BUSINESS REVIEW
Mats Sandström
Ostrobothnian grow how Export orientation, strong clusters, highly niched companies – that is Ostrobothnian business in a nutshell. In addition, trade and business shows a great deal of versatility. Ostrobothnian trade and business is characterised by diversity: the region houses different types of companies in a variety of sectors. Company sizes range from big to small and everything in between. Even relatively small companies invest big on global markets, made possible by niche specialisation. The following pages of Coastline introduce all of the main export companies in the region. Many of them operate in strong clusters, such as energy technology, metal, forest and boatbuilding, while others have found themselves a niche in completely different sectors. This kind of versatility leads to diversified risks and security for the future.
The most responsible country Finland is the world’s third most competitive country if measured by responsibility. AccountAbility, a research institute headquartered in England, rated countries based on how well they comply with environmental agreements and recognise civil and employee rights. The study also focused on audit procedures and various social indicators.
Least corruption Structure of industry in Ostobothnia Added value by sector
Finland has long been one of the world’s least corrupted countries according to the Transparency International organisation. The 2007 study also put Finland at the top of the list, side by side with Denmark and New Zealand.
Others, 7% Metal, 20% Vehicles, 7%
The world’s best school system
Food, 8%
Chemicals and plastics, 9%
Machinery and equipment, 18%
Pulp and paper, 14% Electricity and electronics, 15%
24 coastline • 2008
The Finnish school system is the best in the OECD countries. Two times in a row the comprehensive school in Finland has been ranked first in the PISA study, which the OECD uses to compare the school systems of different countries. Finnish pupils do best in the natural sciences and mathematics and second best in reading skills. Researchers have explained the good results by pointing out that Finnish schools are equal and even weaker pupils do relatively well.