Niemistö
09 2286 0238
johanna.niemisto@helsinki.chamber.fi
