Focus on Central Asia and Ukraine

A year has passed since EastCham made strong forward-looking changes to its operations.

In accordance with our new strategy, we support Finnish companies’ business operations in the Central Asian and South Caucasus markets and prepare for the reconstruction of Ukraine together with the companies. EastCham’s operational guidelines are also supported by Finland’s recent Government Programme.

The importance of Central Asia has been acknowledged. According to the Government Programme, Finland will strengthen economic relations with Central Asian countries, as they are potential trading partners with plenty of market opportunities in a region that is important in terms of global security policy.

In early August, EastCham opened an office in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s bustling business hub. Altyn Shakirkhanova has started as a Head of Office and Senior Business Advisor. She coordinates our local work, conducts market reviews, provides business advice, and helps Finnish companies enter the Central Asian market, especially Kazakhstan.  The busy August in Almaty will continue strongly in September when we organise a Team Finland visit there. A good number of companies have already signed up, but there is still room for some.

The importance of Central Asia has been acknowledged.

Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine continues. Ukraine is already building its future, and Finland is strongly involved in it. In accordance with the Government Programme of Finland, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development has given a mandate to draw up a plan for Finland’s participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine. It is good to know that the plan is being drawn up in cooperation with the business community and the Team Finland network. The aim is to strengthen advisory services for Finnish companies and to find financing solutions that facilitate companies’ participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine. EastCham is actively involved in this work. Businesses will play an important role in reconstruction. We must work in agile cooperation and not forget the most important thing: the reconstruction will be done listening to Ukraine’s needs, in Ukraine and with Ukrainians.

EastCham’s operations focus on Finnish SMEs, and we recognize the need to support especially their international growth. Openings to new export markets are needed. In Finland, concerns have been rightly raised that our exports are dependent on too few companies. The share of the ten largest companies was nearly one third of Finland’s exports last year. In its Programme, the government aims to increase the number of growth-oriented, employing, and export-oriented companies. The goal of the Government Programme is justified.

We understand that we operate in challenging markets in many ways. Geopolitics affect operations almost daily, and conditions can change in an instant. That must not prevent us from working. As we promote exports and international growth, we have a serious responsibility to advise companies to strictly comply with sanctions so that they are not circumvented in any market. Only responsible international trade can be profitable in the long term.

Jaana Rekolainen 

toimitusjohtaja
+358 400 45 77 43
[email protected]