Minister Väyrynen: Ekaterinburg a central marketplace in Russia

Press Release 337/2010
18 November, 2010

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen, who is making an export promotion trip to Ekaterinburg on 16–19 November, considers Ekaterinburg and the surrounding Sverdlovsk oblast one of the most important areas in Russia where it would be worthwhile for Finnish companies to expand their operations.

“There are direct flights from Finland to Ekaterinburg and they take only three hours. This rapidly developing region has much unexploited potential, for instance in the sectors of transport, logistics, forestry, energy and environment technology, and construction,” Minister Väyrynen stated.

The Ekaterinburg region and business in the area are undergoing rapid development at present. Last year, for instance, last year more new space at shopping malls was built in Ekaterinburg than anywhere else in Russia and otherwise, too, large construction projects are under planning. Moreover, Ekaterinburg is excellently placed logistically and flight routes connect the city with 82 cities around the world.

“Ekaterinburg’s central geographical location opens up possibilities for cooperation in the logistics sector, where Finland has solid know-how. At the same time, well-functioning transport connections and logistics services benefit the trade of both countries more widely,” Minister Väyrynen continued.

The business opportunities and common interests have also been noted by the exceptionally large 50-person business delegation and nearly 300 Russian companies that gathered together at the Finnish–Russian Business Forum on Wednesday to examine possibilities for cooperation.

Further information: Hanna Saarni, Press Attaché to the Minister, tel. +358 400 739 824