Latin America Business Forum 2026, hybridi, 31.8.2026
Join to learn more about business opportunities in Latin America and network with the speakers and other participants.
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
31st 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 25th of August 2026 HERE.
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: https://malloftripla.fi/pysakointi
- Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (Messukeskus):
https://www.messukeskus.com/kavijalle/saapuminen/messuparkki/
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
16.00 – 17:30
B2B meetings, Coffee – Networking & Education Export Project Showcase
17.30
End of the event
WELCOME!
Please cancel your participation via the system you registered or to een@chamber.fi
Changes may apply.
Further details
Johanna Niemistö
09 228 601
een@helsinki.chamber.fi
