Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Sweden and it is the mountain destinations that have experienced the largest growth. During the year of 2010 €633 million was invested in the tourism industry in Sweden. The financing was mainly from private investors (68 %) and about one third was from the public sector. The largest investments were done in hotel properties and in ski resorts.
Saxony has many pictures that tell many tales, creating lots of history: The digital heart of the semiconductor industry beats in Dresden. Silicon Saxony is a network of 280 commercial enterprises and research institutions, is Europe’s leading and the fifth largest microelectronics cluster in the world. Geared towards the future, researchers and young entrepreneurs between Leipzig and Dresden are working hand in hand in the biotechnology and environmental technology sectors.
Frankfurt is Germany’s most cosmopolitan city, with foreigners making up more than one-quarter of the population. It is an international city where newcomers settle down quickly and feel at home: It is considered to be multicultural because it is home to people from around 180 different nationalities. It’s also Germany’s number one city for international professionals – with around 170 foreign banks, 3000 foreign companies and 92 foreign consulates. As headquarters of the European Central Bank and the home of the German Stock Exchange, Frankfurt is a leading centre of finance and commerce in Europe and in the world.
When you think of Europe’s emerging markets the natural reaction is to look east. However, one of the continent’s cities best placed to capitalise on new successes is actually North; way north.
Located in the heart of South-East Finland, Lappeenranta is half way between the Finnish capital Helsinki and Russia’s St Petersburg. The train journey is roughly two hours from Lappeenranta west to Helsinki and the same or less east to St Petersburg.
The Imatra region is located in South-East Finland, right on the Russian-Finnish border. Only in 230 km from St. Petersburg and the same distance from Helsinki puts it in an excellent position for business. Good and fast-developing means of communication between Europe and Russia become a reality in Imatra. At the flexible and efficient international border crossing point, the Imatra-Svetogorsk road and railway cross the border at the same place. Imatra’s location right on the EU-Russian border and neighbouring with Svetogorsk, add colour to everyday life. Going to work, doing shopping or just visiting over the border is a part of the region’s daily life.
New European Economy-What is the economic outlook in your region in terms of investment for the coming year and how does it contrast with the previous 12 months?
Mayor Jorma Rasinmäki The biggest investments have been and continue to be in the construction, technology, logistics and trade & services industries.
Finland is back on the map – it’s official. But the place isn’t just getting noticed – it’s gone seismic…
Foreign visitors are up by 10%, the capital Helsinki has just been voted the world’s best place to live by an influential British magazine, and the region’s business property market is booming. With positivity across the board, it’s no wonder that Finnish consumers have responded to a recent survey by expressing resounding confidence in the economy.
Wind Power is poised for unprecedented growth. By 2020, there is 15,000-20,000MW of new wind power capacity predicted for the Baltic Sea region alone. In North Europe, the figure could reach as high as 100,000MW during the next ten years.
