Business Finland and the Embassies of Finland in Southeast Europe, in cooperation with the Finland-Central and Eastern European Countries Business Association, Finland Chamber of Commerce, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), will organize an event presenting Southeast European market business opportunities on Wednesday, April 17 April at 09:30 – 15:00 at Team Finland House in Helsinki.
According to the IMF's forecast, the GDP growth of the countries in the region will be approx. 3-4% per year in the next five years. In 2023, Finland's exports of goods to the region increased by 16%, although globally Finland's exports of goods decreased by 7%. The region is logistically close to the Central European markets and production costs are lower. In addition, the EU has ongoing development and investment programs in the region worth about 100 billion euros.
The total annual trade in goods and services between Finland and the region is about 2.5 billion euros. There are about 150 Finnish subsidiaries in the region, which employ more than 10,000 people. In the region, Finland is known for the high-quality products, cleantech, digital solutions and education.
Why to Participate
At the event you will learn about the business opportunities in the region, financing options to support your exports and investments as well as hear Finnish company business cases. In addition, you can establish direct contacts with the locally present Team Finland export support services, meet Finnish ambassadors and Helsinki-based ambassadors of the countries of the region. Some companies, Chambers of Commerce and other stakeholders from the region will also be present.
The following countries will be presented: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Greece, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 Registration and coffee
10:00 – 10:15 Introduction
10:15 – 10:30 Opening remarks
Mr. Risto Vuohelainen, Executive Director, Global Growth, Business Finland
Mr. Ville Tavio, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
10:30 – 10:45 Overview to the region - Why to Go?
Mr. Janne Sykkö, Trade Counsellor, South East Europe, Embassy of Finland, Serbia
10:45 – 11:30 Finnish business cases in the region – How to Go?
Case 1. Nokian Tyres’s new factory in Romania - Ms. Susanna Tusa, VP, Romania Operations, General Director, Nokian Tyres European Operations S.R.L
Case 2. K. Hartwall bringing logistics efficiency in Southeastern Europe - Mr. Stefan Lindh, Head of Business Unit, K. Hartwall Oy Ab
Case 3. Success driven by people: Mirka's growth path in Southeast Europe, think global act local - Ms. Mia Högkvist, Business Excellence Manager, Mirka Ltd.
11:30 – 12:10 How to finance exports and investments?
1. Business Finland – financing support for the opening the markets
Mr. Kari Komulainen, Senior Director - Funding Services, Business Finland
2. Finnvera – export financing and buyer financing
Ms. Liisa Tolvanen, Senior Adviser, Finnvera
3. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) – investment financing
Ms. Charlotte Ruhe, Managing Director, Central and Southeastern Europe, EBRD
12:10 – 12:15 Closing the event and instructions for the afternoon
12:15 – 13:00 Networking lunch
13:00 – 14:00 Service provider presentations
13:00 – 15:00 Country specific meetings with the Ambassadors, Business Finland, and the companies from the region
