Islamabad: A successful meeting between Finland’s ambassador to Pakistan, Hannu Ripatti, and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, has paved the way for a new chapter in the two countries’ commercial ties.
At the Commerce Ministry, the ambassador met with Jam Kamal Khan to discuss matters to strengthen trade relations and find new opportunities for cooperation.
Minister Jam welcomed Ambassador Ripatti and reaffirmed the Pakistani government’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Finland.
Jam emphasized the significance of locating inactive industries and reviving them for financial gain, saying, “I believe in deep coordination with our counterparts to enhance trade relations.”
The Minister outlined his plan to expand into fields like education, information technology, textiles, health, construction, and social development while utilizing underutilized resources.
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Finland may send a government-level delegation to Pakistan, which would be a significant event for both nations and is anticipated to strengthen agreements and expand investment prospects.
One of the initiatives discussed during the meeting was Pakistan’s establishment of the National Compliance Council (NCC), which seeks to ensure that local products meet international standards.
According to Minister Jam Kamal, the NCC will aim to “sensitize” federal and provincial entities to the significance of compliance, putting Pakistani exports in a position to compete in global markets.
Jam stated, “The NCC will play a crucial role in aligning our products with global quality standards.”
Companies like Nokia, Kone, and Qvantel Telecom have already demonstrated success in Pakistan’s commercial environment by partnering with local businesses.
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The success of these companies was commended by Ambassador Ripatti. He emphasized how they help Pakistan’s educational system by offering university students technical training.
The Ambassador also praised the talent of Pakistani engineers, describing them as “assets of your country,” capable of working under diverse conditions, and emphasized that Pakistan should focus more on the global demand for skilled technicians.
In response, Jam Kamal highlighted the talented and affordable labor force in Pakistan, arguing that Finnish businesses’ “cost-effective, skilled professionals” are key contributors to Finland’s economy, and he invited Finnish enterprises to consider them.
Furthermore, Minister Khan was formally invited by Ambassador Ripatti to attend the next Finland-Pakistan Business Forum, which will take place in Karachi on February 12, 2025. Pakistan should further capitalize on this human capital.
The conversations also revealed particular areas of mutual interest, such as healthcare, education, information technology, textiles, and construction, as possible paths to further collaboration.
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Both sides voiced hope for the future and a common goal of developing economic relations through this and other emerging sectors.
Both countries agreed to increase economic engagement at the end of the summit, and Pakistan and Finland are now ready to build on their solid foundation for a more resilient and varied alliance.