World Economic Forum has begun at Davos in Switzerland on Wednesday.Photo AFP-Lehtikuva.
The Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen on Thursday expressed his dissatisfaction over poor number of Finnish representation in the on-going World Economic Forum meet that began at Davos in Switzerland on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister also expressed his concern at the lack of interest among Finnish economists and politicians to the event despite having a possibility of sharing Finnish expertise on various issues, news agency STT reported.
"Only five Finnish economic and political decision-makers were present. Sweden had 40, Norway 30 and Denmark 20. I think that Finns have more to contribute to international economic discussions than this suggests," Prime Minister Katainen said, adding that the main theme of one of the meetings was the uses of clean technology - Finnish companies and experts would have had a great deal to contribute on issues such as our water technology expertise.
"When so thinly represented, we cannot gain the benefits of the experience and perspectives so informally and openly offered by leading international economics experts, businessmen and leaders of international organisations," Prime Minister Katainen explains.
The Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen. Photo Lehtikuva
The Prime Minister felt that Finnish companies and experts had an opportunity to share their views and give their expertise in the forum. He cited the example in the area of exploitation of clean technology which was one of this year's themes in the conference.
He said that with such a small input it is difficult to get enough information from the available experts.
Katainen also regretted that only few Finnish companies operating globally wanted to become members of the World Economic Forum.
"16 Swedish, 11 Norwegian and seven Danish companies are members of the World Economic Forum. Almost 40 Russian companies are members. There is not a single Finnish member. I would hope that Finns will give some thought to the kind of message these facts and figures send to our international partners," comments Prime Minister Katainen.
News Agency Xinhua adds: The snow-covered Swiss town of Davos in winter is probably the most bustling corner on this planet, where the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) takes place.
As many as 2,500 political and business leaders from more than 100 countries and regions, including over 40 heads of state or government, have arrived in the highest city of Europe to attend this year's forum that opened Wednesday.
The youngest attendee is 21-year-old Umar Anwar Jahangir, CEO of Bahria Medics, a student-run social welfare organization in Pakistan. At the other end of the age range is 90-year-old Israeli President Shimon Peres.
"There is no place in the world where so many stakeholders of our global future assemble," Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman, wrote in a press release.
Meanwhile, media staff from all over the world have been converging into the small town and busy doing interviews on the streets or setting up studios on the roof top of the conference center with a snow-mountain view.
As busy as the reporters, more than 4,000 security personnel are safeguarding the conference center and checking passing vehicles. Helicopters are hovering in the sky.
During a ski season and the convention of the grand WEF, it is too difficult to find a place to stay in Davos. Hotel prices have rocketed three or four times higher than usual. Some had to book hotels in neighboring towns.
Under the theme "The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business", this year's forum, underway from January 22 to January 25, will discuss such topics as world economy, emerging markets, financial reform and climate change.
"We forget that we should look for solutions for the really fundamental issues. We should look at our future in a much more constructive, in a much more strategic way. That is what Davos is about," Schwab said.
