Finnish Foreign Trade Minister To Head Delegation At Chinese Import Exhibition - Adviser

HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th November, 2018) Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen will head a delegation of Finnish business persons at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) exhibition, Tuuli-Maaria Aalto, Virolainen's diplomatic adviser, told Sputnik on Sunday.

"Foreign Trade and Development Minister Anne-Mari Virolainen will hold a visit to Shanghai and Beijing on November 4-9. The main aim of her visit is to attend the CIIE, where Finland will have its own pavilion," Aalto said.

Over 20 Finnish companies will participate in the CIIE, Aalto specified, adding that this would one of China's major events in 2018, with 480,000 participants, including 220,000 foreign participants, set be involved.

According to a press release of the Finnish trade ministry, China is Finland's fourth biggest trade partner, with the two countries' trade reaching $9.11 billion in 2017, and the CIIE would offer Finnish businesses an opportunity to enhance their cooperation with Chinese companies and government.

During her visit, Virolainen will also open a High-level Dialogue Conference of the China Europe Water Platform in Beijing, and hold a meeting with Chinese Water Resources Minister E Jingping.

The CIIE will start on November 5 and last through November 10. This will be the first edition of the event aimed at attracting foreign investment into the country.