Finnish business to grant the 2024 Ambassador Awards to Maimo Henriksson, Juha Markkanen and Team Finland in France
The entrepreneurs of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) have recognised Finnish diplomats in the Team Finland network who have been particularly effective in helping Finnish companies internationalise and succeed in export markets in challenging times. The 2024 Ambassador Award will go to Maimo Henriksson, Finland’s Ambassador to Sweden, Juha Markkanen, the Ambassador to Singapore, and Team Finland in France, led by Ambassador Matti Anttonen.
The Finnish Ambassadors and other Team Finland professionals are invaluable partners for companies and deserve our warmest thanks, according to Anne Kangas (Hoitokoti Päiväkumpu), Chair of the EK Delegation of Entrepreneurship, and Bengt Westerholm (Beweship), Chair of the Internationalisation and Reform Working Group:
“We face a big challenge together to gain growth from international markets and reverse the downward trend of Finnish exports. In the context of reforming public internationalisation services, cooperation between business and ministries is needed more than ever.”
“The ambassadors’ role is ever more important as we work as a team to promote Finnish exports and to attract tourists, investment and talent to Finland. It is also important for SMEs that the entire chain of internationalisation services works efficiently, from Finland’s regions to the world market at large.”
Recipients of EK’s Ambassador Awards in 2024
Maimo Henriksson, Ambassador to Sweden
Bilateral relations between Finland and Sweden have become historically close. Ambassador Maimo Henriksson has successfully and tirelessly been at the forefront of this development, which has also brought businesses in closer contact. Henriksson has displayed a strong business-oriented service attitude and initiative, and has been a bridge-builder in strengthening the cooperation between Finnish and Swedish companies.
Juha Markkanen, Ambassador to Singapore
Ambassador Juha Markkanen is known as an energetic promoter of the Team Finland spirit. He has successfully applied the Team Finland philosophy in practical action that benefits businesses. Markkanen and his team have provided companies with both high-quality market information and genuine access, and demonstrated an exemplary spirit of service.
Team Finland in France
The Team Finland network in France has done a brilliant job of promoting Finnish exports and internationalisation in Europe’s second largest economy. Matti Anttonen, the Ambassador, has done commendable and successful work in leading his Team Finland network of many different organisations as a unified team. Under his leadership, the Team Finland professionals have provided companies with valuable market information and concrete opportunities in exports and tourism, as well as attracting investment.
