OREANDA-NEWS. July 05, 2012. Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen met with Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Finland Valery Shlyamin.

Valery Shlyamin is Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Finland since 2003, and he worked for the Government of Karelia previously. The Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Finland represents trade and economic interests of Russia in Finland and assists Russian and Finnish foreign trade participants to strengthen direct partner relationships.

Alexander Khudilainen and Valery Shlyamin discussed issues of mobilization of invertments to Karelia from Finland. In 2011 the volume of Finnish investments into economy of our republic has grown 2.5-fold up to 34 million dollars. However, relative density of Finland in trade with Karelia after the crisis of 2008 is decreasing and currently it makes only 15%. On results of 2011 the foreign trade turnover with Finland has made 297 million dollars, or 86% compared to the previous year.

In the opinion of Valery Shlyamin, the republic has a potential in development of relations with Finland. Valery Shlyamin has reminded, that at his participation in the beginning of the 2000s a wood-working enterprise of Finnish-Swedish company of Stora-Enso was constructed in Pitkaranta region, that has proved in practice the possibility of economic cooperation. "We have an opportunity to revive our relations," - said Trade Representative.

Head of Karelia, in turn, has informed that a meeting between representatives of business of Karelia and Southeast Finland at participation of regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry is scheduled for August or September. Investment projects prospective for implementation in regions of the republic will be prepared for the meeting.