As we know, Asia is raising. If Finland wants to participate in the huge market, let’s narrow the market down to the market in China and Taiwan, there are some facts we should be aware of.
First of all, the Asia market has been learning examples from Western countries since 18th century. Asians come to Western countries to study, work, and travel. Also, we Asians are familiar with the Western popular music, movies and series. By Western, I refer to the U.S.. Chinese and Taiwan know no much about Finland. On the other hand, how much do Westerners or Finns know about the Asian culture?
The lack of trading relationship, communication channels, and the interaction with the cultures lead to the current situation- we may be interested in each other but know very little about each other.
Two years ago, I hosted my Finnish friend in Taiwan. My relatives were excited about the fact that it was their first time to meet a Finn. One of my uncles even showed off by lifting his shoe and saying, “Finland, I know! Nike!” Actually, he mistook Nike as Nokia...Since Nike has nothing to do with Finland. As you randomly ask one Taiwanese about Finland, he/she may say, “Oh, it is a country with good social welfare and education.” Nowadays, there are more and more publications introducing Finland to Chinese and Taiwanese.
I read a news about the relationship between China and Finland. It says that in Finland, the Chinese immigrants are rather few. Even with the Chinese students studying aboard in 1980s, the Chinese Finns so far are less 1,000 with more than 3,000 Chinese in Finland- most of them are students and visiting scholars. Besides, quite a few Chinese students who go to work in Finnish companies or research institutions right after they graduate from Finnish schools. In this case, it means by academic interaction, Finland and China can build up a tighter relationship together.
When I googled “investment in Finland,” I found some information about it. It says the government welcomes foreign investment and implements some policies, tax incentives to attract foreign investment.
As the information shows, there are some benefits for foreign companies to invest. Please see as below:
- A business environment with minimal red tape
- One of the world’s least corrupt countries (Transparency International)
- Out of all the Nordic countries, Finland has the biggest turnover from innovation
- Finland is the EU leader for utility patents, and has the world’s third biggest R&D spending per capita
- Easy access to venture capital
- One of the first countries to integrate digital and wireless technologies
- Highly developed scientific, technological and telecommunications infrastructures
- Among the highest internet, broadband and mobile phone penetration in the world
- Efficient business start-up process
- Well-developed roads, railways, and airports
- A comprehensive network of waterways, canals and sea-lanes, facilitating vibrant trade with the EU, Russia and Asia.
- Lowest electricity costs of all Nordic countries
- 24 airports, facilitating freight and passenger traffic.
- Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is of the best international airports in the world (surveys conducted by IATA and ASQ), and provides connections to over 120 destinations worldwide.
- Strategically situated in Northern Europe to reach over 80 million consumers
- Highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the world
- A world-renowned educational system, and among the best-reputed research centers in the world.
- Increase in the number of R&D personnel from 40,000 to almost 80,000 in just 10 years, accounting for 2% of the total labor force - the highest figure among the OECD countries.
- The number of doctoral degrees has doubled in the last decade
- 1/3 of Finland’s working population holds a degree or higher qualification
- The new Aalto University in Helsinki will create exciting possibilities for further multidisciplinary education and research
Yes, the infrastructure, human resources, R&D development and technology are the attraction for foreign companies. Then there must be many foreign investment in Finland, right? As a guest in Finland, this is my fourth visit. As far as I observe, the high tax and the limit time for shops to open, Finland definitely is not the shopping paradise or the place to encourage people to consume as much as possible. That is, Finland cannot develop the capitalism model as the U.S. does. Finland just has the first Starbucks in Helsinki recently; the diversity of stores/shops frankly is not that exciting.
However, all of my statement above can be looked on the bright side. Finland is such a country preserving the tradition and values. Their design- the elegant and simple style makes more and more Asians crazy about Finland. Only have been in Finland less than 3 months altogether, I have so much to learn about Finland. Nevertheless,I believe that even though Finland cannot purchase the fruits out of capitalism, or export as much as China does, Finland has her unique role in the world to play. All we should do now is to open up the communication channels and know each other better. It would lead to win-win situation for more foreign investment.
Comments
Chloe, I wrote a posting on the KK-Net blog about hyperlocal photojournalism on Facebook, G+, and Ning. Happy interviewing ;)
Chloe, a great posting from you again. You're fabulous. Irja and myself like your style. Keep up with the interesting postings. As you know, we Finns love to know what foreigners think about us. Let's talk tomorrow, Hsuen-chu. Have a nice evening ;)