Plymouth has been selected as the location for a new Finnish honorary consulate, further strengthening the city’s international connections.
The consulate will play an important role in developing opportunities for Finnish businesses and deepening cultural and economic ties between Finland and the UK in the south west of England. It will also offer support for the local Finnish community in the area.
The opening took place in Plymouth on Friday 28 February with Ambassador Jukka Siukosaari, Christina Tolvas-Vincent, Partner from international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson and the Honorary Consul attending the ceremony on a sun-drenched afternoon.
Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans OBE said:
“Tervetuloa Plymouthiin! We are delighted that Britain’s Ocean’s City is to host the honorary consulate and thrilled that we could give the ambassador of Finland a taster of what this city offers.
“Like Finland, our marine economy is huge. We have the greatest marine employment of any town or city in the UK – over 20,110 jobs and our marine innovation sector is leading the way in areas such as autonomous vessels.
“We also have a world-class cultural sector and three universities here, so I am sure there’s plenty of opportunities to explore closer ties with our friends in the north.”
Ambassador Jukka Siukosaari emphasised the importance of this opening in creating new connections between the two countries:
“The UK is an important trading partner for Finland.
"Our new honorary consulate will build on the close relationship between Finland and the UK and contribute to making Finnish culture and businesses better known in Plymouth and the south west. I look forward to seeing the results of this work and how it benefits both the UK and Finland.”
The visit coincided with an historic day for autonomous marine craft in Plymouth as not one but two vessels were launched for sea trials from commercial waterfront business park, Turnchapel Wharf.
Both M-Subs LTD and Acua Ocean trialled their autonomous unmanned vessels, Project Cetus and H-USV Pioneer respectively, onto the water for the next stage of their testing.