Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Key to Supporting Finland’s Sustainable Economic Health

A panel discussion featuring senior leaders and decision-makers will focus on FDI to Finland. The unique event brings together politicians, leaders of Finnish and international business and other stakeholders to discuss the new government program and the future of Finland as an investment location. Panelists will discuss immigration policies, whether they support the government vision of ‘the most interesting place to invest,’ and other relevant topics including positive trends and bottlenecks for growth, the shortage of highly skilled, international talent and questions regarding the government’s shift to the right politically and its potential impact on investments.

No other event in Helsinki discusses investments from abroad and has all these different stakeholders in one place. The panelists also will explore how Finland is viewed from outsiders and what the future holds for Finland.

‘Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) brings in knowledge exchange, capital, jobs, innovation, talent, tax revenue and more. FDI is key to supporting sustainable economic well-being in this country. Twenty-seven percent of all R&D in Finland is by foreign investors (that’s about 1.2 Billion euros); 30% of all exports are generated by foreign investors, and 20% of the private sector workforce is thanks to foreign investors. That’s about 280 000 jobs,’ said Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson, CEO of Amcham Finland.

To keep the flow of investments strong and to boost overall capital infusions, support is needed by decision-makers at the highest level in government and the private sector.

‘The new Finnish government has set an ambitious goal to make Finland the most interesting place to invest by 2031. Amcham’s network of international companies and their leaders fully support this sentiment but are simultaneously concerned that the suggested immigration policies do not support that vision. Skilled workforce has always been the key reason international business has found as an attractive investment location and we can’t afford to lose this,’ said Rosa Thurman, Amcham’s Director of Foreign Affiliate Services and Sustainability.

Meanwhile, attracting and retaining highly skilled talent is an acute one. ‘With the expected downturn in Finland’s economy, foreign direct investment (FDI) could play a much more significant role in boosting the Finnish economy and driving sustainable growth,’ Thurman added.

See Amcham Finland’s January 2023 Barometer report with Invest in Finland for detailed talent findings.

More Details on the Event

What: Amcham Finland FDI Forum

When: Friday, September 15, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(Coffee & Networking 8:30 - 9:00 AM | Event 9:00 - 11:00 AM |

VIP Lunch 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

Where: Hybrid (in person or virtual), Scandic Helsinki Hub (Annankatu 18) & Online

Streaming link 9-11 a.m.: https://unistream.fi/fdi_forum_2023/ 

Speakers include:

• Katja Keitaanniemi, CEO, OP Corporate Bank    
• Anthony Gemmell, Senior Director, Johnson & Johnson
• Jussi Herlin, Vice-Chair of Board of Directors, KONE
• Stefan Sundman, VP, Public Affairs, UPM
• Oktay Nuri, Managing Director, DHL Express Finland
• Katri Kulmuni, Member of Parliament, Keskusta (Centre Party)

The panel will be moderated by Hanna Kivelä, Managing Director at Fujitsu and member of Amcham Advisory Board.

Some of the questions our panel of experts, business leaders and decision-makers will be asked:

• In the eyes of international investors, how has Finland’s country image and attractiveness as an investment location changed due to the recent political turmoil?
• How likely it is that with this government program the ambitious goal of ‘Finland becoming the most interesting investment location’ will be achieved? How are the planned immigration policies supporting this vision? Or the 4% R&D target?
• Now that the political landscape is shifting to the right, how likely it is that the green agenda will stall and what is the impact on investments from multinational companies?

• With the lack of funding available, how can Finland stay competitive with countries including Germany, France and the United States that provide significant financial backing and private funding opportunities, among other incentives?