Prime Minister Katainen to head 'Team Finland' steering group
Government Communications Department
Press release 242/2012
3.8.2012
Prime Minister's Office has appointed a steering group for Finland's external economic relations. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen will chair the 'Team Finland' steering group and Matti Alahuhta, President and CEO of Kone Corporation, will serve as its vice-chair.
In May, the Government adopted a cross-sectoral Action Plan on External Economic Relations. Implementation of the programme will support employment in Finland and, in particular, the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The action plan is based on recommendations put forward by a working group on Finland's external economic relations. The working group was mandated by Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade.
According to the plan, a strategic steering group and secretariat working under the Prime Minister will draw up common long-term strategic guidelines to promote exports and internationalisation. At the same time, the new 'Team Finland' network approach, enabling better cooperation, will be cemented both nationally and internationally.
The appointed steering group is to draw up and maintain a strategy that is continuously updated and put forward proposals for its implementation. Priorities may be thematic or regional or combinations of the two. They must also be more detailed and far-reaching than in the Government Programme. The strategy will be subject to an annual update at the end of the year and its implementation will be monitored every six months.
Members of the steering group: Kim Gran, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres plc; Mika Ihamuotila, President and CEO, Marimekko Corporation; Johanna Ikäheimo, Chairman of the Board, Lappset Group Ltd; Pirita Mikkanen, Executive Vice President, GreenStream Network plc; Maisa Romanainen, Executive Vice President, Stockmann Group; Pertti Korhonen, President and CEO, Outotec plc; Mikael Hed, CEO, Rovio Entertainment Ltd; Liisa Hurme, Senior Vice President, Orion plc; Jussi Pesonen, CEO, UPM-Kymmene Corporation; Kai Seikku, President, Okmetic; Päivi Leiwo, Chairman of the Board, Oilon Group; Sari Baldauf, Chairman of the Board, Fortum Corporation.
Members of the Government may also participate in the steering group's work. The activities of the 'Team Finland' network in its various offices will be monitored and, when necessary, directed by the permanent secretaries' group for coordinating activities abroad.
Inquiries: Olli-Pekka Heinonen, State Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2006
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