Aki Kangasharju (3rd from left), Rauli Svento (2nd from left), Jaakko Simonen (right) and Sauli Shlo (left) at the Business Forum
The Martti Ahtisaari Institute Business Forum on February 15th at Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, provoked lively and optimistic, future oriented discussions led by two distinguished keynote speakers.
Dr. Aki Kangasharju, Director, Head of Research and Chief Economist at Nordea Markets, presented his thoughts on the currently improving Finnish economy. Based on most of the crucial indicators, the Finnish economy is experiencing an upturn, from the lows of 2015 and partly 2016. But there is also room for further improvement. Services exports and high-tech exports particularly, would boost our economy towards eagerly sought positive winds. Kangasharju also pointed out that the Finnish public funding allocated to boost private companies’ R&D functions, is at too low levels currently, compared with similar countries – and that this is regrettable since better support for company R&D would efficiently benefit the Finnish economy as a whole. He also presented many discussion provoking ideas about e.g. the effects of robotisation and ageing to economic growth in modern societies.
Professor Dr. Rauli Svento from Oulu Business School presented the results of a study, that the research team led by Svento and professor (acting) Dr. Jaakko Simonen had conducted for the Finland’s Economic Policy Council. The study examined Oulu region’s economic development during 2007-2016, paying special attention to high tech industry. The region’s structural change and its effects on employment, as well as policy measures designed to alleviate the adverse effects of the structural change, were discussed. Professor Svento demonstrated the emergence of large amounts of start-up firms, as well as re-education initiatives that among other initiatives had - surprisingly quickly - promoted the region’s speedy recovery from an economic downturn. He concluded, that the recent positive development is a result of an effective combination of creative destruction and correctly allocated policy measures.
The Arina-auditorium that staged the event on Linnanmaa campus, was packed full of participants, engaging in lively discussions and warming up not only the physical temperature in the room, but also boosting the curves of the Finnish economy to new highs.
Sauli Sohlo