Mentorship Closing Dinner
Apr
30
6:30 PM18:30

Mentorship Closing Dinner

Exclusive invitation for the participants of the mentorship program

It is with great pleasure that the Nordic Business Councils extend an exclusive invitation to you, a participant of the Mentorship program, for the Closing Dinner.

After six months of dedicated learning and development, we are thrilled to celebrate the successful culmination of this journey with you. Join us for an evening of reflection, camaraderie, and celebration at our Closing Dinner.

We are honored to announce that we will have the privilege of hearing from Miriam Lindholm, a former mentee of the mentorship program who will share her inspiring journey from three years ago to where she is today.

In addition to Miriam's insights, we will also engage in a small exercise where we will reflect on our own journeys, sharing experiences and lessons learned.

Date: Tuesday, 30th April
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: The Strand Craft Kitchen & Cocktails, Palm Views West - The Palm Jumeirah
Price: From AED 130 per person including pasta or pizza and one glass of wine or beer.
Dress code: Elegant Lounge

RSVP before the 23rd April by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi. A payment link for the dinner will be sent within 48hrs from registration.

We look forward to your presence at this special occasion as we bid farewell to this chapter of growth and look ahead to new beginnings.

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LinkedIn Mastery: Unlocking Business Growth and Networking Opportunities in Dubai
May
1
8:00 AM08:00

LinkedIn Mastery: Unlocking Business Growth and Networking Opportunities in Dubai

Together with the Swedish Business Council and the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai we welcome you to this masterclass which is is designed for a wide range of professionals, from beginners to intermediate users, focusing primarily on those looking to expand their business network and generate new sales opportunities through LinkedIn.

You will learn:

• Crafting a Powerful LinkedIn Profile: Strategies to make profiles stand out, tips and tricks on what works best / impresses upon a profile visit.

• Effective Networking: Techniques to build and maintain a really valuable network that aligns with professional goals (namely new sales / business development conversations!).

• Content Strategy for Engagement: Creating and sharing content that increases visibility and engagement.

• Lead Generation and Business Opportunities: Utilising LinkedIn for business development.

• How to get the most out of LinkedIn without spending "all day" on it!

With extensive experience in Digital Marketing and international professional networking (27 years) including 18 years using LinkedIn, BBG member, Stephen Quinn will bring practical insights and proven strategies to maximise LinkedIn's potential for business growth and networking.

As part of this, Stephen has offered to do a full overhaul, strategy and personalised LinkedIn Programme with one of our members. Ideally this person would be up on and running on LinkedIn, but on a basic level (eg 200-500 contacts, perhaps has done the occasional post, and it would be best if they were working within B2B  Role (and not B2C or eg someone looking for a profile that they would use for the career), They can be working in a company (in ideally a senior / C Suite Role of Sales / Business Development) or eg could be an owner managed entrepreneur working and perhaps involved in the sales role of their company. Please let us know if you are interested to be selected once you register.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday 1st May
Time: 8 - 10 am
Venue: Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis (Free self and valet parking available)
Price: AED 145 for members of the Nordic Business Councils AED 190 for non-members. Prices include lighter breakfast and VAT.

Dress Code: Business attire

RSVP before 26th April 2024 by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi

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How to find the right property in the UAE
May
2
6:30 PM18:30

How to find the right property in the UAE

Are you thinking about buying your first property in the UAE to live, or considering an off-plan property investment amid the never ending property boom? 

Together with the Norwegian, Danish and Swedish Business Councils we are proud to present Frode Nordseth, VP of Products for Property Finder, who will be presenting the multitude of property investments in the region and which areas are booming. We hope this will give both experienced and first time buyers insight into the market and make you more knowledgeable in order to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones futures.

AGENDA
6:30 pm – Pre Registration/Networking Coffee/Snacks
7.00 pm - Introduction of Frode Nordseth
Property Finder Introduction
Offplan presentation
Ready House / Mortgage presentation
7.30 pm - Q&A and Networking

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Thursday 2nd May
Time: 6.30 - 9.30 pm
Venue: Instagram meeting room 42nd floor, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City.
Price: AED 99 for members of the participating Business Councils, AED 149 for Pre-Members. Prices include VAT, tea & coffee and canapees.
Dress Code: Smart Casual
RSVP: by the 30th April by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi

Photographs will be taken during the evening and used for Social Media.

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Diving into Geopolitics: Navigating the Post-COP28 Landscape in the Face of the Energy Crisis with Robin Mills
May
8
6:30 PM18:30

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

In the aftermath of COP28, where global leaders converged to address climate change, and amidst the ongoing energy crisis, understanding the geopolitical landscape has never been more critical. This event aims to delve into these pressing issues, fostering dialogue and insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead and what this means for the Middle East's energy and climate path over the next 5-10 years. Together with the Belgian, Polish, Netherlands and Norwegian Business Councils we warmly welcome you to join our event with our distinguished speaker Robin Mills.

Robin Mills is an expert on Middle East energy strategy and economics. He is the CEO of Qamar Energy, which provides leading-edge energy advisory services across the spectrum of energy companies. Robin is the author of two books: “The Myth of the Oil Crisis” and “Capturing Carbon”. He is also a columnist on energy and environmental issues for Bloomberg and The National, and comments widely on energy issues in the media, including the Financial Times, Foreign Policy, Atlantic, CNN, BBC, Sky News, and others. Mills is a Fellow at the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy, a Senior Fellow with the Iraq Energy Institute, and a former Non-Resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution12. He holds a first-class degree in Geology from the University of Cambridge and speaks Arabic, Farsi, Dutch, and Norwegian.

Agenda:

6.30pm - 7.30pm Registration and networking with welcome drink and canapés

7.30pm - 9.00pm Talk with Robin Mills

9pm onwards networking

Event details:

Date: Wednesday 8 May

Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Venue: The Strand Restaurant, Palm Jumeirah

Price: AED 150 for members of the Nordic Business Councils AED 220 for non-members. Price includes one drink, canapés and VAT.

Dress Code: Business casual

RSVP before 6th May 2024 by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi

Warm welcome!

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Annual General Meeting of the Finnish Business Council
May
15
6:00 PM18:00

Annual General Meeting of the Finnish Business Council

We welcome all our members and others interested in our activities to participate in our Annual General Meeting. During the meeting we will present the activities of the past year as well as look ahead what is to come. We have two spots open for new board members to join our team, please contact erika@fbuae.fi for more information.

Agenda

1 Welcome Address by FBC Chairman
2. Selection of a Chair, Secretary, Voting Officer
3. Confirmation of Quorum
4. Acceptance of the Agenda
5. Annual Activity Report 2023
6. Annual Financial Report 2023

7. Program of Activities for 2024
8. Budget for Financial Year 2024

9 Election of New FBC Administrative Committee members (2)

10. AOB
11. Closing of Annual General Meeting

Date and time: 17 April 6.00pm

Place: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront

Warm Welcome! Tervetuloa!

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Welcome to Vappu Brunch!
Apr
27
1:00 PM13:00

Welcome to Vappu Brunch!

During this 20th Anniversary Year we bring more Finnish traditions to our activities - hence this spring we are organizing a traditional Vappu Brunch.

Join us for a fun afternoon, make new connections but most of all let’s celebrate Vappu together! This event is open for both members and non-members, first come first serve as we have limited seats.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Saturday 27th April
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Venue: Bar Du Port Location
Price: Brunch packages starting from 320AED check out the menu here
Payment will be done on the day directly to the restaurant
Dress Code: Smart Casual, vappu style! (No flip-flops allowed for men)
RSVP by the 19th April to admin@fbcuae.fi. Limited seats!

Tervetuloa!

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Sauna Series - Mastering your Inbox: Dive into the latest trends and strategies of email marketing.
Apr
25
6:30 PM18:30

Sauna Series - Mastering your Inbox: Dive into the latest trends and strategies of email marketing.

Join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary year with our unique "Sauna Series" talks!

Inspired by Finnish tradition of some of the best discussions taking place in the sauna, we would now like to bring this concept to you in Dubai. These engaging discussions will be held at The Strand, on Palm Jumeirah. After the talks, stick around for some networking and enjoy traditional Finnish salmon soup and drinks. Each session is hosted by one of our member companies and sponsored by Hofstede Insights. Join us for a unique mix of tradition, conversation, and celebration!

The first talk will be hosted by Liana Technologies with the theme:

Mastering your Inbox: Dive into the latest trends and strategies of email marketing

Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in the dynamic world of email marketing, with insightful discussions, practical tips, and networking opportunities that will empower you to master the inbox and drive unparalleled results for your business. Our expert speaker, Tomi Saikkonen Vice President of Liana Technologies, will shed light on the latest trends and cutting-edge strategies that can elevate your email marketing game.

Topics to be covered include:

  • Data Privacy

  • Quality of Your Data

  • Personalization 

  • AI (Artificial Intelligence)

  • Marketing Automation

Agenda:

6.30pm Registration

7.00pm Welcome note by our sponsor Hoftede Insights

7.05pm Presentation by Tomi Saikkonen, Liana Technologies

8.00pm Q&A

8.15pm - 9.30pm Salmon soup, drinks and networking

Date and time: 25 April 6.30pm-9.30pm

Price: 100 AED for Nordic Business Council members, 160 AED for others. Includes the talk, salmon soup and a drink.

Location: The Strand, Plam Jumeirah

Dress code: Don’t worry you are allowed to wear clothes in this Sauna, Business Casual

RSVP to admin@fbcuae.fi by April 18th.

A ticket to the Apocalyptica Concert on the 13th of September (in Dubai) will be drawn amongst all the participants in this event!

Warm welcome! Tervetuloa!

Save the date for the next Sauna Series talks on the 23rd of May hosted by Hofstede Insights: The culture factor

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Mix, Mingle, and Make Connections: Join Our Networking Night with the Young Professionals
Apr
17
6:30 PM18:30

Mix, Mingle, and Make Connections: Join Our Networking Night with the Young Professionals

Join us for an enjoyable evening of networking and drinks, hosted by the Nordic Business Councils! Whether you're a seasoned professional or embarking on your career journey, this event is for you. Feel free to bring along friends and enjoy an evening of mingling with like-minded individuals.

This event isn't exclusively for our Young Professional members; we also extend a warm welcome to hiring managers and professionals interested in recruitment. It's an exceptional opportunity to forge connections with potential candidates and unearth new talent for your team. Or perhaps you're just young at heart? 

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Wednesday, 17th April
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Venue: Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Claw BBQ. Location
Price: Free for members of the participating Business Councils. Pay F&B individually upon consumption.
Package available:
Mid Week Madness | from 6:00PM –8PM |  AED 99 –House Beverage package including selection of cocktails
Dress Code: Smart Casual
RSVP by the 15th April to admin@fbcuae.fi

Don't let this chance slip away to expand your network and unwind after work in a vibrant and welcoming ambience. We eagerly anticipate your presence!

For any further inquiries, don't hesitate to reach out to us at admin@fbcuae.fi

Photographs will be taken during the event for Social Media.

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Finnkampen -  Social Padel Tournament
Mar
22
2:00 PM14:00

Finnkampen - Social Padel Tournament

THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED! CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THE RESERVE LIST admin@fbcuae.fi

2024 is a year of celebration for the Finnish and the Swedish business councils as we turn 20 and 30 years, respectively! What better way to celebrate together than by welcoming you to our friendly yet competitive Finnkampen* - Social Padel Tournament!

We invite you to a great afternoon and evening to play Padel while networking and engaging in fun social events. Not only will we compete on a team level, but there will also be a competition between Finland and Sweden – in true Finnkampen spirit.

We encourage you to invite clients, colleagues, friends, and family to join and to sheer.

May the best teams and country win!

Date: Friday 22nd March
Time: 2pm registration and warm up. Play starts at 3pm, estimated time of the tournament is 5 hours. All players should stay until the end.
Venue: Club Padel, 6B Street - Al Quoz - Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 - Dubai. (Outdoors). Click here for Google maps.

Price:

FBC and SBC MEMBERS: AED 150
NON-MEMBERS: AED 250

Prices include the tournament, racquet, balls & water.

Members of the Swedish and Finnish Business Councils have priority.
After the 17th March, any cancellations will not be refunded.

FOOD
A new restaurant will open at Club Padel in time for the event, and more information on the menu will be announced shortly.

LEVELS
Ladies and Men will play together divided into two categories: D and C. To attend, you must be D+ or higher.
The tournament leader will place teams in the appropriate categories according to the Playtomic level of the player.

TO PLAY

  1. Check your level according to Playtomic standards above.

  2. Register below before the 17th March (including your Playtomic level).

  3. Payment. You will receive an e-mail with payment details within 48 hours of signing up. If you register as an individual player, we will send you a payment link once we have found you a partner.

*The "Finnkampen" is a track and field competition between Sweden and Finland that premiered in 1925, and has since grown into a prestigious annual competition which each country takes turn to host. The atmosphere is typically electric as every point is fiercely contested. Finnkampen is unique because it's the world's only remaining annual athletics international with only two participating countries still held at a professional level.

PRIZES
Be an important Prize sponsor of this event! Contact FBC if you are interested or would like to hear more.

If any questions please contact the FBC team on email: admin@fbcuae.fi

Supported by

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Arabian Nights Party to celebrate FBC turning 20!
Mar
15
6:30 PM18:30

Arabian Nights Party to celebrate FBC turning 20!

The Finnish Business Council's 20th Anniversary Year is about to kick off, and we look forward to celebrating two decades of advancing Finnish business in the region and fostering connections between Finland and the UAE! Throughout our Anniversary Year, we aim to honour the diverse cultures of both countries. Hence, our festivities will start with an Arabian Nights Party where we will enjoy delicious Arabic food under twinkling lights at the terrace of The Strand restaurant which will be transformed into an Arabic oasis. Join us for a magical evening, marking the beginning of our Anniversary year in true Arabic style!

Event details:

Date and time: 15 March 6.30pm – midnight

Place: The Strand Restaurant (outside), Palm Jumeirah

Dress code: Embrace the charm of the East by donning your most stylish Arabian-inspired attire. Dress to impress and you can win amazing prices!

Price with food including 3h alcohol package: 400 AED for FBC Members 550 AED for non members (Drink package includes: house wines, prosecco, beer, spirits, cocktails)

Price with food including soft drinks and mocktails: 200 AED for FBC Members 300 AED for non members

RSVP to: admin@fbcuae.fi by March 1st

Warm welcome! Marhaban!

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Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress - IWD 2024
Mar
7
6:30 PM18:30

Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress - IWD 2024

Together with the Swedish Business Council we are delighted to invite you, men and women, to the International Women's Day event 2024, centred around the pivotal theme by the United Nations: "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress."

As we commemorate International Women's Day, we recognise the profound impact women have had on shaping societies, economies, and cultures worldwide. This event aims to celebrate the achievements of women while also highlighting the importance of investing in their advancement for a better living for all.

The urgency and necessity of empowering women across various spheres, including education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and beyond is vital. Through insightful discussions at this interactive session by inspiring leaders, we will explore how to best support, include, and give opportunities for women globally.

MODERATOR:

  • Katriina Kuusniemi, Executive Director, Business Affairs and Governance, Dubai Holding has 20+ years of experience at global level as a lawyer, business leader and compliance professional and is currently leading responsible investment and governance initiatives at Dubai Holding. Katriina holds a Master of Laws degree and has initiated PhD studies in the compliance field. She is also a CEDR accredited mediator, a certified board member and holds an executive education certification from Yale School of Management.

SPEAKERS:

  • Helena Tronner, Vice President at Knowit Insight Accelerate, is dedicated to unlocking human and business potential, focusing on sustainable outcomes and business value through effective leadership, ongoing development, and transformative DE&I strategies.

  • Irene Kasyokis, Country Representative - Dubai at Bring Hope is a skilled project manager with a background in public health and extensive experience in non-profit organisations, leads impactful initiatives, excelling in team leadership for positive social impact.

  • Mohit Bhatia, General Manager MENCA, Electrolux, has over 20 years of experience leading business units for Electrolux covering both Mature & Emerging markets in APAC MEA region.

  • Katia Al Kaisi, Founder and CEO, Education House Finland and the regional Foresight Expert for Futures Platform. With a background of over 20 years in leadership, strategy, and business development across different sectors, she excels in bridging Finnish innovation, well-being, education, and future thinking to the Middle Eastern context. Katia focuses on educational strategy, upskilling/reskilling and future foresight projects. Her work is driven by a passion to prepare Generation Alpha for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving world.

  • Sergio Hicke, Cluster President of Alfa Laval India, Middle East & Africa, and the Managing Director of Alfa Laval Middle East & Africa in Dubai, UAE with over 25 years at Alfa Laval, Sergio has held leadership roles globally. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA in Strategic Management and Marketing.

AGENDA:
6:30 pm Registration and networking
7:00 pm Panel discussions moderated by Katriina Kuusniemi
8:30 pm Q&A
9:00 pm Networking at Coco Lounge (15% discount on Food & Beverages)

EVENT DETAILS:
Date
: Thursday 7th March
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Venue: Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai
Price: AED 50 for members of the Nordic Business Councils and AED 150 for Non-members.
Prices include VAT. Discounted beverages are available to purchase at the event.

Dress Code: Business Casual.

RSVP before 5th March emailing admin@fbcuae.fi

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Meet the Members
Feb
21
6:30 PM18:30

Meet the Members

Have you ever wondered who the people are behind the FBC corporate members? Join us for a relaxed night of networking and get to know your fellow FBC members.

Each corporate member will have 5 minutes to present themselves and their business.

We encourage you to come with friends and colleagues to support our presenters as they take the stage!

On stage:

Medhat Elabd, ITC Accounting and Tax Consultancy, Tax Partner

Tomi Fyrqvist, Aquarius Constellation Social, Managing Director

Tomi Saikkonen, Liana Technologies, Vice President Middle East & Africa

Sebastian Taskila, Taika Digital, CEO

Joonas Vikström, ISKU Middle East, Managing Partner

Ajit Kumar, Director Industrial Cranes, Konecranes

Agenda
6:30 pm Registration
7 pm Members in the spotlight
8 pm - 9:00 pm Networking at Ella´s Eatery (outdoors)

Date: Wednesday 21 February
Time:
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Venue:
Ella´s Eatery, Palm Jumeirah. Free parking outside the restaurant.
Price:
Free for members of the Nordic Business Councils. AED 100 for non-members.
Included in the price is a welcome drink.
Dress Code:
Smart Casual

Register to: admin@fbcuae.fi by 16th of February

Warm Welcome!

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How to improve your negotiation skills
Feb
1
6:30 PM18:30

How to improve your negotiation skills

Join us when Amar Lazazi, Head of Procurement for Nokia Middle East and Africa, will share useful tips on improving your negotiation skills. This session, in collaboration with the Swedish, Norwegian, and German Business Councils, promises valuable insights to prepare you to be at your best and to elevate your negotiating skills!

The session will cover essential aspects of Negotiation, including the various forms of Negotiation and important elements such as thorough preparation, understanding interests, effective communication, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. Furthermore, we'll delve into key concepts like BATNA ("Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement").

Additionally, we will talk about the future of Negotiation and its evolving landscape in contemporary business environments, integrating  Artificial Intelligence. We will discuss the responsible use of AI tools, emphasizing transparency and improved decision-making processes to optimize outcomes.

Speaker bio:

Amar Lazazi is the Head of Procurement of Nokia Mobile Networks Business Group in the Middle East and Africa Market, actively transforming and enhancing the role of Procurement as a business partner and growth enabler, and positioning Procurement at the forefront closer to the internal and external customers.

Prior to Nokia, Amar held various leadership roles in the Procurement and Supply Chain, for major leading Telecom and IT companies in the Middle East and Africa region.

 As a continuous learner, he enjoys sharing knowledge and experience with professionals from different industries as well as students and young talents, participating as a Speaker and Panelist in various conferences and events. He is an active member of the prestigious CIPS "Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply", and he is actively contributing to the evolution and innovation in the Procurement and Supply Chain function in the region.

 With 22 years of experience in Procurement and Supply Chain, Amar will bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights, that will enrich the training session.

Date: Thursday 1 February 2024
Time: 6.30 - 9.30 pm
Venue: Instagram meeting room 42nd floor,  Media One Hotel
Price: 50 AED for members of the participating Business Councils, 120 AED for others
RSVP by the 26 January by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi

Warm welcome!

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Unlocking the secrets of digital marketing success
Nov
28
6:30 PM18:30

Unlocking the secrets of digital marketing success

A warm welcome to join The Finnish Business Council and other Business Councils in the UAE for an insightful evening with Aida O. Roth, a Digital Marketing expert with an impressive 15-year track record in the industry. What makes this event even more exciting? Aida spent seven of those years at Google Headquarters in Dublin, learning the ropes straight from the digital marketing giants.

In this session, Aida will be your guide into the world of Digital Marketing. She'll cover the fundamental concepts, shedding light on why data-driven marketing is the key to success in today's competitive landscape. Moreover, she'll explore the intriguing shifts in consumer behavior over the past few years and show you how to adapt your ads for maximum impact in the ever-evolving marketing world.

Whether you're a digital marketing enthusiast or a young professional seeking to elevate your career, Aida's insights are bound to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in the digital realm. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned expert and stay ahead of the digital marketing curve. Join us for an evening of enlightenment and networking.

AGENDA
6:45 pm Registration
7:15 pm Presentation by Aida O. Roth
7:45 pm - 9:00 pm Networking at Coco Lounge.

Date: Tuesday 28th November
Time:
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Venue:
Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City
Price:
Free for Young Professional, Professional and Corporate members of the Nordic Business Councils. AED 100 for non-members.
Dress Code:
Smart Casual
RSVP
before the 24th November to admin@fbcuae.fi

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Nordic Padel Tournament
Nov
3
2:00 PM14:00

Nordic Padel Tournament

The event is now fully booked. You can still sign up to the waiting list

Warm welcome to participate in the Nordic Padel Tournament - Autumn 2023! A great afternoon and evening to play padel while networking with the Nordic community. We encourage you to invite clients, colleagues and of course friends and family for a fun afternoon and evening when we crown the Nordic masters.


Date: Friday 3rd November
Time: 2pm registration and warm up. Play starts at 3pm
Venue: Emirates Golf Club – Real Racquet Academy (RRA). (Outdoors).
Prices: See the different price options below. BBQ Dinner will be arranged right by the Padel Courts, during the tournament, with a live cooking station including hot dogs and grilled beef burgers with toppings, all served with fries and a green salad (vegetarian patty is available), so bring your friends and family along to enjoy a nerve wrecking evening by the courts.

MEMBERS

Padel only: AED 150
Padel & Dinner: AED 250
Dinner only: AED 125

PRE-MEMBERS

Padel only: AED 250
Padel & Dinner: AED 350
Dinner only: AED 125

Prices include the tournament, racquet, balls & water.

Food needs to be pre-ordered! No hot food can be purchased on the day. Prices are including 5% VAT.

LEVELS
Ladies and Men will play separately, minimum level D+ and up. Any mixed teams will be placed in the appropriate category by the tournament leader.

Please note that all players have to have played padel before.

TO PLAY
1. Check your level according to RRA standards here.
2. Register below before the 20th October (including your RRA level). Note that this is a popular event, and spots get booked up quickly.
3. Payment. You will receive an e-mail with payment details within 48 hours of signing up. If you register as an individual player, we will send you a payment link once we have found you a partner.

After the 30th October any cancellations will not be refunded.

Register here to the waiting list

SMASH SPONSOR

BANDEJA SPONSORS

VOLLEY SPONSORS

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Nordic Padel Tournament - FULLY BOOKED! WAITING LIST AVAILABLE
Oct
30
10:30 AM10:30

Nordic Padel Tournament - FULLY BOOKED! WAITING LIST AVAILABLE

The event is now fully booked. You can still sign up to the waiting list

Warm welcome to participate in the Nordic Padel Tournament - Autumn 2023! A great afternoon and evening to play padel while networking with the Nordic community. We encourage you to invite clients, colleagues and of course friends and family for a fun afternoon and evening when we crown the Nordic masters.


Date: Friday 3rd November
Time: 2pm registration and warm up. Play starts at 3pm
Venue: Emirates Golf Club – Real Racquet Academy (RRA). (Outdoors).
Prices: See the different price options below. BBQ Dinner will be arranged right by the Padel Courts, during the tournament, with a live cooking station including hot dogs and grilled beef burgers with toppings, all served with fries and a green salad (vegetarian patty is available), so bring your friends and family along to enjoy a nerve wrecking evening by the courts.

MEMBERS

Padel only: AED 150
Padel & Dinner: AED 250
Dinner only: AED 125

PRE-MEMBERS

Padel only: AED 250
Padel & Dinner: AED 350
Dinner only: AED 125

Prices include the tournament, racquet, balls & water.

Food needs to be pre-ordered! No hot food can be purchased on the day. Prices are including 5% VAT.

LEVELS
Ladies and Men will play separately, minimum level D+ and up. Any mixed teams will be placed in the appropriate category by the tournament leader.

Please note that all players have to have played padel before.

TO PLAY
1. Check your level according to RRA standards here.
2. Register below before the 20th October (including your RRA level). Note that this is a popular event, and spots get booked up quickly.
3. Payment. You will receive an e-mail with payment details within 48 hours of signing up. If you register as an individual player, we will send you a payment link once we have found you a partner.

After the 30th October any cancellations will not be refunded.

Register here to the waiting list

SMASH SPONSOR

BANDEJA SPONSORS

VOLLEY SPONSORS

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Conquering the Middle Eastern Market - Business Breakfast
Oct
17
8:30 AM08:30

Conquering the Middle Eastern Market - Business Breakfast

Experience a transformative Business Breakfast with Planna's team of Finnish-Middle Eastern experts in strategic marketing and business development.

In this event, you will discover valuable insights on how to position your business in new markets and successfully navigate the local market in the UAE. Additionally, we will showcase our latest case study on a trending topic: waste management in the UAE. Together, we will explore how the region is striving to transform trash into treasure. Ultimately, by understanding the current and future market landscape and development projects in a region, you will be able to identify and seize your business opportunities effectively.

We look forward to welcoming you to this exclusive gathering where we will share our knowledge on how to position a brand and how to elevate a business strategy in a new market.

Agenda: 

8:15 - 8:30 Registration

8:30 - 9:30 Presentation

09:30 - 10:00 Networking

Time and place: 17 October 8.30am-10am, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City

Price: 60 AED for members of the Finnish Business Council, 100 AED for others

RSVP: admin@fbcuae.fi by 13 October

Warm Welcome!

Who We Are

Planna is a Finnish company founded in 2021, enabling a step-by-step plan to help achieve the fullest potential of businesses. Together with an advisory board comprising experts from diverse sectors and our team's extensive expertise in both the Nordic and Middle East regions, we provide the latest marketing and business solutions to unlock global market access.

Planna ultimately believes that international cooperation and embracing diversity is the key to developing the future of our societies. Therefore, we embrace global connections and strive to create growth opportunities for businesses in new markets. 

 Website: www.planna.fi

 


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Inter-council Business Breakfast on Corporate TAX
Oct
11
8:30 AM08:30

Inter-council Business Breakfast on Corporate TAX

With the onset of the new tax regime, organizations in the UAE are making important headways in the realm of corporate tax. On that note, we are excited to announce a business breakfast in association with MBG Corporate Services and other business councils on UAE Corporate Tax to discuss the varied aspects of what the new regime entails. We look forward to engaging with you at our upcoming event. The session details are listed below.

 

Agenda

08:30 – 09:00 AM Registration, Breakfast and Networking

09:00 – 09:05 AM Welcome note, Lydia Wummel Tyagi

09:05 – 09:10 AM Keynote, Mr. Mahmood Badri

09:10 – 09:30 AM Decoding of Key Provisions and Cross Border Perspective, Komal Grover

09:30 – 09:50 AM Regulatory Framework for Transfer Pricing, Aditi Bhoj

Coffee/tea break for 15 minutes

10:05 – 10:35 AM Litigation Aspects, Dr. Justice Vineet Kothari

10:35 – 10:45 AM Question and Answers & Panel

10:45 – 10:55 AM Closing remarks, Elena Blaton

Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View, Dhow Ballroom

Breakfast timing: 8:30 AM – 11.30 AM (GST)

Address: Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE  

Registration form

Please use the registration form to include your professional details, the council that invited you, and share any questions you may have in advance to be covered during our session. Due to limited slots, registrations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-serve basis. After we receive your registration request, we will be sending a confirmation email, which you must use for your entry at the venue. The registration is free and therefore, we urge you to book your slots at the earliest.

Registration link: https://www.mbgcorp.com/ae/inter-council-business-breakfast-on-corporate-tax/

 

We look forward to interacting with you, exchanging ideas and creating a lasting impact through this session, together!

 

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Nordic Mentorship Program Launch - private event
Oct
4
12:30 PM12:30

Nordic Mentorship Program Launch - private event

We are thrilled to kick off the third mentorship program with the Nordic Business Councils in the UAE with a big launch event! 

We welcome all the confirmed Mentors and Mentees to this evening to get to know who is participating. The mentees will during this event be part of a speed networking session to later put in a request for their preferred mentor. 

This is by invitation only.

Did you not sign up yet for the mentorship program, please click here.

Agenda:
6 pm Registration (coffee, tea)
6.30 pm Presentation of mentorship framework
7 pm Get to know the mentors and mentees by speed networking
8 pm onwards drinks at Coco-Lounge (outdoors). At own expense with 20% discount on a la carte menu

 

Date: Tuesday 4th October
Time: 6 - 9 pm
Venue: Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens
Price: Free for, and only for the participants of the Nordic Mentorship Program.
RSVP: Before 30th Sept by filling in this link.

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Water: The Liquid Gold of Our Future - Nordic Sundowner
Sep
27
6:30 PM18:30

Water: The Liquid Gold of Our Future - Nordic Sundowner

The Finnish Business Council, together with the other Nordic Business Councils invites you to dive deeper into the world of water at the September Nordic Sundowner!

As we are celebrating the year of sustainability in the UAE, we want to highlight the fact that water is increasingly becoming the most precious resource in the modern era.

Join us for an interactive and inspiring panel discussion with our fabulous speakers who will talk about water from different perspectives. Learn about the impact of fast fashion on water pollution, as well as the efforts of companies such as Lamor and Nokia in promoting water sustainability and conservation. All followed by networking and drinks with the Nordic business community.

Agenda:

6.30-7.00pm Registration

7.00-8.00pm Interactive water panel discussion

8.00-9.30pm Drinks, canapees and networking

 Speakers:

Moderator Tatiana Antonelli Abella is the Founder and Managing Director of Goumbook, a Social Enterprise established in 2009 and dedicated to raising awareness among the local community on Sustainability and Green Living. During her 17 years in the UAE, Tatiana has garnered a strong reputation and she is actively involved in the green arena. Since 2021 she is a LinkedIn UAE Top Voice in Sustainability. In June 2022 she was awarded the Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice and Environmental Sustainability under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

Araceli Gallego is a sustainable fashion advocate, speaker, and serial entrepreneur. Her passion for fashion led her to uncover the less glamorous side of the industry, inspiring her to find an alternative approach to fashion. She believes in creating a fashion industry that positively impacts people's lives while respecting the planet.

Araceli Gallego is not only the co-founder of Goshopia.com and the Sustainable Souk but also of the Editor in Chief of Dubai Fashion News. Additionally, she serves as the UAE Fashion Revolution Country Coordinator and Project Manager. Her diverse skill set includes writing, podcasting, storytelling, and an insatiable curiosity for life.

Mika Puustinen is a Business Development Manager at Lamor with 5 years of experience in Middle East business. He is privileged to drive strategic partnerships and foster growth opportunities for Lamor. Lamor is one of the leading global providers of environmental solutions. Lamor provides its customers with equipment used for oil recovery, waste management and water treatment as well as versatile environmental solutions and services, such as clean-up and preparedness services related to oil spill response and oil spills, services for the treatment of waste and tailored and adapted water treatment solutions.

Danial Mausoof is currently the VP, Head of Sales for Mobile Networks in Middle East & Africa and a member of the regional leadership team at Nokia. He leads a world class sales and solutioning team with an emphasis on driving network evolution through 5G, Cloud RAN and beyond. With the growth of the digital economy and the disruption in every industry, his ambition is to future-proof digital adoption across diverse markets and strive for value creation. Danial is a recognized thought leader and frequent keynote speaker on various topics such as 5G, Smart cities, Analytics, Industry 4.0, Data Monetisation, and market development insights

Date: Wednesday 27th September
Time: 6:30pm-9.30pm
Venue: The Strand, Palm Views West, The Palm Jumeirah
Prices: 75 AED for members of the Nordic Business Councils, 120 AED for others. Includes one drink and canapees. After the first drink happy hour prices apply 30AED/drink.

RSVP: by 22nd September to admin@fbcuae.fi

Warm Welcome!

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Reach Your Full Potential - Business Breakfast
Sep
13
8:00 AM08:00

Reach Your Full Potential - Business Breakfast

You know you have great potential. You are well educated, have a good job, and all seems to go great. On the outside.

But on the inside, you sometimes judge yourself. At times you lack confidence, and you suffer from self-doubt and instead of lifting yourself up, you bring yourself down. Experiencing stress, shame, guilt, or frustration? You might have been hijacked by one of your saboteurs.

In this workshop lead by International ICF certified Leadership Coach (ACC) Mirjam Buitelaar, you will:

  • Get to know your saboteurs

  • Uncover their impact

  • Learn ways to control them

Key learnings & insights:

  • Understand where our negative thoughts and saboteurs emerge from.

  • Gain insight into your personal saboteurs through your personal Saboteur Assessment report, the lies they tell you and how they impact your daily life and that of others.

  • Have practical exercises at hand to intercept your saboteurs and take command over your mind.

  • Discover how the Saboteur Assessment can be applied in Coaching and Talent Development programs for your organization.

About the speaker:
Mirjam Buitelaar is an International ICF certified Leadership Coach (ACC), Positive Intelligence® Coach and intercultural trainer, drawing on 20 years of experience in international HR leadership roles, across different industries, regions, and cultures. She likes to get the best out of people and to do so she uses her curiosity, open mind, and deep listening skills. And a good dose of humor.

Mirjam has worked and lived in the Netherlands, the Middle East, and China, and is currently living in Bosnia & Hercegovina, from where she works across the EMEA region.

Agenda

08.00 AM: Welcome and registration
08.30 AM: Workshop
09.55 AM: Closing remarks

Date: Wednesday 13 September
Time: 8 AM - 10 AM
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Business Bay
Fee: Members 75 AED | Non-Members 130 AED includes breakfast

Registration:
Kindly register by 11th of September to admin@fbcuae.fi

Location:DoubleTree by Hilton - Business Bay

This event is organised together with The Netherlands and Belgian Business Councils.

Warm Welcome!

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May
22
6:30 PM18:30

Creative problem solving - what to do when conventional thinking fails you

What if you could master the skills required to drastically improve your innovative abilities? What difference will you see when you tackle significant real-world challenges in more creative ways?

This workshop, hosted by the Young Professionals Network, is a high-impact, interactive session designed to transform your approach to problem solving in order to seize opportunities, realize goals and build the mindset of an innovator. You will experience how to think differently through an ideation framework that can be deployed to solve any challenge, big or small.

Building on previous year's successful career and personal branding workshops – the Finnish Business Council invites you to join the event with coach Dennis Kight, founder of it works!.

Speaker: Dennis Kight is an ACC level ICF coach as well as a Board Certified Executive Coach with more than 25 years of global experience working with executives, business leaders, and high potential individuals, primarily in the technology industry. He is a former Member of the Board of Directors for the ICF UAE Chapter. Dennis has worked with clients based in the US, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, Japan and Australia.  He is certified in ProfileXT®, Genos Emotional Intelligence, and the Strong® Interest Inventory assessment tools. 

We welcome anyone interested in the topic and especially encourage hiring managers and similar with an interested in employment to attend this event!

Date: Monday 22nd May
Time: Registration at 6:30 – 6:45 pm. Workshop at 6:45 - 7:30 pm followed by networking and drinks.
Venue: Havana Social Club (Cigar Lounge area) at Caesars Palace, Bluewaters Island
Price: Free for Finnish Business Council Members and AED 150 for non-members.
Happy hour prices until 7:30 PM to be paid by everyone upon consumption.
Dress Code: Smart Casual
RSVP before 18th May by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi
Young Professionals members have priority, due to limited space. Please note that we have limited seating, and some guests will be standing around cocktail tables.

If any questions email us at: admin@fbcuae.fi

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May
18
8:00 AM08:00

Beach clean-up!

2023 has been named the Year of Sustainability in the UAE. The highlight will be COP28, the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, taking place in Expo City Dubai in December.

Finnish Business Council is organizing a series of sustainability related events and activities leading up to COP28 - one of them being a beach clean up together with Goumbook and their Save The Butts Campaign

Save the Butts – Waste to Value' is the first sustainability initiative run in the UAE that adopts a Circular Economy approach to environmental pollution, by converting discarded cigarette butts into a sustainable alternative to plywood. Engaging with community members to clean the environment by collecting cigarette butts from public and private locations such as beaches, showing the value of their impact.

We are now challenging the Finnish Business Council Members to get in volved and getting their hands dirty! Contact us: admin@fbcuae.fi

Thank you to our fantastic sponsors: Kool Kollekt, Scan Global Logistics and Bird Collaborative for making the beach clean up possible!

Agenda: (orientative timing)

8.00am: meet and greet

8.05-8.30am: awareness session & debate

8.30-9.30am: cleanup time & footage

9.30-10am: wrap up session, debate, photo group

Light breakfast

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May
8
7:00 PM19:00

The AI Revolution

We are excited to invite you to an exclusive event that will explore the fascinating world of generative AI and its impact on legislation, marketing, brands, and companies, co-organized with the Netherlands Business Council and the Belgian Business Council.

We have three exceptional speakers joining us:

Jérémy Denisty, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Scopernia Imagin3 Studio, a strategy & implementation firm focused on digital innovation, will share his expertise and experiences in leveraging generative AI for marketing and customer engagement. 

Zag Asghar, Managing Partner & CEO of Predixa, an award-winning Consulting & Advisory Company, providing organisations with exceptional solutions to solve their business needs, underpinned by powerful AI-based diagnostics. Predixa has been recognised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (part of the UAE’s Ministry of Finance) as the best company in 2022 for its innovation and use of AI technology in the disruption of the consulting and advisory marketplace.

Ben Gibson, Partner (Technology Law) at CMS, specialised in complex commercial technology projects, including procurement, development, and outsourcing, as well as IT licensing and data protection.  His clients in the Middle East have included Google, Cisco, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, stc (Saudi Telecoms Company) and the King Abdullah Financial District.

Moderator: Luke Liplijn, Founder and CEO of Matrixian, a data and technology firm helping organisations with digitalisation of the property validation process, sustainability, investments and property marketing.

​You will learn about the latest trends in generative AI and how it can be applied to marketing strategies to enhance brand reputation, increase customer engagement, and drive sales. You will also explore the practical implementation of generative AI on a strategic organizational level and how it can enhance your organization's competitive advantage. Not only that, but you will also discover the importance to understand the legal implications and considerations surrounding its use.

​​Agenda:

7pm Welcome and registration

7.30pm Presentation by the speakers

9pm Networking and drinks

Date: Monday, May 8

Time: 7PM

Location: Pullman Hotel, Dubai Downtown

Price: Finnish Business Council Members 165AED, other Nordic Business Council Members 185AED, non members 200AED. Includes two drink and canapes and 5& VAT.

RSVP to admin@fbcuae.fi by 5 May

 Welcome! Tervetuloa!

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May
5
5:30 PM17:30

The Members Cruise

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED, CONTACT US FOR A PLACE ON THE WAITING LIST!

We are excited to welcome you to our Member’s Cruise/Vappu (finnish for Walpurgis) after party on the 5th of May! We have a fun afternoon/evening planned with delicious Nordic small bites and free flow of wine and beer! This will also be the perfect opportunity to get to know the newly appointed board, and your fellow FBC members.

Date and time: 5th of May, 5.30pm-9.30pm

Location: Boat leaves from the harbor next to Dubai Marina walk

What’s included: Cruise on a luxury yacht, 4h of free flow wine/beer, Nordic small bites, chance to win prices in our free raffle and a whole lot of fun!

Price: 230 AED for FBC members280 AED for non-members (limited spots)

RSVP: admin@fbcuae.fi by 28th April

Ahoy! See you there!

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Apr
27
7:30 PM19:30

Nordic Sundowner - Nordic Tech Entrepreneurs in the UAE: A Vision for the Future

The Finnish Business Council is happy to invite you the next Nordic Sundowner arranged by the the Norwegian Business Council. We welcome you to enjoy an evening of networking and interesting presentations by three tech entrepreneurs. A fireside chat with Thea Myrvold of Getbee and Vilhelm Hedberg of ekar – Hosted by Saana Azzam, Award-Winning Economist and CEO of the Middle East leading speaker’s bureau, MENA Speakers.

Date: Thursday 27th April
Time:
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Place:
Ella’s Eatery, Palm Views East, Palm Jumeirah 
Price:
Free for members of the Nordic Business Councils. AED 100 for Non-members. Prices include a welcome drink.
Parking: Free
RSVP
by emailing admin@fbcuae.fi by 25th April.
An exclusive Scandinavian menu has been created by Ella’s Eatery for this evening.

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