Chairmans Spring Greetings

Dear Members of the Finnish Business Council UAE,

Thank you to everyone who joined our Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2026.
The AGM was an important opportunity to reflect on the past year, discuss the future direction of the Finnish Business Council UAE, and continue strengthening our business community in the UAE.

During the meeting, the Annual Activity Report and Annual Financial Report for the financial year covering March 2025 – February 2026 were reviewed together with other key agenda items relating to the governance, future activities, and development of the Finnish Business Council UAE. The discussions highlighted the continued development of the FBC, activities throughout the year, and the initiatives undertaken to strengthen the organization operationally and financially.

Over the past year, the Board has focused actively on improving governance, operational management, financial reporting, and internal processes. Monthly board meetings, enhanced financial reporting practices, ongoing digitalization initiatives, and active working groups have all been part of building a stronger foundation for the future of the FBC.

The year also included a wide range of successful activities and events for our members and the wider Nordic business community. These included networking events, seminars, social and sports activities, mentorship initiatives, young professionals events, and close cooperation with the Embassy of Finland, Dubai Chambers, Inter Councils, and other Nordic Business Councils.

While the FBC continues to develop positively, we also recognize the changing operating environment and rising costs in the UAE. As discussed during the AGM, membership fees have therefore been adjusted as part of ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organization and enabling continued development of member services. Membership fees had previously remained unchanged since 2022.

Looking ahead, the Board remains focused on continuing to build a practical, approachable, and valuable business community for Finnish companies and professionals operating in the UAE and the wider region.

Our priorities for the coming year include:
• Increasing value for members
• Further strengthening cooperation with key stakeholders
• Expanding the FBC network and membership base
• Developing signature events and networking opportunities
• Continuing operational improvements and digitalization initiatives

We are also pleased that the current Board will continue for another year, providing continuity, good momentum, and a clear vision for the further development of the FBC.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to sincerely thank all members, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and the FBC team for your support, engagement, and contribution throughout the year.

We look forward to continuing this journey together and to seeing many of you at upcoming FBC events and activities during the year ahead.

Warm regards,

Samuli Pesu
Chairman of the Board
Finnish Business Council UAE

Welcome our new member Minara

Minara delivers practical AI training and leadership development programs across the Middle East and beyond. The company cuts through AI hype to focus on applications that actually work, while using established team development frameworks like Birkman Method, Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and Six Types of Working Genius. Based in Dubai with decades of leadership experience from global corporations to start-ups, Minara helps leaders and teams navigate change with clarity and purpose.

Contact:

tommi@minaralearn.com

https://www.minaralearn.com/

What Do I Do With My Car in Uncertain times?

What Do I Do With My Car?

The war with Iran has forced everyone to take stock of their lives here in Dubai. Some have already packed up and gone; others are holding firm. Most of us sit somewhere in the middle — watching, waiting, and weighing up the future. That decision is deeply personal, shaped by everything from your job security, your kids in school, your mortgage, your mindset, and your family's peace of mind.

Whatever you decide, your car shouldn't be an afterthought. Here's how to make the smartest move either way.

Thinking of staying? Now might be the best time to buy.

Uncertainty creates opportunity — and right now, dealers are stepping up with deals you wouldn't have seen six months ago. If you're committed to Dubai and in the market for a vehicle, the discounts on offer make this a surprisingly strong buyer's market. Strike while the iron is hot.

Heading out? Get the most for your car before you go.

If you've made the call to leave, selling your car quickly is key. You have two solid options: sell it for cash or leave it with a trusted dealer on consignment — which typically fetches a higher price, with less hassle on your end.

Before you list it, take a little time to maximize its value:

  • Sort out any mechanical issues. Even minor faults can spook buyers and give them ammunition to drive the price down. Fix them first.

  • Don't stress about small dents — but a heavily damaged car is a hard sell. Know the difference.

  • Check your registration. If it's lapsed, buyers can't test drive it — and a car they can't drive is a car they won't buy.

  • Presentation is everything. A thorough clean inside and out can add thousands to your asking price. First impressions close deals.

  • Write a detailed ad. List every feature and option — each option makes the car more desirable.

The bottom line?

Nobody knows whether the market will fall further or level out. Either way, if you need the cash, sell the car now.

Feel free to call or message me anytime for advice on +971 52 104 9357

Ralph Howie

Interim MD & Turnaround Consultant · Automotive Retail

Welcome our new member Cosmic Eye

Cosmic Eye Oy is a Finland-based company specializing in Azure-based data platforms and AI solutions.

We help organizations design and build scalable, cloud-native architectures that unlock the value of data and enable intelligent, data-driven applications.

Combining architecture expertise with hands-on implementation, we deliver end-to-end solutions from design to production.

Contact:

The Role of Community in Uncertain Times

In a city defined by movement, ambition, and constant change, it is easy to focus only on what comes next. Yet moments like these, when the broader region feels uncertain, invite us to pause and reflect on what truly creates stability, both in business and in life.

Here in Dubai, we are used to operating at speed and decisions are made quickly. But even in such a dynamic environment, uncertainty shifts perspective and highlights what matters most: strong, trusted communities. This is where the Finnish Business Council plays an important role.

In a transient, international environment, professional networks are often the first and most meaningful anchor. They are where ideas are tested, partnerships are formed, and support is found. More than that, they create a sense of belonging that goes beyond business.

The Nordic business mindset, built on trust, transparency, and long term thinking, provides a steady foundation in a fast moving environment like the UAE. At FBC, this is reflected in the strength of our community and in the work being done behind the scenes. The Finnish Business Council Board has been actively developing and strengthening our offerings for both companies and individuals, with a clear focus on relevance, value, and meaningful connections. You will see this reflected in new initiatives, improved member benefits, and more opportunities to engage in the months ahead.

Uncertainty does not eliminate opportunity, it reshapes it. Within networks like ours, new ideas, partnerships, and directions take shape.Because in the end, it is not just about doing business in Dubai. It is about building something meaningful while we are here.

And that is something we do best, together.

Erika Daintry

Executive Director of the Finnish Business Council

Ambassador's Remarks on the current situation in the UAE

I hope that all FBC members and your loved ones are safe, whether in Dubai or one of the other Emirates, or abroad for the time being.

The UAE’s defense forces have done an admirable job keeping us safe, countering the ballistic missiles and drones with the kind of precision that speaks of high competence and provides assurance to the citizens and residents of this country. The tragic casualties have been so far few, thankfully – even while every life lost is one too many. We have learned to shelter and to count the booms of the anti-missile defense system launches. The situation, however, remains serious and we cannot predict how long the war will last.

The Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi has continued to function since the beginning of the hostilities against the UAE, but with obvious needs to re-prioritize and adjust our activities and actions.

The Embassy’s first and most important priority was, at the start of the conflict, to support those Finnish citizens in most need. In this case, this meant the repatriation of stranded travelers. Our focus, together with support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairsin Helsinki, was on the most vulnerable – for example, families with children – and on escorting the travelers from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Muscat in Oman, for return flights back home.

As is the case of other European countries, the pressures of repatriating travelers have eased, as there are commercial flights available. The number of Finnish citizens registered in the Foreign Ministry’s travel registry has fallen from 2400 at the height of the repatriation efforts, to approximately 900. While we do not know the number of Finns currently in the country – since registering to the https://matkustusilmoitus.fi/ service is voluntary - this tells us that many regular residents have decided to stay and continue their work here.

Here I take the opportunity to remind how important it is to register yourself, to receive the latest information from us! And please also, update your information when leaving the country. We continue to monitor the situation and change the travel advisory as necessary, coordinating our assessments with the Nordic countries as well as with other EU member states.

Taking into account security considerations, the Embassy’s customer service is currently based on email inquiries. Inquiries should be addressed to consulate.abo@gov.fi. For the time being we prioritize Finnish citizens and their families. In urgent cases, 24/7 support is available from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at +35891605 5555, paivystys.um@gov.fi.

Even as the war continues, one day it will be over. The UAE, with its forward-looking spirit, wise leadership and strong economic base, is well positioned to recover fast. Overall, our strong sense is that the UAE is resilient and will recover from the shock and the damage.

The region’s long‑term economic vision, commitment to diversification, and sustained investment in innovation and infrastructure create a resilient environment for international companies. We believe that forward‑looking businesses will find meaningful prospects for growth as the situation evolves.

Finnish companies in the UAE also understand this. The current situation calls for resilience and an ability to adjust. The future calls for continued, strong engagement with our Emirati partners.

This means that we must already plan ahead. At the Embassy, this planning is on-going. Some of our activities need moving to a later date. Some will need recalibrating. The various expos and other important trade events that the UAE is famous for, will continue to offer opportunities for Finland to showcase our innovations and products. The upcoming direct Emirates route between Dubai and Helsinki will soon serve as a critical enabler of this momentum, significantly strengthening connectivity between the two markets and acting as a catalyst to boost tourism flows, business exchanges, and investment opportunities between Finland and the UAE.

Comprehensive security, digitalization and AI, sustainable construction, clean energy, health tech, education, we continue to have offerings that will be important for the UAE once the country’s economic development goals kick back into routine. And as we well know that routine is dynamic and fast-paced. Finland cannot be any slower in responding. At the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, we are already busy planning ahead.

https://finlandabroad.fi/web/are/matkustustiedotteet

With regards,

Tuula Yrjölä

Ambassador of Finland to the UAE

Welcome our new member Vendacon

Vendacon Oy is a executive coaching company founded by Otto Kuivalainen. Otto works with leaders who take their growth seriously – ambitious, results-driven people who want to keep getting better.

Coaching is one of the most effective ways to accelerate leadership development. The work is practical and focused on performance – how you lead, how you make decisions, and how you get results. Coaching also gives you something most leaders lack: a trusted outside professional perspective and someone who listens with professional depth, helps you see what you might be missing, and works with you to find solutions – in full confidence. The work is tailored entirely to you – your goals, your situation, and the way you learn.

Before founding Vendacon in 2014, Otto spent over a decade in demanding leadership and sales roles in international companies, including leading an organisation of over 200 people. He holds a Board Member qualification (HHJ), is a certified facilitator, and holds the ITCA team coaching certificate. He is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Great coaching requires precision – in thinking, in expression, in self-awareness.

Working in your first language makes all three easier. Available in Finnish and English.

Our services:

  • 1:1 Leadership Coaching

  • Team Coaching

  • Sales Leadership Coaching

  • DISC & Big Five Personality Assessments

  • Career & Transition Coaching

Contact:

Otto Kuivalainen

otto.kuivalainen@vendacon.fi

www.vendacon.fi

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ottokuivalainen/