Finland Times

The fact that more than 100 manufacturers and marketing experts from 35 countries of three continents have taken a sincere, active, and purposeful part in the four-day International Grand Market hosted by Rovaniemi has confirmed the event’s cosmopolitan status as well as it prestige among the global business circuits. 

Most of the visiting entrepreneurs came from Europe, along with a significant number of them represented America and the neighbouring regions of Asia.

The grand market was held from September 8 to September 11 in the downtown Rovaniemi covering an area encompassing Rovakatu, Kävelykatu and Lordi Square. No doubt, this has been the country’s biggest market event this year.

The intercontinental bazaar had its key focus on bringing special products from across the globe and offering them all for trade in the same market. The foreign participants displayed and sold products manufactured or produced by themselves.

The idea of the international market has been evolving for a last few years. It started with the first European Market being held in downtown Enschend of Holland.

A group of leading multinational traders then contacted Jari Mäkelä and requested him to take initiatives to organise similar global and regional markets in Finland.

They made the move from an impression that Finnish traders usually took part in the market events abroad, but the foreign traders were unable to reciprocate by participating in similar events in Finland.

Consequently, the first International Market was held in Finland on July 19-21 in 2012 in Tampere, followed by the Kotka Maritime Festival on July 26-29 in the same year.

The outstanding success of both the events fuelled the Finnish interests, but they are very careful to ensure the quality of the market events, Products of only a few, selected traders and specialists from each country and region are allowed to be showcased in the event for trade.

It’s customary for every trader to raise a flag atop his or her stall as a business representative of his or her country.

“We are very glad to take part in this grand event. We have brought our special products, handmade steel toys and adornment. I think Finnish customers will like them a lot,” a stall owner, Dominic Cabai from Slovakia, told Finland Times.