A Memorandum of Understanding between India and Finland was signed on Thursday for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.

The MOU was signed by India’s Minister for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister for Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland Timo Harakka.

A high level delegation consisting of Arto Haapea, Minister Counsellor/DHM and Ritva Koukku-ronde, Ambassador-Designate accompanied the Finnish minister Timo Harakka. Secretary, Tourism Shri YogendraTripathi was also present on the occasion.

India and Finland have enjoyed a strong diplomatic and long economic relationship. The two countries now desiring to strengthen and further develop the established relationship have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.

Finland is one of the important inbound source market for India. In 2018, 21239 Finnish tourists visited India. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Finland will be instrumental in increasing tourist arrivals from this source market.

The signing of Memorandum of Understanding is expected to establish the basis for a cooperative relationship to encourage and promote successful bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, sharing data, knowledge, expertise etc. related to tourism and sharing experiences in making tourism policy.

Earlier Wednesday, Ms MARIYNA NIKOLOVA - Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria accompanied by a high level delegation met Minister for Culture and Tourism on and discussed the ways and means to promote and develop tourism between India and Bulgaria.