ISLAMABAD: Finland Ambassador to Pakistan Hannu Ripatti said that Finland government has planned to establish direct trade activities with Pakistan by removing third-party involvement.

Talking to APP, he said Business Council of Finland will host business summit in Pakistan which had been dormant during time of coronavirus endemic.

Ambassador said that he was planning to visit various chambers of commerce and industries to do more business activities in better way and through Fin Partnership which can facilitate and help imports and exports on both ways.

“Finland reopened its mission in Pakistan after closure of 10 years,” Hannu Ripatti said and explained reason for closure was primarily finances, after so-called dot com crisis including closure of nine other missions.

He mentioned that large number of Pakistani students were pursuing their studies in Finland, however, students were facing problems as they do not have longer-term visas for which applications have to be forwarded to Abu Dhabi which takes time.

He said we want to bring our visa system in Pakistan in order to not only cater to needs of students but permanent residency seekers as well.

There is possibility that Pakistani students seeking studies in hospitality industry can go to Finland for this purpose. “We do not have scholarship programme for students but there are some specific foundations that offer scholarships.

In Taxila too there are quite few places that attract visitors and of course, Ambassador said. “We have number of tourist attractions in Finland.” Ambassador termed Pakistan an amazing country in terms of its weather, landscape, biodiversity and rich cultural heritage and its hospitable people and country of hospitable and welcoming people, is “Very safe place” for foreign tourists and travellers to visit.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 03 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.