Finnish companies presenting clean solutions for sixty Kazakh industry leaders
EastCham's Senior Business Advisor Altyn Shakirkhanova giving a speech during the plenary session
A delegation of Finnish businesses and educational institutions headed to Astana, Kazakhstan to showcase Finnish expertise for clean solutions to tackle the next steps for green transformation in Kazakhstan.
Econet’s COO Mika Kärkkäinen summarised the trip short and sweet: “What we set out to get from there, we got.”
Text by Tuuli Järvinen
Background: Kazakhstan is taking actions to transform the country greener and more sustainable by modernising its industries. Kazakh government introduced an updated Environmental Code in 2021, which will regulate activities of individuals and legal entities that have a negative impact on the environment. The Eco Code aims to transition 50 of the largest enterprises in the oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, chemical, and electric power industries to adopt the best available technologies, replacing outdated ones, by 2025. In Kazakhstan, the 50 largest enterprises contribute to 80 % of the total pollution.
These enterprises are required to monitor and report the quantity and quality of emissions with automated systems which presents interesting opportunities for Finnish companies in the field.
The delegation trip is very timely as parts of Kazakhstan experienced the most damaging floods in decades in the spring of 2024. The floods caused large evacuations, displacement of people, and damaged housing to be rebuilt. Kazakhstan, as many other Central Asian countries, has challenges with outdated water infrastructure and clean water supply for the vast country.
The Team Finland trip was organised together with EastCham, Finnpartnership, Finnish Water Forum and the Embassy of Finland in Astana.
Delegation was met with 60 representatives from Kazakh industry and ministries.
Day filled with actionable discussions and next steps for Finnish companies in the market
In November, nine Finnish companies and educational institutions headed to Astana to showcase Finnish know-how and solutions for Kazakh industries seeking to comply with the Eco Code. The delegation led by Ambassador Janne Heiskanen was met by 60 Kazakh representatives from the biggest industries, ministries and associations interested to hear about Finnish solutions.
During the plenary session with official opening remarks, Finnish companies got to pitch their clean solutions for the Kazakh representatives. Finnish delegation introduced their offerings in sustainable mining, water management and monitoring, clean air solutions and education and capacity building.
For the afternoon session, we followed Finnpartnership’s SDG booster model where sustainable and commercial solutions are matched in the form of workshops. Kazakh and Finnish participants were separated to two rooms for breakout sessions to discuss more in detail about the clean air and water solutions for the Kazakh market.
The sessions provided companies with a good opportunity to showcase their products to the right target audience, gain new leads and enhance their local profile.
– I often hear that the discussions and networking with other Finnish companies during the visits is surprisingly important too. It is a great way of learning and expanding your ideas by sharing insights and experiences with others, says Tarja Teittinen, EastCham’s Director of Services.
Lasse Kaiponen from Mittausguru joined the delegation and was happy about the activation during the sessions. Mittausguru offers continuous monitoring solutions of the environment for industry and research.
– We got leads and conversations have been continued. Time will tell whether they will become more concrete, Kaiponen commented after the visit.
“We got leads and conversations have been continued.”
Mika Kärkkäinen set out to strengthen the already existing relationships during the trip and additionally gained new serious leads.
– It was confirmed that the country is investing heavily in both industry and municipal sectors, Kärkkäinen observed. Econet designs and creates solutions for clean water and the environment.
EastCham’s Director of Services Tarja Teittinen and Senior Business Advisor Altyn Shakirhanova in snowy Astana.
What should happen now that the initial connections have been established?
Now that the initial contact in Astana has been established, it is important to start following up on those conversations. EastCham’s Tarja Teittinen advises companies to seize the opportunity right away.
– Connect with the new contacts and keep the relationship warm from the beginning. If you found a potential contact during the visit, I would advise to start planning your next trip to Kazakhstan. Kazakh value your commitment, Teittinen says.
“Start planning your next trip to Kazakhstan.”
In the Kazakh business culture, building trust and more personal connections are important. Relationships are not just strictly business – they go beyond just business talk.
The visits are a great way to start learning about a new market and start finding leads through the organised programs and networking sessions. However, you should prepare yourself to gain the most out of the trip.
– If you decide to join, be ready to do your homework: focus your offering, rehearse your pitch and prepare your materials – and have an open and flexible attitude for new experiences”, advice Tarja Teittinen.
Lasse Kaiponen also seconds the importance of taking initiative during the trip and afterwards.
– It’s a good idea to take the initiative and agree on the next steps, such as scheduling remote meetings, on-site at the event. And if there’s a language barrier, don’t hesitate to ask for help, Kaiponen says.
In such delegation trips, Mika Kärkkäinen believes that it is important to be part of the Finnish business ecosystem.
– Under the ecosystem’s wings, we are safer and more credible. We Finns are considered serious partners in Central Asia, Kärkkäinen sums up.