10th Arctic Business Forum kicks off in Rovaniemi today

The 10^th edition of the Arctic Business Forum (ABF) organised by the Lapland Chamber of Commerce opens Thursday in Rovaniemi to take stock of the latest global and local developments in Arctic business.

President and CEO of the host, Lapland Chamber of Commerce, Timo Rautajoki earlier said preparations were all under way to make the event successful.

The organisers confirmed they finished making all-out preparations for a successful hosting of the forum which this year returns to Rovaniemi after being held in Kemi for the last two years.

The theme of the 10^th ABF is “Responsible Growth in the Arctic.” About 150 participants from 13 countries are taking part in the two-day forum.

“The overall preparations have gone very well in co-operation with the Arctic Economic Council to which attendees and speakers are coming from 13 different countries, namely USA, Spain, Ireland, Russian Federation, Denmark, Norway, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Greece, Germany, China and Finland,” Lapland Chamber of Commerce Deputy Director Viivi Lakkapää told the Daily Finland on the eve of the event.

She said extraordinary dialogues in the panel discussions are expected in the forum this year. “This year we have changed the format a bit more towards the dialogue among the speakers, and we have moderators in several sessions,” Lakkapää added.

ABF opens Thursday at 9:00 am at the conference room of Santa’s hotel Santa Claus with Lapland Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Juha Mäkimattila, Lapland County Governor Mika Riipi, and Canadian Ambassador to Finland Jason Tolland addressing the inaugural session.

Among other issues, the forum will focus on the opening day on Finnish businesses, AEC chairmanship, Arctic Businesses’ Way Forward under Icelandic Leadership, maritime transportation in the Arctic, infrastructure, transportation and connectivity, and reasonable use of natural resources.

The Acrtic Business Forum is an international event that draws companies and business-related stakeholders from Finland and abroad. Special attention is paid to strengthening business-to-business cooperation by organising B2B meetings and business-pitch sessions.

The forum evaluates the developments in international Arctic business cooperation in the backdrop of changing political situation. The Arctic Business Forum Yearbook 2019 will also be launched at the event.