Steering group to prepare an industrial policy strategy
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has appointed a steering group to prepare an industrial policy strategy in accordance with the Government Programme. The strategy will be drawn up in close interaction with Finnish business and industry and other key interest groups. Permanent Secretary Timo Jaatinen from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will serve as chair of the steering group. The group will prepare an interim report by summer and submit its final report by the end of 2024.
“Significant changes in the operating environment make it necessary for Finland to update its industrial policy. The strategy work aims to boost the international competitiveness, renewal and value added of our industry. It focuses on attracting industrial investments to Finland and supporting growth-oriented companies striving to establish their place in international value chains,” says Timo Jaatinen, Chair of the steering group.
Prime Minister Orpo’s Government is committed to drawing up a long-term industrial policy strategy that will help keep industrial jobs in Finland and increase the number of growth-oriented and export-oriented companies that provide employment. The steering group will support the preparation of the strategy and ensure that the objectives set in the Government Programme be taken into account in its preparation.
The strategy aims to support the sustainable growth and internationalisation of companies and, more broadly, the renewal of the industrial structure. Responding to changes in the global competitive environment and geopolitics, including changes in the competition for aid, is at the core of the strategy.
The strategy will bring together the strategic objectives, priorities and measures for the renewal and growth of Finnish industry and provide a coherent overview of the Government’s industrial policy priorities and means. It will also lay the foundation for Finland’s efforts to influence the EU’s industrial policy and legislative initiatives related to it.
The strategy will take into consideration the links to other Government Programme entries, such as the update to the energy and climate strategy, mineral strategy, RDI policy, merger of the state’s capital investment companies and update to sectoral low-carbon roadmaps.
In addition to Jaatinen, the steering group includes vice chair Matti Mannonen from Technology Industries of Finland and members from business and industry organisations, employee organisations, key ministries and representatives from Business Finland, Finnish Industry Investment, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland Chamber of Commerce, and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).
The interest groups that are not represented in the steering group will have the opportunity to comment on the draft strategy. If necessary, key themes may be prepared by sub-groups that include experts and representatives from other stakeholders. The steering group will report on the preparation of the strategy to the ministerial working group on employment and entrepreneurship.
Inquiries:
Timo Jaatinen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 082 (Chair of the steering group)
Antti Valle, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 060 140 (Secretary of the steering group)