Mr Gerald Thomson
Australian Ambassador to Finland
Australian Ambassador welcomes launch of Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce in Finland
The Australian Ambassador to Finland this week welcomed the launch of the Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce in Finland. He also invited more Finnish businesses to consider taking advantage of Australia’s low-risk corporate environment and strong connections to Asia.
“Australia’s diverse economy is set for continued expansion, with the fastest growth of any advanced economy,” said the Australian Ambassador to Finland, Mr Gerald Thomson. All this, he says, creates opportunities for Finnish businesses.
“I look forward to working with the Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce to promote deeper ties between Australia and Finland,” he said.
FACC’s newly elected and inaugural chairman, Riku Laanti, says the chamber aims to encourage trade opportunities and strengthen links between the two countries. Currently 50 to 60 subsidiaries of Finnish companies operate in Australia. In addition, more than 50 Finnish companies employ Australian agents and distributors.
The founding meeting of the FACC in Finland at Suomalainen klubi on 30 January 2014
Mr Thomson believes the mining sector is one example of where bilateral trade and investment benefits both countries. Here, he says, Finland and Australia have complementary strengths: “Australian companies like Altona Mining and Dragon Mining are making significant investments in the Finnish mining industry. While Australia is an important market for Finnish mining equipment technology companies like Outotec and Metso. I can see similar potential in other sectors, including the digital, agribusiness and medical research sectors.’’
Chief Executive of International Chamber of Commerce in Finland, Timo Vuori, stated, “FACC is an excellent initiative to strengthen Finnish business relations with these ‘unknown’ markets of Australia and New Zealand.”
Hopes for more mining ventures between Australia and Finland
FACC member Dr Alistair Cowden, Managing Director of Altona Mining which has been operating in Finland for almost ten years, hopes FACC can help create opportunities for more mining ventures between Australian and Finnish businesses. “Finland has a world-leading fiscal environment, a supportive local and national government matched with great mining skills and a strong mining heritage. It is a pleasure doing business here.”
Altona Mining board members
(left to right)
Steve Scudamore, Peter Ingram, Kevin Maloney (Chair), Alistair Cowden (Managing Director) and Paul Hallam
at the Kylylahti mine in February 2014
FACC membership currently includes representatives from Australian and Finnish government entities, Australian and Finnish businesses, research organisations, universities and associations. “We hope to attract many more people who are interested in trade, research, service and investment opportunities between both countries,” said Mr Laanti. “We want to connect these people and help to set up commercial opportunities between Finnish and Australian organisations.”
Riku Laanti, FACC inaugural chairman and Managing Director of RLC International Management Oy based in Helsinki
Mr Laanti, managing director of RLC International Management Oy based in Helsinki, invites anyone in the Finnish-Australian business community and the Australian community in Finland to join FACC. He also hopes people interested in trade with New Zealand will also join.
The organisation’s name reflects its sister organisation in Australia which has been operating in Australia since 2002.
Anyone interested in joining FACC can contact FACC board member Paula Vasama by calling +358 (0)45 2330 996 or emailing finland@finland.com.au.