AI: The Future now

On May 22, we hosted a discussion on the future of artificial intelligence, in collaboration with the Belgian, Netherlands, and Swedish business councils. The event brought together professionals from different industries to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way we work and build technology.

Luke Liplijn opened the event with a keynote presentation on new developments in artificial intelligence. He spoke about custom language models, policy changes in the United States, and how artificial intelligence understands language beyond just text or English. He also shared useful steps for getting started, whether you are working with a small budget or leading a team with more resources.

After the keynote, Faouz Ibrahim led a panel discussion with Khurram Ali from Oracle, Luis Sergio Cisneros from Ericsson, and Tommi Linna from Aigentics. They shared real examples of how artificial intelligence is being used today, what is working, and what challenges still remain.

Thank you to everyone who joined the event. We look forward to more conversations like this in the future

A special evening to mark the end of another successful Mentorship Program!

On the 30th of April we gathered for the Mentorship Closing Dinner — celebrating the connections, insights, and growth shared between our 20 mentors and 30 mentees over the past season.

The program, launched five years ago by the Swedish Business Council in the UAE Business Council, has become a valuable platform for professional exchange, learning, and community building across the Nordic network.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and experience — your commitment is what makes this program truly impactful.

The next edition of the Mentorship Program will kick off in autumn 2025 — stay tuned!

Finnish Business Council 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner

The Finnish Business Council celebrated its 20th Anniversary with an unforgettable Gala Dinner, bringing together over 100 members of our community to mark this significant milestone. Held on Friday, 22nd November, the evening was a perfect blend of elegance, great music and fun conversations.

The night began with refreshing Finnish Long Drinks provided by Helsinki Distilling Company paired with traditional canapees Karjalanpiirakka, setting the tone for a festive celebration.

A highlight of the evening was the lively dance floor, where Finnish tunes played by DJ Suvi B had everyone on their feet. The gala also featured an exciting raffle draw, with generous prizes sponsored by our partners, including a spectacular Formula 1 experience package courtesy of Marketing Marina.

The 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner was not just a celebration of the FBC’s history but a reflection of the strong bonds within our community.

Thank you to all our members, sponsors, and supporters who made this event possible.

Check out the event photos below!

Sauna Series - The Culture Factor: Desert heat and sauna heat - although both are hot, are we really speaking about the same?

Egbert Schram, Group CEO of The Culture Factor Group, led an engaging discussion on the nuances of culture and its profound impact on business success.

From decoding the essence of culture to exploring its effects on internal operations and marketing strategies, Egbert shared invaluable insights and practical tips.

Big thanks to everyone who joined us for this enriching session!!

Annual General Meeting of the Finnish Business Council

We recently held our Annual General Meeting, where we presented the activity report for the past year. We are proud to announce that our activities increased once again, with a total of 26 events held. We have also managed to increase the number of both corporate and individual members .The financial statement was presented and approved, along with the planned activities for the upcoming year.

Additionally, we are excited to welcome two new board members: Jorge Fernandez Gates, Trade Commisioner at Business Finland and Ulla-Maija Simola, Head of Commercial Management at Nokia Middle East and Africa. Their expertise and enthusiasm will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of our meeting.

Diving into Geopolitics: Navigating the Post-COP28 Landscape in the Face of the Energy Crisis with Robin Mills

In the beginning of May we hosted an enlightening event delving into the geopolitics of energy and climate in the aftermath of COP28 and amidst the global energy crisis. Joined by the Belgian, Polish, Netherlands, and Norwegian Business Councils, we explored pressing issues and opportunities for the Middle East's energy future. Our distinguished speaker, Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, shared invaluable insights. Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion!

LinkedIn Mastery: Unlocking Business Growth and Networking Opportunities in Dubai

On the 1st of May we co-hosted a business breakfast together with The Brittish Business Group and The Swedish Business Council where the LinkedIn expert Stephen Quinn shared his do’s and dont’s in optimising your profile and building a strong network.

Thank you to all the 60 attendees who joined us and made the event a success and to Radisson Red/Silicon Oasis for hosting! 🌟

The 4th edition of the Nordic Mentorship Program has come to an end

Yet another successful Nordic Mentorship Program has come to an end as we gathered on April 30th for the Mentorship closing dinner. During the past 6 months a total of 26 mentors and 26 mentees have worked together to achieve different goals set up by the mentee.

The Nordic Mentorship Program was founded four years ago by the Swedish Business Council and is open to all members of the Nordic Business Councils in the UAE. The 5th round of the Mentorship Program will start in the fall 2024.

Finnkampen - Social Padel Tournament

On Friday the 22nd March the Finnish Business Council and the Swedish Business Council hosted the Finnkampen Social Padel Tournament at @clubpadeldubai 🇫🇮🇸🇪

With 50 players bringing their best to the court, the competition was fierce! Huge thank you to all the players for bringing their A-game and making the event a success 💫 Keep the paddles swinging until we meet again on the 1st of November 🔥

Winners in Category A

🥇 Peter Rosman, Danilo Kricak 🇸🇪

🥈 Tero Kilpelä, Henri Kytösaari 🇫🇮

🥉 Emil Lindqvist, Karan Partovi 🇸🇪

Winners in category B

🥇 Kimmo Kytösaari, Pentti Korjonen 🇫🇮

🥈 Ayman Kabbara, Niklas Abrahamsson 🇸🇪

🥉 Jarto Tapio, Janne Kervinen 🇫🇮

The competition between Finland - Sweden was decided through another intense sport: tug of war, where Sweden secured enough points to bring home the victory - Congratulations! 🥇

Last but not least - thank you to all our prize sponsors!