Helsinki : Finland is keen on deepening cooperation with the UAE on all fields, particularly renewable energy, says Mauri Pekkarinen, Minister of Economy.
In an interview with WAM following the visit of Mohammad Bin Dha'en Al Hamili, UAE Minister of Energy, to Finland earlier this month, Pekkarinen said the visit by the UAE Energy Minister was a return visit to his trip to the UAE last January.
"I consider the visit to be very important for both countries as we are trying to enlarge and develop our mutual relations in many fields. Energy policy is of the utmost importance also for Finland, and we have a lot of know-how, for example in the renewable energy and energy saving sector."
On his vision of econ-omic and commercial relations between the two countries and what to expect of these relations in the future, Pekkarinen said: "I see an ample chances for cooperation. Modern waste handling, clean technology, renewable energy and other environmentally sustainable technologies are sectors with a clear potential. Elevators, harbour handling equipment and other technology in the field of logistics could also be of great interest to the UAE."
Nuclear expertise
"In Finland, we also have high expertise in the field of nuclear waste management. Finland's nuclear policy is based on handling nuclear waste as it is produced, rather than leaving the issue to future generations. Already in 2001 it was decided to construct a disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel. We believe that sound and safe nuclear waste treatment is a must for the future success of nuclear power both in Finland and also globally.
"For our relations in the future, I very much hope that UAE companies can find Finnish partners for cooperation in developing new technology. This could take the form of joint R&D [research and development] ventures, but it could also be realised by investing in Finnish high-tech companies."
Pekkarinen noted that many Finnish cleantech businesses were already active in the Gulf region, and that in order to strengthen the co-operation and fac-ilitate long term success, more research, development and innovation activities should be done between the UAE and Finland.
"Finland is considering establishing a Finnish Innovation Centre in the region, and the UAE could be one of the best alternatives for this purpose," he said.
"Finland is heavily dependent on exports, and when the financial crisis hit and had an effect on investment plans of firms, Finland experienced a very deep recession. In 2009 GDP [gross domestic product] decreased by 8 per cent, exports by 32 per cent, and industrial output by 21 per cent.
"To combat the recession, the government focused on ensuring access to finance for the enterprises very early. The recession did not affect the Finnish labour market as severely as the worst expectations were anticipating. Yet the manufacturing industry lost about 40,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rose from 6.4 per cent in 2008 to 8.2 per cent in 2009. The employment has slightly improved during 2010 and it is expected to improve further."
Growth forecast
Finnish GDP will grow 3-4 per cent this year and also next year.
Asked about the Finnish hi-tech industries, the minister said: "It is true that Finland has a lot of technology industries which suffered from the economic recession. Especially in shipbuilding and ship engines, pulp and papermaking technology, automation and harbour handling we have traditionally been strong. These companies are now recovering well. Another sector that also was hit by the recession was the forest industries producing pulp and paper. As to the establishment of Finnish industries in the Gulf region my guess is that high-tech industries and knowledge-based services have good chances to succeed in the Middle East."
On the potential for cooperation in renewable energy, pointing to Finland's vast experience in the areas of renewable energy, he stated: "To be competitive in the future, the UAE and Finland should have closer co-operation in the field of cleantech, particularly renewable energy and smart grids. Cooperation in the framework of Irena, the International Renewable Energy Agency established in Abu Dhabi, offers good possibilities also for bilateral cooperation."
Big event in capital
The UAE and Abu Dhabi was today announced as the next host for the International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC), an international forum bringing together government, civil society and business leaders to facilitate the global adoption of renewable energy technology.
Announced at the closing ceremony of the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference (DIREC), Abu Dhabi was chosen due to its investments and initiatives toward the development and deployment of renewable and clean energy technologies. The conference will be held simultaneously and co-located with the World Future Energy Summit.
— Staff Report
