Interest in Finnish expertise in Central Asia

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari led a broad delegation on a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from 21 to 24 February. The Team Finland visit was organised in collaboration with EastCham Finland, which is a Finnish chambers of commerce focusing on the Central Asian market. Emerging economies are interested in Finnish expertise in such sectors as education, energy and the environment.

The visit to Uzbekistan from 21 to 23 February reached beyond the capital city Tashkent when the 40-member delegation toured the surrounding region and visited the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (AMMC), among other places. Finnish expertise has already contributed to developing the mining operations in a sustainable way. During the visit, expertise was also offered for digitalisation and for waste water treatment.

The main event in Uzbekistan was the Intergovernmental Commission of Trade and Economic Cooperation between Finland and Uzbekistan, which was held for the first time in person since 2002. Representatives from the Uzbek central government and state-owned companies attended the meeting. Finnish companies presented their expertise.

“The previous high-level visit from Finland to Uzbekistan took place decades ago. Now was a good time to visit the country to support the positive political reforms of recent years and the opening up of society. It is important for Finland to support Uzbekistan’s development towards a sustainable and democratic direction,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Skinnari.

Representatives of Finnish ministries and agencies paved the way for cooperation with Uzbekistan in projects related to the rule of law, the environment, and education, among other areas. The Finnish National Agency for Education agreed on a cooperation with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education. The Karelia University of Applied Sciences and the privately-owned Nordic International University, too, agreed on a collaboration during the visit.

Finland signed a grant agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for its fund to promote investments in sustainable economic growth in Central Asia. Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov hosted the Finnish delegation in Uzbekistan.

“Although there is a new kind of dynamics in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, their central governments still have a prominent role in the economy. Promoting exports and helping companies become more international are still important keys for opening doors,” says CEO of EastCham Finland Jaana Rekolainen. EastCham Finland was the collaborative partner on the Team Finland visit and was responsible for practical arrangements for the business delegation.

In Kazakhstan, Minister Skinnari met a number of state leaders, including President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. The Minister was joined by the business delegation in the discussions with Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Zulfiya Suleimenova and Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov. The delegation met representatives of key companies in the Kazakh economy at a round table organised by Finland’s Embassy is Astana and Business Finland. All discussions highlighted Finnish expertise in the energy and environmental sectors.

“In our discussions, I brought up cooperation in implementing the green and digital transition so that we would have a shared vision towards the 2030s. I also mentioned the need to diversify the connections between Central Asia and Europe by increasing the use of the Trans-Caspian transport route. The EU is a reliable partner for Kazakhstan,” Minister Skinnari says.

The visit coincided with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Minister Skinnari and ambassadors from EU Member States took part in a flag raising at the Embassy of Ukraine in Astana. Finland’s consistent message to Central Asian countries is the need to prevent the abuse of the region’s market to circumvent sanctions imposed against Russia.

During his visit, Minister Skinnari inaugurated the new regional visa and residence permit centre at Finland’s Embassy in Astana that will be able to serve Central Asian nationals close to their home countries.