Search

4.12.2024 | In its meeting on Wednesday 4 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs agreed on Finland’s positions on the deliberations for the EU pharmaceutical package. The Ministerial Committee on also outlined Finland’s positions for next week’s council meetings.

14.11.2025 | The President of the Republic has granted the annual internationalisation awards to three companies and one community. Orion Corporation won the 2025 Growth Company Award. The Newcomer Company Award went to Sensofusion, and Sandvik Mining and Construction was recognised as the Long-term International Investor. The year’s Community Award was granted to the Finnish Startup Community.

27.8.2025 | Finland needs more exports, investments and ambitious R&D activities to boost our economy.

6.6.2025 | In its meeting on Friday 6 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on two proposals put forth by the Commission: one aiming to establish a common list of safe countries of origin and another to improve the availability, supply and production of critical medicines in the EU. In addition, the Ministerial Committee specified Finland’s positions on the last phase of negotiations on the EU pharmaceuticals package.

20.6.2024 | On 20 June 2024, the Government appointed a National Emergency Supply Council for the period of 1 July 2024–31 December 2026. Topi Manner, Chief Executive Officer of Elisa Oyj, was invited to chair the Council, while Timo Jaatinen, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, will serve as vice-chair. The Council will have 26 members.

23.11.2023 | On 23 November 2023, the Government authorised the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to capitalise Drug Development Centre Oy by EUR 20 million. The company’s task is to evaluate early-stage drug development projects and turn them into commercially viable products and companies worthy of capital investment.

8.12.2023 | Maarit Merla has been appointed Managing Director of Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd. She will start in the position on 1 January 2024. Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd is a wholly state-owned company with special assignment, which belongs to the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and falls under its ownership steering. The company serves universities and research institutes, operators in clinical drug research and companies in the sector across Finland.

16.1.2019 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, together with other authorities and actors, has prepared for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (or Brexit). In a vote held on 15 January, the British Parliament rejected the UK withdrawal agreement from the European Union. The result of the vote does not mean an immediate withdrawal without any agreement. Further plans of the United Kingdom are expected to be announced within the next few days.

1.6.2023 | On 1 June 2023, the Government decided to amend the Government Decree on the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to add the National Drug Discovery Center Ltd under the Ministry’s mandate. The centre was previously under the competence of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

19.6.2024 | In its meeting on Wednesday 19 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the progress of Finland’s efforts to influence EU policy and ways to increase the number of Finns working in EU institutions. The Ministerial Committee also discussed the Union’s enlargement prospects and outlined Finland’s positions for upcoming meetings.

2.11.2024 | UN Biodiversity Conference COP16 ended with a skinny agreement on Saturday morning after having gone into overtime. A benefit-sharing mechanism for digital information on genetic resources (the Cali Fund) was established and the role of indigenous peoples was strengthened, but no understanding was reached on monitoring the implementation of biodiversity targets or mobilising finances. As the meeting dragged on and some of the negotiators had to go home, there was no quorum to make decisions.

5.7.2023 | Laura Rissanen is to serve as State Secretary to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The minister has invited Sakari Rokkanen and Niilo Heinonen to serve as special assistants.

22.8.2022 | A recent study by Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY shows that many people still dispose of their medicines incorrectly. Particularly young people dispose of expired or unused medicines by simply binning them or flushing them down the drain. Older people, on the other hand, most often return such medicines to a pharmacy, which is the correct way. Expired and unused medicines should alw...

9.5.2022 | Finland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy on 9 May 2022. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to develop technical and economic cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector and to promote the access of Finnish companies to the Emirati market.

26.8.2021 | Finns have returned more unused medicines to pharmacies and collection points. Expired and unused medicines should be taken back to the pharmacy, as they burden the environment when flushed down the drain or thrown in trash or they may end up in the wrong hands. The two-week-long Lääkkeetön Itämeri campaign (drug-free Baltic Sea) starts today, on 26 August, when we celebrate the Baltic Sea Day.

9.12.2020 | In its meeting on Wednesday 9 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed Finland’s positions leading up to the December European Council (10–11 December) and the Euro Summit (11 December). The topics on the agenda for the European Council are the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security issues and external relations. The European Council may also discuss the recov...

24.4.2019 | -

6.4.2020 | On 25 March, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment appointed a group of authorities tasked with assessing the entry of workers under exceptional circumstances while Finland’s borders are mainly closed. Based on the authorities’ assessment, the Ministry has prepared a list of tasks that are essential from the point of view of security of supply or critical for the operations of the sector in question, and for which workers must be granted entry into the country.

31.3.2020 | On 31 March, the Government issued a decree restricting the operations of restaurants throughout the country.

29.3.2019 | A unique conference on the bioeconomy, to be held this year in the vibrant seaside city of Helsinki, will present new issues and offer insights into bio-based value chains and the related socioeconomic aspects. The objective of European Bioeconomy Scene 2019, which will take place on 8– 10 July, is to achieve an inclusive and sustainable bioeconomy for Europe.