From satellites to sustainable shipping, Finland and the Netherlands are finding new ways to collaborate. Finnish Ambassador Ilkka-Pekka Similä talks about trade, technology, and the human ties that make it all possible.
It’s busy around lunchtime at Fazer Café on the eighth floor of the Stockmann department store in Helsinki. Sunlight streams through the glass roof, glinting off coffee cups and the polished wood of tables. Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland’s ambassador to the Netherlands, leans back in his chair, relaxed but alert. He is taking a short break, on vacation — although even on his days off he sometimes has to work, as this afternoon when he is meeting the new Dutch ambassador to Finland, Simon van der Burg.
Three years ago, Similä was appointed head of the Finnish mission in The Hague, after five years as Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, overseeing External Economic Relations and International Trade. Before that, he held ambassadorial posts in the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam — where Van der Burg happened to be the Netherlands’ Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City around the same time.
A highly sought-after posting
Similä enjoys jogging through the diplomatic neighborhoods and Clingendael Park. The Hague turns out to be a highly sought-after posting for Finnish ambassadors. “It has a long tradition as the most desired assignment,” he says, noting the pleasant and safe living conditions, the convenience, and the country’s “like-mindedness.” For him, proximity to Finland was also important — just a two-hour flight from his elderly parents.
He is enthusiastic about his portfolio: bilateral relations, business and trade, EU policies, and the international courts.
Finland’s and the Netherlands’ like-mindedness is reflected in aligned international policies on issues such as the United Nations, the European Union, and human rights—but also in trade and investment. Especially given the current geopolitical situation in Europe, the Finnish embassy has observed a clear rise in requests from companies seeking support in establishing business contacts and boosting export activities.
“We see a significant increase in support requests from companies across the board,” Similä notes. “In the Netherlands, Finland is now better known than ever. The Dutch are very interested in our military capabilities, our societal resilience, and our comprehensive security approach.”
Deepening cooperation
One example of deepening cooperation is the Finnish satellite operator ICEYE, which in June announced it would supply the Royal Netherlands Air Force with four high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. These satellites are intended to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, enabling the Netherlands to monitor battlefield activity and adversary movements more effectively.
He observed an “impressive Dutch presence” at the SecD-Day defence fair held at Helsinki’s Messukeskus conference centre in January, as well as a substantial Finnish business delegation at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, in May.
While defense is a hot sector for obvious reasons, Similä sees opportunities particularly in the circular economy and green transition. That includes the green transition of the maritime sector, for example, with the co-development of ships for the maintenance of offshore windmill parks.
According to the Finnish Customs Service, in 2024, the Netherlands was Finland’s fourth export market, following Sweden, Germany, and the United States. In imports to Finland, the Netherlands ranked fifth after Germany, Sweden, China and Norway.
Business Finland representation
Finland’s high trade volume with the Netherlands is explained in part by Holland’s function as a throughput country to other destinations. But the country is also a 17,6 million people market in its own right.
Nearly two years ago, in an article in Kauppapolitiikka, published by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Similä said he found it strange that Business Finland, which provides internationalisation and financing services to companies, is not represented in the Netherlands, nor practically in the other two Benelux countries.
“Business Finland’s absence has been justified by the fact that a large part of the trade is transit trade, including through Europe’s largest port Rotterdam. But transit traffic is only part of the truth,” he was quoted as saying.
The Netherlands can be a springboard for SMEs who want to start international operations beyond the Nordics. Finns and Dutch people speak rather fluent English. Both have a direct and efficient business communication culture – and a shared sense of humour. The Netherlands is logistically advantageous with hundreds of millions of consumers within driving distance. Competition in the Dutch market is fierce, but if you can make it there… you can make it anywhere.
Human networks matter
Similä is also keen to nurture the human side of these ties. He supports gatherings of “Finland friends” in the Netherlands, organised with his embassy, the Finnish-Dutch Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Seamen’s Mission in Rotterdam, and Vereniging Nederland-Finland — a reminder that networks and personal contacts remain crucial for trade and diplomacy alike.
When asked about a potential media or book suggestion to our readers, he says:
“The anniversary book of the Vereniging Nederland–Finland (VNF), ‘Vereniging Nederland Finland — 100 jaar: een glansrijke mijlpaal (2023)’, is a fine chronicle of our bilateral relations. It’s bilingual, which makes it accessible to both Dutch and Finnish readers, and it reflects the fact that the association — founded in 1923 as the Finsch-Nederlandsche Vereeniging — has been active in strengthening our ties for a very long time.”
Even here, in the sunlit café in Helsinki, he’s already thinking about the next steps to bring Finnish innovation closer to Dutch markets. “This is a time in which we can learn a lot from each other,” he says, “and develop solutions that strengthen Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy.”
