Latin America and the Caribbean Business Insights — Issue No.3
Team Finland Latin America
Team Finland LatAm supports Finnish companies in doing business in Latin America
Dear subscribers,
As we close the chapter on this year, I want to start by expressing my heartfelt thanks. Whether you’ve joined our events, collaborated on projects, or stayed in touch, your support and partnership have been key to our success.
In this edition, I’m delighted to share some of this year’s highlights, including a recap of our achievements and updates on agreements that will further strengthen collaboration between Latin America and Finland.
Looking ahead, we’ve also compiled a list of exciting events for 2025, where we hope to see you.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous start to 2025.
Warm regards,
Heidi Virta
Head of Latin America, Business Finland
Join us as we reflect on 2024, a year of impactful collaborations, sustainable initiatives, and strengthened ties between Finland and Latin America. In our year recap you may take a look back at the main events and success stories from 2024!
Click here see how Team Finland left its mark in the LAC region!
EU and Mercosur partnership agreement
This agreement comes at a critical time for both sides, presenting opportunities for major mutual gains through strengthened geopolitical, economic, sustainability, and security cooperation. It will strengthen trade and political ties, support economic growth, and combat climate change. It will also protect EU interests, including the farming sector, and uphold EU standards on animal health and food safety.
Finland and Peru sign MOU on circular economy
Minister of Environment of Peru, Juan Carlos Castro and Finnish Ambassador to Peru, Antti Rytövuori, signed an MOU on December 3, 2024 through which joint activities will be carried out to strengthen knowledge and best practices in circular economy, bioeconomy, biodiversity and climate change.
Finland and Peru sign MOU for educational collaboration
The Minister of Education of Peru, Morgan Quero, and his Finnish counterpart, Anders Adlercreutz, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 1, 2024. Through this memorandum, both countries will collaborate on key educational initiatives, including: the development of educational policies for basic and higher education, the promotion of inclusive and safe school environments, as well as the strengthening of professional development programs for teachers.
Finland is officially the guest country of EXPOMIN 2025! 🇫🇮🇨🇱 EXPOMIN is held every two years in Santiago de Chile and is the most important international mining exhibition and congress in Latin America. This collaboration between Chile and Finland reaffirms the commitment in the development of innovative solutions for the mining industry, highlighting their global leadership in technology and sustainability.
Country Outlooks:
Argentina's education system presents opportunities for cooperation
Argentina's education levels have made significant progress over the last 20 years yet still face complex challenges such as low learning outcomes and high drop-out rates. Argentina’s Education Strategy 2022-2027 presents vast opportunities for Finland to share expertise in teacher training, educational technology, and joint research.
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New government in Panama opens opportunities for Finnish companies
The newly elected government in Panama creates significant opportunities for Finland and Panama to enhance their trade relations. As Central America's second-largest economy, Panama shows strong demand for Finnish expertise in sustainable energy solutions, including waste-to-energy (W2E) and renewable energy, as well as circular economy solutions, among many other key sectors.
Business Opportunities:
Sales Leads:
Upcoming Events 2025
Get a head start on key events for 2025! Stay up-to-date on opportunities for Finnish companies and organizations to learn more about Latin American and the Caribbean markets:
January
🗓️ January 27th-31st: SecD-Day 2025 in Helsinki, Finland - For more information, contact: Joao.ratton@businessfinland.fi
March
🗓️ March 17th-20th: LatAm delegation to Vaasa Energy Week in Finland - For more information, contact: sofia.ramos@businessfinland.fi (for Brazil) and roberto.requejo@businessfinland.fi (Andean Region, Panama and DR)
🗓️ March 26th - 30th: IDB Annual Board Meeting - For more information, contact: piia.nummela@businessfinland.fi
April
🗓️ April 1st-4th: LAAD Defense & Security In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. —For more information, contact: joao.ratton@businessfinland.fi
🗓️ April 22th-25th: Expomin 2025 in Santiago, Chile —For more information, contact: piia.nummela@businessfinland.fi
🗓️ April 27th-30th: Websummit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil —For more information, contact: alessandra.leone@businessfinland.fi
May
🗓️ May 13th-14th: World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in São Paulo, Brazil —For more information, contact: matti.landin@businessfinland.fi
July
🗓️ July 13th-14th: Expominas in Quito, Ecuador - For more information contact Mining Finland
September
🗓️ September 22nd-26th: Perumin Mining Fair in Arequipa, Peru —For more information, contact: nicolas.vassallo@businessfinland.fi ; roberto.requejo@businessfinland.fi
November
🗓️ November 10th-21st: COP30 in Belém, Brazil —For more information, contact: heidi.virta@businessfinland.fi
For more information, please contact: Heidi Virta (Head of Region, Latin America) heidi.virta@businessfinland.fi
Embassy of Finland in Brazil (Embaixada da Finlândia no Brasil) Embajada de Finlandia en Bogotá Embajada de Finlandia en Buenos Aires Embajada de Finlandia en Santiago de Chile