Finland Times

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Rovaniemi entrepreneurs have since 1997 had a special day on 5th September. This year they presented the day to the public in the form of a Likiliike event jointly organised by Rovaniemen yrittäjät ry, Rovaniemen yrittäjänaiset ry and Rovaniemen kehitys oy. 

 

The idea behind the Likiliike movement was to permanently promote local businesses, availability of locally produced goods and the livelihood of the city. There is a growing concern that global internet shops would make local shops disappear and thus the tax money to-be would escape from the city funds. Eventually, job positions opened by local entrepreneurism would be negatively affected. 

 

According to Pasi Hiukka of Rovaniemen yrittäjät, buying local goods and choosing local stores influence directly the local availability of similar goods in the future. So the entrepreneurs feel responsibility for the vitality of the city. They want to support the city’s livelihood and work at the community level while engaging consumers to join.

 

FTimes Photo

Under the Likiliike movement, a certification is awarded to local businesses, organisations and events that are at least 50 per cent locally owned. The certification is a relatively new concept that emphasises the importance of locally available services. The idea is to promote local entrepreneurship.

 

The actual Likiliike event this Saturday spanned from midday to afternoon at the crowdie Lordi square. The passersby could not miss the event due to its tightly packed yet festive outlay. The engagement of locals in meeting the entrepreneurs seemed to work successfully. Passersby were often lured into actions like posing as a consumer king in a photo, taking a skin analysis or taking a photo with little My of Moomins.

 

On his way to gym, Jeffrey Liu was having a quick glance at the event. “It’s very lively. It shows that whenever there is an event of this magnitude, people gather around. You can see that everyone is in an uplifted mood.” Liu also remarked that uniqueness and individuality are the features that make the local businesses stand out.