By NAMO PHIRI
About 10 Finnish companies are scheduled to visit Zambia ahead of the FinnBizWeek 2023 which would see the country’s business sector form partnerships with the Finland businesses.
Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Saana Halinen said the FinnBizWeek offers an opportunity for corporation between Zambian businesses and their Finnish counterparts.
Ms Halinen said the event is meant to improve Finland-Zambia business and trade relations as well as enhance private sector partnerships for the two countries. “The embassy of Finland organises these events together with the Accelerated Growth for SMEs in order to find opportunities for the SMEs in Zambia to form these partnerships in order to help the businesses grow,” said Ms Halinen
Ms Halinen added that one essential part of the FinnBizWeek is the Finn partnership which is a business partnership instrument funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland where presentations and discussions will be held to discuss how to do business with Finland.
And AGS Chief Technical Advisor Gareth Evans said AGS had so far supported and trained over 400 businesses in the country and aims to do more.
Mr Gareth said the AGS program had been successful in Zambia because it does not only support training but goes further to ensure that the businesses get support even beyond training.
And AGS Business Partnership Expert Anna Erkkila said the FinnBizWeek would also have programs such as business to business and business to government meetings facilitated by a local consultant and the embassy of Finland.
Ms Erkkila added that the event offers opportunities for sharing information on current and most relevant business opportunities for Finland-Zambia cooperation.