By HELEN ZULU –

FINNISH Ambassador to Zambia Timo Olkkonen has called for more interaction between Zambia and Finland to boost trade between the two countries.
Mr Olkkonen said there was need for more interaction in trade and exports between the two countries in an effort to boost trade.
He noted that the trade activities between the two countries were low hence the need for more interaction to boost it.
Mr Olkkonen said this in an interview in Lusaka.
He said there was potential for export in terms of innovative technology from Finland and agricultural produce from Zambia.
“The trade between Zambia and Finland is in imbalance, but the figures do not show the full picture.
“Also since the figures are marginal in terms of overall trade that both Finland and Zambia, the bigger question is why trade activity is so low?, We should have more interaction in trade, also in terms of imports from Zambia,” Mr Olkkonen said.
Finnish exports to Zambia from January to March 2015 stood at 7.933 million Euros while imports from Zambia stood at 0.767 million Euros during the same period.
In 2014 Finnish exports to Zambia reached a total of 25.853 million Euros compared to 25 million Euros recorded in 2013.
Finnish imports from Zambia in 2014 decreased to 0.058 million Euros from 1.2 million Euros 2013.
The bulk of Finnish exports are mainly machinery to mining sector.
“It is almost certain that Zambian copper for example end up in Finland, but since these come processed from intermediary countries, they do not show up in the statistics.
“I see much potential for export in terms of innovative technology from Finland and agricultural produce from Zambia, just as examples,” Mr Olkkonen said.