Finland’s Minister of Economics Jan Vapaavuori expressed satisfaction on Monday over his two-day visit to the Kingdom to promote trade between the two countries.

“I had a fruitful discussion with Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah on trade between Finland and Saudi Arabia. On behalf of the Finnish government and my delegation, I thank the Saudi minister for the warm reception accorded to us,” Vapaavuori told Arab News.

He also visited other officials, including Deputy Minister of Petroleum Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Minister of Transport Jabara Al-Seraisry. The Finnish ambassador to the Kingdom, Jarno Syrjala, accompanied Vapaavuori on these visits.

“We really appreciate the Saudi government and the local companies for their hospitality and the interest they showed in their cooperation with Finland,” he said.

He also called on Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) owner and founder.

Vapaavuori said he had invited the Saudi officials, including Al-Rabiah to visit Finland and that they expressed happiness over the invitation.

Vapaavuori arrived Saturday with a 30-member delegation representing 23 companies in various sectors that included health, mining and IT, among others. It is his first visit to Saudi Arabia.

He said he was pleased with the bilateral trade between the two countries but “there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

Finland’s exports to the Kingdom in 2012 touched $50 million while its exports crossed $35 million, up by 18 percent from the previous year.

“The growth of bilateral trade has continued and we’re looking for more. That’s why we have come here to promote our products at the invitation of the Saudi government. The potential for the growth of trade is enormous,” he said.

Finland’s main exports to the Kingdom consist of machinery and equipment, pulp and paper and investment goods. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, exports plastic raw materials to Finland.

“Saudi Arabia is clearly Finland’s biggest trading partner in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. We keep our fingers crossed that our visit will be a fillip not only to trade in particular but also to the bilateral ties in general,” said Vapaavuori, who has recently become his country’s minister of housing and foreign affairs.