HomeReportsBureau of Economic and Business Affairs2019 Investment Climate Statements...Finland

# 					2019 Investment Climate Statements: Finland			

 In this section										/

													Executive Summary											

                -  Executive Summary 
                -  1. Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment   
                -  2. Bilateral Investment Agreements and Taxation Treaties   
                -  3. Legal Regime   
                -  4. Industrial Policies   
                -  5. Protection of Property Rights   
                -  6. Financial Sector   
                -  7. State-Owned Enterprises   
                -  8. Responsible Business Conduct   
                -  9. Corruption   
                -  10. Political and Security Environment   
                -  11. Labor Policies and Practices   
                -  12. OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs   
                -  13. Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Portfolio Investment Statistics   
                -  14. Contact for More Information   

## Executive Summary

Finland is a Nordic country located north of the Baltic States bordering Russia, Sweden, and Norway, possessing a stable and modern economy, including a world-class investment climate.  It is a member of the European Union and part of the euro area. The country has a highly skilled, educated and multilingual labor force, with strong expertise in Information Communications Technology (ICT), shipbuilding, forestry, and renewable energy.  

Key challenges for foreign investors include a rigid labor market and bureaucratic red tape in starting certain businesses, although in June 2016 the Government enacted a Competitiveness Pact that aims to reduce labor costs, increase hours worked, and introduce more flexibility into the wage bargaining system.  An aging population and the shrinking working-age population are the most pressing issues that could limit growth opportunities for Finland.

Finland’s center-right government, headed by Prime Minister Juha Sipila, resigned in early March after failing to push through an overhaul of social and health care programs, the reform package known as SOTE.  The Sipila government intended the package to address the needs of an aging population while improving efficiency and reducing public spending by EUR 3 billion, about USD 3.4 billion, by 2029.

At the end of 2017, the total stock of FDI in Finland totaled USD 83.0 billion, of which equity accounted for USD 78.9 billion and the value of debt capital for USD 4.1 billion.  By country, Sweden contributes the biggest stock of foreign direct investment in Finland USD 29.3 billion (35 percent), followed by the Netherlands USD 16.5 billion (20 percent), Luxembourg USD 14.1 billion (17 percent), and Denmark USD 6.3 billion (8 percent).  According to a joint research conducted by Rhodium Group and Mercator Institute for China, investments from China increased approximately USD 282 million in 2017 and USD 236 million in 2018, totaling USD 8.6 billion.

The GOF has taken steps to attract additional investment by cutting the corporate tax rate from 24.5 percent to 20 percent in 2014, simplifying the residence permit system for foreign experts, and creating a network called Business Finland that promotes foreign investment and the country’s international image.  This one-stop shop brings together the services of a variety of state-funded agencies. Both foreign and domestic companies can benefit from GOF investment incentives, research and development support, and innovation systems. 

The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, through the Foreign Commercial Service and Political/Economic Sections, is a strong partner for U.S. businesses that wish to connect to the Finnish market.  Finnish companies are very active in the fields of information technology, energy, biotech, and clean technology, sectors that the government has selected – along with Arctic expertise – as priorities in their innovation policy.  With excellent transportation links to the Nordic-Baltic region and Russia, Finland can be a good hub for establishing regional operations.

The Finnish MyData initiative is a relatively new human-centric system that is designed to ensure that access to personal data remains under the control of the individual instead of organizations (such as businesses or the government, among others).  This initiative may impact foreign digital service companies, depending on how it is ultimately developed and implemented.

On January 1, 2018, Finpro, the Finnish trade promotion organization, and Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, united to become Business Finland, which is now the single operator helping Finnish SMEs go international, encouraging foreign direct investment in Finland, and promoting tourism.  Business Finland has around 600 staff, nearly 40 offices abroad, and operates 20 regional offices in Finland. Business Finland is part of the Team Finland network and its website is https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/do-business-with-finland/home/.  Invest in Finland is the official investment promotion agency, and is part of Business Finland.

*Table 1: Key Metrics and Rankings*

							1. Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment					

**Policies Towards Foreign Direct Investment**

The Finnish government is open to foreign direct investment.  There are no general regulatory limitations relating to acquisitions.  A mixture of domestic and EU competition rules govern mergers and acquisitions.  Finland does not preclude foreign investment, but some tax policies may make it unattractive to investors.  Finnish tax authorities treat the movement of ownership of shares in a Finnish company into a foreign company as a taxable event, though Finland complies with EU directives that require it to allow such transactions based in other EU member states without taxing them.

Finland does not grant foreign-owned firms any special treatment like tax holidays or other subsidies that are not available to other firms.  Instead, Finland relies on policies that seek to offer both domestic and international firms better operating conditions, an educated labor force, and well-functioning infrastructure.  Companies benefit from preferential trade arrangements through Finland’s membership in the EU and World Trade Organization (WTO), in addition to the protection offered by Finland’s bilateral investment treaties with sixty-seven countries.  The corporate income tax rate is 20 percent.

On January 1, 2018, Finpro, the Finnish trade promotion organization, and Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, united to become Business Finland.  Business Finland is now the single operator helping Finnish SMEs go international, encouraging foreign direct investment in Finland, and promoting tourism. Business Finland supports the Government’s objectives to spread the Finnish innovation system and double SME export volumes by 2020.  Business Finland has around 600 staff, nearly 40 offices abroad, and operates 20 regional offices in Finland. Business Finland is part of the Team Finland network and its website is https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/do-business-with-finland/home/  .  Invest in Finland is the official investment promotion agency, and is part of Business Finland.

**Limits on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment**

The Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on establishing a framework for the national security screening of high risk foreign investments into the Union entered into force on April 10, 2019.  At the moment, 14 Member States, including Finland, have national screening systems in place. Although there are differences in their form and scope, they all aim to maintain security and public order at the national level.  Numerous Member States are currently updating their screening systems or adopting new systems.

The law that governs foreign investments is the Act on the Monitoring of Foreign Corporate Acquisitions in Finland (172/2012).  The Ministry of Employment and the Economy (TEM) monitors and confirms foreign corporate acquisitions. TEM decides whether an acquisition conflicts with “vital national interests” including securing national defense, as well as safeguarding public order and security.  If TEM finds that a key national interest is jeopardized, it must refer the matter to the Council of State, which may refuse to approve the acquisition. 

In the civilian sector, TEM primarily monitors transactions related to Finnish enterprises considered critical to maintaining functions fundamental to society, such as energy, communications, or food supply.  Monitoring only applies to foreign owners domiciled outside the EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). More information is at https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2012/20120172   (Available only in Finnish and Swedish). 

For defense acquisitions, monitoring applies to all foreign owners, who must apply for prior approval.  “Defense” includes all entities that supply or have supplied goods or services to the Finnish Ministry of Defense, the Finnish Defense Forces, the Finnish Border Guard, as well as entities dealing in dual-use goods.  The substantive elements in evaluating the application are identical to those applied to other corporate acquisitions.

On February 26, 2019, the Finnish Parliament approved a law (HE 253/2018) that requires non-EU/ETA foreign individuals or entities to receive Defense Ministry permission before they purchase land in Finland.  Even companies registered in Finland, but whose decision-making bodies are at least of one-tenth non-EU/ETA origin will have to seek a permit. The law, which is set to take effect in 2020, states that non-EU/ETA property purchasers can still buy residential housing and condominiums without restrictions. 

*Right to private ownership*

Private ownership is normal in Finland, and in most fields of business participation by foreign companies or individuals is unrestricted.  When the government privatizes state-owned enterprises, both private and foreign participation is allowed except in enterprises operating in sectors related to national security.

*National Security Screening of FDI*

TEM is the authority responsible for monitoring and confirming corporate acquisitions.  Filing an application/notification is voluntary, but the Ministry may request information connected to a foreigner’s corporate acquisition.  The law does not specify a time limit for filing, and a foreign owner may file either before or after the transaction. A transaction is considered approved if the Ministry does not request additional information, initiate further proceedings within six weeks, or refuse to confirm the transaction within three months.  The Ministry cannot render opinions before an application is filed. It is, however, possible for investors to contact the Ministry for guidance beforehand. There is no official template for the notification, but it must include information on the monitored entity’s pre-and post-transaction ownership structure and the acquiring entity’s ownership structure.  If known, an acquiring entity must also state its intentions relating to the monitored entity. There are no fees.

**Other Investment Policy Reviews**

Finland has been a member of the WTO and the EU since 1995.  The WTO conducted its Trade Policy Review of the European Union (including Finland) in May 2017:  https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp457_e.htm  .  The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2018 economic survey for Finland can be found here:  http://www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/economic-survey-finland.htm  .  The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (ETLA) regularly publishes reviews of different sectors and factors that may affect investment:  https://www.etla.fi/en/publications/dp1267-en/  .

**Business Facilitation**

All businesses in Finland must be publicly registered at the Finnish Trade Register.  Businesses must also notify the Register of any changes to registration information and most must submit their financial statements (annual accounts) to the register.  The website is: https://www.prh.fi/en/kaupparekisteri.html  .  The Business Information System BIS (“YTJ” in Finnish, https://www.prh.fi/en/kaupparekisteri/rekisterointipalvelut/ytj.html  ) is an online service enabling investors to start a business or organization, report changes, close down a business, or conduct searches. 

Permits, licenses, and notifications required depend on whether the foreign entrepreneur originates from a Nordic country, the European Union, or elsewhere.  The type of company also affects the permits required, which can include the registration of the right to residency, residence permits for an employee or self-employed person, and registration in the Finnish Population Information System.  A foreigner may need a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office to serve as a partner in a partnership or administrative body of a company. For more information: https://www.suomi.fi/company/responsibilities-and-obligations/permits-and-obligations  .  Improvements made in 2016 to the residence permit system for foreign experts, defined as those with special expertise, a university degree, and who earn at least EUR 3,000 gross per month, should help attract experts to Finland.  An online permit application (https://enterfinland.fi/eServices  ) available since November 2016 has made it easier for family members to acquire a residence permit. 

The practice of some trades in Finland requires only notification or registration with the authorities.  Other trades, however, require a separate license; companies should confirm requirements with Finnish authorities.  Entrepreneurs must take out pension insurance for their employees, and certain fields obligate additional insurance.  All businesses have a statutory obligation to maintain financial accounts, and, with the exception of small companies, businesses must appoint an external auditor.

Finland is the 17th best country in the world for doing business, according to the World Bank Group’s 2019 Doing Business Index; it ranked 43rd on “Starting a Business”  (http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/finland  ).  According to a 2016 study (FDI Attractiveness Scoreboard) by the European Commission, Finland is the most attractive EU country for FDI in terms of the political, regulatory and legal environment.

Gender inequality is low in Finland, which ranks fourth in the 2018 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index.  The employment gap between men and women aged 15-64 is the third lowest in the OECD. According to the World Economic Forum, Finland’s Economic Participation and Opportunity gender gap widened slightly in 2018 due to a decreasing share of women among legislators, senior officials and managers.  However, Finland is currently one of the top-ranked countries that have reached parity in Educational Attainment.

**Outward Investment**

Business Finland, part of the Team Finland network, helps Finnish SMEs go international, encourages foreign direct investment in Finland, and promotes tourism.  Business Finland has a staff of around 600 persons and nearly 40 offices abroad. It operates 20 regional offices in Finland and focuses on agro technology, cleantech, connectivity, ecommerce, education, ICT and digitalization, mining, and mobility as a service.  While many of Business Finland’s programs are export-oriented, they also seek to offer business and network opportunities. More info here: https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/do-business-with-finland/home/  .  In 2018, the Ministry of Education and Culture launched the Team Finland Knowledge network to enhance international education and research cooperation and the export of Finnish educational expertise.  North America will be one of the initial focus regions.

							2. Bilateral Investment Agreements and Taxation Treaties					

Finland does not share a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) agreement or FTA with the United States.  Finland has concluded BITs with: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.  A full list of Finland investment agreements, including copies of the actual documents, is at https://investmentpolicyhubold.unctad.org/IIA/CountryBits/71   and https://issuu.com/ulkoministerio/docs/maailmanmarkkinat_2018-2019     (in Finnish).  As an EU member state, Finland is also a signatory to any treaty or agreement, including free trade agreements, signed by the European Union.  Finland is a signatory to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force on 22 February 2017. 

Finland and the United States signed a convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital (TIAS 12101) that entered into force in 1990.  In 2014 the two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement to implement the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) which fights tax evasion and fraud. The Finnish tax administration guidance regarding FATCA is at: https://www.vero.fi/en/businesses-and-corporations/about-corporate-taxes/financial-sector/fatca-crs-and-dac2/   and https://www.vero.fi/syventavat-vero-ohjeet/ohje-hakusivu/48528/verohallinnon-ohje-suomen-ja-yhdysvaltain-v percentC3 percentA4list percentC3 percentA4-verotietojen-vaihtoa-koskevan-fatca-sopimuksen-soveltamiseksi/   (available only in Finnish and Swedish).

For the full text of the FATCA agreement, see:  https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/tax-policy/treaties/Documents/FATCA-Agreement-Finland-3-5-2014.pdf .

For a list of Finland’s bilateral tax agreements, see:  https://www.vero.fi/en/detailed-guidance/guidance/49062/tax_treatie/  .

The salary and fringe benefits paid to qualifying foreign employees living in Finland for more than six months are taxed at a flat rate of 35 percent, for a maximum assignment period of 48 months in Finland.  For detailed tax guidance, see the Finnish Tax Administration’s website: https://www.vero.fi/en/detailed-guidance/guidance/49113/taxation-of-employees-from-other-countries2/#3.1-foreign-key-employees-(provisional-act)   and the Finnish Foundation for Share Promotion’s Tax Guide for Investors (2015):  http://www.porssisaatio.fi/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/vero_opas_2015_eng_final_web.pdf .

In April 2018, Business Finland introduced a Startup visa to recruit more international talent and innovative companies to the fast-growing Finnish startup ecosystem.  Business Finland must first provide a favorable assessment of a proposed application before the Startup visa application is sent to the Finnish Immigration Service. Business Finland evaluates whether the business model, team and resources show potential for rapid international growth.  After the assessment, the applicant will receive an Eligibility Statement to be attached to the Startup visa application. The visa can initially be issued for a maximum of two years, after which it can be renewed. The visa does not involve investments from the Finnish government or financial support.  For more information see: https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/do-business-with-finland/work-in-finland/startup-permit/  

							3. Legal Regime					

**Transparency of the Regulatory System**

The Securities Market Act (SMA) contains regulations on corporate disclosure procedures and requirements, responsibility for flagging share ownership, insider regulations and offenses, the issuing and marketing of securities, and trading.  The clearing of securities trades is subject to licensing and is supervised by the Financial Supervision Authority.The SMA is at https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2012/en20120746_20130258.pdf .

See the Financial Supervisory Authority’s overview of regulations for listed companies here:  https://www.finanssivalvonta.fi/en/capital-markets/issuers-and-investors/regulation-of-listed-companies/  .  Finland is currently not a member of the UNCTAD Business Facilitation Program https://businessfacilitation.org/  .

The Act on the Openness of Public Documents establishes the openness of all records in the possession of officials of the state, municipalities, registered religious communities, and corporations that perform legally mandated public duties, such as pension funds and public utilities.  Exceptions can only be made by law or by an executive order for reasons such as national security. For more information, see the Ministry of Justice’s page on Openness: https://oikeusministerio.fi/en/act-on-the-openness-of-government-activities  .  The Act on the Openness of Government Activities can be found here:

https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990621  .

Finland ranks third on The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index (2019) regarding constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.  For more, see: https://worldjusticeproject.org/our-work/research-and-data/wjp-rule-law-index-2019  .  Finland ranks fourth on World Bank’s Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance:  http://rulemaking.worldbank.org/en/data/explorecountries/finland  .

**International Regulatory Considerations**

Finland respects EU common rules and expects other Member States to do the same.  The Government seeks to constructively combine national and joint European interests in Finland’s EU policy, and seeks better and lighter regulation that incorporates flexibility for SMEs.  The Government will not increase burdens detrimental to competitiveness during its national implementation of EU acts.

Finland, as a member of the WTO, is required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to report to the WTO all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other Member countries.  In 2019, Finland submitted 22 notifications of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures to the WTO, and has submitted 97 notifications since 1995. Finland is a signatory to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force on February 22, 2017. 

**Legal System and Judicial Independence**

Finland has a civil law system.  European Community (EC) law is directly applicable in Finland and takes precedence over national legislation.  The Market Court is a special court for rulings in commercial law, competition, and public procurement cases, and may issue injunctions and penalties against the illegal restriction of competition.  It also governs mergers and acquisitions and may overturn public procurement decisions and require compensatory payments. The Court has jurisdiction over disputes regarding whether goods or services have been marketed unfairly.  The Court also hears industrial and civil IPR cases.

A working group set up to reform the Competition Act concluded in March 2017 that the Act should be further amended with regard to inspections, sanctions and information exchange between authorities, among others.  In March 2019, the Finnish parliament approved an amendment to the Competition Act to enact those changes. The amendment is set to enter into force on January 1, 2020.For more information see the Competition Act (No. 948/2011) at:  https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2011/en20110948.pdf .

**Laws and Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment**

A non- European Economic Area (EEA) resident (persons or companies) operating in Finland must obtain a license or a notification when starting a business in a regulated industry.  A comprehensive list of regulated industries can be found at: https://www.suomi.fi/company/responsibilities-and-obligations/permits-and-obligations  .  

See also the Ministry of Employment and the Economy’s Regulated Trade guidelines:  https://tem.fi/en/regulation-of-business-operations  .  The autonomously governed Aland Islands, however are an exception.  Right of domicile is acquired at birth if it is possessed by either parent. Property ownership and the right to conduct business are limited to those with the right of domicile in the Aland Islands.  The Aland Government can occasionally, grant exemptions from the requirement of right of domicile for those wishing to acquire real property or conduct a business in Aland. This does not prevent people from settling in, or trading with, the Aland Islands.  Provided they are Finnish citizens, immigrants who have lived in Aland for five years and have adequate Swedish may apply for domicile and the Aland Government can grant exemptions.

The Competition Act allows the government to block mergers where the result would harm market competition.  The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) issued guidelines in 2011: https://www.kkv.fi/en/facts-and-advice/competition-affairs/merger-control/  .

EnterpriseFinland/Suomi.fi (https://www.suomi.fi/company/  ) is a free online service offering information and services for starting, growing and developing a company.  Users may also ask for advice through the My Enterprise Finland website: https://oma.yrityssuomi.fi/en.  Finnish legislation is available in the free online databank Finlex in Finnish, where some English translations can also be found:  https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/  .

**Competition and Anti-Trust Laws**

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority FCCA protects competition by intervening in cases regarding restrictive practices, such as cartels and abuse of dominant position, and violations of the Competition Act and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).  Investigations occur on the FCCA’s initiative and on the basis of complaints. Where necessary, the FCCA makes proposals to the Market Court regarding penalties. In international competition matters, the FCCA’s key stakeholders are the European Commission (DG Competition), the OECD Competition Committee, the Nordic competition authorities and the International Competition Network (ICN).  FCCA rulings and decisions can be found in the archive in Finnish. More information at: https://www.kkv.fi/en/facts-and-advice/competition-affairs/  .

**Expropriation and Compensation**

Finnish law protects private property rights.  Citizen property is protected by the Constitution which includes basic provisions in the event of expropriation.  Private property is only expropriated for public purposes (eminent domain), in a non-discriminatory manner, with reasonable compensation, and in accordance with established international law.  Expropriation is usually based on a permit given by the government or on a confirmed plan and is performed by the District Survey Office. Compensation is awarded at full market price, but may exclude the rise in value due only to planning decisions. 

Besides normal expropriation according to the Expropriation Act, a municipality or the State has the right to expropriate land for planning purposes.  Expropriation is mainly for acquiring land for common needs, such as street areas, parks and civic buildings. The method is rarely used: less than one percent of land acquired by the municipalities is expropriated.  Credendo Group ranks Finland’s expropriation risk as low (1), on a scale from 1 to 7: https://www.credendo.com/country-risk/finland  .

**Dispute Settlement**

*ICSID Convention and New York Convention*

In 1969, Finland became a member state to the World Bank-based International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID; Washington Convention).  Finland is a signatory to the Convention of the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (1958 New York Convention).

*Investor-State Dispute Settlement*

The Finnish Arbitration Act (967/1992) is applied without distinction to both domestic and international arbitration.  Sections 1 to 50 apply to arbitration in Finland and Sections 51 to 55 to arbitration agreements providing for arbitration abroad and the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Finland.  Of 160 international parties in 2018, three were from the United States. There have been no reported investment disputes in Finland in recent years.

*International Commercial Arbitration and Foreign Courts*

Finland has a long tradition of institutional arbitration and its legal framework dates back to 1928.  Today, arbitration procedures are governed by the 1992 Arbitration Act (as amended), which largely mirrors the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration of 1985 (with amendments, as adopted in 2006).  The UNCITRAL Model law has not yet, however, been implemented into Finnish Law. In response to the Finland Chamber of Commerce’s request that the government adopt the Model Law in March 2018, the Ministry of Justice is currently investigating whether amendments to the current Finnish Arbitration Act from 1992 are necessary.  The Finland Chamber of Commerce continues to urge that Finland make the Act fully consistent with the Model Law, arguing it would increase Finland’s attractiveness as a venue for international arbitration. 

Finland’s Act on Mediation in Civil Disputes and Certification of Settlements by Courts (394/2011) aims to facilitate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and promote amicable settlements by encouraging mediation, and applies to settlements concluded in other EU member states:  https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2011/en20110394.pdf .  In June 2016, the Finland Chamber of Commerce launched its Mediation Rules under which FAI, the Institute of the Finland Chamber of Commerce, will administer mediations:  https://arbitration.fi/mediation/mediation_rules/  . 

Any dispute in a civil or commercial matter, international or domestic, which can be settled by agreement may be referred to arbitration.  Arbitration is frequently used to settle commercial disputes and is usually faster than court proceedings. An arbitral award is final and binding.  FAI promotes the settlement of disputes through arbitration, commonly using the “FAI Rules”: https://arbitration.fi/arbitration/rules/  .  In 2015, a Guide to the Finnish Arbitration FAI Rules was published:  https://arbitration.fi/2015/01/15/guide-finnish-arbitration-rules-published/  .  The Institute appoints arbitrators both to domestic and international arbitration proceedings, and administers domestic and international arbitrations governed by its rules.  It also appoints arbitrators in ad hoc cases when the arbitration agreement so provides, and acts as appointing authority under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The Finnish Arbitration Act (967/1992) states that foreign nationals can act as arbitrators.  For more information see: https://arbitration.fi/arbitration/   andhttps://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1992/en19920967.pdf .

Finland signed the UN Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration (“Mauritius Convention”) in March 2015.  Under the new rules, all documents and hearings are open to the public, interested parties may submit statements, and protection for confidential information has been strengthened.

**Bankruptcy Regulations**

The Bankruptcy Act includes provisions on the prerequisites for initiating bankruptcy, bankruptcy proceedings, claims in bankruptcy, administration and the management and sales of assets:  https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2004/en20040120.pdf .  Companies bankrupt elsewhere may file for bankruptcy in Finland if they have Finnish assets.  Finland has consistently applied its commercial and bankruptcy laws, with secured interests in property recognized and enforced.

The Reorganization of Enterprises Act (1993/47), https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1993/en19930047  , establishes a legal framework for reorganization with the aim to provide an alternative to bankruptcy proceedings.  The Act excludes credit and insurance institutions and certain other financial institutions. Recognition of restructuring or insolvency processes initiated outside of the EU requires an exequatur from a Finnish court.

The bankruptcy ombudsman, https://www.konkurssiasiamies.fi/en/index.html  , supervises the administration of bankruptcy estates in Finland.  The Act on the Supervision of the Administration of Bankruptcy Estates dictates related Finnish law:  https://www.konkurssiasiamies.fi/material/attachments/konkurssiasiamies/konkurssiasiamiehentoimistonliitteet/6JZrLGPN1/Act_on_the_Supervision_of_the_Administration_of_Bankruptcy_Estates.pdf .

Finland can be considered creditor-friendly; enforcement of liabilities through bankruptcy proceedings as well as execution outside bankruptcy proceedings are both effective.  Bankruptcy proceedings are creditor-driven, with no formal powers granted to the debtor and its shareholders. The rights of a secured creditor are also quite extensive. According to the 2019 World Bank’s Doing Business Report, Finland ranks second out of 190 countries for the ease of resolving insolvency:  http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploretopics/resolving-insolvency  .

							4. Industrial Policies					

**Investment Incentives**

Foreign-owned companies are eligible for government incentives on an equal footing with Finnish-owned companies.  Support is given in the form of grants, loans, tax benefits, equity participation, guarantees, and employee training.  Business aid is coordinated by 15 Centers for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment (ELY) that provide advisory, training, and expert services as well as grant funding for investment and development projects:  http://www.ely-keskus.fi/en/web/ely-en/business-and-industry;jsessionid=0B09A1B237B74FAC485AAD7C8E068DBF  . 

A company can use guarantees from the state-owned financing company Finnvera:  https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/start/applying-for-financing/when-setting-up-a-business?source=3165  .  Finnvera offers services to businesses in most sectors, and is also Finland’s official Export Credit Agency (ECA).  Business Finland helps foreign investors set up a business in Finland. Its services are free of charge, and range from data collection and matchmaking to location management:  https://www.investinfinland.fi/our-services  .  Support for innovative business ventures can also be obtained from the Foundation for Finnish Inventions:  http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/best_practices/finland.htm  .

**Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports/Trade Facilitation**

Free trade zone area regulations have been harmonized in the EU by the Community Customs Code.  The European Union Customs Code UCC, its Delegated Act and Implementing Act entered into force on May 1, 2016, and will be implemented gradually; the free zone of control type II was abolished and the operator authorizations were changed into customs warehouse authorizations on Customs’ initiative.  The Code also allows the processing of non-Union goods without import duties and other charges. According to the current schedule, new declarations will be introduced for customs warehousing in June 2019, for import and temporary storage at the end of 2020, and for export and transit in 2021–2023.

**Performance and Data Localization Requirements**

There are no performance requirements or commitments imposed on foreign investment in Finland.  However, to conduct business in Finland, some residency requirements must be met. The Limited Liability Companies (LLC) Act of Finland is at:  http://finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2006/en20060624  .  A LLC must be reported for registration within three months from the signing of the memorandum of association:  https://www.prh.fi/en/kaupparekisteri/yrityksen_perustaminen/osakeyhtio.html  .There is no forced localization policy for foreign investments in Finland. 

Finland participates actively in the development of the EU’s Digital Single Market and, aside from privacy issues, encourages a light regulatory approach in this area.  Since May 2018, data transfers from Finland to non-EU countries must abide by EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679.  

Personal data may be transferred across borders per the Finnish Personal Data Act (PDA, at:  http://finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990523  ), which states that personal data may be transferred outside the European Union or the European Economic Area only if the country in question guarantees an adequate level of data protection.  Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman legislation is at:  https://tietosuoja.fi/en/organisations  .

							5. Protection of Property Rights					

**Real Property**

The Finnish legal system protects property rights, and secured interest in property, both movable and real, is recognized and enforced.  Finland ranked first of 125 countries in the Property Rights Alliance 2018 International Property Rights Index (IPRI) that concentrates on the Legal and Political Environment, Physical Property Rights, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Mortgages exist in Finland, and can be applied to both owned and rented real estate.  Finland ranks 28th out of 190 countries in the ease of Registering Property according to the World Bank’s 2019 Doing Business Report.  In Finland, real property formation, development, land consolidation, cadastral mapping, registration of real properties, ownership and legal rights, real property valuation, and taxation are all combined within one basic cadastral system (real estate register) maintained by the National Land Survey:  https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/real-property  . 

**Intellectual Property Rights**

The Finnish legal system protects intellectual property rights (IPR), and Finland adheres to numerous related international agreements.  Finland is a member of the World International Property Organization (WIPO). Finland’s national IPR strategy 2014-2020 (in Finnish) can be found at:  http://luovasuomi.fi/www.tem.fi/files/39580/vnp_aineettoman_arvonluonnin_kehittamisohjelmasta.pdf .

The Finnish Copyright Act can be found at:  https://wipolex.wipo.int/en/text/397616  .  A set of guidelines applicable for international use was published in 2016 and can be found at:  https://www.cupore.fi/en/publications/cupore-s-publications/assessing-the-operation-of-copyright-and-related-rights-systems-141052-14122016  .  Finnish trademark law will undergo a major reform in 2019 when the new Finnish Trademarks Act enters into force.  The new legislation replaces the previous Trademarks Act from the 1960s, implements the revised EU Trademark Directive and enforces the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks.  The new Act aims to achieve a more coherent and uniform national legal framework in compliance with EU laws. Trademark applicants or proprietors not domiciled in Finland are required to have a representative resident in the European Economic Area.  The new Trademark Act is set to enter into force in May 2019. The current Trademark Act can be found at https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1964/en19640007_20000056.pdf .

Patent rights are consistent with international standards, and a granted patent is valid for 20 years.  In August 2018, the Finnish Parliament passed a new Trade Secrets Act to incorporate the provisions of the EU Trade Secrets Directive ((EU) 2016/943). The new Act replaces the Unfair Business Practices Act provisions regarding the unlawful use of trade secrets and technical specifications.  It provides harmonized definitions at the EU level for trade secrets and for their lawful and unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure. It includes a whistleblower provision, according to which a person (e.g. an employee) is allowed to disclose a trade secret in order to reveal malpractice or illegal activity, so long as it is done to protect the public interest and the person has significant reasons to reveal the information.  The new law entered into force in August 2018. The Trade Secrets Act can be found at: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2018/20180595   (available only in Finnish and Swedish).

The regulatory framework for process patents filed before 1995, and pending in 1996, denied adequate protection to many of the top-selling U.S. pharmaceutical products currently on the Finnish market.   For this reason, Finland was placed on the Special 301 Report Watch List in 2009, but it was removed from the list in 2015 when the term for relevant patents expired. U.S. industry continues to identify concerns in several EU Member States, including Finland, with respect to transparency and the opportunity to engage in policies related to pricing and reimbursement.  This reportedly creates uncertainty and adversely impacts market access and incentives for further innovation. The 2019 Special 301 report can be found at: https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/intellectual-property/special-301/2019-special-301-review  .

While Finland is not specifically listed on the 2018 Notorious Markets List, it is reported that servers for hosting providers, which support multiple different websites associated with infringing activity, are located here.

The 2015 International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) group report on Finnish legal protection of trade secrets can be found at:  http://aippi.org/library/page/4/?publication_title=trade percent20secrets&start_date_range&end_date_range  .

Finnish customs officers have ex-officio authority to seize and destroy counterfeit goods.  IPR enforcement in Finland is based on EU regulation (EU) 608/2013. In 2018, according to Finnish Customs statistics, Finnish authorities inspected 126,169 suspected counterfeit goods items, and further measures were taken against suspected counterfeit goods items.  The right holders were notified in 92 cases with a combined value of USD 2.571 million.

The link to WIPO’s list of IPR legislation can be found at:  https://wipolex.wipo.int/en/legislation/profile/FI  .  For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles here:  https://www.wipo.int/directory/en/details.jsp?country_code=FI  .

							6. Financial Sector					

**Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment**

Finland is open to foreign portfolio investment and has an effective regulatory system.  According to the Bank of Finland, in March 2019 Finland had USD 10.6 billion worth of official reserve assets, mainly in foreign currency reserves and securities.  Credit is allocated on market terms and is made available to foreign investors in a non-discriminatory manner, and private sector companies have access to a variety of credit instruments.  Legal, regulatory, and accounting systems are transparent and consistent with international norms.

The Helsinki Stock Exchange is part of OMX, referred to as NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (OMXH).  NASDAQ OMX Helsinki is part of the NASDAQ OMX Nordic division, together with the Stockholm, Copenhagen, Iceland, and Baltic (Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius) stock exchanges.

Finland accepts the obligations under IMF Article VIII, Sections 2(a), 3, and 4 of the Fund’s Articles of Agreement.  It maintains an exchange system free of restrictions on payments and transfers for current international transactions, except for those measures imposed for security reasons in accordance with Regulations of the Council of the European Union.

**Money and Banking System**

Banking is open to foreign competition.  At the end of 2017, there were 267 credit institutions operating in Finland and total assets of the domestic banking groups and branches of foreign banks operating in Finland amounted to USD 473 billion.  For more information see: https://www.finanssiala.fi/en/material/FFI-Finnish-Banking-2017.pdf .

Foreign nationals can in principle open bank accounts in the same manner as Finns.  However, banks must identify customers and this may prove more difficult for foreign nationals.  In addition to personal and address data, the bank often needs to know the person’s identifier code (i.e. social security number), and a number of banks require a work permit, a certificate of studies, or a letter of recommendation from a trustworthy bank, and details regarding the nature of transactions to be made with the account.  All authorized deposit-taking banks are members of the Deposit Guarantee Fund, which guarantees customers’ deposits to a maximum of EUR 100,000 per depositor. 

In 2017 the capital adequacy ratio of the Finnish banking sector was 23.4 percent, well above the EU average and one of the strongest in Europe.  Measured in Core Tier 1 Capital, the ratio was 21.0 percent. The average CET1 ratio in the EU banking sector was 14.6 percent at the end of 2017.  The Finnish banking sector’s return on equity (ROE) was 8.8 percent, well above the average ROE for all EU banking sectors (5.8 percent). Standard & Poor’s announced in March 2019 that it was retaining Finland’s AA+ credit rating, while Fitch kept Finland’s credit rating at AA+ in February 2019.  Moody’s lowered its triple-A rating to Aa1 in June 2016, keeping it there in February 2019.

Nordea, which relocated its headquarters to Finland in 2018, has the leading market position among household and corporate customers in Finland.  It became a member of the “we.trade” consortium in November 2017. The consortium is building a platform aiming to make domestic and cross-border commerce easier for European companies by harnessing the power of distributed ledger and block chain technology.  The Finnish Tax Administration released guidelines on the taxation of cryptocurrency in May 2018, which are due to be amended in spring 2019. The current guidelines are at: https://www.vero.fi/en/detailed-guidance/guidance/48411/taxation-of-virtual-currencies/#3-virtual-currency-in-corporate-taxation  .

**Foreign Exchange and Remittances**

*Foreign Exchange*

Finland adopted the Euro as its official currency in January 1999.  Finland maintains an exchange system free of restrictions on the making of payments and transfers for international transactions, except for those measures imposed for security reasons.  

*Remittance Policies*

There are no legal obstacles to direct foreign investment in Finnish securities or exchange controls regarding payments into and out of Finland.  Banks must identify their customers and report suspected cases of money laundering or the financing of terrorism. Banks and credit institutions must also report single payments or transfers of EUR 15,000 or more.  If the origin of funds is suspect, banks must immediately inform the National Bureau of Investigation. There are no restrictions on current transfers or repatriation of profits. Residents and non-residents may hold foreign exchange accounts.  There is no limit on dividend distributions as long as they correspond to a company’s official earnings records.

Travelers carrying more than EUR 10,000 must make a declaration upon entering or leaving the EU.  As a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member, Finland observes most of FATF’s 40 recommendations.  In its Mutual Evaluation Report of Finland, released April 16, 2019,FATF concluded that Finland’s measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing are delivering good results, but that the country needs to improve supervision to ensure that financial and non-financial institutions are properly implementing effective AML/CFT controls.  FATF’s Mutual Evaluation Report of Finland, April 2019: http://www.fatf-gafi.org/countries/d-i/finland/documents/mer-finland-2019.html  .

**Sovereign Wealth Funds**

Solidium is an investment company that is fully-owned by the State of Finland.  Although it is not explicitly a sovereign wealth fund, Solidium’s mission is to manage and increase the long-term value of the listed shareholdings of the Finnish State.  Solidium is a minority owner in 13 listed companies; the market value of Solidium’s equity holdings is approximately USD 9.1 billion (April 2019), https://www.solidium.fi/en/holdings/holdings/  ).

							7. State-Owned Enterprises					

State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Finland are active in chemicals, petrochemicals, plastics and composites; energy and mining; environmental technologies; food processing and packaging; industrial equipment and supplies; marine technology; media and entertainment; metal manufacturing and products; services; and travel.  The Ownership Steering Act (1368/2007) regulates the administration of state-owned companies: https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2007/en20071368  .  In general, SOEs are open to competition except where they have a monopoly position, namely in alcohol retail and gambling.  The Ownership Steering Department in the Prime Minister’s Office has ownership steering responsibility for Finnish SOEs, and is responsible for Solidium.

The GOF, directly or through Solidium, is a significant owner in 16 companies listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.  The market value of all State shareholdings was approximately USD 32.1 billion as of April 2019. More info can be found here:  https://vnk.fi/en/value-of-state-holdings  .  The GOF has majority ownership of shares in two listed companies (Finnair and Fortum) and owns shares in 33 commercial companies:  https://vnk.fi/en/state-shareholdings-and-parliamentary-authorisations   (April 2019).  The business development company Vake was established in 2016, and became fully operational in 2018.  Vake’s role is to manage the State shareholdings under its control and to create conditions for reform.  More information can be found here: https://vake.fi/enhome  . 

Finnish state ownership steering complies with the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance.

The Parliamentary Advisory Council in the Prime Minister’s Office serves in an advisory capacity regarding SOE policy; it does not make recommendations regarding the actual business in which the individual companies are engaged.  The government has proposed changing its ownership levels in several companies and increasing the number of companies steered by the Prime Minister’s Office. The Government has also proposed to lower the limit for retaining a strategic interest to 33.4 percent.  

Finland opened domestic rail freight to competition in early 2007, and in July 2016, Fenniarail Oy, the first private rail operator on the Finnish market, began operations.  Passenger rail transport services will be opened to competition in stages, starting with local rail services in southern Finland. The government’s stated objective was to complete the local rail service tendering process and commence operations in June 2021.  The ensuing transport systems are scheduled to be operational by 2026. Three wholly state-owned enterprises will be separated from Finnish State Railways (VR) to create a level playing field for all operators: a rolling stock company, a maintenance company, and a real estate company.  The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications and VR have negotiated a rail traffic service purchase agreement covering long-distance services as well as commuter services outside the Helsinki Region. The agreement is valid until December 31, 2019, and affords the VR Group exclusive rights for passenger rail services.

Cross-border transportation between Finland and Russia was opened to competition in December 2016.  Trains to and from Russia can be operated by any railroad with permission to operate in the EU. This was earlier VR’s exclusive domain.  Fenniarail Oy has an agreement with VR regarding information exchange between authorities in Finland and Russia, approvals of rail wagons on the Finnish rail network and the safety of rail wagons.  The agreement was signed in January 2017 for an initial trial period.

**Privatization Program**

Parliament makes all decisions identifying the companies in which the State may relinquish sole ownership (100 percent of the votes) or control (minimum of 50.1 percent of the votes), while the Government decides on the actual sale.  The State has privatized companies by selling shares to Finnish and foreign institutional investors, through both public offerings and directly to employees. Sales of direct holdings of the State totaled USD 1.72 billion from 2010 to 2019.  Solidium’s share sales totaled some USD 6.53 billion from June 2009 – April 2019. Proceeds are primarily used for repayment of central government debt, with a smaller proportion to strengthen the economy and promote growth. The Government issued a new resolution on state-ownership policy in May 2016, seeking to ensure that corporate assets held by the State are put to more efficient use to boost economic growth and employment.

							8. Responsible Business Conduct					

The Government promotes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the Ministry of Employment and the Economy CSR Guidelines (https://tem.fi/en/key-guidelines-on-csr  ).  The Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility acts as the Finnish National Contact Point (NCP) for the effective implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs), together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment:  https://tem.fi/en/handling-specific-instances-of-the-oecd-guidelines-for-multinational-enterprises  . 

The government’s SOE policy establishes CSR as a core value of SOEs.  Finnish companies perceive that the central component of responsible business conduct or corporate responsibility is to conduct due diligence to ensure compliance with law and regulations.  There are no national codes for CSR in Finland; rather, Finnish companies and public authorities have promoted global CSR codes, such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; the UN Global Compactfor Business and Human Rights; ILO principles; EMAS; ISO standards; and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

The Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the disclosure of non-financial information has been implemented via amendments to the Finnish Accounting Act, requiring affected organizations to make the first report in 2018.  The obligation to report non-financial information and corporate responsibility reports will apply to large public interest entities with more than 500 employees. There are 150 Finnish companies that publish annual CSR reports that were not previously obligated to do so.  Finland is committed to the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and the tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy by the ILO.  Finland has joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which supports improved governance in resource-rich countries.

Labor and environmental laws and regulations are not waived to attract or retain investments and the Government published a guide to socially responsible public procurement in November 2017:  http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/160318  . 

The Corporate Responsibility Network (FiBS) is the leading corporate responsibility network in Finland and has 319 members:  https://www.fibsry.fi/briefly-in-english/  .  The Human Rights Center (HRC), administratively linked to the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, encourages foreign and local enterprises to follow the most important international norms:  https://www.humanrightscentre.fi/monitoring/  .

The Securities Market Association, https://cgfinland.fi/en/  , developed and updated (2015) the Finnish Corporate Governance Code (https://cgfinland.fi/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2018/04/hallinnointikoodi-2015eng.pdf  for companies listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange:  https://business.nasdaq.com/list/Rules-and-Regulations/European-rules/nasdaq-helsinki/index.html  . 

							9. Corruption					

The Internal Security Program of 2019 does not list corruption as a risk in Finland and there is no dedicated national anti-corruption strategy.  Over the past decade, Finland has ranked in the top three on Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).  In 2018, Finland was ranked third on the CPI. 

Corruption in Finland is covered by the Criminal Code and penalties range from fines to imprisonment of up to four years.  Both giving and accepting a bribe is considered criminal and Finland has statutory tax rules concerning non-deductibility of bribes.  Finland does not have an authority specifically charged to prevent corruption. The Ministry of Justice coordinates anti-corruption matters, but Finland’s EU anti-corruption contact is the Ministry of the Interior.  The National Bureau of Investigation also monitors corruption, while the tax administration has guidelines obliging tax officials to report suspected offences, including foreign bribery, and the Ministry of Finance has guidelines on hospitality, benefits, and gifts.  The Ministry of Justice describes its anti-corruption efforts at https://oikeusministerio.fi/en/anti-corruption-activities  .

The Act on a Candidate’s Election Funding (273/2009) delineates election funding and disclosure rules.  The Act requires presidential candidates, Members of Parliament, and Deputy Members to declare total campaign financing, the financial value of each contribution, and donor names for donations exceeding EUR 1,500:  https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2009/en20090273.pdf .The Act on Political Parties (10/1969) concerning the funding of political parties is at: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1969/en19690010.pdf .  The National Audit Office of Finland keeps a register containing election-funding disclosures at:  http://www.vaalirahoitusvalvonta.fi  (available in Finnish and Swedish).  Election funding disclosures must be filed with the National Audit Office of Finland within two months of election results being confirmed.  

Finland does not regulate lobbying; there is no requirement for lobbyists to register or report contact with public officials.  However, in March 2019, a parliamentary working group headed by the Speaker urged the establishment of a lobbying register to improve transparency regarding possible interest groups influences on members of Parliament.  The working group said the registry would initially cover national-level decision making, later being extended to municipal and regional decision-making organs. The group is calling for the registry — already in use in the European Parliament — to be implemented during the next government term.

The ethical Guidelines of the Finnish Prosecution Service were published in December 2016:  https://www.valtakunnansyyttajanvirasto.fi/en/index/julkaisutjaohjeet/theethicalguidelinesofthefinnishprosecutionservice.html  .

The following are ratified or in force in Finland: the Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime; the Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on Corruption; the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption; the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; and, the UN Anticorruption Convention.  Finland is a member of the European Partners against Corruption (EPAC). 

Finland is a signatory to the OECD Convention on Anti-Bribery, but Transparency International released a progress report in September 2018 rating Finland as having “little to no enforcement”  and opining that the most significant deterioration of the level of enforcement had taken place in Finland: https://www.transparency.org/exporting_corruption/Finland  .  

In March 2019, the OECD Working Group on Bribery noted that Finland has shown limited progress in addressing the Working Group’s concerns.  In 2017 the Working Group stated that Finland still faces issues related to “old-boys’ networks,” and noted several conflict of interest scandals in 2017 that involved issues concerning blurred lines between public and private interests, and public office holders who had not recused themselves from decisions affecting them.  Nonetheless, in the latest report the Working Group notes that Finland has taken steps to amend its Criminal Code on sanctions and to develop guidance specifically targeting SMEs.

Other reforms are also ongoing and seem to be pointing to the right direction, including in relation to institutional arrangements:  http://www.oecd.org/corruption/Finland-phase-4-follow-up-report-ENG.pdf .

In March 2018, the Council of Europe’s anticorruption body GRECO (Group of States against Corruption) issued recommendations to Finland for preventing corruption among ministers, senior government officials and members of law enforcement agencies (the police and the Border Guard).  The report recommended that Finland adopt and implement a national anticorruption strategy and pay special attention to the risks related to privatization in the planned health, social services and regional government reform. 

The National Bureau of Investigation is responsible for the investigation of organized and international crimes, including economic crime and corruption, and operates an anti-corruption unit to detect economic offences.  The Ministry of Justice has set up a specialist network, which meets a few times a year to discuss and exchange information.

In November 2018, Helsinki announced plans for a new service to anonymously inform authorities about suspected corruption.  At the beginning of 2017, a new Public Procurement Act based on the new EU directives on public procurement entered into force.  Under the new law, a foreign bribery conviction remains mandatory grounds for exclusion from public contracts.

*Resources to Report Corruption*

Contact at government agency or agencies are responsible for combating corruption:

Contact at government agency:

Markku Ranta-AhoHead of Financial Crime DivisionNational Board of InvestigationP.O. Box 285, 01310 Vantaa, Finlandmarkku.ranta-aho@poliisi.fi

Contact at “watchdog” organization Contact at watchdog organization:

Jaakko KorhonenChairpersonTransparency Finlandinfo@transparency.fi

							10. Political and Security Environment					

There are no instances of political violence in Finland.  Some isolated anti-immigration incidents, including the September 2016 death of a Finnish citizen after an altercation with the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), sparked large anti-racism rallies.  There have been some subsequent demonstrations calling for a stop to deportations of asylum seekers and counter-protests to these demonstrations in central Helsinki, but they have been rare and relatively small.  The NRM has since been banned in Finland, though that ban is being appealed. In August 2017, a stabbing attack took place in central Turku, in southwest Finland in which two pedestrians were killed and eight injured. Finnish authorities considered the attack a terrorist act and its perpetrator was convicted on terrorism charges, making it the first incident of its kind in Finland since the end of World War II. 

The Fund for Peace (FFP) ranked Finland as the most stable country in the world again in 2019 based on political, social, and economic indicators including public services, income distribution, human rights, and the rule of law.  According to BMI Research, Finland will remain one of the most politically stable countries globally over the 10-year forecast period (2016-25) because of the well-established and functioning state bureaucracy, effective rule of law, personal freedoms and civil liberties, and some of the world’s most progressive gender equality legislation.

							11. Labor Policies and Practices					

Finland has a long tradition of trade unions.  The country has a unionization rate of 73 percent, and approximately 90 percent of employees in Finland participate in the collective bargaining system.  Extensive tripartite cooperation between the government, employer’s groups, and trade unions characterize the country’s labor market system.  Any trade union and employers’ association may make collective agreements, and the Ministry decides on the validity of the agreement. The Act on Employment Contracts regulates employment relationships regarding working hours, annual leave, and safety conditions, although minimum wages, actual working hours, and working conditions are determined to a large extent through collective agreements instead of parliamentary legislation.  Collective bargaining and collective labor agreements are generally binding. In recent years, local labor market partners have been given more flexibility to enforce the collective agreements.

Finland adheres to most ILO conventions; enforcement of worker rights is effective.  Freedom of association and collective bargaining are guaranteed by law, which provides for the right to form and join independent unions, conduct legal strikes, and bargain collectively.  The law prohibits anti-union discrimination and any obstruction of these rights. The National Conciliator under the Ministry of Employment and the Economy assists negotiating partners with labor disputes.  The arbitration system is based on the Act on Mediation in Labor Disputes and the Labor Court is the highest body for settlement. The ILO’s Finland Country profile can be found here:http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:11110:0::NO:11110:P11110_COUNTRY_ID:102625  .

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for drafting labor legislation and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for enforcing labor laws and regulations.  Finnish authorities adequately enforce contract, wage, and overtime laws. New legislation concerning the hiring of foreign workers in Finland entered into force on June 18, 2016. Its objective is to intensify monitoring and to ensure improved compliance with the terms of employment in Finland.  Finland allows the free movement of EU citizen workers.  During 2017, there were 103 strikes in Finland, compared to 69 in 2016 

In November 2018, Statistics Finland estimated that the working age population is expected to decrease by 57,000 persons by 2030, from 3.431 million people at the end of 2018.  With the robust economic growth from 2016 to 2018, labor shortages are starting to appear in the social, health, and construction sectors.

The government reformed social protection and unemployment security to encourage people to accept job offers, shorten unemployment periods, reduce structural unemployment and save public resources.  The unemployed are granted a labor market subsidy, which, if linked to earnings as is the case for about 60 percent of the unemployed, guarantees moderate income for a period up to 400 working days. Those without jobs after the 400-day period need to demonstrate that they are actively pursuing employment to continue receiving benefits.  The period of eligibility was shortened from 500 days to 400 days starting on January 1, 2017, except for those with a work history shorter than three years (reduced to 300 days), and for those aged over 58 (remains 500 days). 

On January 1, 2017, Finnish authorities started a two-year, universal basic income trial.  The goal is to determine whether a basic income, received without conditions, incentivizes recipients to seek paid work.  The government concluded that the basic income experiment did not increase the employment of participants during the first trial year.  The primary income recipients, during the first trial year, did not succeed in the open labor market better or worse than the people outside the trial did.  The results for the latter trial year will be published in early 2020. Based on the survey, those who received the basic income felt their well-being at the end of the experiment was better than those outside the trial.

Separately, new legislation that entered into force on January 1, 2018, stipulated that unemployed persons will forfeit 4.65 percent of benefits unless, during a three-month period, they either: a) find employment for 18 hours, b) receive at least EUR 241 in income from entrepreneurial activity, c) participate in a five-day training course, or d) be available for other services offered by an employment office, such as training courses.  The aim is to get an estimated 8,000 long-term unemployed people back to work by making unemployment less attractive.  Unions opposed the action vigorously. 

							12. OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs					

The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Finnvera (the former Finnish Guarantee Board) share an agreement to encourage joint U.S.-Finnish private investments in Russia and the Baltic States.  For more information see: https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/export/export-credit-guarantee-operations/export-credit-guarantee-operations  .  Finland is a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

							13. Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Portfolio Investment Statistics					

*Table 2: Key Macroeconomic Data, U.S. FDI in Host Country/Economy*