Radiy Khabirov met with Ambassador of Finland to Russia Mikko Hautala

UFA, 22 May 2019. /Bashinform News Agency/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/.

On May 21, the Acting Head of Bashkiria met with the Ambassador of Finland to Russia, Mikko Hautala in the House of the Republic in Ufa.

The parties discussed areas for further cooperation in the economy, humanitarian, and social sphere.

Radiy Khabirov noted that Bashkortostan and Finland had long-standing friendly relations. Among the trade partners of the republic, the northern country ranks ninth in terms of turnover, which currently consists almost entirely of exports of Bashkortostan petrochemical enterprises. Therefore, there is great potential for increasing trade.

The head of the region said that the agrarians of the republic were ready to supply agricultural products to Finland, from powdered milk to Bashkir honey. In turn, Bashkortostan is interested in acquiring Finnish agricultural equipment, organizing assembly plants and service centers for its maintenance. There are excellent opportunities for building up cooperation in the construction sector, housing, and utilities and creating joint ventures. The parties expressed their intention to exchange business delegations for a more profound discussion.

Mikko Hautala said that Finland would be ready to open a new stage in relations with Bashkortostan. In particular, the country has accumulated rich experience in the field of recycling and waste disposal. A round table within the framework of the Russian Petrochemical Forum was devoted to innovative technological solutions of the northern country in this area. Finland is ready to actively participate in the implementation of the “garbage reform”, to share its best practices.

Kari Hirvonen, CEO of Wihuri Rus, which organized the production of multifunctional utility technology brand Wille in St. Petersburg, expressed its readiness to supply it to the republic for the needs of municipalities. Radiy Khabirov instructed the mayor of Ufa, Ulfat Mustafin, to examine the equipment and assess the need for its acquisition.

Yuri Kartushin, a representative of STR Tecoil, the company engaged in the processing of waste oils, said that the company was now entering the Russian market. Two sites are already opened in St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, another company is ready to be launched in Ufa. The volume of investments will be about 20 million euros. Radiy Khabirov proposed to discuss the project in more detail at one of the next Investment Hour sessions.