Businesses Hope for a More Active Role from the Finnish State in Ukraine's Reconstruction
Finnish businesses are urging the government to take a more proactive approach in the reconstruction efforts of Ukraine, lagging behind other Nordic countries.
Finnish businesses are expressing concern that Finland is falling significantly behind other Nordic countries in initiating the reconstruction of Ukraine. While Denmark and Sweden have implemented state-driven efforts to support Ukraine's rebuilding since the start of the conflict, Finland has opted for a strategy that relies on corporate initiative and peace in the region. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of Finland's approach, particularly in light of the substantial support being mobilized by its neighbors.
Paula Aikio-Tallgren, the CEO of the Entrepreneurs of Savonia, has voiced a desire for Finland to take a more leading role in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts, suggesting that there is much to learn from the actions of Denmark and Sweden. According to her, state leadership is not a negative aspect in the context of a developing market like Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated national strategy. Meanwhile, Denmark and Sweden have already established massive funding mechanisms to assist their companies in participating in Ukraine's reconstruction, with Sweden committing hundreds of millions of euros and Denmark a similar amount reaching into the billions.
The difficulty in evaluating precise financial commitments arises from the varied approaches that each country takes to support Ukraine. While Finland’s wait-and-see approach may have its merits, there is a growing sentiment among Finnish businesses that a more dynamic involvement could capitalize on the reconstruction opportunities and strengthen Finland's position in the region. Without proactive measures, Finland risks being left further behind as other nations jump in to seize the potential benefits of rebuilding a war-torn Ukraine.