This was announced by the Finnish Ambassador to Viet Nam, Kimmo Lahdervirta, at a conference in central Thua Thien Hue Province on May 03, 2013.

Lahdervirta said the two countries were looking for new ways of co-operation, including partnerships between companies and institutions.

In the 40 years of Viet Nam-Finland diplomatic relations, Finland has assisted the country with about US$400 million in development programmes.

According to Lahdervirta, the countries have strong potential for trade as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement is being negotiated.

Vietnamese exports of footwear, furniture, textiles and clothing products, and Information and Communication Technology equipment to Finland rose 18 percent in 2012.

Meanwhile, imports of Finnish forestry-related and machinery products rose 10 per cent.

The ambassador said Vietnamese businesses and institutions should contact Finnish agencies and the 100 Finnish businesses already represented in Viet Nam for co-operation in new fields, including renewable energy and clean technology.

He added that Finland could act as a Vietnamese bridge to other Nordic countries.

The central province has invited Finnish partners to its tourism, education, and healthcare sectors as well as to its Chan May deep seaport and Phu Bai Industrial Park.

Forty local businesses attended the conference. A similar conference will be held in central Da Nang City on May 06, 2013.