The Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, on Tuesday said that more Finnish companies had indicated their investment interest in Nigeria, especially now that there was a new government.

Suomela-Chowdhury made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos ahead of her country’s Deputy Minister for External Economic Relations, Mr Matti Anttonen’s planned visit to Nigeria.

“Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa, and with the biggest population, is the most obvious destination in Africa for any country to promote business and economic relations.

“There are already Finnish companies operating and doing business in Nigeria, but the interest of more and more other companies towards Nigeria has been and is clearly growing.

“We are currently expecting a delegation of Finnish companies from ICT, cleantech, power, oil and gas, health and education sectors to Nigeria.”

The envoy said that the companies believed that there was a new government in Nigeria with new priorities and clear focus on promoting good governance, security and sustainable inclusive economy.

Suomela-Chowdhury said that it was imperative for her country to strengthen relations with Nigeria so as to be able to make the most of “opportunities between our two countries.”

The ambassador expressed optimism that the expansion of trade between both countries would be beneficial to the peoples of Finland and Nigeria.

“The potential for cooperation between Finland and Nigeria is very huge and spans different sectors.”

Soumela-Chowdhury said that her Embassy and Finland Trade Centre would continue to promote trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Finland in the years ahead. (NAN)

•Photo shows Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury.