Finland president Sauli Niinistö and his business delegation concluded their two-day state visit, with the energy sector leading much of the discussions.
Niinistö reiterated that countries cannot achieve what they desire when there is no peace, and emphasised the responsibility of leaders to ensure peace.
President Hage Geingob said during the state banquet that he and his Finnish counterpart held fruitful discussions, based on the long-standing relationship between the countries.
The state visit took place last Thursday and Friday.
“We had discussions based on our old relationships and new ones, as the domestic economy is now looking forward to green hydrogen and oil discoveries,” said Geingob on Thursday night.
At the same occasion, Niinistö said he came with an eager business delegation with the aim to collaborate on what to do together as two countries with good relations.
“Green transition, sustainable mining and education are important focus areas. Finland appreciates Namibia’s goal of becoming Africa’s first carbon-neutral country, and we are ready to participate in your green hydrogen products and goals with the Finnish know-how and technology,” said Niinistö at the state banquet, which was well- attended by, amongst others, former ministers.
The main objective of the state visit was to discuss how Namibia and Finland can work together to leverage smart, secure and sustainable solutions in an effort to promote a green transition and the fourth industrial revolution, as well as to enhance bilateral trade.
Finland and Namibia enjoy a joint history, which started over 150 years ago when Finnish missionaries arrived in Owambo, in what is now northern Namibia.
In his fully-packed programme, Niinistö on Thursday afternoon laid a wreath at Heroes Acre, before going for the state banquet. Friday morning, the visiting president met Prime Minister (PM) Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi, and further delivered remarks at a business seminar in Windhoek.
Niinistö told the PM that they are in Namibia to build on long-lasting relationship between the two countries. “We are here to find and collaborate in all that both of us can benefit,” said the president. The PM said there is a strong foundation to build on mutual benefits.
At the business forum, which was themed ‘Unlocking Smart, Secure and Sustainable Opportunities in the Namibia-Finland Partnerships’, Niinistö observed that Namibia’s vast potential lies in the energy sector, which makes Namibia a good partner.
Other sectors of interest, he said, include connectivity and transport.
Delivering his remarks at the business forum also on behalf of Finnish companies, Kari Hietanen, who is the executive vice president of the Wärtsilä Corporation, said Finnish businesses believe in Namibia’s future.
“Namibia has a young population, with peace and stability making it very attractive. We are ready to engage and do a lot together. We hope Namibia becomes the energy hub in the future. You have good reasons to be optimistic with your future. Finland has technology and Namibia has resources,” said the businessman.
The Wärtsilä Corporation is a global leader in innovative technologies and life-cycle solutions for the marine and energy markets.
Hietanen added that Finland’s business community is looking for long-term partnerships which will lead to job-creation in Namibia as well as skills development. According to him, they landed in the Land of the Brave to unlock smart, secure and sustainable opportunities.
Finland is among Namibia’s top 20 trading partners. The last state visit by a Finnish president was in 2011 by former president Tarja Halonen. Last year, Namibia’s overall exports to the Finnish market totalled N$1.8 billion, from the N$785 million recorded in 2021.
On the other hand, Namibia’s imports from Finland increased to N$1.1 billion in 2022 from N$389 million recorded in 2021. -mndjavera@nepcp.com.na