Finnish Investors Keen on Partnering Lagos on Economic Development – Ambassador

The Finnish ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, has said that investors from her country are interested in partnering Lagos State in several areas of interests, adding that the state is the nerve centre for trade and investment in Nigeria.

Chowdhury said, “When you talk about promoting trade and economic relations in Nigeria, you have to come to Lagos because everybody knows it is the business centre of Nigeria. So, we are very happy to be here. Companies from Finland have been doing business in Nigeria for several years, including Nokia and Wartsila. Other companies and investors are willing to partner the state in the areas of health, ICT, security and energy.

“Education is also very interesting and it is up to the companies to find these opportunities that they are going to invest in.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investments, Prof. Ademola Abass, said the government would like to explore various areas of cooperation with the Finnish government as a means of promoting economic and trade relations.

He said, “Finland is a big economy in Europe. It is about the fourth largest economy in Europe; and Lagos is the fourth largest economy in Africa. So, we explored areas of cooperation, which is between Finland and Nigeria, and specifically, Lagos State. We took certain decisions which my office will be fine-tuning with the team.”

Abass outlined that security, education and energy as the three major sectors which the meeting focused on, expressing optimism that the partnership would benefit Lagos immensely.