Finland - Sustainability and Innovation
Finland’s unique growth story stands out in Europe. The country is powering through a pandemic that brought global growth to a standstill, supported by its world-leading tech sector and innovative industries. The Finnish economy will have one of the mildest recessions in the eurozone this year, while millions of government investment has been earmarked for recovery spending. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, the youngest premier in the world, explained that innovative thinking has been the cornerstone of Finland’s economic success. Finland’s goal is to become a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable society by 2030. The country aims to be climate neutral by 2035, and to support development of a circular economy. Its pandemic economic recovery plans will hinge on innovation and sustainability, according to Prime Minister Marin, creating new opportunities for foreign investment. “Work on our national recovery plan has already begun, and it is important that we find genuinely effective measures to strengthen Finland’s economy, competitiveness and resilience in the midst of this crisis,” she told Parliament in September. As the country moves to support new industries and further improve its economic competitiveness, Finland is fast becoming the best place in Europe to do business – particularly for hightech companies like 3stepIT, a computer leasing and lifecycle services company that embodies the circular economic model. “We should all be ambassadors of Finland. It’s a beautiful country with educated people. They are loyal, there is no corruption, and it is safe here. Everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in Finland. I don’t know what more you can ask. It’s a country where you can trust that everything is in order,” explained CEO Jarkko Veijalainen. For Kristoffer Ekman, CEO of Nordic BioTech, the inventor and manufacturer of a natural microbial solution that kills viruses and prevents the spread of infection, uncertainty surrounding the pandemic offers a challenge Finland is ready to take on – especially since the government is approachable, accessible, and quick to offer feedback and advice. “From a corporate point of view, Finland is a safe environment for an organization to grow. We have a solid judicial system. The government offers a supportive foundation, and there is a low barrier for interaction between, for example, Nordic BioTech and Business Finland. The distance between government and corporations is very short.”