Nordic cooperation to boost exports
On 26 to 27 May, Prime Minister Katainen took part in the summer meeting of Nordic prime ministers in Iceland. During the meeting Prime Minister Katainen took up the idea of benefiting from Nordic cooperation to boost exports and to support companies in the internationalisation process.
“The Nordic countries have a strong international brand which is associated with positive values and a well-functioning society. We could make much better use of this, both politically and financially”, noted Prime Minister Katainen in Iceland.
Closer cooperation in the Nordic context is important also because jobs have been lost in the export industry, the role of the northern region has diminished in the export markets in comparison with other EU countries, and emerging economies have not fully used their growth potential.
“Cooperation would diversify our supply while being cost-effective. We could introduce larger product groups and service packages to new markets. For example, Nordic cleantech expertise is in demand not only in Asia but also globally.”
“In concrete terms, Team Norden could mean organising joint trade missions led by one or two Nordic ministers and marketing the northern region for investors and tourists”, said Prime Minister Katainen.
He suggested that, as the next step, this would be discussed by Nordic ministers for foreign trade and ministers of economic affairs.
The traditional Nordic prime ministers’ summer meeting was organised this year in the beautiful surroundings of Mývatn and Akureyri in Iceland.
Inquiries: Antti Vänskä, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister in International Affairs, tel. +358 40 513 1458, Maria Nurmi, Communications Specialist for International Affairs, tel. +358 50 408 4061, and Ann-Sofie Stude, Desk Officer for the Nordic Council of Ministers, tel. +358 40 131 639, Ministry for Foreign Affairs