The first Finnish-Russian investment forum was held in Tver on June 14, 2012. Representatives of the Embassy of Finland in Russia, of the government of the Tver Region, of the Finnish business community and company executives and potential investors from Sweden, Germany, France, Japan and the United States attended this forum.

Welcoming the participants to the forum, the head of the region noted that the region of Tver and Finland have built long-standing and strong relationships in trade, tourism, economy, as well as cooperation in culture and education. The governor also expressed his hope that such meeting of representatives from Russian and Finnish business communities would become a tradition.

Andrey Shevelyov, governor of Tver, commented: “the government has particularly focused its attention on improving the investment climate and on the opening of two new companies in the region. But the most important is not quantity but quality of investment. We welcome the arrival in Tver of socially responsible companies, which use advanced technology and innovative methods, while complying with strict environment standards. We on the other hand guarantee full support and fulfillment of our obligations. After all, investment consists in developing and modernizing various sectors of the regional economy. Investment also means the creation of new jobs with respectable and fair wages. Investment also allows using the scientific and production potential of the region. Investors take part in our social programs, develop the infrastructure around their sites and build roads. I am sure that this forum will be an effective platform for an even more fruitful and constructive cooperation not only with Finland, but also with the other countries participating in this event.”

Maria Liyvala, minister-counselor, head of trade and economic department at the Embassy of Finland in Russia, noted the importance of this first joint business forum: “At present, there are already about 600 Finnish companies operating in Russia and some would like to open their business here. Finland and the Tver Region have good long-standing relations and that is why it was decided to hold this Finnish-Russia forum precisely in Tver to show a successful cooperation with Finnish companies, as well as the investment potential of the Upper Volga Region. We would also be pleased to offer good sites for Russian companies.”

Two major projects have already been implemented successfully in the region: the construction in Konakovskiy district of the factory Alstrom for the production of glass-fibre mat and the coffee roasting plant Paulig near Tver.

In the village of Izoplit in Konakovskiy district, the company Ragos Paroc Group is currently reconstructing a former factory for the production of stone wool. As Lauri Ratia, representative of Ragos Group, noted the arrival of companies in the Tver Region is due not only to the good geographical position, the proximity of target markets, but also to the good economic climate, as seen from the experience of other investors.

Pavel Yantsevich, deputy minister of economic development in the Tver Region, presented the potential of the region, detailing the system built from cooperation with foreign investors and which allowed removing artificial barriers the preparation and processing of documents.

A project, which aroused great interest among all participants, was presented during the forum. This project consists in building a Finno-Ugric small village in Tolmach in Likhoslavlskiy district. This choice was not random as three-quarters of this village are ethnic Karelians, who have preserved their traditions. Partners of the Finnish-Russian forum – Awara Group, National Factoring Company, Khaka Moskva, Sberbank and Rostelecom presented their companies at the forum.

As a result of business negotiations, which were conducted during the investment forum, the governor of the Tver Region, Andrey Shevelyov, signed cooperation agreements with OOO Plastic Stroymarket for the construction of a factory manufacturing (mixing) paints, protective coatings on the site of the industrial park Raslovo; with OOO BioPlast, a company manufacturing glass-reinforced plastic tanks, purification and treatment facilities on the industrial zone Redkino; and with OOO Platinum for the construction of a roadside multifunctional shopping center in the Kalinin Region. The total investment for these new projects will amount to more than 1.5 billion rubles.