Finland’s newly appointed Ambassador to the Philippines, Saija Nurminen, recently met with local stakeholders in Cebu to discuss the Nordic country’s plans to deepen its engagement with the Philippines.
She highlighted Finland’s interest in promoting stronger bilateral economic ties, noting that the reopening of the Finnish embassy in the Philippines four years ago was a strategic move to be part of the region’s growth.
Nurminen also highlighted the growing demand for Filipino skills in the Nordic country as she acknowledged that Finland is facing labor shortages in various sectors, including healthcare, IT, green jobs, and skilled labor professions.
She expressed optimism about the Philippines’ multilingual workforce, noting that Filipinos’ ability to learn new languages, such as Finnish, is a significant advantage.
“Our experience of Filipino workers and their ability to learn the language is very good, and I’m sure that it’s something to do with the fact that most of you speak at least two languages to begin with, so then learning other languages is definitely easier than maybe for somebody else,” Nurminen said.
The ambassador’s remarks highlight Finland’s growing interest in tapping into the Philippines’ skilled workforce to address its labor market challenges.
As the Nordic country grapples with an aging population and a need for specialized talent, the Southeast Asian nation’s reputation for producing a highly adaptable and multilingual workforce has caught Finland’s attention.
The ambassador’s visit to Cebu underscores the potential for Filipino professionals to find opportunities in Finland, as the two countries deepen their diplomatic and economic ties.
Jose Franco Soberano, the Honorary Consul of Finland in the Visayas, earlier said that the appointment of Ambassador Numinen marks an exciting new chapter for Finnish-Philippine relations.
“Her extensive experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in building stronger connections and fostering new partnerships. We look forward to collaborating with her on initiatives that will benefit both our nations,” said Soberano.
Ambassador Numinen, who assumed her role in September this year brings a wealth of experience in international diplomacy and a deep commitment to promoting Finland’s interests globally.
Nurminen moved to Manila from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where she has served as Director of the Personnel Unit at the Administrative Services since 2020.
CebuLifestyleChannel.ph