From last October 6th to 9th, Kristian Laiho, OliOil's CEO, went to Paris for different meetings with French authorities and partners.
The program was dense and about five appointments per day were organized by Philippe Metzger, general manager of the French department of OliOil. From the French Sénat VP to future collaborators of the subsidiary, including media marine leaders and potential investor, Kristian was introduced to major players supporting OliOil. They all showed a real interest for the OSFAK, and are ready to bring any kind of support.
We also visited the future office in a co-working space in the center of Paris. Settled in former headquarters of the French Navy building, this space offers more than an nice address, providing a wide range of services.
Kristian met two future members of the team. Béatrice will bring her relationship skills and lobbying activity. She is already involved in the Benin's project. Franck, on his side, will be an active business developer in Normandy in order to find solutions regarding the Channel. Due to his youth education in Mexico, he will help the go-to-market development towards Spanish speaking countries.
After the meeting with the French office of Global Compact program, the UN department for the promotion of the sustainable development goals (SDG), we now can use the SDG#14 sticker on our communication as shown in French and English. OliOil will have to subscribe, through Global Compact Finland, to the program.
OliOil will have an article in the December issue of Marine&Océans, main news magazine in France about the sea, and Philippe will be interviewed for France-Inter, the highest audience radio in France.
Kristian had time to meet some persons at Collège de Paris where he works on his PhD.
And after these days, quite sunny and very useful, he took back the way to Turku.
It was a great pleasure to welcome Kristian and to spend these moments with him. Unfortunately, we hadn't time for tourism, but Philippe tried to comment the places and monuments crossed in cab between two appointments. Better than nothing ☺
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