FBC member in the spotlight - Meet our Chairman Joonas Vikström, Head of ISKU Middle East

1.How has your experience been during your first year as a chairman of the Finnish Business council?

I would say the most interesting part has been to see how well connected the Finnish community truly is in the UAE. Having a Business Council among that sews everything together and provides the platform for activities and further networking.  It can be seen that the overall Finnish community in the UAE is running Finnish Business Council and not the other way around, which is fantastic. Another interesting remark has been the perception of other Business Councils about Finnish Business Council and Finland in general. Seemingly Finland is recognized to be a tiny country in terms of the population but still it is valued for its high level of education, innovation and industrial development together with its companies making Finnish Business Council an interesting partner for cooperation. Surely we are fun people to hang out with too!

2. What are your hopes and aspirations for FBC going forward?

Finnish Business Council is building bridges between Finland and the UAE as we say, and there are still plenty of unexplored rivers and valleys where this bridge could be fitted. Especially in the areas of green energy, sustainability, and education there are endless possibilities between these two countries for cooperation and that’s something where FBC can support the companies and the individuals associated with this process and help them to find each other. The hope is to get as many companies and people together with us for it.

3. As Head of Isku Middle East, what are you most proud of regarding the company’s achievements here in UAE?

Every successful delivery is a reason to be proud of but the highlights are the ones where the customer focused heavily on the price in the buying process, but eventually gave feedback of receiving more value than the amount paid after seeing the final result. And this same happens to many Finnish companies here, not only ISKU. Finnish companies are perceived expensive at the first sight, but the value pays off in quality and reliability in the longer run.

4. How does a perfect day look like to you?

I’m very satisfied if the day runs smoothly along the lines as I planned it. It’s just not the typical way how the days unravel here, and sometimes that’s a positive thing and sometimes not so favourable. Maybe that perfect day has some of those plot twists on a positive note together with solid eight hours of sleep.

5. New skill you would still like to learn?

Arabic. At least some phrases more of it. That would be handy.

FBC member in the spotlight - Meet Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President, Mobile Networks Market for Middle East and Africa

  1. Tell us a brief version of your fascinating career journey leading up to your current role.

    I have been fortunate to have held great jobs and worked with exceptional teams around the world throughout my more than 30-year career. It all began during the Telecom Liberalization Era in Finland with the Helsinki Telephone company (nowadays Elisa). This, coupled with my studies at Helsinki University of Technology where I specialized in Telecom and minored in International Business and Strategy, provided a strong foundation. My career has taken me, along with my family in earlier years, to various locations including Silicon Valley, Napa Valley in California, Munich (twice), Shanghai, Istanbul, Dubai, and soon to Riyadh. I strive to maintain curiosity and seek out new experiences, which has helped me find the 'positive' side even in challenging situations. In my current role as Head of Nokia Mobile Networks in the MEA market, I am able to apply the learnings from my past decades of experience. Nevertheless, I make an effort to learn new things every day, believing that it provides an opportunity for continuous growth. We have been fortunate to experience growth often enough, and in addition to curiosity, there are a few other factors that have contributed to my success. One is the practice of anticipating as much as possible; adhering to the philosophy that 'if you are on time, you are late' has allowed me to achieve more. Additionally, I believe in continuously seeking out opportunities for enjoyment and fun.

  2. Since Nokia is one of our longest-standing members in the Finnish Business Council, what,  in your opinion, are the main benefits of being part of the FBC community?

    5G is enabling many new use cases in collaboration with smart governments and cities. Building these requires working not only with the government but also with smaller companies developing applications on top of 5G networks. FBC provides a good platform for both aspects; we have increased visibility with the UAE government and can also collaborate closely with Finnish companies active in the UAE. These are some of the biggest advantages for Nokia as a member. And, of course, participating in events organized by FBC ladies, Erika and Sanna, is also enjoyable.

  3. How do you foresee the future evolution of the telecom industry in the next 5 to 10 years?

    We are going to see significant changes with AI and Extended Reality. Current 5G networks will evolve to 6G by the decade's end. These networks underpin early AI development. Our goal aligns with Nokia's ESG strategy, focusing on building networks fostering global collaboration. This includes enhancing environmental sustainability in the digital world. In this region, we prioritize Health and Safety (ensuring everyone returns home safely daily), compliance (Nokia has maintained its status as the industry's most ethical company for 8 consecutive years), and bridging the digital divide through rural coverage. So a lot of changes in the society which are enabled by Telecom products.

  4. When you are not traveling, how do you spend your free time?

    I travel frequently, as you know from the question. For example, as I write these answers, I am en route to Stockholm and London for meetings during the Eid holiday. When I'm not traveling, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My wife and two of my eldest daughters live in Finland. Tomorrow, I will briefly see my fourth daughter in London, and last week, my fifth daughter accompanied me while house hunting in Riyadh. In between, I had a good time with friends in Tahkovuori during Easter. I also enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching sports.

  5. Do you still have any dreams in life that you hope to fulfil?

    If I didn't have any dreams, I believe I would be ready to die. Dreams are a significant part of my life, always guiding me towards the next milestones. One of the earliest lessons I learned was that happiness comes before success. So, it's not just about pursuing the next dream; it's about living happily, knowing that good things, including dreams, will follow. I believe my dreams resonate with many readers: as we age, they revolve around health, the well-being of family and friends, and perhaps one more dream—to assist Finnish companies in achieving success in global markets in the future.


Welcome our new member Yallaesports

In 2016, a group of passionate gamers came together to turn their hobby into a professional business. Their dream came true and YaLLa Esports was born. Today, we are a household name in the Middle East’s gaming and Esports scene, built with passion and dedication.

Our goal has been clear since day one. We want to pave the way for gaming in the Middle East to thrive for partners and players alike.

We are the dreamers, believers, trailblazers, and achievers. We are YaLLa Esports.

Contact:

Klaus Kajetski, CEO

klaus@yallaesports.com

Teemu Koski, VP, Media Business

teemu@yallaesports.com

www.yallaesports.com


Become an important anniversary year partner and help us make this year amazing!

Become an important 20th Anniversary Year Partner and help us make this year amazing!

FBC invites you to become an important anniversary year partner as we mark two decades of advancing Finnish business in the region and fostering connections between Finland and the UAE. We hope that you would like to support us and together make the end of year Gala Dinner on November 22 a huge success as we celebrate - Finnish style! The event will welcome approximately 150 guests in a gala dinner setting with live entertainment, delicious food and delightful surprises!

By becoming an anniversary partner, you will receive VIP tickets and the chance to share this experience with colleagues and friends. Why not seize this opportunity to host your company's Christmas Party at our event?

As part of the partner perks, you'll also gain visibility at our annual Golf Tournament scheduled for November 8, adding another layer of engagement with FBC.

We thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you! Contact erika@fbcuae.fi now and ensure you maximize your company's visibility.

FBC member in the spotlight - Meet our Honorary Chairman Jaana Räsänen-Pentti

1.Can you share your story of living in Dubai and how you got involved with the Finnish Business Council?

Upon arriving in the UAE in 2008, I worked for twenty years, assisting Finnish companies in going international, most recently at H&K Strategies. Therefore, joining the FBC was a logical landing pad to meet like-minded individuals and companies. I quickly became part of the Board and have since lost count of the years served as Vice Chair, Chair, or Honorary Chair, either steering or supporting. The most significant contribution, in my opinion, has been engaging influential Finnish business people in our goals and persuading them to join the Board of Directors. In a voluntary setting, you can't boss anybody around; you can only inspire and be inspired by them. Recruiting the right administrative people is also key to our success. The role demands a volunteering spirit because, in tough times, it truly feels more like a calling.

2.What changes have you witnessed in the Finnish Business Council's growth?

Indeed, the FBC has evolved significantly, though no revolution was necessary. As Dubai experienced substantial growth from 2010 onwards, the FBC also made concerted efforts to foster growth on multiple fronts – more members, sponsors, resources, attractive activities, and increased social media outreach. We developed a robust strategy, initiated a systematic process of surveying members' needs, created communication tools, and focused on strong business-oriented activities through seminars and events. Despite the challenges posed by Covid, we adapted by operating online and maintaining a social media presence. However, there are surprisingly many new residents who have yet to hear about the FBC.

3.What impact has the Finnish Business Council had on business ties between Finland and the UAE?

This is a challenging question, and measuring the value of our impact is not straightforward. We connect people and businesses, fostering knowledge transfer between emerging companies and those with more experience. Collaboration with Business Finland and the Embassy is crucial, but it's susceptible to changes in personnel. We must work hard to make co-existence beneficial for everyone and not miss opportunities for companies entering or already established in the market. Despite the challenges, FBC remains a steady presence on the ground, engaging in important voluntary work in trade promotion that, in my opinion, should receive some governmental support. Collaborations with Business Finland on Finnspace and co-organizing events with the Finnish Embassy, such as celebrating Finland's 100th anniversary, have been notable successes.

4. Any success stories or collaborations from the Council that stand out for you personally?

In addition to the above, we've established traditions like the annual Golf Championship tournament and Xmas party, which attract a steady crowd. However, attracting high-caliber individuals to work for our common goals is a significant success. The current Board and our energetic executive duo, Erika and Sanna, have played vital roles in keeping FBC and the brand fresh and interesting.

5.What do you see in the future for the Finnish Business Council in Dubai?

The future looks bright, with more companies targeting the market and existing members retaining their memberships. Despite challenging years due to Covid, FBC has advanced and even added administrative resources to maintain a high level of activities. The working relationship with Business Finland and the Embassy is promising. However, changes in the directives of the Administrative Committee at Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry may pose challenges, as Committee members must represent Dubai-based firms, while FBC is inherently the Finnish Business Council in the UAE. The future will reveal which aspects will need to change.