Finnish companies are eager to strengthen their business ties with Bashundhara Group, particularly in the areas of engineering, technology, energy, and sustainable development, according to the Finnish Ambassador.

“Bashundhara Group is already collaborating with several Finnish firms, and we are enthusiastic about expanding this cooperation,” said Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta during his visit to the Bashundhara Industrial Headquarters in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Ambassador Kimmo led the delegation, which included a representative of Business Finland, while Bashundhara Group Sector-C Chief Operating Officer Shahed Zahid welcomed the delegation.

Finnish delegation includes Coolbrook Project Director Srinivasan Sriramulu,  Sandeep Kumar of  Elematic, Konecranes Country Director Ratan Biswas, Mirasys Managing Director Arindam Das Sarkar, Routa Digital Chief Executive Officer Kumar Abhijit, Saiful Islam of Wartsila, Wirepas Regional Head Maruthi Mallepalli, Antti Herlevi and liris Määttä from Finland Embassy, Business Finland Regional Director Gitta Perez, Päivi Mähönen and Dharmesh Sharan.

After the meeting, the envoy told the media that the Finnish delegation had a bilateral consultation with the interim government on Tuesday.

“We also have a business delegation to discuss economic issues with Finland and Bangladesh. We came to Bashundhara Group today (Wednesday) for an important meeting that we had during the visit,” he added.

Regarding the meeting agendas, the envoy said that the meeting focused on technology, sustainable construction, engineering, energy and sustainable development.

“ICT and sustainable development are two areas where Finland has strength,” he said. 

Asked about any investment plan, the envoy said, “That’s too early to say.”

After the meeting, COO Shahed Zahid said that Finish delegates discussed possible aspects of collaboration with the Bashundhara Group during the meeting.

“Basically, we have discussions on paper, cement sectors, precast building and other new areas. They are very interested in helping us. They discuss technology transfer in the cement sector to replace the fossil fuel-based system with an electric process, which is very promising,” he said.

Zahid further mentioned that Bangladesh has a lack of cheap funding at this moment where the Finnish government can collaborate with us through a bilateral investment framework. 

“We have diversified industries. One of the main agendas of the meeting is cost-effective funding. We are optimistic about the discussion,” he said.

The Finnish delegation has an interest in sharing their equipment in the paper, chemical, technology and medical sectors.

“Today’s meeting is very promising. Now, the foreign delegates, including business leaders, came to Bangladesh due to increasing confidence in the economy,” he added.

Bashundhara Group senior DMD Mustafizur Rahman, DMD KM Zahid Uddin, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.