Finnish expertise in education, IT and circular economy showcased in the Philippines

In the beginning of October, Asian Development Bank (ADB) organised its Business Opportunities Fair, a one-stop forum for companies and consultants to learn about ADB projects and how to bid for them. Finnpartnership and Education Finland invited Finnish companies and organisations to join the Fair, held in Manila in the Philippines.

A delegation of 12 Finnish organisations from the education, IT and circular economy sectors joined the visit. At the Fair, the participants received information on upcoming and ongoing projects, how to qualify for them and how the Development Bank manages procurement of goods and other contracts. The Fair brought together over 1000 participants from all over the globe, providing a good opportunity to meet with ADB officials and network with other internationally operating organisations.

On the same occasion, Finnpartnership, together with Education Finland, Embassy of Finland in Manila and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), hosted a Doing Business with Finland seminar in Manila on 8 October. The event highlighted the Finnish knowhow in the education, IT and circular economy sectors, with the Finnish organisations presenting their services and offering to local Filipino and international companies.

The seminar was opened by Saija Nurminen, Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines and ECCP President Paulo Duarte, both highlighting the unique attributes of Finnish and Filipino cultures and the versatile opportunities for collaboration.

Minnamari Marttila, Director of Administration and Deputy to the CEO at Finnfund, and Nikke Karjalainen, Grant Financing Manager at Finnpartnership, presented the work and services of Finnfund and Finnpartnership to the Filipino audience. Moreover, Jaakko Skantsi, Programme Director at Education Finland, and Outi Hakanen, Ambassador for Education, shared about the Finnish education sector, the knowhow and expertise Finnish organisations can offer internationally.

The Doing Business with Finland seminar also showcased the versatile market opportunities of the Philippines. Evariste Cagatan, Executive Director at the Board of Investments, Department of Trade and Industry, provided a deep dive into the Philippines’ investment landscape. Focusing on the key sectors, Jack Madrid, President and CEO of IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, shared about the IT sector opportunities while Crispian Lao, Vice Chairman of National Solid Waste Management Commission, gave an overview of the circular economy sector in the Philippines.

We would like to thank all the Finnish organisations for joining the visit in Manila and organising partners for the great collaboration!