New direct flight connection to second largest US state, Texas, enables new growth for Finnish companies

Texas is known for its energy and technology industries, which makes it a promising export market for Finnish companies. Finnair’s new direct flight connection to Dallas is a sign of the growth potential. Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit Texas and Washington from 27 March to 1 April 2022.

As a state with nearly 30 million inhabitants, Texas offers great opportunities for Finnish companies. Dallas is the location for many significant technology companies. Houston is known for its energy industry and its port is among the largest in the world. Austin, with its university, is a dynamic hub of startups, new technologies and knowhow. In Texas, the delegation led by Minister Skinnari will meet Governor of Texas Greg Abbott, City of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, and City of Austin Mayor Steve Adler, among others.

“Texas is a growing market for Finnish companies. In Texas, our goal is to create together an ambitious roadmap especially for green technologies, the energy sector, digital solutions, electrification of transport, marine industry, and smart port solutions, such as Nokia 5G technology. In addition, Finnair’s new flight connection to Dallas gives Finnish companies a direct route to Texas,” says Minister Skinnari.

During the visit, Minister Skinnari will have a meeting with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai to discuss, among other things, the trade relations between the EU and the United States and global trade questions. He will also meet other representatives of President Joe Biden’s administration and members of Congress. Topics on the agenda include especially telecommunications and high technology matters. 

Minister Skinnari’s visit is an opportunity to have talks with the US administration, to strengthen trade and economic relations between the two countries and to promote Finnish companies’ opportunities in the US market. The United States is one of Finland’s most important trading partners. Compared with any individual country’s economic weight when not only export and import but also investments and innovation cooperation are considered, the United States is the most important country for Finland. 

Ten Finnish companies and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland will accompany Minister Skinnari to the United States.

Inquiries:

Juha Niemi, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 350 232

Tiina Vainio, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 524 6559

Kari Puurunen, Counsellor, tel. +358 50 599 3952
 

The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.