Kuwait, Finland to expand trade, investment

At the start of the meeting, KCCI Assistant Director-General Firas Al- Ouda emphasized that geopolitical developments directly affect governments and business sectors, particularly investment decisions, supply chain management, and the selection of partners and markets. Consequently, diverse and reliable economic relations have become strategic assets for both nations and their companies. Al-Ouda stated that Kuwait and Finland share stable relations and a mutual commitment to dialogue and long-term development, providing a solid foundation for building a broader economic partnership. He noted that recent trade data refl ects positive momentum in economic ties, with total bilateral trade in goods recording annual growth of approximately 27.5 percent in 2024.

Al-Ouda explained that the signifi- cance of this growth lies not only in the rate of increase but also in what it reveals about existing interest and opportunities for further expansion. The next phase requires transforming this momentum into a sustainable trajectory by diversifying traded products and services, broadening the base of participating companies, and improving business access to available markets and opportunities in both countries. The composition of the Finnish delegation provides a practical starting point in this direction, particularly given the advanced expertise of Finnish companies in cybersecurity, secure communications, critical infrastructure protection, advanced engineering, and specialized industrial solutions.

Al-Ouda expressed hope that the meeting would yield clear, practical opportunities and concrete steps to build upon in the coming period. Meanwhile, Jarno Syrjälä, Finland’s Deputy Minister and Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, emphasized the importance of the visit in fostering direct engagement between the Finnish and Kuwaiti business communities. He noted that successful economic relations are built not merely on commercial opportunities, but on mutual trust—the foundation upon which Finland establishes its economic ties with nations worldwide. Syrjälä stressed that the delegation comprises Finnish companies from diverse sectors, reflecting his country’s desire to broaden the scope of cooperation with Kuwait beyond a single industry. He underscored the importance of moving beyond initial introductions and capability showcases toward establishing practical partnerships and actionable projects that serve the interests of both parties. Syrjälä highlighted Finland’s knowledge-driven economic ecosystem, rooted in research, development, and innovation, and noted the growing presence of startups, deep-tech ventures, and digital solutions.

He also pointed to Finland’s advanced expertise in clean energy, healthcare, industrial technologies, cybersecurity, and telecommunications, all of which offer numerous avenues for cooperation with the Kuwaiti market. Syrjälä highlighted the growth potential of economic relations between the two countries, particularly given the interest Finnish companies have in markets offering opportunities for expansion and long-term partnerships. He emphasized the importance of direct engagement between companies and economic institutions to identify the actual needs of the Kuwaiti market and explore solutions that Finnish companies can provide.

Furthermore, Finland’s Ambassador to Qatar, Juha Mustonen, underscored the importance of the visit in strengthening Finland’s economic presence in the region, noting that engagement with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the local business community provides a direct opportunity to understand market needs and identify avenues for cooperation. Ambassador Mustonen explained that Finnish companies possess specialized expertise that can contribute to key sectors prioritized by modern economies, such as technology, innovation, digital transformation, cybersecurity, energy, sustainable solutions, and infrastructure. Developing economic ties requires establishing continuous communication channels between companies and relevant stakeholders in both countries. He noted that Finland views international cooperation as a means of exchanging expertise and technology and creating shared value. Ambassador Mustonen expressed hope that direct meetings between Finnish and Kuwaiti companies would translate mutual interest into concrete projects and partnerships