Finland Times

A three-day conference of the Arctic Business Forum begins in Rovaniemi, the heart of Lapland, on March 10th to introduce the latest business developments and the future prospects of European High North economy.

The Lapland Chamber of Commerce organises the sixth forum where a number of business personalities including business leaders, academicians, researchers, diplomats and high government officials are expected to participate and point out various aspects of the present business situation in the region. The first forum took place in 2010.

“The 6th Arctic Business Forum in March 10-12, 2015 highlights the Arctic strongly from the business point of view by introducing and stressing the four different arctics through the global and local forces shaping the futures of these regions,” said Lapland Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Timo Rautajoki in a speech.

 He said the key topics of the forum this year include evaluating the most recent global changes affecting the Arctic economy, arctic economic cooperation, logistics and transportation including brand new analysis on the Northern Sea Route and on aviation of the High North, as well as mining and industry in this region highlighting traditional paper and steel industry as well.

The chamber president said the ABF2015 is an excellent arena not only to learn, update and discuss arctic business developments but to do business. The interactive conference sessions, trade show, matchmaking lounge and high-class social programme will enable people to reach their desired and potential business partners.

Pre-conference activities on Tuesday March 10 afternoon include visits to two factory sites at Rovaniemi to learn of arctic industry expertise and design. The first visit is to Lappset Group which is one of the leading manufacturers of playground equipment worldwide.

The visit to follow is to BRP Finland that is the only snowmobile factory in Europe producing snowmobiles and other motorized recreational vehicles. The opening cocktails in the evening are to follow prior to the working sessions that will begin at the Korundi House of Culture in the next morning.

Wednesday 11th conference program is opened by Lapland Chamber of Commerce Chairman Juha Mäkimattila and continued with German Ambassador to Finland Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel and Indian Ambassador to Finland Shri. Ashok Kumar Sharma. 

After the inauguration, a session on “UPDATING THE STRATEGIES OF HIGH NORTH – WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ARCTIC NOW” will commence moderated by Timo Rautajoki and participated by Mikå Mered, managing partner, Polarisk Group, United Kingdom, and Malte Humpert, executive director, The Arctic Institute, Center for Circumpolar Security Studies, USA.

In the afternoon, another session on “ARCTIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION” will take place moderated by Risto E.J. Penttilä, CEO, Finland Chamber of Commerce, where Canadian Ambassador to Finland Andrée Cooligan, Adviser to the President of Russian Geographic Society Sergey Katikov, United Kingdom’s Arctic Futures Director Guy Yeomans and representatives of the Arctic Economic Council (TBC) will take leading part.

On the same day, another discussion will be held on “TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS” participated by Japanese Ambassador to Finland Kenji Shinoda, Korean Ambassador to Finland Chang Donghee, Ireland’s IC Aviation Director Tom Shearer, a representative of October Railways, Russian Federation, and Finnish Transport Agency Director General Antti Vehviläinen.

On the concluding day Thursday 12th, the forum will focus on “INDUSTRY IN THE EUROPEAN HIGH NORTH” to be moderated by Chairman Johanna Ikäheimo of Lappset Group and participated by Outokumpu Stainless Senior Vice President Martti Sassi, Stora Enso Director Juha Mäkimattila,  and a representative of Statoil (TBC).

On the same day, a discussion will be held on “MINING IN THE HIGH NORTH – UPDATING INVESTMENT PROJECTS” where keynote speech will be addressed by Director Merrick Hoben of Consensus Building Institute, USA as FinnMin Executive Director Pekka Suomela, Anglo American Exploration Project Manager Jukka Jokela, Mawson Resources Environmental Leader Noora Raasakka and a representative of Hannans Reward/Lannavaara will continue to speak on the topic.

Confederation of Finnish Construction Director General Tarmo Pipatti is scheduled to present a keynote paper on “WHAT’S NEW IN THE ARCTIC – NEW OPENINGS AND NEW SOLUTIONS” in the following session where Johanna Ikävalko, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finland, Arve Tannvik, Director, Kirkenes Näringshage, Norway, and Anatoly Glushkov, President, North Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Murmansk, Russian Federation and Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO, World Trade Center Winnipeg, Canada, will take part. Additionally, at the same time with this session a breakout session “BUSINESS VOICE TO ARCTIC CHANGE” will commence lead by PhD Monica Tennberg in Arktikum. The workshop gathers and discusses business community perspectives to short- and long-term changes in the Arctic and measures needed to advance timely and responsible adaptation to them.

Registration for participating in the forum is on until March 2nd. The registration fee is set at EUR 790 plus 24% VAT for the members of Finland Chamber of Commerce while the amount is EUR 940 plus 24% VAT for others.

The chamber authorities also have reserved accommodation facilities for the participants at different city hotels. Participants will be able to book rooms directly by making payments to the hotels.