OREANDA-NEWS. September 8, 2010. Head of Karelia Andrey Nelidov has promised support to Finnish investors who will invest in economy of the republic. It was discussed at the meeting of the head of the region with the delegation of representatives of business community of Finland led by Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade Paavo Vayrynen. As the Minister has emphasized, the delegation included representatives of 27 largest companies working in the most different branches that illustrates high interest of Finnish entrepreneurs to the investment potential of Karelia. Paavo Vayrynen has also noted that this visit should have taken place in April, but was postponed because of volcanic explosion of Eyjafjallajokull. However, in the opinion of the Minister, this delay has turned into benefit because now even more representative delegation came to Karelia having also got an opportunity to get acquainted with the new Karelian authority, and now the Finnish visitors have great expectation for the policy of support to investors announced in the republic. According to Paavo Vayrynen, the main purpose of Finnish entrepreneurs is "to establish new contacts that will turn into contracts."

In turn, Head of Karelia has assured that all projects and arrangements the trip will result will be supported by the Government of republic, and especially large will be controlled by the governor individually. "This visit is very important for us, – Andrey Nelidov said, – because without partnership there is no development of economy. Finland is the largest external economic partner of Karelia, however, today the potential of our relations far is not settled and may be increased many times. The first visit of the Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade to Karelia is an honour for us, and a chance to show our republic in a way interesting for investors. Not those investors who come to buy our forests, lakes and rivers, but those able produce products of quality and can teach how to do it."

Of special interest for the Finnish guests are projects in the sphere of pulp and paper industry, power engineering, road construction, sewage treatment, creation of frontier infrastructure. Besides, cooperation is possible in such branches as forest industry, mining industry, telecommunication and communication, machine industry, logistics, environment preservation.

During his stay in Karelia on September 7 and 8 the Finnish delegation will meet local entrepreneurs and visit several enterprises built by Finnish investors in regions of the republic. Besides, Minister for Foreign Trade of Finland Paavo Vayrynen will visit the IT Park of Petrozavodsk State University where high tech products are developed and promoted for large companies, including Finnish concerns of Nokia and Metso.

Karelia and Finland have been supporting cooperation and friendly relation for many years. The Finnish capital accumulated in economy of Karelia makes USD 130 million. This is 20% of the total volume of foreign investments. The largest enterprises at participation of the Finnish capital are Setles, Ltd., Karhakos, Ltd., Electrokos, Ltd., Elektromeka, Ltd., AEK, Ltd.

Within the scope of cross-border cooperation since 1992 in the republic there have been implemented about 430 joint projects with the Finnish party amounting to more than €30 million. The most significant of them are constructed treatment facilities in Lahdenpohja and Sortavala, sewage disposal plants in settlements of Helyla and Telman, Sortavala region, machine agricultural centers in a number of regions of the republic, etc.

It is expected that the visit of the Finnish delegation will enhance development of economic relations, will help the parties to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between enterprises of Karelia and Finland and establish new business contacts.