Embassy of Finland inaugurated in Doha

Crowning more than 20 years of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Finland, the Embassy of Finland was inaugurated in Doha Sunday evening.The ceremony was attended by the Finnish ambassador to Qatar Pekka Voulilanainen and the Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Ville Skinnari, alongside Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Abdullah al-Thani, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Protocol director Ibrahim Fakhro, a number of diplomats and other dignitaries.Ambassador Voulilanainen expressed his happiness that the Finland embassy has eventually opened in Doha after the passage of 20 years' fruitful and friendly relations between Qatar and Finland."I highly appreciate the warm welcome and support of the government of Qatar and I am sure that opening of a Qatar embassy in Finland would follow soon," the envoy stressed.He pointed out that the Finnish people are open and welcoming and it would be very easy to do business with them as they are hardworking, trustworthy and ready to co-operate. The ambassador stressed that with the opening of the Finnish embassy in Doha, it has become much easier to explore Finland and the amazing opportunities in many fields.Voulilanainen expressed his pride in the Finnish companies that have taken part in the preparation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and stressed there will be more room for better future co-operation.Minister Skinnari stressed that Finland has always been keen to build trust and to overcome the challenges to maintain better co-operation with others across the world."Finland is also rated as among the happiest countries of the world, which is a direct outcome of the excellent education system in the country that focuses on building skills," he said.The Finnish minister expressed high appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Qatar-Finland International School in spreading such values of quality education in Qatar, noting that Finland is keen to spread this system in many other countries. The Finnish education system is already spreading in India, he observed.Minister Skinnari also congratulated Qatar for the magnificent achievements of the FIFA World Cup. Ambassador Voulilanainen stressed that many Finnish tourists will come to Doha due to the excellent reputation of the World Cup and the amazing tourist and luxury infrastructure and hotels of the country.The envoy also expected that more Finnish companies would come to explore the Qatari market for business opportunities.