Finnpartnership at the Team Finland Day 2023

The Team Finland Day 2023, themed ‘Opportunities in a Turbulent World,’ provided an exceptional platform for Finnish public organisations to converge under one roof. This annual event, that took place on 24 August, aimed to facilitate meaningful interactions between these organisations and the private sector, offering a unique opportunity for businesses to explore avenues for success on the global stage. Among the over 850 participants, Finnpartnership stood out as a key player in empowering Finnish businesses to expand their horizons abroad.

The Finnpartnership booth was abuzz with activity throughout the day. Manned by Programme Director Birgit Nevala and Programme Officer Elsa Nyman, the booth served as a focal point for companies eager to learn more about the services Finnpartnership provides and how they can leverage them. Notably, the booth also became a rendezvous for Finnpartnership’s existing customers, offering them a chance to meet with the team and engage in discussions about ongoing projects and potential expansions into developing markets.

Additionally, Julian Blom, Global Gateway Project Lead at Finnpartnership, participated in one of the panel discussions focusing on the business and investment opportunities supported by the EU in developing markets. He provided insights particularly on Finnpartnership’s Global Gateway campaign and how it can support Finnish companies’ in taking part in projects and investments supported by the EU. Programme Director Birgit Nevala also took part in one of the key panels of the day, a discussion focusing on Ukraine. She shared about the ongoing projects of Finnish companies in Ukraine that Finnpartnership has supported.

A new inclusion at this year’s Team Finland Day was the presence of Regional Coordinators from Finnpartnership. Their participation bolstered engagement with both existing and prospective clients throughout the event. Regional Coordinator for Asia, Tam Nguyen, and Regional Coordinator for Africa, Elizabeth Okunda, made their mark during the “speed dating” sessions, engaging in over 20 meetings each. Elizabeth, stationed at the table representing Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Seychelles and Eritrea, was accompanied by Business Finland Senior Advisor Susan Kaparo and Finland’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Pirkka Tapiola. Meanwhile, Tam’s speed dating table covered Vietnam and Laos, accompanied by Ambassador of Finland to Vietnam and Laos, H.E. Keijo Norvanto and Business Counsellor of Business Finland to Vietnam, Trung Nguyen.

Despite the brevity of each speed dating session, these interactions provided a unique platform for face-to-face meetings with companies. They allowed for precise discussions on the specific support needed from Team Finland members. One of the striking aspects of the event was the sheer enthusiasm exhibited by companies aiming to initiate or expand operations in developing countries. Hearing about the milestones achieved by companies that had received support from Finnpartnership was both inspiring and enlightening. Many of these companies were eager to identify potential local partners to facilitate the successful implementation of their projects, a task that Finnpartnership is actively aiding through its partner identification and Matchmaking service.