Pakistan-Finland Bilateral Relations

Pakistan’s relations with the Finland are marked by mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. Both countries have enjoyed multifaceted and fruitful cooperation over the years especially in trade, economy, education, culture and people-to-people contacts. The two countries have a convergence of views on world affairs that translates into cooperation and support for each other at various international fora. Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Finland were established in January 1951. Both countries commemorated the 70^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021 through exchange of messages by both Foreign Ministers.

2. The Finnish Embassy in Islamabad was first established in 1989.Finland re-opened its Embassy in Islamabad after a few years of suspension in 2022 and Mr. Hannu Ripatti is the current Finnish Ambassador to Pakistan.Ambassador of Pakistan in Stockholm is concurrently accredited to Finland. Pakistan has an Honorary Consulate in Helsinki and Mr. Wille Eerola is the Honorary Consul General of Pakistan to Finland.

High Level Engagements

• Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar met with State Secretary to Finland’s Foreign Minister Johanna Sumuvuori during her visit to Helsinki in June 2023.
• Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met the Former Finnish Foreign Minister, Mr. Pekka Haavisto on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on 24th May 2022.
• Former Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Finnish counterpart, Mr. Pekka Haavisto, in New York on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2021.
• Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf visited Finland in July 2004. Then-Prime Minister of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and Finnish Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen met on the sidelines of the 9th ASEM Summit in Vientiane, Laos in November 2012.

Bilateral Political Consultations:

3. Both countries are regularly holding Bilateral Political Consultations at Additional Secretary Level since 2014. The fifth session was held on 24 November 2023 in Helsinki.

Trade and Economic Relations

4. Total trade in goods between Pakistan and Finland was approximately US$ 82.5million during FY (23-24). Pakistan’s exports to Finland were recorded at US$ 28.7 and Pakistan’s imports from Finland were recorded at US$ 53.7 million.

5. Pakistan’s imports are mainly electrical and optical equipment, machinery, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; industrial goods, chemicals, machinery, agricultural products, minerals (non-ferrous metals), telecommunication apparatus. Pakistan’s major exports to Finland are bed-wear, ready-made garments, sports goods, knitwear (hosiery), cotton fabrics, apparel & clothing of leather, made-up articles of textiles (silk/synthetic), sports goods, carpets & floor covering, rice and mangoes.
6. There are a number of Finnish companies including Nokia, SSM, Wärtsilä, Stora-Enso and Valmet operating in Pakistan. A Finnish company Stora Enso has established a joint venture called Bulleh Shah Packaging Limited with Packages Pakistan in 2012. Pakistan and Finland have an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.
7. Finnfund, investment arm of the Finnish Government, operating under Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a direct equity investment in Pakistan’s Insurance sector.
8. Finland-Pakistan Business Council (FPBC) is planning to organize the 11^th edition of Finland Pakistan Business Summit 2025 in May 2025 in Islamabad and Karachi. The summit is primarily focused on expanding cooperation in the energy and education sectors to boost bilateral trade, investment, and exchange of technical expertise for shared growth and development.

Pakistani Community:

9. The Pakistani community in Finland is estimated at around 9000 including highly skilled professionals and students. Since 2015, both the countries allow dual nationality.

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