The move by many Finnish companies into China has brought about what Prime Minister Vanhanen called "almost explosive growth" in trade between the two countries.
Last year, bilateral trade volume between Finland and China increased to almost 3.5 billion US dollars, registering a 30 percent rise over the same period two years ago.
Investment between China and Finland has been further enhanced as well. The total volume of Finnish investment in China has amounted to almost four billion US dollars.
Vanhanen said Wednesday that he sees brilliant opportunities for both sides. In spite of all this encouraging development and progress in Sino-Finnish relations, though, he said he feels that important business opportunities are being missed because the two do not know enough about each other.
Addressing a Welfare Technology Seminar in China, Vanhanen told his hosts that it appears that what Finnish companies can offer, through innovative science and technology, fits well with the priorities of the Chinese government and the Chinese business community.
High technologies related to public health and welfare -- such as diagnostic tools, dental, biotechnology, physiotherapy, and wellness equipment -- are a major export sector for Finland and all tools that China needs, as health care standards are raised for its huge population.
