Int’l business leaders hail Finland’s coronavirus management

Finland’s successful management of the coronavirus crisis increases the country’s attractiveness as a safe and organised society but prolonged economic uncertainty and restrictions on international travel can keep foreign talent at bay in the future, found a survey conducted by the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK).

EK surveyed top international business leaders living in Finland on their experience of Finland’s management of the COVID-19 crisis and the impact of COVID-19 on attracting foreign talents to Finland in the future.

The majority of respondents said Finland has been successful in managing the COVID-19 crisis. A safe and organised society increases Finland’s attractiveness in the eyes of foreign talent.

The respondents were most critical of the support measures for companies for being inadequate, complicated, or slow.

The authorities’ communication regarding the COVID-19 situation also left more to be desired: guidelines have been somewhat unclear and communication in English insufficient.

One-third of the respondents expressed the belief that the COVID-19 crisis will have a significant impact on getting foreign talent to Finland in the future.

A safe environment and a highly organised and digitalised society are Finland’s strongholds that can be marketed to foreign talents.

An uncertain economic outlook can, however, have a negative impact on Finland’s ability to attract top international talent in the future. As international travel becomes more restricted, Finland’s location may also serve as a disadvantage for foreign talent looking to relocate.

“The number of international top talents in Finland has increased at a promising rate prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis. The demand for top foreign talents will only increase, as the society recovers and companies need new makers for growth. A safe reopening of the society and a reconstruction of the economy are crucial also for ensuring that the influx of new international talent will continue into the future,” said EK Director-General Jyri Häkämies.

“I am personally very impressed by Finland’s innovativeness, digital maturity, and ability to tackle tough situations such as the Covid-19 crisis. Being pragmatic, solution-oriented and forward-looking are the trademarks of Finland. We should apply the same can-do attitude and efficiency when it comes to attracting foreign talent. Finland has so much to offer: we just need to promote it much more and highlight all the positive aspects of living and working here,” said EK’s International Directors’ Advisory Board Chair and Bayer Nordic Region CEO Miriam Holstein.

EK sent the survey questionnaire to about 200 international business leaders in responsible positions who live either permanently or temporarily in Finland. The business leaders work either in a Finnish or foreign company based in Finland. The survey received 63 responses from international business leaders in May-June 2020.