In recent years the Jyväskylä Region has focused on technology-related capabilities, educational organisations, its skilled workforce, infrastructure and the companies that operate in the area. The Jyväskylä Region's strengths derive from Finland's cluster programmes, which include the Energy Technology, Nanotechnology, Forest Industry Future, and Tourism and Experience Management programmes.
"There are many small businesses in the Jyväskylä Region with skills that can benefit international companies. The process of structural change may make business premises and skilled, motivated employees available," says Tuomo Airaksinen, CEO of Invest in Finland. He believes that Finnish society and Finland's economic system are stable, safe, and predictable. People like Martti Ahtisaari, the country's ex-President who was awarded the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, symbolise this environment.
International companies are always interested in business opportunities. Countries and regions are not interesting for their own sake. "In fact, if there is something missing in a region this might be more interesting than a set of excellent statistics or a beautiful natural environment. A cluster in which one player is missing, for example, is often an opportunity, even though Finns sometimes feel that this sort of thing should be concealed," Tuomo Airaksinen explains.
In his view, a peaceful natural environment plus high technology and first-class infrastructure represent an attractive combination for both companies and tourists.
Invest in Finland helps foreign companies to identify business opportunities in Finland. An affiliate of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the unit seeks to attract foreign direct investment to Finland.
Invest in Finland provides information on Finland as a location for investment and develops and coordinates the national effort to secure foreign investment by networking with regional and international bodies.
Its activities are directed by Finland's business and innovation policies, and its objective is to strengthen Finnish clusters and create jobs in Finland.
By Markus Mykkänen