What does Finland have to offer to the world?

Jonathan Miodowski and Hilla Aurén at exhibition

Embassy of Finland at the “Israel Gateway” exhibition at Israel's 7^th Foreign Trade Conference and 1^st Safe City Conference December 1^st 2009, David Intercontinental Hotel, Tel Aviv.

This was the question most often asked at the Finnish Embassy’s stand at the Israel Gateway Conference Exhibition on 1/12/2009. The Embassy’s Commercial Attaché Jonathan Miodowski and Intern Hilla Aurén were to answer questions regarding Finland, specifically Finnish businesses and industries to hundreds of international and Israeli conference visitors.

Finland booth

For most of the day Finland’s stand was crowded by curious conference visitors, Embassy workers from other countries, and representatives of companies interested in trade, research, and investment in Finland. Visitors were especially interested in hearing what Finland has to offer in the fields of clean energy, telecommunications, high-tech, security and state branding. They learned that Finland is at the forefront in electrical engineering, industrial automation, medical and meteorological technology, wood processing, and luxury cruise liner production. Finnish companies include the world’s leading paper machine producer, the third biggest lift producer, and the world’s leading mobile phone corporation.

Embassy staff was equipped with brochures, magazines, and maps introducing Finnish businesses and industries, as well as Finnish culture, customs, and cuisine. A large screen inside the booth offered views to the beautiful Finnish landscape. Last but not least, Finnish chocolates proved very popular, leaving a pleasant memory of Finland on visitors’ taste buds.

Besides Finland many other companies and countries were represented at the exhibition, including the Israeli Airspace Industries, Motorola, Orange, private security companies, the American and French chambers of commerce, and the Embassies of Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, and India.

All in all it was a successful day. Many visitors were eager to share their stories and experiences regarding Finland. New connections were formed, existing networks strengthened, and most importantly, the conference participants got to see what wonderful things Finland has to offer.