Finland and Michigan continue to strengthen their cooperation

Finland and the State of Michigan have a longstanding warm relationship, which was strengthened this spring when the Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland, Mr. Mika Lintilä, visited Detroit and the surrounding area with a delegation of Finnish research organizations and businesses. During the trip, Minister Lintilä and the Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing that Finland and Michigan will work together in the fight against climate change through the development of clean technologies.

Both Michigan and Finland have cutting edge industries and research in areas such as smart mobility and maritime, battery technology and energy storage, as well as sustainable forest bioeconomy. On Wednesday, September 23, the Governor and Minister Lintilä met virtually(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) to take stock of the cooperation. They agreed to continue to look for more opportunities to work together.

Through the MoU and already ongoing concrete collaboration, Michigander and Finnish businesses and research actors hope to develop joint projects. As a first step, the Technical Research Center of Finland VTT, Aalto University, and University of Michigan are launching a lecture series together on the Latest Technology And Innovations In The Maritime Industry.The first lecture will be held on October 2, and the online lectures will be open to the public.

More information:

VTT, Aalto University, University Of Michigan - Lecture Series(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Similarly, Finland has recently partnered with the State of Maine on cooperation in the development of modern forest bioeconomy. During August and September, Maine and Finland organized a virtual trade and study tour for interested businesses and actors to start networking. Over 60 companies and research organizations in both Finland and Maine are currently engaging in a business matchmaking exercise, a first of its kind virtually!