Finland has been as the top of the 'competitiveness and innovation class' in the EU in recent years. What are remaining challenges – if any - for Finland?
The challenges contain two important areas of business development and competitiveness. First, we must improve our performance and quality in world class knowledge and competences - both in research and education. Second, we need to strengthen environment, culture and incentives to boost entrepreneurship and growth - and foster especially high-expectation entrepreneurial activities.
Do you see these challenges reflected in the priorities of the Finnish Presidency?
Yes. We very much share all the challenges that Europe is facing on world class knowledge. Especially since the Asian countries are developing their innovation environment in the area of education and science, we must focus on areas where we have the leading position globally.
How important is the involvement of the social partners in policy making in the Finnish success story?
The main challenge for everybody is the rapid and far reaching change in the global economy. Cooperation among the social partners in Finland is more intense than in many other countries. This has led to a stronger understanding of the consequenses of globalisation - as well as commitment by all partners to the need of renewing existing structures. Compromises are usually not fulfilling the partners' own ambitions, but the fact is that the relations between the social partners do play a role in meeting global competition.
As one of the very few EU countries, Finland has managed to fulfill the Lisbon agenda goal of having more than two thirds of R&D investments taken on by the private sector. What is the reason behind this score?
Finnish business' view is that the success in the world series requires science-based competitiveness. This has been very true in our telecommunication cluster which has reached the leading position globally. There is a number of other businesses, too, which have a leading position in smaller niche areas. And they have chosen the same strategy - a mind set and values that have proven to create successes. Investing in R&D is not enough. Companies must prioritise their activities and focus on customer needs, competition and strong market positions, branding, efficiency and productivity - as well as world class R&D.
'Flexicurity' is the new buzzword. Can it save the EU competitiveness? What are the obstacles to exporting this Scandinavian concept to the rest of the EU?
It is important to find a balance between flexibility and security. Flexibility of the labour market is a must in the efforts to improve competitiveness, but it also requires sufficient attention to be paid to security. We have recently made positive solutions based on this concept. The culture is different in the European countries and in many countries it seems that the discussion and the relations between the stakeholders are not yet ripe for this.
