Minister Tiilikainen to visit Japan on 8-9 March

Minister of Agriculture and the Environment of Finland Kimmo Tiilikainen, accompanied by a business delegation, will visit Japan on 8-9 March 2017. The purpose of the Team Finland visit is to give the Finnish bioeconomy and food companies the opportunity to learn about the Japanese markets and to promote trade between the two countries.

Themes to be discussed during the visit include food exports and collaboration between Finland and Japan relating to the bioeconomy and circular economy, Arctic expertise and investments. The topics also include strategic cooperation between the two countries, Paris Climate Agreement negotiations and EU-Japan free trade negotiations.

In Tokyo Minister Tiilikainen meets the Minister of the Environment of Japan Mr. Koichi Yamamoto and the State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mr. Ken Saito. Also on the agenda is a visit to the Foodex Fair, where a seminar is organised on Finnish food. Foodex is the largest event for professionals in food and beverages sectors In Asia.

In addition, Minister Tiilikainen will meet representatives of the ITOCHU Corporation. In Finland ITOCHU Corporation has been involved, for example, in the Äänekoski bioproduct mill project.

Japan is the third largest destination for Finnish exports outside the EU and an important trade partner. The main Finnish export articles on the Japanese market are forest industry products. Now growth is also sought in high-value added foods and expertise in the bioeconomy and circular economy sectors.

The Team Finland’s delegation in Japan is composed of companies processing brewery products, meat and grain products and Finnish berries and honey. Also included are startup companies in the bioeconomy sector that use forest biomass as raw material and develop and commercialise new technologies and products based on Finnish innovations.

Inquiries:
Jukka-Pekka Kataja, Special Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 50 341 9934, jukka-pekka.kataja(at)mmm.fi
Jaana Husu-Kallio, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 40 029 1910, jaana.husu-kallio(at)mmm.fi
Aulikki Hulmi, Director for International Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 295 162 113, aulikki.hulmi(at)mmm.fi
Tita Korvenoja, Ministerial Adviser, Head of International and EU Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 50 301 4605, tita.korvenoja(at)ym.fi