FACC Newsletter - Winter 2009

Finnish stimulus package features broadband

Like in Australia the Finnish government stimulus package introduced in February of 1.7 percent of GDP or approximately three billion Euros, is the third largest among the 27 EU member states. It features renovation and refurbishment of airports, railroads and schools plagued with mould problems. The Finnish government promises free or affordable broadband connections for everyone in Finland. The programme is planned to amount to 3,000 man-years of work between 2009 and 2015. The government will offer stimulus funding also for the production of domestic movies.

Bank of Finland sees recovery 2011

The Bank of Finland cut its 2009 Finnish gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to a contraction of five per cent, matching the finance ministry's outlook unveiled 24 March.

The central bank expects the Finnish economy to shrink by 1.1 per cent next year before growing by 1.5 per cent in 2011.

Nordic's are the champions

Jorma Ollila, chairman of Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia and oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, quoted, in the Financial Times in March, that the rest of the world should consider adopting the Nordic approach to capitalism and heed lessons learnt during the Nordic region's financial and economic collapse in the 1990s.

Values are not the only Nordic thing Mr Ollila thinks the world could do with adopting. He argues that the Nordic way of capitalism - being open to globalisation but protecting people from its negative aspects and providing everyone a good, egalitarian education - provides the answers that are needed. "We need to think a lot about social solidarity," he adds. He also commends the response of the Nordic region and companies such as Nokia in their last severe downturn at the beginning of the 1990s, recalling that politicians clubbed together, there was no protectionism and companies restructured deeply as they had no other choice.

The first ever joint Nordic travel event

The 2009 'Nordic Exposed' seminars presented by VisitFinland, the Scandinavian Tourist Board and Scandinavian Airlines - will be held in Brisbane 5 October, Melbourne 6 October and in Sydney 7 October 2009. The theme is 'Four Seasons and a 1000 reasons to visit Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden' highlighting year round experiences in the Nordic Region.

The seminars are targeted at Australian travel trade and media with the aim to promote the destination and to meet face to face with key representatives from the Nordic travel trade industry local and from the Nordic region. Venues and times are to be announced.

The Nordic government and business sector are invited to participate in the seminar series. The organisers are looking for Nordic companies as partners in cross marketing opportunities, giveaways and sponsorships. For more information please contact: E. satu.raunola@visitfinland.com

Australians flocking to Nordic countries

Australian tourism to Finland has been growing steadily during past years with 2008 as the best year generating 17 % growth over 48,000 overnights in the previous year. "The growth is a good indication for the work we have been doing in the market since 1995, said Satu Raunola, Marketing Representative for VisitFinland and Helsinki City Tourism and Convention Bureau in Sydney.

A total of 179,867 Australian overnight stays were registered in 2008 in Nordic countries - an 11.6 % increase on 2007. All the Nordic countries - Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland - saw an increase in visitors from the Australian market last year with Sweden leading the way with a huge jump of 19.7 per cent to 48,790 overnights and Finland not far behind with a 17.2 per cent increase to 48,282 in overnights. Norway also grew - up 8.4 per cent to 45,118 visitors - and Denmark up 1.2 per cent to 37,677 visitors.

A record 5.8 million Australian residents travelled overseas for short-term visits in the year ended December 2008. Over 1.309 million Australians travelled to Europe in 2008 which is close to 0.5 % increase to 2007 (1.304 million) according to Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Finnish trade surplus plummets to EUR 25 mln

Finland's trade surplus stood at about 25 million Euros in February 2009, down from some 460 million euros a year ago, the National Board of Customs said in its preliminary trade data on Thursday. The country ran a trade deficit of about 105 million Euros in January.

Finns developing next generation bio-fuel

A densely forested country like Finland, with an extensive pulp and paper industry, generates large quantities of one major category of biomass: forest residues. This has been put to use in increasing volumes over the years to generate heat and power, and its potential as a fuel, particularly in cogeneration, was one of the main catalysts involved in the development of bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) and circulating fluidised bed (CFB) combustion for energy-generation purposes.

Forest products giant Stora Enso and leading refiner Neste Oil have now set their sights on developing technology to produce a new generation of biofuel from this type of residue, and have set up a 50/50 joint venture known as NSE Biofuels for this purpose. A 12 MW demonstration plant for gasification and gas reforming trials is currently being built at Stora Enso's Varkaus mill in central Finland and is scheduled to start up in spring 2009.

Pulsating touchscreen technology for the blind

The renowned Wired magazine reports on an innovation from researchers at the University of Tampere in Finland.

"A new kind of touch-screen technology could bring Braille to cellphone displays, allowing the blind to read mobile content - if they do a little extra learning first. Best of all, it can be done with existing screens.

Researchers at the University of Tampere in Finland took a Nokia 770 Internet Tablet and wrote custom software that would vibrate the piezoelectric layer in the touch-screen to mimic the bumps felt in the 3x2 matrix of dots that make up a Braille character.

New HighTech Finland hits the streets

The latest edition of HighTech Finland has come off the printing presses and is now winging its way to readers around the world.

The publication presents the most interesting developments in different areas of Finnish high technology. This year's cover highlights wind power, and readers will find extensive coverage of renewables and environmental solutions, from advanced renewable diesel and wave power to insulation.

The other sections - Health Care & Life Sciences, Information & Communications, and New Materials & Processes - include profiles of exciting new developments in a wide range of fields.

In business with Finns

Perth based Veronica McGuire is a marketing specialist in the field of modern Numismatics, ie relating to coins. She is the representative of Mint of Finland.

What's your business connection with Finland?

I have just taken on a new assignment as the Asia / Pacific Agent for the prestigious Mint of Finland Limited. This is the Mint of Finland's first time to appoint an international agent and demonstrates their keen interest in pursuing new business in this part of the world. They have a wonderful range of coins which make beautiful gifts and of course, are essential as part of any collection of Finnish coinage.

What is your business background?

I worked with the Perth Mint for 21 years, which gave me an excellent base of knowledge in the world of precious metals coins. I have been in the coin business for many years and have the good fortune to travel all over the world for my work.

How does Australia/Finland differ in your work?

While I have visited the Mint of Finland in Helsinki, I have not had the pleasure of working in Finland but from my limited exposure I would say that the conditions and conventions are quite alike.

What is your experience with Finland?

It is hard to say as I have only ever spent two days in Finland, but it was in the middle of winter and the sun glistening on thick white snow is an image I shall never forget.

Contact: veronica@treasuresofoz.net

SAS introduces trial Mobile Boarding Passes

Customers flying SAS Scandinavian Airlines from 15 April to 1 July 2009 will now be able to check-in at eight European airports via their mobile phone following the airlines' trial launch of Mobile Boarding Pass technology. Passengers flying out of Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Helsinki, London Heathrow, Oslo, Stavanger and Stockholm who have mobile internet (WAP) can check-in via SMS or SAS Mobile Portal (www.sas.mobi) between these trial dates.

"All that is needed is one click to confirm your flight details and a Mobile Boarding Pass with a 2D bar code will be displayed. It contains your flight number, seat number and departure and arrival time," said, Lars Olofsson General Manager Australia and New Zealand.

The 2D bar code can be used when registering luggage at the SAS Self Service Kiosks, as well as for security, Fast Track security and lounge access.

"Currently, approximately 10 per cent of SAS passengers check-in via SMS, but SAS goal for 2011 is that 80 per cent of our customers check-in 'off-airport' - which means online or via their mobile," Olofsson said.

"It is very important to us that our customers have the smoothest and simplest travel experience possible when flying SAS so we are looking forward to rolling out the Mobile Boarding Pass service across the board later this year once we have evaluated the present trial," he said.

For the trial of mobile bar-coded boarding passes (mBCBPs), SAS has partnered with UK-based technology company Mobiqa. www.flysas.com.au

Finnair receives Airbus 330A

Finnair has received its first new Airbus A330 in March. The modern Airbus represents the latest modern technology, passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. The acquisition of the new aircraft will improve profitability and environmental efficiency significantly. The new Airbus long-haul aircraft consume 20% less fuel than the MD-11 they will replace, says Finnair's Deputy CEO Lasse Heinonen. Finnair will receive a total of five new Airbus A330 aircrafts by June. www.finnairgroup.com

On 29 March, Finnair re-opened direct flights for the summer season from Helsinki to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. The Ljubljana service will be operated until 23 October with Embraer aircraft four times per week.

Finnair's direct flights to Krakow begin again on 2 April. Passengers from Asia and Europe are offered fast connections via Helsinki to this historically unique former Polish capital twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays until 4 Ocotober. Finnair operates this route with A319 aircraft. www.finnair.com

FACC Events in Australia 2009

These are the FACC scheduled events for 2009.

Jun - Wednesday, 3 June - Networking Drinks - Attic Bar, Arthouse Hotel
Sep - Date TBA - Finnair at Home function
Oct - Monday, 26 October - AGM and Trade Seminar

Please, note that some dates and times are yet to be confirmed. For enquiries and suggestions for future events please contact the FACC Secretariat: chamber@finland.com.au.

FACC Board 2009-2010

The board members can be contacted at chamber@finland.com.au