Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen: Transport and logistics partnership strengthens economic development in the North

Press release 121/2008
9 April, 2004

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen stressed in Kirkenes that the North, and especially the Barents Region, has the potential for great economic development. Above all this is linked with the rising prices for raw materials and energy caused by globalisation and growth of the tourist industry. The area has vast oil, natural gas and mineral reserves and major renewable energy potential.

Attainment of growth, however, requires good regional cooperation and a well-functioning transport and logistics network. According to Väyrynen, Finland’s Transport Policy Report helps reinforce connections in the Northern areas. In his view, cooperation encompassing the entire region is needed when objectives are set for the Northern Dimension transport and logistics partnership to be realised soon. Väyrynen also called for the inclusion of new Northern connections in the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN).

As part of his export promotion trip, in Kirkenes Väyrynen opened a corporate seminar together with Terje Andersen, the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry. The seminar was a huge success, which also indicates the need felt by companies to find cooperation partners so that the vast resources of the Northern areas can be utilised.

Additional information: Ossi Martikainen, Senior Adviser to the Minister, mobile tel. +358 40 592 6769