Finland wishes to boost cooperation with Saudi Arabia in all sectors, namely health, education, and training, said Finnish minister of social affairs and health Pirkko Mattila.
Finland has new health technology and digital services to offer, affirmed Mattila to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, expressing the Finnish wish to contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
"The main theme of the visit is to reinforce and develop ties with Saudi Arabia, and this stems from the interest of our government in building partnerships with the kingdom," she said.
Mattila met with Saudi health minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah twice last year, once in Dubai and once in Helsinki, where they signed two memorandums of understanding. She said she visited several Saudi facilities including the Riyadh-based King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, and King Fahad Medical City.
For his part, Finnish ambassador to Saudi Arabia Antti Rytovuori revealed that bilateral trade volume exceeded one billion American dollars on an annual basis, hoping that this size would increase to greater levels during the coming period following intensifying the cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
Andre Heikius, chairman of the board of the nutrition and lifestyle company Edevent, stressed the Finnish firms' readiness to contribute to the development of the Saudi healthcare sector. He added that following this visit, Finland has become convinced that the two countries have huge opportunities to accomplish Saudi Vision 2030 and develop health care services.
