2021-2022 has been an eventful year for all of us and as we cross a new threshold of success, I would like to thank all of you in making this journey so memorable. As I complete my term as FINCHAM’s Chairperson on March 31st, I’d like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues including the Board Members, Member Companies, colleagues from the Embassy and Business Finland for their unstinted support and tireless efforts. A special thank you to our Honorary Board Members, the Hon’ble Ambassador, H.E. Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Dr. Jukka Holappa and Mr. Mikko Potsonen for always supporting and encouraging the Chamber’s activities enthusiastically.
As the world economy recovered from its lowest ebb, companies and business organisations world over were in need of positive insights. FINCHAM members in this regard, were no different. To help member companies steer through hard times of economic recovery, the Chamber organised Knowledge Sessions with international financial organisations such as the World Bank and domain experts in the fields of taxation, labour law and global financial markets.
I am happy to mention that there has been an overwhelming response from companies both of Finnish and non-Finnish European origin to join FINCHAM as members. Currently, we have a total membership of 26 with 3 new members who have become a part of FINCHAM in FY 21-22. In this regard, I pray and wish that the FINCHAM community grows larger in the forthcoming future. To highlight the presence and operations of Finnish companies in India we have very successfully organised networking events individually and in partnership with national chambers such as CII and other regional organisations such as ICC. Among them FINCHAMs presence as an Institutional Partner at ‘International Engineering & Technology Fair (IETF) 2021’ and at the ‘16th Annual Sustainability Summit’ deserves a special mention.
As a part of Ambassador’s Team Finland visit to the 4 regions of India, FINCHAM has very successfully organised Business Delegations to cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. The key focus of these visits were to strengthen partnerships with Local Businesses and Indian Business Conglomerates (Tata, Reliance, ITC, RPSG, etc.) State Government and City Officials, and to explore opportunities for business development, and technical and operational collaborations for member companies. It is a happy augury that some of our member companies have very successfully built up new business relations and look forward to being part of similar visits in future.
I would also like to thank Members for their active participation at our Quarterly Members Meetings. It is a matter of great delight that we were able to undertake new initiatives and organise CEO and CFO Round Tables on matters of importance at their behest. Some of the notable topics of discussion being: ‘Potential collaborative models for growth and expansion of business, and enhancement of value chains, including smart manufacturing, among European and Indian companies’ and ‘Industry Priorities and Expectations from the Union Budget 2022-23’.
Our FINCHAM Pitch book is in final stages for release next month during the Finland Minster’s visit, and I thank all the members for their contribution towards making this possible.
Once again, I’d like to thank all our members, without whose support we would not have come this far. As I hand over the reigns to Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal (Managing Director, Fortum India) and Mr. Sanjay Malik (CEO, Nokia India) as the new Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Chamber, I wish them both the very best for a great journey ahead!
Yours Sincerely,
M C Suresh Kumar
Chairperson
Finland Chamber of Commerce in India
Managing Director, Cargotec India Pvt Ltd.
