Summary:
Demokraatti reports that Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen participates in the EU trade ministers’ meeting on Thursday in Brussels. Mr Mykkänen says that economic globalisation has been a hot topic after the election of Donald Trump. The French election result indicates that there is support for open free trade in Europe, he continues. The result does not solve everything, however, and we must be better able to respond to the challenges posed by globalisation, Mr Mykkänen notes.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 10.5.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: Kai Mykkänen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development

Summary:
Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari turns 80 in June, and in celebration a campaign, Don’t tell Martti, has been launched to raise funds for the crisis management organisation CMI founded by Ahtisaari. The trick is that the campaign is supposed to remain a secret from Ahtisaari until his birthday, and CMI has asked the media to refrain from mentioning it in print and broadcast media. According to Elina Lehtinen, Head of Communications at CMI, the campaign has already exceeded expectations by raising more than 200,000 euros. The majority of the donations are from private citizens, and the average sum 15 euros.

Summary:
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen has discussed the weakened human rights situation in Belarus with both the opposition and the administration during his visit in the country. For example, the situation of the media is now weaker than in a long time. Mr Mykkänen notes that opposition MPs still feel they can act and discuss relatively freely and that the government has sought to discuss solutions even with more critical movements. Mr Mykkänen believes the administration wants to find out early what is causing concern among citizens in order to prevent wide protests. Mr Mykkänen says he wanted to make it clear that human rights violations would not be brushed under the carpet but that they affect the co-operation between the EU and Belarus.

Summary:
Finnish export unions urge the Finnish Government to improve the competitiveness and prerequisites of Finnish industries, writes Demokraatti. According to the unions, the Government must keep its promise not to add expenses to the industries during this electoral term. The unions say that the Government must be active in the EU’s energy and climate policy in a way that improves competitiveness. Decisions regarding industries must be predictable and long-term. Timo Jaatinen of the Finnish Forest Industries notes that Brexit and protectionism create threats to industries in Finland.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 10.4.2017
Journalist: Johannes Ijäs
Main source: Timo Jaatinen, Finnish Forest Industries

Summary:
NGO FinnWatch accuses development finance company Finnfund’s Finnish consulting company Dasos Capital of aggressive tax planning. Finnfund denies the claim and considers Finnwatch’s allegations irresponsible. Both parties were invited to meet with Foreign Trade and Development Minister Kai Mykkänen on Monday for a consultation with the goal « to discuss principles face to face ». Finnwatch Executive Director Sonja Vartiala requires that Finnfund’s owner – the State – must prevent tax evasion related to investments made in the name of development cooperation. She demands an independent investigation by the Foreign Ministry.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 11.4.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: –

Summary:
Innovation financing centre Tekes and provider of internationalisation services Finpro will be merged at the beginning of next year into Business Finland Oy which will provide services for promoting export, investments and tourism. The change will increase embassies’ responsibilities in promoting export as ambassadors will become Team Finland country managers. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen would look for new investment opportunities in Eastern Africa where growth is quick and there is demand for clean energy and wastewater treatment in which Finnish businesses have know-how. Finland’s goal is to double SME exports by 2020.

Summary:
Finland is offering a new, 61-million euro aid humanitarian aid package of which 20 million will go to countries in the Horn of Africa, Nigeria and Yemen all of which are suffering from famine. The aid offered by Finland will also emphasise Syria and its neighbouring countries where the humanitarian situation continues to be serious. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen says Finland is prepared to offer another aid package in the autumn.

Media:  MTV – Finland
Date: 27.3.2017
Journalist: Sanna Pietiläinen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen

Summary:
State-owned development aid fund Finnfund denies the claims made by the NGO Finnwatch last week that the fund had invested Finnish development aid funds in the Dasos Timberland Fund I accused of tax avoidance. In a report to the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finnfund says the NGO’s report contains both factual errors and deliberate misinterpretations. According to Finnfund, paying taxes in developing countries is one of its goals as it promotes the strengthening of the public sector in these countries.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 23.3.2017
Journalist: Jukka Hiiro
Main source: –