Finland's Minister for Economic Affairs pays official visit to Vietnam

Finland's Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Jan Vapaavuori

Minister Vapaavuori's official delegation is joined by a business delegation of some 30 participants from Finland. The participating companies represent a wide range of different fields, among them ICT and cleantech solutions.

An important sub-group is formed by companies and other institutions active in the education field. The education group is looking forward to sharing their knowledge, experience and services with their Vietnamese counterparts in a field in which Finland is especially known to have a very strong record. Apart from education the visit will focus on topics related to the challenges of urbanisation and building smarter cities for the future.

The topic will be explored at a special seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on October 21. The seminar "Smart City Solutions from Finland" will offer the Vietnamese participants a chance to hear about Finland's smart solutions for challenges like city design, intelligent traffic arrangements and effective waste and water management, but also smarter administration and better living standards that have a direct link to better education.

Finland is looking to deepen and broaden its cooperation and trade relations with Vietnam. Through decades of development cooperation Vietnam and Finland have built a very strong foundation for their relationship, a foundation on which it is now time to build more and diversified layers with new partnerships. This includes increased cooperation in the fields of science, research, culture and education as well as stronger trade and economic ties.

In Hanoi Minister Vapaavuori and his delegations will meet several Ministers and ministry representatives. In addition, a bilateral air traffic agreement between Vietnam and Finland will be signed at the Ministry of Transport on October 20.

In Ho Chi Minh City Minister Vapaavuori will meet Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan and open the Smart City Solutions seminar.