(12.1.2008)

Information about Helsinki House in Moscow updated

Recently we've updated information about our HRM Moscow office. Now the brief artcile is available in Russian.

(10.5.2007)

Our new site is currently under construction.

Please visit us again in October 2007 for more up to date information about the greater Helsinki region or contact us directly at + 358 9 562 6677.

(25.4.2007)

Helsinki - a city of the future

(EVA) At their best, cities can constitute a creative and innovative environment where business life blossoms. Pekka Korpinen, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, presents his own views on this challenge in the EVA report "Helsinki - a city of the future". The journey to the Helsinki of the future envisiged by Korpinen consists of many projects and challenges, some small and some large. The main reason for the high cost of housing in Helsinki is the scattering of dwellings across too vast of an area with poor public transportation connections. This effect is further exacerbated by Helsinki's semicircle shape, which increases the average distance from the city centre by 40 per cent compared to a circular city of the same population density. Korpinen maintains that by strengthening area centers, increasing population density near public transportation connections and by extending the Metro-line towards the east, which will also help to fill the vacant space in the city of Sipoo, living costs can be permanently decreased in Helsinki and neighbouring regions. Korpinen also evaluates the proposals for creation of a top-class university and art university from standpoint of city planning. The location of the University of Art and Design, the Academy of Fine Arts and the Theater Academy on the eastern edge of the Helsinki peninsula has provided a positive counterweight for the higher education sites in western Helsinki and Espoo. When the Metro connection to Otaniemi is completed in a few years, the best solution would be to combine the two projects, i.e. the creation of a top-class university and art university, and situate them on the same Metro-line. Technical sciences would be in Otaniemi, the School of Business in Kamppi and art universities (excluding the Sibelius Academy) near the Kalasatama Metro station. Forests and the sea are key elements shaping the special character of Helsinki, which should be used to a greater extent in the making of the Helsinki brand. Shores, the sea and the archipelago offer unique competitive advantages for attracting businesses and employees to the leading creative centre of Northern Europe. This competitive advantage has so far not been utilized successfully enough.

(24.4.2007)

Going east via Finland

(Finnfacts) Rail traffic between Helsinki and St Petersburg will be given an added boost by 2010. An international tender for faster passenger trains is at present under way. Oy Karelian Trains Ltd, a jointventure rolling-stock company owned by the Finnish rail company VR and the Russian RZD, opened a tender in December 2006. The company’s aim is to acquire several high-speed trains with a top-speed of 220 kilometres an hour. The journey time between Helsinki and St Petersburg will be reduced from the present five hours to between three and three-and-a-half hours. “We will be taking offers from rolling-stock manufacturers from the end of spring 2007. The precise time when the trains will come will be determined when the agreement for the delivery of the rolling-stock has been made. In practice, we estimate that the trains will be in operation at the end of the decade,” says Ilkka Keränen, the company’s President. Traffic between Finland and Russia has increased enormously in recent years. In 2005 267,000 journeys were made between Finland and Russia, a growth of six per cent compared with the previous year. In 2006 the traffic went up by 25 per cent over 2005. More than 330,000 train journeys were made. About 50 per cent of the passengers are Russian, 30 per cent Finns and the rest are other nationalities. www.finnfacts.com/pdf/FF_1_07_eng_web.pdf

(19.4.2007)

Construction at Helsinki harbours

At Katajanokka Terminal, work has begun on changes required for the new Viking Line passenger ship, which will be put into service in early 2008. These changes relate to passenger bridges and gangways as well as the expansion of other terminal facilities. The passenger bridge at West Terminal ferry berth L6 has been extended by 250 metres for the MS Star. Two new passenger gangways have been acquired for boarding passengers. The stern loading ramp had to be made wider for cargo transported by ship. A major overhaul to refurbish the quay will be completed in the course of the spring. The renovation of the quay structures will also serve Super Fast boats. Traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn Two new ships, Tallink Silja Oy's MS Star, and Linda Line's catamaran, the Merlin, have begun service to Tallinn. Also the high-speed vessels Nordic Jetline, SuperSeaCat, Linda Line Express and Tallink Silja Autoexpress have already started the season. Six times a week to Germany On March 17, Finnline ships the MS Finnstar, the MS Finnmaid and the newest ship the MS Finnlady started six weekly sailings from Helsinki's Sompasaari Harbour to Travemünde. The voyage takes 27 hours. www.portofhelsinki.fi/english

(13.4.2007)

IPD - KTI Nordic Property Investment Briefing

IPD ja KTI are organising a one-day seminar Nordic Property Investment Briefing in Hilton Helsinki Strand Hotel on May 30th. The Third IPD – KTI Nordic Property Briefing is the premier event in the Nordic real estate calendar offering inspiring ideas and fresh insights into today’s rapidly developing real estate investment environment. It is an excellent platform for networking with the leading professionals of the industry: for both those already active in the Nordic markets and the ones interested in developing business in this attractive region. The program also includes a presentation on the IPD Nordic Property Index – a Pan-Nordic index measuring the combined performance of the Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Danish property markets – followed by a panel discussion on the strengths and weaknesses as well as future prospects of these markets. The seminar is organized in co-operation with SIPA – the Nordic Pan-European Property Investors Association. More information: www.ipdglobal.com or www.kti.fi

(12.4.2007)

Helsinki Location Guide Launched

The Helsinki Location Guide web portal, portraying the most interesting and photogenic shooting locations in the greater Helsinki area and the top Finnish know-how within the audiovisual industry, was launched on April 4th, 2007 at http://www.locationguide.fi. The European media focus will be on Helsinki in May, as the Eurovision Song Contest brings approximately 1500 members of the international press to Finland, including TV camera crews from most European countries. The Helsinki Location Guide gives these professionals a preview of over 200 shooting locations in the greater Helsinki area. The portal will become an ongoing service that will be developed further in co-operation with leading Finnish industry representatives. The Helsinki Location Guide portal has been funded by Greater Helsinki Promotions.

(10.4.2007)

Nokia and Helsinki University of Technology to partner in nanotechnology

Nokia and the Helsinki University of Technology announced an agreement to work together on a key strategic collaboration in nanotechnology research.  The two organisations will work together on selecting and progressing research into this exciting area of technology.  Nokia Research Center (NRC) will base a number of its researchers at the university's premises in Otaniemi, Espoo, for the duration of these projects.  The collaboration is also part of The Finnish national FinNano program of TEKES (the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation).  This is the second university collaboration around nanotechnologies to be established by Nokia in recent weeks: a collaboration with the University of Cambridge, UK, was announced early in March. The Finnish nanotechnology sector is growing at breakneck speed. In just two years, the number of Finnish companies utilizing nanotechnology has doubled from 61 to 134. Over 40 Finnish companies have introduced products based on nanotechnology in the market. There has been rapid development in all of Finland's main industries, from electronics to the forest industry cluster. The fast growth has been made possible by the FinNano programme of Tekes. The factors that have had an impact on the rapid growth of the sector are described in the Tekes study "Nanotechnology in the Finnish entrepreneurial field" that was published on March 27 at the annual seminar of the technology programme in Helsinki. The study surveyed over 200 companies in search of companies that utilize nanotechnology in commercial products, or that have started research activities, or have formulated a nanotechnology strategy. Nanotechnology has been developed in Finland for over 30 years, and today it has a multi-million euro global market, for example in the manufacture of electronic components and flat-screen displays. Nanotechnology research by companies has increased significantly and many companies expect to launch new products in the market during the next one to three years. Nanotechnology has mainly been applied to new materials, but the applications are spreading to the electronics industry, the bio sector and medicine. The new applications include functional paints and coatings, construction materials, active packaging materials, sensors, and lasers based on quantum mechanics. The FinNano technology programme: www.tekes.fi/eng

(10.4.2007)

FOCUS 2007 showcases Finland for investors

This year's edition of the FOCUS on the Economy and Technology concentrates on Finnish products and services that enhance well-being. Published jointly in Finland by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Invest in Finland, and Finnfacts, the FOCUS magazine emphasises the attractions of Finland for foreign companies and investors. FOCUS highlights the diversity, innovativeness, efficiency and competitiveness of Finland's business community, manufacturing environment and society as a whole. FOCUS also surveys the games industry, Finnish design, contemporary dance, fly fishing, and, of course, monster rock icon Lordi, conqueror of last year's Eurovision Song Contest. The 36-page FOCUS is published in six languages: English, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese. http://www.ktm.fi/index.phtml?l=en&s=1943

(3.4.2007)

Rise in volume of major property transactions

(Finnish Property Monthly) Volume of major transactions amounted to 1.7 billion in Q1 According to KTI's preliminary statistics, the volume of major property transactions amounted to EUR 1.68 billion during the first quarter of 2007. Foreign investors accounted for 65% of all transactions, thus further increasing their weight in the Finnish market. In 2006, the respective figures amounted to EUR 0.86 billion, with foreign investors' share of 80%. AREFF acquired a logistics property in Vantaa Aberdeen Real Estate Fund Finland AREFF has bought a 13,000 sqm logistics property in Vantaa from Mercantile Group, who will remain as a tenant in the building. The acquisition price was ca. EUR 13 million. www.api.fi Sato Corporation expands in Finland Sato Plc has also expanded its Finnish portfolio in two recent transactions. It acquired 41 newly developed dwellings located in Helsinki from YIT. It also acquired 10 residential buildings comprising 175 dwellings from Pharmacies' pension fund for a transaction price of some EUR 20 million. The properties are located in Helsinki. www.sato.fi YIT develops an office property in Käpylä YIT has acquired a lot from IVG Polar Oyj in Käpylä, Helsinki, and will develop a 15,000 office property called Duetto, scheduled for completion in late 2008. The main tenant of the building is Hobby Hall, which is part of the Stockmann Group. The Käpylä area is developing rapidly as an office area, with eg YIT itself also expanding its own offices in the close vicinity of the Duetto project. www.yit.fi The major leisure project in Vantaa branded as Flamingo The shopping and leisure center being built next to the shopping center Jumbo in Vantaa has been branded as Flamingo. The 84,000 sqm center comprises retail, leisure and hotel premises, and is scheduled for completion in late 2008. The center is owned by pension insurance company Varma and constructed by SRV Viitoset Oy. www.varma.fi Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(2.4.2007)

Finland ranks fourth on Global Information Technology Report

Finland was ranked fourth on The Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007 ’s “Networked Readiness Index ” rising one place from the previous report. For the first time, Denmark tops the ranking. The rest of the Nordic countries, except Iceland which loses some ground from last year, follow Denmark’s upward trend. Nordic countries have consistently featured among the top 10 in the last 6 years, reflecting exceptional levels of networked readiness as well as overall competitiveness. The recipe of Nordic countries for networked and competitive success has to do with a very strong focus on education, which has enabled the establishment and development of highly efficient educational institutions and a culture of innovation; transparent and well-functioning public institutions which have resulted in a business-friendly environment; and a strong readiness by key national stakeholders to adopt the latest technologies. The United States loses ground in networked readiness, falling 6 places to 7th position. With record coverage of 122 economies, the GITR has become the world’s most respected assessment of the impact of ICT on the development process and the competitiveness of nations. World Economic Forum: www.weforum.org/en/index.htm

(26.3.2007)

Helsinki Round Table lists five steps for Finland´s future

(Tekes) The Helsinki Round Table crystallised five themes that Finland should consider in seeking future success. Discussion was based on national strategy documents produced in Finland over the last few years, with the aim of introducing complementary or previously overlooked perspectives to them. The Round Table was attended by six members of the New Club of Paris and nine Finnish experts and decision makers. The five themes in focus by the Helsinki Round Table were the national vision, Finnish success story, innovation, social skills, and ecology. The Round Table was initiated by the New Club of Paris and introduced by it for Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. The intention was to examine and open up new dimensions for Finnish strategy and innovation discussion with support by foreign high-level contributors. The goal of the Round Table was to consider the role and possibilities of Finland in a knowledge and innovation economy and bring up new dimensions to the national discussion. Tekes Technology Review: Five steps for Finland´s future www.tekes.fi/eng/publications/Five_steps_for_Finlands_future.pdf

(23.3.2007)

Nokia employs designers from the University of Art and Design Helsinki

(IT Viikko) Nokia's effect on the development of Finnish design is significant, says Anna Valtonen, who is defending her doctoral thesis on design. Nokia is by far the largest employer of designers in Finland. Valtonen's doctoral thesis, Changes in the Design Practice in Finland, reveals to the public for the first time how the design departments in notable Finnish companies, such as Nokia, Suunto, Metso and Fiskars operate. In her doctoral thesis, Ms. Valtonen shows that the idea of industrial designers as eccentric artists working in industry is out of date. Today, industrial designers are experts specialised in many different types of tasks in the information society. Information technology has given designers new tools and created completely new areas of design, such as the design of user interfaces for electrical devices. Since the beginning of their trade, designers have actively tried to change their role in industry from operational activities to more strategic tasks. The content of their work has expanded from simply designing products to the management of product portfolios and the definition of the entire product experience. Design is increasingly used as a competitive asset and source of innovation and is part of a company's strategy. Design has been adopted as a part of the national innovation policy in Finland, and education in design has expanded significantly. Ms. Valtonen works as a researcher in the Department of Design at The University of Art and Design Helsinki, and is a visiting professor at the ESSEC Business School in Paris. After the completion of her doctoral thesis she will return to her work as a Senior Design Manager in Nokia where she has been employed for ten years. The University of Art and Design Helsinki is an international university dedicated to design, audiovisual communication, art education and art. It is the largest university of its kind in Scandinavia and has a strong and active international presence. The University of Art and Design Helsinki: www.uiah.fi/frontpage.asp?path=1866

(19.3.2007)

Helsinki-Vantaa is the third best airport in the world

(Tekniikka & Talous) Passengers have voted Helsinki-Vantaa Airport as one of the best airports in the world, according to the global ASQ (Airport Service Quality) survey that measures passenger satisfaction. Helsinki-Vantaa was placed third best in the world in both its own size category and Europe’s third best airport of all size categories. The position is the same as the previous year. Zurich was voted Europe’s best airport with Brussels Airport coming second. In the comparison of size categories, Helsinki-Vantaa was beaten by Nagano Central in Japan and Adelaide in Australia. The world’s best airports are in Asia. The top spot was attained by Incheon Airport in South Korea, followed by Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. This was the seventh time that Helsinki-Vantaa was voted among the world’s best airports. In the survey, passengers were asked to assess over thirty sub-areas measuring the quality of service of airports. The most important factors in customer satisfaction include the general pleasant ambience, politeness of the staff, cleanliness of the terminal premises, the sense of security and waiting premises. More than 90 airports took part in the comparison conducted in 2006 and 200,000 passengers from around the world were interviewed. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/home Aviapolis: www.aviapolis.fi

(16.3.2007)

FiDiPro funding programme attracted interest

(Tekes) FiDiPro, the funding programme for visiting top researchers in science and technology inspired many Finnish universities and research institutes to apply for funding to recruit foreign top researchers to Finland. A total of 22 proposals were submitted to this winter's FiDiPro call. ”The most popular fields were bio- and health technologies and software and telecommunications technologies,” says Senior Technology Adviser Erja Ämmälahti from Tekes. In their applications, Finnish universities and research institutes propose candidates for FiDiPro professorships from all over the world. As well as European countries, in this call they come from Japan, China, the United States and Russia. Tekes will compile a shortlist of the candidates by April, and those shortlisted will be asked to submit their final proposals by 21 May. "Calls for applications under the FiDiPro programme are opened at regular intervals, so those interested should always keep the programme in mind. Now is the time to start thinking about good candidates for the autumn’s calls,” says Ämmälahti. Tekes and the Academy of Finland will open new FiDiPro calls in the autumn. The Finland Distinguished Professor Programme (FiDiPro) is a joint funding programme of the Academy of Finland and Tekes to recruit foreign professor-level top researchers – or expatriate Finnish professor-level top researchers who have worked abroad for a long period – to Finland for 2 to 5 years. The Academy of Finland and Tekes selected the first FiDiPro professors in 2006, and many of them have already started work in Finland. The programme aims to raise the level of Finland’s scientific and technological competence and add a more international element to the Finnish research system. Projects funded by Tekes also seek to create new types of international cooperation between research institutions and enterprises' R&D activity. Further information: www.fidipro.fi

(16.3.2007)

Finnish member join the Millennium Technology Prize selection committee

(Tekes) The Board of the Millennium Technology Foundation has appointed five new members to the eight-person International Selection Committee for the one million euro Millennium Technology Prize. Every second year, the prize is awarded to a technological innovation that has the potential for a positive impact on quality of life while also supporting sustainable development. ”Once the theoretical basis for a technology has been established and the innovation is moving to the exploitation phase, it should conform to the requirements of sustainable development and the values and demands of society. The inventions made by the first two winners of the Millennium Technology Prize have already had a significant impact on people’s living conditions worldwide,” said Professor Marja Makarow, who now chairs the International Selection Committee. The Millennium Technology Prize has been awarded twice, in 2004 to Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and in 2006 to Professor Shuji Nakamura, for his revolutionary development of bright-blue, green and white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a blue laser.  New members of the committee for 2007-2008 are Dr. Mikko Hupa, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Technology at the Åbo Akademi University in Turku (Finland); Dr. Bob Iannucci, Senior Vice President and Head of Nokia Research Center (Finland); Dr. Risto Nieminen, Academy Professor at Helsinki University of Technology and Director of COMP, a National Center for Excellence in Computational Nanoscience (Finland); Dr. V. S. Ramamurthy, Homi Bhabha Chair Professor at the Inter-University Accelerator Center in New Delhi (India); and Dr. Henry T. Yang, Professor and Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Barbara (USA). The Millennium Technology Prize is intended to highlight innovations and research and development work that have a favorable impact on human quality of life and sustainable development. Established and funded by the Finnish private and public sectors in partnership, the world’s largest technology award is supervised by the Millennium Technology Foundation in Helsinki. Millennium Prize Foundation: www.millenniumprize.fi

(14.3.2007)

Helsinki Region needs more foreigners

(Helsingin Sanomat) “Over the next few years, our own population base will no longer be sufficient. We will need more and more help from workers from abroad,” said Mr. Heikki J. Perälä, managing director of the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce. According to a survey of industrial sectors published by the Chamber of Commerce on Monday, production in the Helsinki Region increased by 5.5 percent last year, or a percentage point more than in the whole of Finland. “Growth was last this strong in 2000,” said Perälä. Industrial production grew especially rapidly in the Helsinki Region: during the last quarter of last year, real growth was up 12 percent from a year earlier. Over the same time period, retail sales increased by seven percent. The employment situation in the Uusimaa region is now the best in fifteen years. ”In January, the region’s labour exchange offices were notified of 25 percent more open positions than a year earlier. At the same time, unemployment stood at a bit over 12.5 percent,” said Mr. Jaakko Pesola, head of research at the Uusimaa Employment and Economic Development Centre. In Helsinki the situation is even better: at the beginning of the year, there were 12,392 new jobs available, or a third more than a year earlier. According to Mr. Perälä, the Helsinki Region has reclaimed its status as the economic engine of the country.

(12.3.2007)

Helsinki Region the most desired region for foreign investment

(Catella’s Spring 2007 Property Market Trends) 2006 was a record investment year in Finland. Real estate investment volume rose to EUR 5.5 billion (of which the sale of Kapiteeli covered EUR 1.3 billion). Foreigners’ share of investments accounted for 54% (EUR 3.0 billion) and the share of portfolio deals of the transaction volume was 66% (EUR 3.6 billion). Both figures were substantial increases from the previous year. Yield requirements have continued to decrease in the Helsinki Region along with the growth centres. Yields for prime properties in the Helsinki city centre are on average 5.1%. The drop in the last 12 months amounts to 0.75 percentage points. Due to the rise in interest rates it is now less desirable to use leverage in prime CBD investments. There are 51 foreign investors currently in Finland, of which 15 were new to the market in 2006. Strong activity continued in 2007 with EUR 1.4 billion worth of transactions made in the first months (71% by foreign investors). In total, foreign investors have invested approx. EUR 8 billion in Finland. The Helsinki Region continues to be the most desired region for foreign investment. However, a record number of investments took place in the areas outside the greater Helsinki region amounting to EUR 2.1 billion, which is 38% of all transactions. Risk diversification, market liquidity and transparency will continue to make the Finnish property market attractive. Tenants primarily prefer modern premises. The vacancy rate dropped in Helsinki, especially for new and modern premises. The first rises in rents were seen for prime areas and properties. The current economic trend supports more active risk taking for construction in all core markets. Construction is active and continued investment by foreign investors is predicted on the market. The Spring 2007 Property Market Trends: http://www.catella.fi/1538.aspx?versionid=1

(3.3.2007)

Construction of commercial properties increased

(Finnish Property Monthly) The total return on the Finnish property market amounted to 10.1% in 2006, consisting of an income return of 6.9% and a capital growth of 3.1%. Retail was the best performing sector with a clear margin because of the strong capital growth, ie 6.2%, which increased the total return to 14.2%. Returns on offices also increased clearly compared with the previous year, ie to 8.6%. The construction of retail and office properties increased clearly in 2006 compared with the previous year measured by building starts. On the other hand, construction of residential dwellings decreased by 3%. http://www.stat.fi/index_en.html Major transactions Sponda sold a portfolio of 43 investment properties and most the former Kapiteeli sales portfolio to Whitehall Street Real Estate Fund and Niam Nordic Investment Fund III for EUR 402 million. The deal is part of Sponda's strategy to refinance part of the short-term credit it raised for the Kapiteeli acquisition. The investment is Whitehall's first in Finland. Sponda will continue managing the portfolio. Northern European Properties (NEPR) expands its Nordic portfolio through acquiring properties from London & Regional Group. The Finnish portfolio consists of four hotel buildings, and was worth EUR 50.8 million. The yield on purchase price is 6.5%. The Swedish portfolio comprises 12 logistics and industrial properties, and, together with one property in both Poland and Germany, is worth EUR 84 million. The City of Espoo sold a 14,000 sqm lot with a building right of 20,000 sqm in Espoo center to YIT. The shopping center is scheduled to be completed for Christmas 2008. The center will be concentrating in fashion and clothes, but will also comprise some facilities for public services. Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(1.3.2007)

Greater Helsinki Promotion Ltd. generates international interest in the Helsinki Region

The key cities in Finland's capital region - Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen together with Uusimaa Regional Council - have set up a new company in the Helsinki Metropolitan area, the main aim of which is to attract investment and skilled individuals to the area. Mr. Tatu Laurila (34) M.Pol.Sc. has been appointed as CEO of the company from the start of 2007. Mr. Laurila has previously worked for Venture Cup Finland and the University of Helsinki. His previous position was as deputy managing director of Culminatum Ltd. The main function of the Helsinki Region Center of Expertise Company - Culminatum Ltd. - is to implement the National Centre of Expertise Programme in the Helsinki region in association with the host organisations for the selected expertise sector. In his position at Culminatum, Mr. Laurila was responsible for, among other things, drawing up and implementing the innovation strategy for Helsinki and the research programme of Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation.    The aim of the new company, Greater Helsinki Promotion, is to generate international interest in the Helsinki region and to increase international investments. Significantly more resources will be invested towards these goals in the near future. The aim is to make the Helsinki Metropolitan Area the most attractive innovation and business environment within the Baltic area by 2015. ”So that we can stand out, our actions must have as their starting point the idea that technology and development projects and Living Lab environments in which companies can quickly develop new products and services in cooperation with a network of highly skilled individuals and the end user are built around the best centres of excellence," said Mr. Tatu Laurila in an interview to Presso magazine. For additional information, please contact: Greater Helsinki Promotion Ltd. Tatu Laurila, Managing Director tatu.laurila(at)inhelsinki.com

(1.3.2007)

KTI Nordic Property Briefing in Helsinki

The Third IPD - KTI Nordic Property Briefing is held on May 30th in Helsinki. It is the premier event in the Nordic real estate calendar, offering inspiring ideas and fresh insights into today's rapidly developing real estate investment environment. It is an excellent platform for networking with the leading professionals in the industry: both for those already active in the Nordic markets and those interested in developing business in this attractive region. The program includes a presentation on the IPD Nordic Property Index - a Pan-Nordic index measuring the combined performance of the Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Danish property markets - followed by a panel discussion on the strengths, weaknesses and future prospects of these markets. The Briefing will focus on the following themes: - The European property investment environment - how does the world look from the Nordic perspective? - Investing in global and European property markets - The Nordic property markets - how do they fit into the European context? - The developing investment universe The full program will be published in March, and can be found at www.kti.fi and www.ipdglobal.com

(28.2.2007)

Helsinki Living Lab aims to become an international export product

Helsinki Living Lab, coordinated by Forum Virium Helsinki and Art and Design City Helsinki Oy, aims to become an international export product.  Nearly 20 actors, operating in various fields, participate in the Helsinki Living Lab project. The participants consist of, among others, four institutions of higher education, three small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the following companies that implemented three case examples: Kesko, Saunalahti and Destia (Finnish Road Enterprise). The main objective of the Helsinki Living Lab project is to conceptualize and productize the existing user-oriented innovation expertise of the actors involved, that is, turn their living lab expertise into an international export product. Combining the special expertise, resources and networks of different businesses creates a globally top-quality living lab concept that companies can utilize in their own product development, either as service providers or customers. The physical environment being developed (including, for instance, Arabianranta, Kumpula and Pasila) and the digital living lab environment provide businesses with the opportunity, for example, to test services and develop service concepts. Moreover, it offers universities and research institutes ideal facilities for developing their own research methods. The coordinators of the Helsinki Living Lab project, Forum Virium Helsinki and Art and Design City Helsinki Oy, are members of the European Network of Living Labs, which was launched in Helsinki in March 2006. The network consists of 20 members from 16 countries. For additional information, please contact: CEO Kari Raina, Art and Design City Helsinki Oy e-mail: Kari.Raina(at)adchelsinki.fi Director Jarmo Eskelinen, Forum Virium Helsinki e-mail: jarmo.eskelinen(at)forumvirium.fi

(27.2.2007)

International businesses enter Finland through acquisitions

(Invest in Finland) The number of foreign companies locating in Finland increased 12 percent over last year. According to Invest in Finland's New Foreign Businesses in Finland 2006 statistics, 208 new foreign companies were recorded in Finland last year (compared to 185 in 2005). More than half of these companies (115) located in the Helsinki region. Most of the new foreign companies were generated by means of acquisitions (136). The proportion of acquisitions is on the rise. Only a third of the new foreign businesses registered in 2006 were based on new business. Sweden retains its position as the leading country of origin of foreign businesses locating in Finland (73 in 2006, 53 in 2005). In next place are the US, Spain, the UK and Denmark. Spain's high placing in the 2006 statistics is due to one group of acquisitions. "The proportion of trade and services in all new foreign businesses continues to grow. As a matter of fact, the increase over last year was generated by this sector," says Mr. Tuomo Airaksinen, CEO of Invest in Finland. Intense growth on worldwide basis Foreign direct investment has experienced rapid worldwide growth in the past few years. This global growth has been boosted in particular by the rise in the number of acquisitions. Foreign direct investment in the EU 15 member states almost tripled from 2004 to 2006. "Foreign direct investment in Finland seems to follow a global pattern: the number of investments increases, as does the proportion of acquisitions. Nevertheless, the growth figures are very moderate in Finland compared to the average in the EU 15 member states," Mr. Airaksinen says. Source: Invest in Finland www.investinfinland.fi

(25.2.2007)

Huge market potential for the newly discovered NanoBuds

A paper recently published in the March issue of Nature Nanotechnology reports a new form of carbon - dubbed 'NanoBuds' by the team at the Helsinki University of Technology that discovered it. Carbon comes in many different forms, from the graphite found in pencils to the world's most expensive diamonds. Dr. Albert Nasibulin and his colleagues in Professor Esko Kauppinen’s NanoMaterials research group (http://www.fyslab.hut.fi/nanomat) created and studied the new material together with collaborators in Korea, Japan, the USA, Russia and England.  NanoBuds are formed from two already known forms of carbon - fullerene molecules, so called “buckyballs”, and carbon nanotubes. In this newly discovered material, the fullerene molecules are attached to the outside surface of the carbon nanotubes, just like buds on the branch of a tree - hence the name - and can be made in a simple one-step process. These NanoBuds have been shown to be extremely efficient electron emitters and have excellent electrical conductive properties. In fact, as NanoBuds combine the chemical reactivity of fullerenes and electrical, optical as well as mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, they may one day replace current materials in many products. Research is continuing to explore NanoBuds’ properties with a view to using them in a wide range of applications. In order to realize the huge market potential of this novel carbon nanomaterial, Canatu Ltd., a spin-off of the Helsinki University of Technology was formed.  The company has patent applications on the novel material and all elements of the synthesis, characterization and component manufacturing processes. The founders (Esko Kauppinen, David Brown, Albert Nasibulin and Hua Jiang) have been active collaborators in the nanomaterials arena for more than eight years. One of the applications Canatu will actively develop is as NanoBud electron sources for new kinds of so called “field emission” backlights and displays (FED) since the low energy needed to emit electrons means low energy FED lights and displays would also be possible. www.fyslab.hut.fi/nanomat www.canatu.com

(22.2.2007)

Oppenheim enters the Finnish property market

Oppenheim Immobilien KAG (OIK) has agreed to buy a € 10 million office development from Oy Alfred A.Palmberg Ab in Espoo in the Helsinki Region. The property consist of one office building of app. 4.000 sq m with parking places and will be let to Tekmanni Oy with a long lease. Palmberg will start the construction works during the spring 2007 and the building will be completed in the autumn 2008. The property is located close to Sello shopping center in City of Espoo. The area is considered to be one of the definite growth centers in the Helsinki Region. OIK has extensive experience of property investments in Sweden, where it owns properties for over € 360 million. According to Richard Kolb, Director of Investment Europe, OIK finds Finland a very attractive investment market and they are keen to develop a substantial property portfolio also to Finland.  Oppenheim has app. € 9,9 billion under management in 30 funds. The funds own more that 500 properties in Europe and USA.

(20.2.2007)

Aviapolis is developing fast

Vantaa, Helsinki’s neighbour, is rapidly evolving into a modern, internationally-oriented city. The most striking development is taking place at Aviapolis, a truly go-ahead "airport city" surrounding the award-winning Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport. Investments are being made in Aviapolis at a fast pace. Projects involving 400,000 floor square metres are being planned for office space alone. Then there are the airport area investments – a EUR 143 million international terminal extension will open in 2009, the Hilton Hotel will be inaugurated in autumn 2007, and the first World Trade Center building should be completed in spring 2008. The area’s already strong conference and congress services will be augmented further by these projects. The attractiveness of Aviapolis is also reflected in job opportunities. The area boasts the greatest job growth in the entire Helsinki region – and there are already almost 40,000 people working there. The Vantaa Hitech programme supports the international aspirations of Aviapolis. Its International Center provides companies setting up in Finland with a “soft landing” in the form of training, networking support and consultancy on Finnish legislation and financial practices. According to a study published by KTI (Finland’s Institute for Real Estate Economics) in the spring of 2005, Aviapolis is the most popular business site in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Its excellent logistics make it an unparalleled location for companies that require proximity to the best transport connections. Aviapolis also has its own high-quality residential areas. Co-existing harmoniously with nature, these areas will soon house 23,000 people and new areas are being planned. Residents are served by one of the largest shopping centres in the Nordic countries and a versatile leisure and entertainment centre being constructed next to it – the largest single leisure investment ever made in Finland. The area’s schools include an international school run without tuition fees by the City of Vantaa. Read more about Aviapolis

(20.2.2007)

Finland one of the innovation leaders in Europe

Finland continues to be one of the innovation leaders worldwide. According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2006,the innovation leaders are Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Japan. The report presents a comparative analysis of the innovation performance of European countries, the US and Japan. Commissioned by the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, the European Innovation Scoreboard is prepared by the Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT) assisted by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Based on their overall innovation score and their recent historical trend, the authors grouped the countries in four categories: - Innovation leaders: Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Japan - Innovation followers: UK, Iceland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, US - Catching-up countries: Slovenia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal, Poland, Latvia, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania - Trailing countries: Estonia, Spain, Italy, Malta, Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia A country can be an innovation leader only if it has a well established innovation system with all elements in place. Finland ranks in the top three in the following categories: public R&D expenditure, business R&D expenditure, tertiary education, innovative SMEs cooperation with others, EPO patents and triad patents. The European Innovation Scoreboard measures the innovation performance of a country’s economy based on a wide range of indicators, from education to expenditure in Information and Communication Technologies, investment in R&D or number of patents. More information: The European Innovation Scoreboard

(15.2.2007)

Otaniemi technology hub aims high

(Nordicum Magazine) The Otaniemi Model – combining hi tech business savvy with scientific R&D excellence – is recognised the world over. International visitors flock to Otaniemi to find out what keeps the engines of Finnish innovation firing on all cylinders. Otaniemi, located within the Helsinki metropolitan area,  is already the leading technology hub in the Nordic countries. However, Jouni Honkavaara, the new Managing Director of Otaniemi Marketing, believes that the Finnish hi tech hub is just getting started. Within five years, Otaniemi and its surroundings will be the leading European centre for high-level technological research, education and entrepreneurship, Honkavaara believes. The community of over 31,000 people includes 15,000 students of the Helsinki University of Technology as well as 16,000 technology professionals, of which 6,000 are employed by research organisations and 10,000 by technology companies. Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland form the scientific core for Otaniemi. Other Otaniemi-based organisations include the pulp and paper industry research company KCL; CSC, the Finnish IT centre for science; the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK); and Culminatum, the Centre of Expertise of the Helsinki region. Technology centre Innopoli commercialises the research and knowledge-intensive ideas of Otaniemi and functions as a business generator. There are approximately 230 companies operating in Innopoli out of the over 600 companies in the area. The corporate headquarters of such international powerhouses as Nokia, Kone and Fortum are located in South Otaniemi, along the high-rising Keilaniemi shoreline. The Espoo-Vantaa Institute of Technology (EVTEK) and Laurea Polytechnic are also located nearby. “The key to Otaniemi’s present and future success is the long tradition of co-operation which has yielded tremendous results in the past,” Honkavaara says. Otaniemi Technology Hub Nordicum Magazine

(12.2.2007)

Dynamic developments in the Helsinki Region

Scandinavian Business Magazine Nordicum has interviewed Helsinki’s Lord Mayor Jussi Pajunen, who states that Helsinki is aiming to maintain and develop its position as one of the most innovative and competitive metropolises in Europe. Special number includes also real estate & architecture report. Magazine introduces for example airport city Aviapolis, which is one of the most dynamic developments in the whole Helsinki region. Helsinki’s neighbour city Espoo will get a metro line. This also means that Finland’s leading innovation and technology cluster of Keilaniemi-Otaniemi-Tapiola will have more effective traffic connections to the Helsinki city centre. NORDICUM Scandinavian Business Magazine is an English-language review coming out six times a year. The magazine concentrates on business and economics of the Baltic region. Read the Nordicum Magazine online (fast-to-use)

(1.2.2007)

Volume of major transactions increased

News from the property market: Volume of major transactions increased to EUR ca. 5.6 billion in 2006 According to preliminary statistics of KTI Finland, the volume of major transactions increased to EUR 5.6 billion in 2006. Foreign investors accounted for 54% of all transactions. The total volume increased clearly compared with the previous year’s level of EUR 2.8 billion. Residential prices continue rising Prices for residential apartments rose by 6.6% in Finland in 2006. Increase in prices was, again, strongest in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, where prices rose by 8.0% compared with the previous year. Measured by the number of transactions, the volume of residential transactions decreased by 5% compared with the level of 2005. http://www.stat.fi/index_en.html Sveafastigheter acquired 12 retail properties The Swedish Sveafastigheter Fund II continues expansion in Finland by acquiring 12 retail properties from Auratum and three other investors. The portfolio’s total GLA is 14,800 sqm, and the properties are located in Helsinki, Kemi and South-Western Finland. HGR Property Partners, a Finnish property company managing Sveafastighter’s Finnish portfolio, also acts as co-investor in the deal. Sponda issues new shares and plans selling of properties worth EUR 300-500 million. In order to refinance the acquisition of the EUR 1.3 billion Kapiteeli portfolio and to enhance its equity ratio, Sponda is issuing new shares worth EUR 247 million. The company also announced its objective to sell some EUR 300-500 million worth of properties during 2007 in one or several transactions. The company is aiming at an equity ratio of 33% by the end of 2007. http://www.sponda.fi/en_GB Julius Tallberg to acquire SK Property Oy Julius Tallberg-Kiinteistöt Oyj has acquired the total ownership of two office properties located in Espoo. Before this EUR 10 million transaction, the company owned 18% of the company owning theses properties. The seller was CFSC Capital Corp, a long-term partner of Julius Tallberg- Kiinteistöt. www.jtkoyj.com Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(26.1.2007)

Tekes’ funding creates innovations and new business

(Tekes) Tekes invested €465 million in the research and innovation activity of enterprises, universities and research institutions in 2006. The impacts can be seen in new enterprises, business functions, services, enterprise growth and internationalisation. Tekes’ funding contributes to the growth of Finland’s economy and competitiveness. Almost 2,000 R&D projects funded by Tekes were completed in 2006. They created more than 830 products or services and over 200 production processes. The projects also produced around 750 patent applications, 950 theses and almost 2,400 publications. In all Tekes funded 2,157 R&D projects with a total amount of €465 million in 2006. More than half of the funding – €271 million – was granted for research and innovation activity by enterprises and €195 million for research carried out by universities, polytechnics and research institutions. Tekes has a particular focus on the development of funding and services for innovative business start-ups. More than 50 per cent of enterprise funding was granted to small and medium-sized enterprises. Almost a half of Tekes’ customers were microenterprises employing fewer than 10 persons. Technology programmes promote networking between enterprises and universities Tekes provides funding for R&D projects both through programmes targeted at different sectors of technology and innovation and on the basis of self-initiated applications. Technology programmes enforce close cooperation between enterprises, universities and research institutions and increase their competence. Almost one half of Tekes’ funding was granted through technology programmes, which in 2006 numbered 24. Tekes is currently preparing another 11 technology programmes. International cooperation by Finnish enterprises and universities was also strengthened in 2006. Nearly 40 percent of the R&D projects were internationally networked. Among those boosting internationalisation are the FinChi innovation center in Shanghai and FinNode in California offering contacts with R&D organisations, enterprises and government bodies. http://www.tekes.fi/eng/news/uutis_tiedot.asp?id=5607

(22.1.2007)

Major project in microfluidics launched

Processing of small fluid samples gets faster and automatic Research partners Helsinki University of Technology, University of Helsinki and VTT and five industrial partners will cooperate in developing microfluidic technologies in the Tekes funded Biofunc-project (Biofunctional microchips). Key inventions in ionization and separation of microscopic drug and protein samples form the basis of the project. New analytical and diagnostic applications are being developed in the project. The Biofunc-partners form an extensive concentration of know-how that covers both the material and fabrication technology of the components as well as the application areas. The total value of the project is 950.000 Euro and it will run for two years.  Handling of small fluid samples is the core technology behind the Biofunc-project. New microfluidic technologies enable faster and more sensitive analyses. - The proteomics chip produces a result from the sample in an hour, when it used to take a whole day. Another great advantage is the possibility of automatisation: traditional methods are very manual labor intensive. In doping testing the microfluidic chips make it possible to detect ever lower concentrations, says project leader, docent Sami Franssila from the Micro and Nanosciences Laboratory at Micronova, TKK. ´ TKK and University of Helsinki have had successful collaboration in the development of microfluidic technologies since year 2000. The previous collaborative projects were funded by the Academy of Finland and Tekes. This new project builds on that solid background. Fluid handling and surface treatment technology can be applied in many areas of analytics and diagnostics to benefit the needs of the industrial partners. The industrial partners in the project are Yhtyneet Laboratoriot, Labmaster, MobiDiag, BioNavis and Silecs. More information: Docent Sami Franssila Micro and Nanosciences Laboratory, TKK Micronova – Centre for Micro and Nanotechnology sami.franssila(at)tkk.fi phone +358 9 451 2332

(16.1.2007)

Forum Virium Helsinki promotes digital services

Forum Virium Helsinki is a cooperation cluster focusing on the development of new customer-driven digital services and contents. Forum Virium Helsinki's long-term vision is to profile the digital capabilities of the Helsinki region, and make the region a dynamic product and service development hub in the digital arena. The organisation was founded on the initiative of a number of significant players in the digital sector, including Digita, Elisa, Nokia, TeliaSonera, the Finnish Road Enterprise, TietoEnator, Veikkaus, WM-data, the YIT Group, and the Finnish Broadcasting Company. Forum Virium Helsinki's role is to act as a neutral matchmaker between partners, and help drive their future concepts, programmes, and projects forward. The organisation's goals focus on enablers such as networking and interaction, communication, and innovation environments. Forum Virium Helsinki differs from most other clusters in that the projects it becomes involved with originate among the members of the organisation's network. This helps ensure that projects are grounded in true business drivers and real-life customer needs. Ongoing initiatives Forum Virium Helsinki's ongoing initiatives and programmes are currently concentrated on six future concepts or project areas: traffic, learning, health care, retail, the digital home, and multichannel event media. The Forum Virium Helsinki SME Development Service (FVH SDS) promotes the growth of small and medium-sized businesses operating in the rapidly expanding digital content and service sector and their access to the international market – to enhance their dynamism, enhance their operating environment, and improve the overall competitiveness of the region. Forum Virium High Technlogy Finland

(15.1.2007)

New High Technology Finland available online

(Tekes) The 2007 edition of High Technology Finland has come off the printing presses and is also published online. The publication includes a cross-section of articles on the very latest in the world of Finnish high technology and innovation – from new-generation biodiesel and AIDS vaccines to mass customisation, new mobile services, advanced ore extraction techniques, and innovative kiln drying technology. Most companies presented in the publication have participated in the research and development projects funded by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. Tekes offers a gateway to Finland for foreign companies and research organisations in their search for the most suitable R&D partners. High Technology Finland is published together by Tekes, Finpro, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Facte, The Finnish Academies of Technology. High Technlogy Finland www.hightechfinland.com

(8.1.2007)

Active year in real estate property transactions

Catella Finland sums up year 2006 in their fresh newsletter. Catella Property Oy and Catella Corporate Oy are the leading real estate property transactions advisors in Finland. In year 2006 Catella served as an advisor in real-estate deals worth over 900 MEUR. The number of deals completed was well over 100 of which Catella served as sales advisor in over 90%. In addition Catella served as valuation experts in nearly 3.5 BEUR worth of real-estate. At the end of 2006 alone Catella negotiated deals worth over 150 MEUR. Catella was involved for example when Teesland iOG purchased 7 retail properties in Helsinki and Espoo from Eläke-Fennia. The purchase price of 77 MEUR raised Tessland Finland's portfolio value to 90 MEUR. Read the newsletter

(5.1.2007)

Vision Greater Helsinki!

Greater Helsinki municipalities and State of Finland (Ministry of Environment) organize an open ideas competition for the future land use and spatial vision of Greater Helsinki. Region consists of the following municipalities: Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kerava, Tuusula, Järvenpää, Nurmijärvi, Mäntsälä, Pornainen, Hyvinkää, Kirkkonummi, Vihti and Sipoo, located in south of Finland. The organisers are expecting refreshing entries to participate the competition and vision the future Greater Helsinki 2050. The aim of the competition is to find innovative ideas for the future land use planning and develop sustainable strategies and concrete solutions for strengthening the status and competitiveness of Greater Helsinki as an attractive region to live and conduct business in. The competitors are expected to present their general vision for the Greater Helsinki in 2050 together with the detail study supporting it. Total of EUR 500 000 will be awarded as prizes and purchases. http://www.greaterhelsinkivision.fi

(3.1.2007)

Latest investments in the Helsinki Region

(Finnish Property Monthly) SEB acquired two office buildings from NCC NCC Property Development has sold two new office properties: Airport Business Plaza Vivace in Vantaa and Opus Business Park’s last phase, located in Herttoniemi, Helsinki to German SEB Immobilien-Investment GmbH. The total value of the transaction amounts to EUR 50 million. Both properties will be completed in 2008. Pension Tapiola has made an investment of EUR 24 mill. in a 14,000 sqm office property Business Park Mankkaa II in Espoo. The building will be completed in autumn 2007. http://www.yitgroup.com/main.asp?path=1;4620 YIT has sold a property located in Sinimäentie 12, Espoo to German LB Immo Invest GmbH for a transaction price of EUR 13 million. The property will be renovated, the project being completed in autumn 2007. Pension fund Etera has acquired a 7000 sqm retail / warehouse property in Espoo, Koskelo area for a transaction price of EUR 7.5 million. The transaction also includes some 12,000 sqm building right for new retail, warehouse or office premises. The estimated total value of the project after new development is ca. EUR 30 million. Crownstone European Properties bought an office building in Helsinki. Julius Tallberg-Kiinteistöt Oyj has sold an office property in Kanavanranta 7 to Crownstone European Properties ltd. The sales price of this 7,000 sqm building amounted to EUR 22.3 million. http://www.jtkoyj.com/en/index.html Property company & fund news CapMan Real Estate Fund I will sell its existing property portfolio to Samson Properties ltd, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ajanta Oy. The portfolio comprises 22 properties located in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The transaction price is EUR 377.5 million, being the second biggest transaction in the Finnish market in 2006. The fund will continue its investment activities, and has now an investment capacity of ca. EUR 200 million. Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(20.12.2006)

A booming Helsinki Region

An economic boom was driving the developments in the Helsinki Region during the third quarter of the current year. Production increased by some 4.5 per cent on the previous year. “As with earlier in the year, the increase in production was based on many sectors, as both the manufacturing industry and services enjoyed strong growth. Instead, growth in the construction industry waned. The underlying factor behind this downturn is the reduced output of housing construction in the Helsinki Region”, says Mr. Jorma Nyrhilä, Deputy Managing Director of the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce. The major sectors in the Helsinki Region, the manufacturing industry, commerce and business services, were all doing well. The total net sales of the companies in the region increased approximately 6 per cent from the previous year. The growth was strongest in industry (8 per cent). Net sales of business services and commerce increased by some 6 per cent. The growth rate of employment has so far been a steady 1.5 to 2 per cent in the Helsinki Region. The growth during the third quarter was 1.6 per cent, still outpacing the country average. For further information, please contact: Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, Deputy Managing Director Jorma Nyrhilä, tel. +358 9 228 601 or +358 50 66 774.

(18.12.2006)

Newsletter on micro and nanotechnology

Micronova - Centre for Micro and Nanotechnology has started to publish an electronic Newsletter. The Micronova Newsletter will come out four times a year. The first Newsletter includes topics such as: Millennium technology prize winner professor Shuji Nakamura visited Micronova in September, Helsinki University of Technology strengthens its micro and nanotechnology expertise at Micronova and Three international top researchers start at Micronova in the beginning of the year 2007. Micronova is the leading research centre for micro and nanotechnology in Finland. It is part of Otaniemi Science Park, which is the largest technology hub in the Nordic countries. Micronova is jointly run by VTT, Technical Research Centre in Finland and Helsinki University of Technology, TKK. Read the Micronova Newsletter 1/06

(12.12.2006)

Rents for the best premises rising

KTI's rental index for Helsinki CBD offices shows an annual increase of 4.4%. The increase in rents has accelerated during the past 6 months. However, rental demand is mainly directed towards high-class properties, whereas for class B and C properties, vacancy remains a problem and rental levels are relatively stable. Investment demand remains strong, and the total transactions volume is expected to rise to its all time high figures. See the figures Major news in the property market The Danish Schaumann Group entered the Finnish market by acquiring a portfolio of 28 retail properties in Finland. The properties are located in different parts of Finland, and are rented to Finnish retail chains with long-term leases. The transaction price for this 120,000 sqm portfolio amounted to EUR 150 million. RBS Nordisk Renting to acquire two retail properties from SOK In a sale-and-leaseback transaction with a total worth of some EUR 30 million, RBS Nordisk Renting has acquired two retail properties in Helsinki and Hyvinkää, as well as extended the lease period of a hotel property in Espoo. The lease period for the properties is 18 years. The deal is part of the asset outsourcing strategy pursued by SOK. Sato invests in high-class apartments by acquiring 26 high-class residential apartments in Helsinki center from NCC. The apartments, located in Eiranranta, will be completed by spring 2008. The acquisition is part of Sato's strategy to expand its offerings to cover also the increasing demand for high-class, so called "five star" rental residential apartments. The major shopping and leisure center Ideapark was opened in the beginning of December. The center, located in Lempäälä, some 20 km south of Tampere, has a leasable area of ca. 100,000 sqm, and ca. 170 shops. Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(5.12.2006)

IST 2006 in Helsinki broke records

IST 2006 in Helsinki, presenting the ICT research programme of the 7. Framework Programme, was the largest IST event ever. More than 4,500 people attended the conference, exhibition, networking events and workshops. On behalf of the Finnish organisers, Tekes and the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry wish to thank everyone involved in making the IST 2006 a success. The presentations and webcasts from the IST 2006 event are available at the European Commission’s IST event website.

(24.11.2006)

Helsinki Region top performer in competitiveness

Finland and the Helsinki Region are top performers in competitiveness according to the European Competitiveness Index 2006. The index of national European competitiveness is headed by Finland and the Helsinki region (Uusimaa) was ranked Europe’s 2nd most competitiveness region. All of Finland’s other regions had also moved significantly up the rankings. Most competitive Finland was followed by Luxembourg in 2nd, Switzerland in 3rd, Norway in 4th, and Denmark in 5th. Greater Helsinki Region, ranking first in the 2004 Index, was now surpassed by Brussels. The wider Paris region of Ile de France is ranked 3rd and Stockholm 4th. The report finds a strong association between competitiveness across Europe and investment in secondary and tertiary education, and levels of employment in high-technology service sector activities, particularly IT and telecommunications Dr Robert Huggins, who developed the biennial index and co-authored the report, said ‘The report reveals a number of problems concerning Europe’s bid to improve its competitiveness. Those regions featured at the bottom of the rankings generally lack the economic and industrial infrastructure that is a feature of Europe’s most competitive regions. They also tend to be remotely situated at the eastern edge of Europe and are unable to connect themselves with the major European markets. ‘Along with the competitiveness divide between old and new Europe, there is an increasing dependence in Europe on its urban and city locations as the source its competitiveness, with a widening gap between the performance of key cities and much of Europe’s hinterland. On top of this, we are seeing the continued erosion in the regional competitiveness of locations in some of Europe’s major economies, especially Germany. The European Competitiveness Index

(22.11.2006)

Helsinki’s public transport is top-notch

Helsinki has placed among the top three cities in the ”best public transport city” competition in 2002–2005. In 2002 Helsinki was the best, in 2003–2004 it placed in second place, and in 2005 in third place. The point score given for overall satisfaction fell somewhat in 2005 to 76, which entitled Helsinki to third place. The city in first place, Barcelona, scored 83 points. Prague, a new contestant, nudged Helsinki out of second place. The strengths of Helsinki’s public transport in comparison with other cities have been reliability, the confidence of residents in public transport, and ticket prices. The range of transportation services available, comfort and the importance in society of the public transport system are somewhat better than in other cities. Helsinki scored below other European cities in the behaviour of staff and the availability of information. The results are part of the international BEST project that was launched in 2000. The idea behind the benchmarking process, designed to develop public transport, has been to study what are the strengths and weaknesses of the public transport systems of the cities participating in the study, and get new ideas from other cities. Alongside the study, there has been an annual competition for the best public transport city in Europe. A total of nine cities took part in 2005: Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Geneva, and Barcelona.

(21.11.2006)

Helsinki ranks second in Mobile Readiness

Helsinki is one of the leading European mobile cities. According to the mWatch Study the leading mobile city is Tallinn in Estonia  with an MRI of 5.39 followed by Helsinki with 5.29. The mWatch Europe 2006 reveals and compares the state of art in 21 European cities and regions from Helsinki in the north to Barcelona in the south. The Mobile Readiness Index (MRI) is designed to quantify the innovative potential and critical actions for places to become fruitful test-beds for user-driven mobile solutions in cities and regions across Europe. The study calculates a Mobile-Readiness-Index (MRI) for a city or region which ranges between 1 (very poor) and 7 (very good).  The mobile cluster of Helsinki Region with its 1.24 million inhabitants in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, has long been perceived as a dynamic region among potential investors. The region has benefits from a number of intermediaries supporting innovation in general and innovations in mobility in particular. The Helsinki Region offers test-centres open for third part application development. A Mobile TV test-platform, Octopus mobile application test-service and a RFID test-site area are the most notable private facilities. There are a number of companies that offer usability and user interface testing with an international reach. These test-services cover testing of the actual user interface functionality , user documentation and customer acceptance testing with large test-audiences. Nokia`s success, with its spin-offs, has given an extra impetus for news coverage. Infrastructures are good, cost for usage very low and the number of payments executed via mobile phones is very high. Helsinki has developed a supportive environment via a number of public and private institutions, including the Dimes Association, Culminatum, and Forum Virium. http://www.livinglabs-europe.com/mwatch2006.asp

(21.11.2006)

Finnish companies praised for their web sites

German companies have the best corporate Web sites in Europe according to a survey of 16 countries. Companies in the Nordic countries - Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark - which are grouped together in the ranking came in second, followed by Switzerland and the Netherlands. Russian companies had the lowest average score, 35, while France scored forth from the bottom at 48. Kauppalehti published the results for Finland’s 49 largest companies. The winner is Metso, with 84 points. Runner up is Fortum with 82.25 points and third is last year’s winner, Stora Enso with 80 points. The average score of the Finnish top ten list is 76.4 which can be compared to the Swedish top ten average of 75.3 and the Danish of 63.5. – Finnish corporate websites are generally well structured and especially parts concerning financial information and corporate governance contains highly relevant information, says Tove Håkansson, head of H&H Webranking 2006. H&H Webranking has been conducted annually since 1997. Results are published in financial newspapers around Europe. Hallvarsson's survey, which considers only English-language Web sites, has been conducted for ten years in Scandinavia and for six years on a European level. Each year approximately 500 websites are reviewed. More on Hallvarsson's survey

(20.11.2006)

New Finnish innovation centre in Silicon Valley

(Tekes) FinNode, the new Finnish innovation centre, will open in Silicon Valley, USA, in January 2007. The innovation centre will serve Finnish and American companies and researchers. FinNode’s objective is to accelerate the arrival of Finnish companies onto the USA market, to augment the mobility of researchers and research cooperation between Finland and the USA, and to add to the attraction of Finland as a target for investment and as a place to establish a business. The innovation centre has been established by Finpro, the Finnish National Fund for Research and Development (Sitra), the Academy of Finland, Tekes – Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Almost all the founding organisations already operate in the USA. However, FinNode brings all their services under one roof, making them more easily accessible to customers. The centre will also develop new joint services. The official opening of the FinNode office in Santa Clara, Silicon Valley, will take place on 24 January 2007. FinNode chose North California and Silicon Valley as its location because it is still one of the world’s major innovation clusters. The region has two of the world’s top-ranking research universities and several of the world’s leading technology companies have offices in Silicon Valley. Read the whole article

(11.11.2006)

Finland leads the way from R&D to action

(Tekes) Finland is continuously developing its research and innovation environment. Foresight work is seen as a significant tool to contribute to decision-making. Recently the Academy of Finland and Tekes published the results of an extensive foresight project FinnSight 2015, which brought together 120 leading Finnish experts in science, technology, business and social policy. The results provide an important foundation for the new Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation as well as for the research and technology programmes. Finland’s experience has shown that by developing the research and innovation environment systematically, it is possible to build a knowledge economy successfully. Finns are open to share experiences with other European R&D actors and actively contribute to the EU’s research and development policies. A seminar on the latest Finnish and EU instruments for creating a prosperous research and development (R&D) and innovation environment took place on 10 November in Brussels. Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation accelerate co-operation between the public and private sector One of the most significant new forms of co-operation between the public and private sector in Finland will be the Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation. The centres will be established in Finland in future competence areas for business and society. In the first stage, centres are planned on the following subject areas: energy and environment, automation and mechanical engineering, health and well-being, forestry cluster and information and communication industry and services. FinnSight 2015 is an extensive foresight project co-ordinated by the Academy of Finland and Tekes. The FinnSight 2015 foresight project brought together 120 leading Finnish experts in science, technology, business and social policy to create a common future. Read the whole article

(6.11.2006)

Finland the world’s least-corrupt country

Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2006 (CPI) ranks Finland as the world’s least-corrupt country for the sixth time (Number one 1999-2003, second year 2005). First launched in 1995, the CPI is a composite index which draws on corruption-related data in expert surveys carried out by a variety of reputable institutions. It reflects the views of business people and analysts from around the world, including experts who are locals in the countries evaluated. The 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index covers 163 countries. This year Finland shared the top score of 9.6 with Iceland and New Zealand. Finland´s scores in previous years have been between 9.7-10.0 on a scale from zero to ten. The Nordic countries overall dominated the top scores in the 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index for the European Union and other Western European countries. A strong correlation between corruption and poverty is evident in the results of the CPI 2006. Almost three-quarters of the countries in the CPI score below five (including all low-income countries and all but two African states) indicating that most countries in the world face serious perceived levels of domestic corruption. Seventyone countries - nearly half - score below three, indicating that corruption is perceived as rampant. http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi

(5.11.2006)

Finland to commit to Artemis

(Tekes) Finland has decided to make a strong commitment to the ARTEMIS Joint Technology Initiative. The objective of the ARTEMIS initiative is to promote the implementation of embedded information technology applications. As the country currently holding the EU Presidency, Finland is seeking to promote European competitiveness through this commitment. The estimated cost of the ARTEMIS initiative for the EU framework programme covering the period 2007-2013 is around EUR 5.4 billion. Approximately half of the costs will be financed by industry and the other half by the EU member countries and the European Commission. In the preparatory stage the project involved some 30 European companies, including Nokia from Finland. Finland is strongly committed to the ARTEMIS initiative due to its major significance to industry and commerce. Participation in ARTEMIS is expected to improve Finnish companies’ competitiveness on an international scale, as well as their standard of research. New and strengthening co-operation partnerships are important from industry’s point of view. ARTEMIS will provide Finnish companies with an opportunity to act in co-operation with European clients and companies. Read the whole article

(3.11.2006)

Cooperation between Uusimaa and Moscow to be increased

The Provincial Government of Uusimaa has decided to set up the Moscow Business Innovation cooperation project, which aims to establish permanent cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation between Uusimaa and Moscow. The aim of the project is to set up a type of business innovation centre in Moscow. The first stage of the project will examine the competitive situation of entrepreneurial activities in the Moscow region and look for commercially suitable partners for companies in Uusimaa. The goal of the project is to start cooperation between enterprises and product development by exploiting a high level of skills. The key actor in the project is Technopolis Oyj, which has considerable knowledge of technological cooperation between the public and private sectors. The partners involved include technology centres, chambers of commerce, business centres, research institutes in Uusimaa and the Moscow region as well as private companies. The project is founded on the cooperation agreement signed between the Uusimaa Regional Council and the Moscow Region Duma. The contents of the agreement include innovation issues, business cooperation projects and logistics.  http://www2.uudenmaanliitto.fi/eng

(3.11.2006)

Finns to construct major property in St.Petersburg

On 2 November Evli's real estate fund EPI (Evli Property Investments) Russia, together with the Finnish construction and engineering group YIT, signed a letter of intent on the implementation of two major real estate projects in St. Petersburg. The agreement includes the construction of a nine-floor office building in Primorskij Proskpekt in St. Petersburg and the construction of a logistics center at Gorelovo, south of St. Petersburg. The projects' combined value is approximately EUR 100 million and, in view of future extension options, may even rise to EUR 180 million.  YIT will lease approximately half of the office building from EPI Russia under a ten-year agreement, and the rest of the premises will be leased to the market. The logistics center to be built in Gorelovo will be well-located near the airport and the ring road, with good connections to Tallinn and Moscow. The project will total 75,000 m2, of which 35,000 m2 will be completed first. The first building is due for completion in the fall of 2007, and it is expected that the first stage will be fully completed in the first half of 2008. After the first stage, EPI Russia will have the right to expand the center by approximately 100,000 m2. www.evli.com www.yitgroup.com

(1.11.2006)

Sponda active in the Finnish property market

(Finnish Property Monthly) In the biggest deals ever in the Finnish property market, Sponda acquires the entire share capital of Kapiteeli Plc. The purchase price was ca. EUR 950 million, and included properties worth ca. EUR 1.3 billion. The new group will create a leading Nordic real estate company with a portfolio of ca. EUR 2.6 billion. Sponda has been active in many other fronts as well. It has signed an agreement with the pension fund of the Finnish Broadcasting company on jointly developing a new office building in Länsi-Pasila in Helsinki. Sponda has also purchased an office building in Ruoholahti worth EUR 10 million from Realinvest and also sold seven logistics properties worth EUR 37 million to the fund it established in June. The other investors in the fund also sold their assets to the fund. In mid-October Sponda announced it has entered into agreement with the city of Helsinki concerning the development of a EUR 100 million logistics area in the new Vuosaari harbour area. www.sponda.fi More property news The pan European real estate vehicle “European Office Income Venture”, advised by AXA REIM, has purchased an office property from Neste Oil Pension fund. The 10.000 sqm property, known as “Voimatalo”, is located in Helsinki center. Aberdeen European Balanced Property Fund has made its first acquisition in Finland by purchasing a new office property located in Vantaa, Tikkurila from construction company YIT. The 5000 sqm property’s main tenant is CPS Color Group. Renor Oy has sold a retail property, known as “Askotalo”, to English property company Kenmore. The property is located in Vantaa. The transaction covers the 25.000 sqm site and the buildings on it, totalling 13.500 sqm. Technopolis has announced to expand to St Petersburg faster than originally planned. The first phase of the technology center will be opened in December 2006. The major leisure center, SuperLifeLab, is making progress in Espoo. The 100.000 sqm center, developed by Evata Development Oy will extend the services offered by Leppävaara center. The construction work is planned to be started in 2007, and the center will be completed in 2009. Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(1.11.2006)

Helsinki and St Petersburg deepen cooperation

In Helsinki on Sunday 20 October 2006, the cities of St Petersburg and Helsinki, represented by Governor Ms. Valentina Matvienko and Lord Mayor Mr. Jussi Pajunen, signed the sixth cooperation protocol since the declaration of bilateral cooperation in 1993. The relationship between the cities has strengthened in an extensive array of areas. The primary areas of cooperation of the recently signed protocol are the development of transport connections, supporting and promoting sustainable development, together with cooperation in the areas of education, tourism, social security and health care. Over the years, numerous genuine and concrete cooperation projects between Helsinki and St Petersburg have been established, and one of the biggest has been the joint project for a wastewater treatment plant between Vodokanal of St Petersburg and Helsinki Water. In future, the aim is to deepen cooperation in the area of environmental protection between the Environmental Safety Committee of St Petersburg and the Environment Centre of the City of Helsinki. Culture also plays a significant role in the interaction between the cities.

(22.10.2006)

Bright prospects for the Finnish economy

Finland is now one of the most competitive countries. The level of real per capita income is clearly above the average of EU25 countries. Government Institute for Economic Research has published a study Finnish Economy - Structural Indicators 2006 about the issues relating to the Finnish economic situation and development. During the early 1990s Finland faced the severest economic recession in its history since the Civil War of 1918. Since the crisis the recovery of the economy has been the fastest in the EU after Ireland. In 1994–2000 output grew on average by 4.7 per cent and exports by 10.7 per cent annually. In 2001–2005 the growth rate was slower, but it was still an average 2.5 per cent per annum, and fast enough to reduce unemployment. During the 1990s the structure of the Finnish economy was transformed from traditional capital and resource-intensive production to strongly knowledge-intensive, owing to enormous growth in the electronics industry, especially in information and communication technology. Strong economic performance has helped to increase tax revenue and decrease the relative size of the public sector. Owing to a considerable surplus in the public finances, the public sector debt has diminished. Medium-term prospects are rather bright for the Finnish economy. Price competitiveness is good and the productivity of key industries is high. The ratio of R&D investments to the GDP is the second highest in EU countries after Sweden. The education level of the labor force is high and still rising as new generations reach working age and old generations retire from working life. Government Institute for Economic Research http://en.vatt.fi

(18.10.2006)

Competitiveness of the Helsinki Region to be further improved

The Urban Programme for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area 2005 - 2007 aims to improve the international competitiveness of the Helsinki Region and its readiness to function as a world-class centre of business and innovation. The means are any measure further improving the varied provision and opportunities of housing, education, work and enterprise in the region. The programme helps carry out current strategies and programmes for the cities of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and the Uusimaa Regional Council. The Urban Programme is a regional compilation of development projects for major city policy. The programme is a sequel to the urban programme Osaaminen ja Osallisuus (Competence and Coherence) implemented in the metropolitan area in 2002 - 2004. The Programme functions regionally as a developer, launcher and enabler of successful regional multi-actor cooperation. The Programme was launched on the initiative of a Cooperation Meeting involving the mayors of the cities of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, i.e. Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. Members of the Meeting also include the Executive Director of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council YTV and the Executive Director of the Uusimaa Regional Council. The Programme includes 15 projects. Its basic financing is provided by the cities of the Metropolitan Area (50%), and by the State (50%), the latter in the form of regional development funds channelled through the Uusimaa Regional Council. The estimated budget of the period 2005 - 2007 amounts to €1.9 million. The implementation of the Programme is steered by a Steering Group appointed by the mayors. The coordination of the Programme is in the hands of Helsinki City Urban Facts, and the management of funds in those of the Uusimaa Regional Council. http://www.pkskaupunkiohjelma.fi/hr_en.html

(15.10.2006)

Three top scientists in nanotechnology to work in Helsinki

New research projects at the Helsinki University of Technology's (HUT) Centre for New Materials and Micronova will bring three Finnish top researchers with international careers to consolidate research in micro- and nanosciences at HUT.   Professor Seppo Honkanen, University of Arizona, will lead a project called Photonic Integrated Circuits by Heterogenous Integration for Telecommunication and Sensor Applications. This project particularly aims at investigating new innovative micro- and nanotechnology to combine integrated photonic "chips" of different materials.   Professor Ari T. Friberg, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, will strengthen research in optical physics and photonics at Micronova. Professor Friberg is an internationally renowned top scientist in the field of optics and photonics.   One of the aims of the research project is to make Finland one of the leading centres of micro- and nano-optics in Northern Europe. Advance in optics and photonics will be key drivers for technological innovations in the 21st century. Its role will be particularly significant in the development of equipment and technology in micro- and nano-scale. The research project is run jointly by the University of Joensuu and the Helsinki University of Technology. - It is very important to have one of the world’s top scientist in optic research, Professor Friberg, back in his home country. And that is not only meaningful to TKK but to the research of optics and photonics as a whole in Finland, says the Head of Optics and Molecular Materials Laboratory, Professor Matti Kaivola who introduced the project to FiDiPro.   Professor Antti-Pekka Jauho, Technical University of Denmark, will participate in a computational nanotechnology project that focuses on nanometre-scale processing and synthesis. This research will open new opportunities for the development of electronics components and devices. - Professor Jauho is the leading scientist in the world in the field of the quantum transport theory, says Academy Professor Risto Nieminen from the Laboratory of Physics at HUT, proposer of the research project.   The researchers are coming to Finland as a part of the new FiDiPro program that supports top researchers working in Finland. The program is geared to creating new kind of international cooperation between university-based research and businesses. Micronova, Centre for Micro and Nanotechnology : Professor Harri Lipsanen ,  Micro and Nanosciences Laboratory , harri.lipsanen (at) tkk.fi, Tel  +358-9-451 3123 Director Veli-Matti Airaksinen ,  Micro and Nanofabrication Centre ,  veli-matti.airaksinen (at) tkk.fi , Tel  +358-50-341 4766

(13.10.2006)

Finnsight 2015 foresight report now available online

FinnSight 2015 - The Outlook for Science, Technology and Society report examines the change factors that have impact on Finnish business and industry and on Finnish society. The new report is now available online in English. FinnSight 2015  identifies future challenges of innovation and research activity and analyses such areas of expertise which will foster the well-being in society and the competitiveness of business and industry by means of scientific research and innovation activities. The focus in foresight is on social and global issues. FinnSight 2015 is a joint foresight project of Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and the Academy of Finland. The results are reported in http://www.tekes.fi/julkaisut/Finnsight_2015_EN.pdf Finnsight 2015 website: http://projects.tekes.fi/opencms/opencms/Projects/FinnSight_ 2015_en/frontpage.html

(5.10.2006)

KTI Finland: News from the property market

According to Catella, the vacancy rate of offices increased slightly - to 8.5 % - in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area because of increased space supply produced by new development. In its market report, Catella forecasts the transactions volume to increase well above the previous year’s figures, to ca. EUR 5 billion. The growth in volume is mainly driven by foreign investors. http://www.catella.fi/menu.asp?Page=1&Lan=Eng Finland’s biggest pension fund Varma has acquired the major leisure center, previously known as Jumbo Park, in the Aviapolis area near the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The 84.000 sqm center will comprise retail space, hotel, cinema, spa and a fitness center. The center is planned to be completed in late 2008. The center, adjacent to shopping center Jumbo, is developed by SRV Viitoset and the total building cost amounts to ca. EUR 140 million. The Finnish private equity investment company CapMan has set up its second property fund, CapMan RE II. The fund will specialize in development properties. Fund’s target GAV is EUR 600 million, and it currently, after its first closing, has an investment capacity of some EUR 275 million. The fund, which is managed by Realprojekti Oy, has seven Finnish institutions as investors. www.capman.com City of Helsinki, one of the biggest property owners in Finland, has reorganized its property ownership and management functions by setting up a limited company called Kiinteistö Oy Helsingin Toimitilat. The company will own and manage properties occupied by health care providers, schools, and city administration offices. The objective of the company is to increase the flexibility of the city’s property management. Finnish Property Monthly is an electronic news bulletin listing the major happenings in the Finnish property market. The bulletin is published by KTI Finland which is an independent research organization and service company providing information and research services for the Finnish real estate industry. Load the whole bulletin:  http://www.kti.fi/eng/fpm.php

(1.10.2006)

Finland ranks second in competitiveness

Finland ranks second in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) rankings, just behind Switzerland and before Sweden, underscoring its established position among the most competitive economies in the world. “Finland is very well managed at the macroeconomic level, at a time when many other industrialized countries are struggling in this area. The willingness of Finnish governments to run budget surpluses, so as to be able to meet future social commitments linked to the aging of the population, is particularly impressive, ”said Augusto Lopez-Claros, Chief Economist and Head of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Network. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007 Finland has a very healthy macroeconomic environment and transparent and efficient institutions, as well as an excellent educational system and a highly innovative business community. “Finland is also endowed with public and private institutions that are assessed as being the most efficient and transparent in the world. Finland is also unsurpassed with regards to the quality of higher education available to citizens, which is so critical for adaptation in a fast-moving global economy. Furthermore, the private sector shows a high proclivity for adopting new technologies and nurturing a culture of innovation, placing Finland very firmly among those countries closest to the high tech frontier.” World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007 http://www.weforum.org/en/index.htm

(1.10.2006)

Finland and Korea agree on cooperation

The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and the Korean technology funding agency Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation and Planning (ITEP) have signed an agreement on increasing research and technology cooperation between the two countries. This agreement aims to promote networking between Finnish and South Korean researchers and businesses. It will help to create more researcher and expert exchange and joint research and product development projects. In the future, Tekes and ITEP may also unite their forces in evaluations and foreseeing work. The agreement between Tekes and ITEP covers all branches of science and technology. Initially, the cooperation starts in ICT, nanotechnology and energy research. Koreans and Finns have mutually complementary competence in e.g. digital media, gaming technology and all-round information technology. Tekes signs collaboration agreements with significant science and technology organisations to promote the international networking of Finnish businesses, universities and research institutes. In addition to Korea, Tekes cooperates with universities, research institutes and public funding agencies in Europe, the United Sates, Japan, China and Singapore.

(1.10.2006)

Finns are getting a more solid role in international research projects

The international research and development networks COST and EUREKA are working well in Finland. According to a survey commissioned by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes), Finnish companies and researches are satisfied with the operation of the networks. The evaluators recommend that Finns more often take the responsibility of leading international projects. EUREKA and COST are European networks where business and researchers are able to join international research and development work. EUREKA promotes corporate international product development projects, while COST networks researchers in Europe. In Finland, Tekes is responsible for coordinating both networks. "We wanted to find out what will happen to these forms of collaboration, which have existed for several years, as new international programs are created," says Research Manager Eija Ahola, Tekes' Impact Analysis Unit. The study showed that even though there is a much larger number of international programs now, also traditional networks have reformed and maintained their attractiveness.

(28.9.2006)

City portal Helsinki.fi opened

The new City portal Helsinki.fi is an useful information package of the whole metropolitan area (including cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen) for dwellers and tourists, offering e.g. helpful information sources, current events, interesting articles and the latest news of the region. The site assists in everyday life and gives inspiration for leisure and travel planning. The all-round city portal also includes the most popular web services such as public transportation’s time schedules, Journey Planner, map and accommodation search, weather information and restaurant guide. Usability and customer orientation have been given special emphasis when designing the web site. Helsinki.fi is the first Finnish web portal with ReadSpeaker function which enables listening the web sites’ texts. http://www.helsinki.fi/en/index.shtml

(20.9.2006)

New Vuosaari Harbour Centre to host logistic companies

(Port of Helsinki) Sponda Oyj has been chosen to implement the logistics area in the Vuosaari Harbour Centre. The Port of Helsinki will build the basic infrastructure for the area and lease the area to Sponda Oyj, which will build the facilities and lease them to logistics companies. The area will have cargo handling terminals, and cargo units will be transferred directly from the port to the terminals. The area is 33 hectares in size with a capacity of 130,000 m² of terminal and other logistics facilities. In the summer, the Port of Helsinki and John Nurminen Oy signed a letter of intent which stipulates that the Port of Helsinki shall lease to John Nurminen Oy a 7.5-hectare area in the logistics area of the Vuosaari Harbour Centre. John Nurminen will build a terminal, a railway depot and office premises for them. A letter of intent on port operations in the western section of Vuosaari Harbour was signed with Multi-Link Terminals Ltd and Steveco Oy, both of which are providers of stevedoring and terminal services. A similar letter of intent on port operations in the eastern section of the harbour was signed earlier with Finnsteve Oy Ab. Berth changes completed for the new Finnlines ships In North Harbour, the new Finnlines ropax vessels MS Finnstar and MS Finnmaid will be using berth SS6, which received a passenger gangway from North Harbour berth SS2. The quay's double ramp was widened. In addition, the quay level has seen the completion of two platforms and a sewer, which makes it possible to pump ships' waste waters onwards to waste water treatment plants. http://www.portofhelsinki.fi/english

(20.9.2006)

Information technology has become part of Finns' everyday life

During the past ten years, the majority of Finns have adopted the new information and communications technology and at the same time the use of new tools has become part of everyday life. Nowadays nearly all households have a mobile phone, while in 1996 four in ten households had one. In 1996, one in four households had a PC, but today the respective proportion is two in three. At that time 7 per cent of households had Internet access, but in 2005 as many as 58 per cent. More Finns than before use the Internet at home daily. The introduction of broadband access clearly increases Internet use of households. In November 2005 four out of five Internet connections were broadband. In 1998 nearly half a million Finns used web banking and in 2005 as many as 2.2 million. According to a survey made in spring 2005 at least 1.6 million Finns had been online shopping at least once. In Finland computers and the Internet are used more than average for the EU and OECD countries. Compared with the other Nordic Countries, Internet is still used least in Finland, even if usage at work and educational institutions were also taken into account in addition to home use. Statistics Finland http://tilastokeskus.fi/index_en.html

(16.9.2006)