Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Paula Lehtomäki: Trade policy must support smooth export and import
About 500 participants from among trade and industry, key public authorities and economic actors got together for the tenth Day of Commerce seminar organised by Kesko in Katajanokka, Helsinki, today. The seminar addressed the opportunities offered by internationalisation to the Finnish trade, services and industry.
"Trade provides the basis for our wellbeing and economic growth," said Paula Lehtomäki, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development. "Consumers' opportunities to make choices and their wellbeing are the most fundamental indicators when assessing the social and economic importance of the trading sector. The consumer angle is also essential when taxation solutions concerning the sector are considered."
"Trade policy must be used more efficiently than now to strengthen the global competitiveness of the EU and European companies. In order to support competitiveness the focus must, in addition to developing the internal market, be placed on economic and trade policy outside the Union. The global nature of business operations must be taken into account more efficiently in the EU trade policy. It is important to keep the European market open to both export and import. Owing to the global nature of business operations, import enhancement has also become export enhancement," said Lehtomäki.
The Day of Commerce seminar was opened by Kesko's President and CEO Matti Halmesmäki, who told the audience about the internationalisation of the Kesko Group. Currently about one fifth of the Group's sales come from outside Finland. In addition to Finland, Kesko operates in Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.
The other speakers were Juha Rantanen, CEO of the Outokumpu Group; Timo Koponen, Head of Finpro St. Petersburg; Adam Bird, Senior Vice President and Managing Partner of Booz Allen Hamilton; and Karsten Slotte, Senior Vice President of Fazer Group.
Presentation material is available at www.kesko.fi/material > Presentations.
Further information:
Senior Vice President Paavo Moilanen, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 22764
Vice President Lasse Mitronen, Kesko Corporation / Strategic development, tel. +358 1053 22614, or +358 50 65707.
Kesko is the most versatile provider of trading sector services in the Baltic Sea area. In close cooperation with retailers and other partners it produces retail and wholesale services that are highly valued by customers. Kesko operates in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.
