Summary:
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Team Finland have published a world market report, which shows that Finland’s opportunities in exports have grown despite the uncertain world markets. Urbanisation increases particularly the need for clean environmental solutions such as water, waste water and renewable energy. The share of services has grown in Finnish exports. Though the TTIP negotiations are no longer advancing, Finland succeeds in the US clean technology markets. Thanks to the CETA agreement between EU and Canada, Finland can enter markets in arctic seafaring and energy production. Furthermore, Finland is negotiating with several Asian countries.

Summary:
Finland is making it easier for top experts from outside the EU and EEA to come to Finland, reports Aamulehti. The EU is also reforming the Blue Card Directive, aiming to standardise residence permit practices in the EU. Olli Sorainen of the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment says the European Commission’s aim is that national systems would be completely removed and member states would introduce the EU system. This would be a significant blow for the EU’s attractiveness compared to the US, for example. The Commission is likely to allow the national systems to continue, says Mr Sorainen.

Summary:
HS writes that Finns are shocked by the EP Committee for Environment’s vote, which took a harsh stance towards the effects of Finnish forests on the EU climate policy. MEP Nils Torvalds (ALDE) says that many European MEPs understand nothing about good forestry and that a lot of work is required to change the mind of the MEPs before the plenary. MEP Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE) says that Finland was made to suffer from low forest cuts of the past years. The Finnish Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners MTK also expressed their dismay.

Summary:
A high-level working group proposes that the EU double its spending on research and innovation. Finnish industries think that in the future, Finns may have better chances to get money from the EU since Finnish views have been been taken into consideration in the group’s report. Jorma Turunen of the Technology Industries of Finland says the EU’s significance as a supporter of Finnish businesses and universities has increased as Finnish investments in research and innovation have dropped. It is unclear whether the EU will be able to help as the Union’s budget faces pressure from Brexit.

Summary:
Finnish company Novarbo Oy has received 2.44 million euros from the EU Horizon 2020 programme to develop the production of a new kind of substrate for greenhouse cultivation. A part of the Biolan Group, Novarbo makes biodegradable and sustainable substrate boards out of peat moss and calls the product Mosswool. The EU funded project starts in September and goes on for two years.

Media:  Maaseudun Tulevaisuus
Date: 28.6.2017
Journalist: Henrik Hohteri
Main source: n/a

Summary:
The Finnish state aims to employ 2,500 immigrants within three years with the help of private investors. If the immigrants are employed, the investors will get their investment back and receive a profit for the investment. The project is supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments by 10 million euros. Vice-President of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen noted in a press event on Friday that the Fund has reserved altogether 150 million euros for these types of societal projects. This is a very unique project in Europe, and the whole EU is closely following it, he said.

Summary:
According to Nordea’s weekly report, the many interim reports published last week gave a positive overall image of the performance of Finnish listed companies during the beginning of the year. Chief Investment Strategist Lippo Suominen states that results have, for the most part, met expectations and revenues have finally started to grow noticeably. More than half of the companies monitored by Nordea Markets have published their results, and up to 90% have met revenue expectations and had a positive result performance.

Media:  Arvopaperi
Date: 2.5.2017
Journalist: Ahti Terhemaa
Main source: Nordea’s Chief Investment Strategist Lippo Suominen

Summary:
Finnish companies are hesitant about entering the North American market because of US President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies. According to Manu Virtamo, Consul General of Finland in New York, especially smaller businesses may be putting off investment decisions because of the general uncertainty. Columbia University professor Anu Bradford estimates that it would be easier for Trump to advocate import duties for all countries, instead of just China and Mexico, which means that they could also affect Finnish businesses. The Consulate General still encourages Finnish businesses to attempt conquering America and not to give up.