President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday called for greater trade relations between India and Finland, saying that the present numbers did not reflect the true potential of the two nations.
“Our two-way trade has crossed the one billion Euro mark. This, however, is not a reflection of the true potential for bilateral trade and commerce that exists between our two economies. I am confident that in the coming years there shall be far greater engagement between us in all areas- economic, geo-political, social and cultural,” said Pranab Mukherjee while addressing the Finnish Parliament.
“At the bilateral level, we, in India, expect to intensify our ongoing co-operation with Finland in specific areas of shared interest and complementarities. Despite the global economic downturns there has been substantial growth in our economic and commercial relations, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, shipping and maritime industries, renewable energy and IT services,” he added.
President Mukherjee also underlined the importance that the Nordic nation has for India.
“Our Government’s manifest desire to engage more substantively with the Nordic region cannot be conveyed better than through the composition of my delegation – which includes eminent educationists, scientists and businessmen. We hope to move forward with renewed vigour in all these areas,” he said.
To strengthen business and tourism relations, President Mukherjee further announced that the citizens of Finland will soon be able to avail of the visa-on-arrival service in India.
“India very much looks forward to intensifying the exchanges between our peoples. Our Parliamentarians and the India- Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group can, and must, play an instrumental role in this process. In this context, you will be interested to know, India has included Finland among the countries for whose citizens tourist visas can be issued on arrival. Finn Air’s direct daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai will facilitate our tourism and business links,” he said.
On Wednesday, the President was awarded with the Helsinki Medal of Honour, a gesture which he said was ‘honouring the people of India’.
Finland and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations. Finland sees in India a large market for its products and a favourable investment destination for its high technology industries while India views Finland as an important member of the European Union (EU) and a repository of modern technology. (ANI)