Time               
13^th February 2025 from 8:30 to 12:00

Venue            
EY Finland, Korkeavuorenkatu 32-34, 00130 Helsinki    

Registration  The event is free of charge, but registration is needed at latest on 11^th February 2025 HERE.            

The EU and Mercosur reached a political agreement on the Mercosur Free Trade Agreement in December 2024. This agreement is expected to strengthen strategic trade and political ties between the EU and Mercosur countries. It aims to boost bilateral trade and investment, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises, and may also have an impact on security issues.

President Trump will take office in January. What will be the impact of the new administration in Washington on the framework of the USMCA Agreement?

The event is co-organized by the Finnish Latin American Business Council and Business Finland.

PROGRAM

08.30              
Morning coffee with networking possibilities
09.00              
Opening words

Ms. Kirsi Seppäläinen, Chair of the Finnish Latin Business Council
Mr. Janne Aalto, Member of the Board of the Finnish Latin Business Council

09.05              

EU-Mercosur Agreement: negotiated result and the way forward

Mr. Kent Wilska, Trade and Commerce, Director, Unit for Technology and Sustainability, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

09.30              
Market opportunities

Ms. Heidi Virta, Senior Director, Head of Region Latin America, Business Finland  

09.45              

Panel discussion – Companies experiences and expectations led by Ms. Heidi Virta and Mr. Janne

Aalto

10.15              

Panel discussion – Ambassadors of Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (tbc)

led by Mr. Kari Puurunen, Head of Mission, Consul, Team Finland coordinator, Consulate of Finland, São Paulo

10.45              

Perspectives of US trade policy, including potential impacts on Mexico

Mr. Ilkka Saarinen, Director, Trade Policy Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finlan

11.05              

Speech by H.E. Mr. Enrique Rojo-Stein, Ambassador of Mexico to Finland  

11.25              

Discussion

11.50              

Closing words                       

Ms. Päivi Pohjanheimo, Director of International Affairs & Trade, Finland Chamber of Commerce,

Country Director, Secretary General, ICC Finland,

Mr. Janne Aalto, Member of the Board of the Finnish Latin Business Council
12.00              
End of the event

WELCOME.