Promoting Exports from North Finland in the Barents Sea Region
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to increase the awareness among Russian companies regarding the operational capacity of Finnish companies for instance in the enormous oil and natural gas investment markets and aftermarkets, onshore installations, and contracted maintenance work. The intention was to increase competitive bidding processes and contracts in Northwest Russia.

Main activities

• Formation of two groups to which services were offered with various emphasis areas (1. building infrastructure and service and maintenance work, 2. direct export to Northwest Russia) • Organising several consultation meetings for companies to assess their interest in the Barents Sea region with their opportunities and wishes in the company network • Assisting companies in finding suitable Russian partners and arranging meetings, informing about the opportunities to participate in tenders or submit quotations • Providing information regarding trade fairs, seminars, and trips where companies had an opportunity to meet potential business partners • Creating company profile cards, distributing them to partnership chambers of commerce and industry and potential Russian partners and at various functions and events • Creation of an operational model for penetrating the Barents region market.

Achievements

The Finnish companies that participated in the project formed two groups to which services were offered with various emphasis areas. The companies in the first group aimed at building infrastructure and service and maintenance work in the Barents Sea region (Oy SteelDone Group ltd, Planora Oy, Telatek Oy). The companies in the second group focused mainly on direct export to Northwest Russia (Lappli-talot, Case Consult, Polarheart Oy). Several consultation meetings were organised for the companies in which the companies' interests in the Barents Sea region were assessed along with their opportunities and wishes in the company network. The project assisted the companies in finding suitable Russian partners and arranging meetings. In addition, the project provided information regarding opportunities to participate in jobs or submit quotations. The project also provided information regarding trade fairs, seminars, and trips where companies had an opportunity to meet potential business partners. The chambers of commerce in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk identified suitable partners for companies in their respective areas. The awareness of Finnish companies in Russian businesses was increased by creating profile cards that contained company information, which were distributed to partnership chambers of commerce and industry and potential Russian partners at various functions and events. One of the goals of the project was to create an operational model for penetrating the Barents Sea market. As a result of the project, Barents Group Oy was founded, which operates as an agent between the customers in the Barents Sea region and the supplier network. The company handles the negotiations, acquires the requests for quotations, submits quotes, formulates contracts, has responsibility for deliveries, and maintains the supplier network. During the project, companies received in excess of MEUR 10 worth of orders from the target area. As an example of results realised, Steeldone Oy made a contract for building the steel structures of a MOSS oil drilling rig to be delivered to Russia. In addition, Telatek Oy secured a reconditioning job contract for the nuclear power plant at Polarnie Zori. The Taivalkoski branch of Telatek delivered Azipod propulsion hulls for ships. Lappli-talot Oy completed real-estate transactions in Murmansk and St. Petersburg. In addition, several plans were made during the project, and the foundation was established for a multitude of different types of cooperation. Their results will not become apparent until after conclusion of the project.