Finland Offers High-Tech, Cybersecurity Expertise To Deepen Ties With Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) – Finland is offering its expertise in high technology, information and communication technology (ICT), connectivity and cybersecurity, among other sectors, to further deepen collaboration with Malaysia amid surging demand from the data centre economy.

Finnish Ambassador to Malaysia Anne Vasara said Malaysia has positioned itself as a major producer in the semiconductor industry, and the rapid growth of the data centre economy and its related ecosystem, as well as artificial intelligence, has created significant potential synergies between the two nations.

“Finland is interested in Malaysia, interested in being present here and cooperating and partnering. The prospects look very positive, particularly this year and further ahead.

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“Looking at the political landscape today, I think an important aspect we share with Malaysia is the engagement and willingness to uphold the international rules-based system and multilateralism, while at the same time Finland endeavours to move forward on sustainable development targets and work related to climate change,” she told Bernama TV’s The Nation programme titled “Advancing Malaysia-Finland Cooperation” today.

Finland is Malaysia’s 15th-largest trading partner within the European Union (EU), while Malaysia is Finland’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Malaysia has previously set a target to double exports to Finland by 2030, particularly in key sectors such as electronics, halal food and green construction materials.

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Malaysia’s total trade with Finland rose 1.5 per cent to RM953 million (US$220 million) in the first seven months of 2025 compared with the same period last year.

Commenting on the resumption of Malaysia–EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations last year, Vasara said the move could be a game changer for EU–Malaysia relations.

“It is not only about facilitating and opening up new opportunities for trade, but I believe this process already allows both sides to learn much more about each other, identify synergies and complementarities, and explore how we can work together in an open international trading system while contributing to sustainable growth in both countries,” she said.

Highlighting other industries, Vasara said the halal industry is a particularly interesting area due to the growing Muslim population in Finland.

“I believe it is approximately 2.5 per cent, and as Finland continues to receive immigrants, demand for halal products is growing. At the same time, the availability of halal products is still relatively limited.

“So I think there is a good market opportunity for Malaysia,” she added.

Vasara also noted that Finnish companies are keen to cooperate in green growth and sustainable construction.

“We have had, and continue to have, projects here, and we want to explore further how we could cooperate in areas such as the bioeconomy, including making better use of residues in forestry and the oil palm industry.

“There are a lot of residues that can be utilised within the circular economy, reprocessed into other products. These areas present very good opportunities,” she added.

-- BERNAMA