President of Republic of Finland delegation to the Islamic Republic of Iran accompanied by Finnish Sawmills

Published: 

01.12.2016 - 19:57

The president of the Republic of Finland, Mr Sauli Niinistö, visited The Islamic Republic of Iran between the 24th and 27th of October 2016,  together with Mr Mykkänen, the minister for foreign trade and development. The purpose of the visit was to discuss current issues in the international politics and developments in the Middle East. President Niinistö had the opportunity to meet the Supreme Leader of the Islamc Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Kahmenei and the president of the Islamic republic of Iran, Mr Rouhani. On the top of political issues, also bilateral trade was discussed.

The president’s official delegation was accompanied by a high-level business delegation, composed of world-class Finnish companies, representing a wide range of expertiese in the fields of, for example,  cleantech, energy efficiency, bioeconomy - including the forest industry sector, mining, ICT, construction and health. Headen by Minister Mykkänen, the company representatives met with several Iranian ministers and representatives of ministries as well as Iranian companies, headed by Minister Mykkänen.

The Joint Comprehensive  Plan of Action gives a solid foundation to re-establish the traditionally excellent relationships between the two countires. Finland and the Islamic Republic of Iran will celebrate their 85th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017 – when Finland celebrates its 100th anniversary. The two countries also have long traditions in bilateral trade – especially in the fields of pulp, paper and sawn softwood businesses.

Iran is an old trading partner of Finnish sawmills and used to be one of Finland’s major sawn softwood export countries. The Finnish Sawmills Association was represented in the president’s delegation and had the honour to participate the sectorial ministry visits as well as the President’s luncheon. Also, representatives of the Iranian softwood trade were met.

Iran has great traditions in the field of woodworking industries, especially in the door, window and interior- and exterior decoration sectors. The Finnish sawmills expertise is in producing high quality sawn softwood from sustainable and certified forests. Even though Finland has been one of the globally leading forest product producers for 150 years, the forest reserves are bigger than ever and the annual growth of the forests is on record level, above 100 million cubic meters per year. Thus, the Finns strongly believe that mutual benefits can be achieved from re-establishing the traditional softwood trade between Iran and Finland.

In order to support the development of the business between the Iranian softwood importers, traders and end-users, two “Wood from Finland” seminars are organised in Iran, one in Teheran and one in Sari, Mazandaran. The aim of the seminars is to introduce the Finnish sawmill industries to the Iranian softwood professionals. Finland is represented by 10 saw-milling companies, Wood from Finland Program and the Finnish Sawmills Association. A large number of the Iranian softwood trade and industry companies have registered to the seminars. On the top of presentations, also business-to-business meetings are organised.

Iran is now reforming its economy and developing economic and commercial relationships globally. Finnish sawmills can support this process in its sector by offering and excellent product from certified forests, expertise, know-how and technology to the Iranian colleagues.

 

Teheran,

31.10,2016

Kai Merivuori

Managing Director

Finnish Sawmills

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