A group of experts from the Regional Government, a number of municipalities, and non-governmental organizations of the Kaliningrad region visited two Finnish cities – Tampere and Turku – within the project on municipal co-operation on May 30 – June 3, 2011. The group looked into the experience of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, developing clusters, and attracting investments. The programme in Tampere was excellently organized by the Baltic Institute in Tampere, the one in Turku – by Mikko Jokkinen on behalf of the city hall.

Finnish Manchester

Tampere is the second largest city in Finland (Helsinki is the first one) having the population over 220,000 people. In the 19th century Tampere was a big industrial centre, which gave the city its unofficial name of Finnish Manchester. Nowadays the industrial city has become an important centre for education in Finland. Tampere has two universities and two higher vocational schools. The number of students amounts to 35,000 people, which is equal to almost 16% of the city’s population. The role of higher education institutions in the economic development of the country is increasing – universities act not only as educational sources but also as powerful engines for developing innovations and introducing them into industry.

Tampere is the second largest city in Finland (Helsinki is the first one) having the population over 220,000 people. In the 19th century Tampere was a big industrial centre, which gave the city its unofficial name of Finnish Manchester. Nowadays the industrial city has become an important centre for education in Finland. Tampere has two universities and two higher vocational schools. The number of students amounts to 35,000 people, which is equal to almost 16% of the city’s population. The role of higher education institutions in the economic development of the country is increasing – universities act not only as educational sources but also as powerful engines for developing innovations and introducing them into industry.

Tampere

ELYmination

The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and Environment, or ELY Centres, play a significant role in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Finland. The centres, being financed by the Finnish government as well as by the European Commission, are aimed at promoting the competitiveness of the regions, well-being growth, and sustainable development as well as curbing climate change.

ELY Centres contribute to setting up small and medium-sized enterprises and facilitate their growth and development by providing various services to companies as consulting, training, organization of business missions and exhibitions.

The centres offer a wide range of services in the issues as follows: entry of a company to the international market, boosting business efficiency and management skills, technology and innovation development, upgrading professional skills, and training of new employees. The services are provided on the basis of confidentiality and neutrality. ELY Centres can also participate in financing development projects.
www.ely-keskus.fi

Hermia Business Development

Start-up companies and private entrepreneurs can enjoy support not only from the governmental structures but also from private companies such as Hermia Business Development. The company helps promote business ideas (over 3,000 ideas have turned into concrete products and services since 1992 when the company was established), looks for innovations in different countries and offers them to Finnish partners, provide Finnish companies with access to European business networks, and assists foreign companies to settle down in Finland (by providing premises, helping to find a partner, conducting the market research, assessing the potential of a particular company, providing services for production distribution if needed, etc.).
www.hermia.fi

Free lunches to businessmen, or easy to come

Another key organization facilitating business development and investment attraction is TREDEA, the Tampere Region Economic Development Agency. The municipality of Tampere covers 60% financing, the rest is covered by business and 6 neighbouring municipalities. The agency offers a wide range of free services to start-up companies or investors. These include free lunches on the first visit to Tampere, during which you can establish contacts with the local business community and acquire access to networks, information about markets and their indicators, and practical help from consultants and experts. Moreover, that is not all – you can start your business in free office premises with all equipment needed, access to the Internet and an accountant’s assistance up to 6 months’ time!
www.tredea.fi

New Factory – innovation platform

A former factory is now occupied by the innovation park Demola, which helps young entrepreneurs and students develop and promote innovative business ideas. On the other hand, a company can test its product and services on Demola’s basis engaging students, teachers and university scientists. Sometimes an idea comes from a company, and then teams of students and university staff are built to develop this idea. Thus, students establish contacts with the business community and other organizations concerned, which helps them get a job later on.

A former factory is now occupied by the innovation park Demola, which helps young entrepreneurs and students develop and promote innovative business ideas. On the other hand, a company can test its product and services on Demola’s basis engaging students, teachers and university scientists. Sometimes an idea comes from a company, and then teams of students and university staff are built to develop this idea. Thus, students establish contacts with the business community and other organizations concerned, which helps them get a job later on.

Antti Salomaa (in the centre), project coordinator at New Factory, is talking about the organization’s plans for 2011.

This type of collaboration facilitates a closer co-operation between universities and business. Computer games for mobile telephones, educational programmes for children and other things – over 80 projects in total – can be given as examples of solutions developed with students’ participation. Besides, two thirds of the students who have undergone such practical training in entrepreneurship are going to set up their own businesses after they graduate from university. Demola is interested in co-operation with the Innovation Centre at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University.
www.demola.fi

Clusters in Tampere and Turku

Main clusters in Tampere are represented by instrument engineering, information and communication technologies, and biomedicine. Turku is characterized by a maritime cluster (prioritized), biotechnologies, forestry, ICT, logistics, tourism, and creative industry.

Main clusters in Tampere are represented by instrument engineering, information and communication technologies, and biomedicine. Turku is characterized by a maritime cluster (prioritized), biotechnologies, forestry, ICT, logistics, tourism, and creative industry.

Tapani Saarinen, development manager at Turku Science Park, is talking about the role of scientific research in cluster development

The development of economy taking into account the cluster approach facilitates creation of new jobs and integration of educational and scientific organizations into solving the issues of the region’s socio-economic development. The clusters’ development is planned together with the municipal and national authorities. Financing is allocated by the EU, government and municipality.

Turku – Finnish region of growth

The city of Turku, the ancient capital of Finland, is one of 5 growth points due to its geographical position, active co-operation with the Baltic Sea states and regions, several universities (33,000 students in total), and a clear development strategy. In 2011 the European Commission chose Turku as the culture capital because of a great number of theatres, concert halls, museums, and exhibition halls. Turku Development Centre provides free services to Finnish and foreign companies that develop business in the region (training, networking, search of partners, licensing, foreign markets research, providing premises and equipment, etc.). Business is developed in close collaboration with local universities and other scientific organizations. The region pays a special attention to the protection of the environment (waste management, alternative energy, etc.). World Trade Centre in Turku also supports companies and entrepreneurs by providing premises, organizing business missions and training, issuing certificates, searching partners for business co-operation, and helping to find a way to overseas markets. The membership fee is 220-850 euros per year. Start-up companies can enjoy free information, consulting and financial services in Potkuri Centre, where they can also register their company, establish contacts with the authorities, obtain a patent for products and services, and participate in seminars and training sessions. The centre is going to become a private establishment in the near future but the provided services will be financed by the government and municipality, which can be viewed as an example of public-private partnership.

The government willingly allocates funds for supporting innovation companies. The company Sybimar located 80 km away from Turku can be given as an example here. It catches, sells and grows fish in the closed cycle. Wastes left after fish processing is used for making biodiesel, which, in its turn, is used for generating energy and heat supplied to greenhouses. This technology can be used in any livestock business.

Contact information

Natalia Khalyuk, project coordinator

Alexander Korzhonok, PR & Information Coordinator

Tags: municipal cooperation, business cooperation