This document provides an overview and introduction to the region of North Karelia in Finland. It discusses that North Karelia is the easternmost edge of the EU with 166,000 inhabitants across 13 municipalities. The regional capital is Joensuu with 74,000 inhabitants. The document highlights the regional economy is based on export industries and promising prospects for cooperation with Russia. It also summarizes North Karelia's contributions in forestry, wood products, mining, energy and tourism.

1. Welcome to North Karelia!
Dr. Pentti Hyttinen
Region Mayor
4th European Border Dialogues Forum
20 November 2013

2. North Karelia
- the easternmost edge of
the continental EU
Virmajärvi, Ilomantsi
North Karelia

3. North Karelia
 166 000 inhabitants (less than 8 inhabitants / km²)
 People moving in > moving out
 13 municipalities
 Regional capital: City of Joensuu (74 000 inh.)
 21 600 km² , lakes 3 800 km²
- North to South 240 km
- East to West 150 km

4. Regional Council
of North Karelia
Federation of the 13 municipalities
Overall responsibility of regional
development activities
- Allocation of EU funds
- Land use planning
- Regional PR and lobbying
- International cooperation

5. Regional economy of North Karelia
is based on export industries
6 000 companies, 33 000 employees, 5,7 billion € turnover

6. Promising prospects: Cooperation with Russia
Russia is increasingly important
for our regional economy
-Tax free sales 2012: 13,9 milj. € (+ 36 %)
-Border crossings at Niirala 2012: 1,5 milj. (+ 17 %)
-Retail shops are investing strongly
-Tourism industry, especially the growth of Koli
-Infrastuctural development
-Investments

7. Since 24 February 2000
Strategic and political forum
- to promote cross-border interaction
- to coordinate and follow-up the use of funding mechanisms
- to improve well-being on both sides of the border

8. Karelia ENPI CBC
EU programmes for CBC
1995-99:
Interreg II A Karelia
36,4 M€
2000-06:
Interreg III A Karelia
69,4 M€
(Neighbourhood programme 2004-06)
2007-13:
ENPI CBC Karelia
56,0 M€

9. Our contribution to the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of EU
is based on forests, energy, minerals & tourism.

10. We count on knowledge based development
in forestry and wood sector
European Forest Institute 1993Carelian Science Park 1990Forestry education at university level 1982Finnish Forest Research Institute 1981Forestry education at polytechnical level 1978-

11. Wood chemistry
Health products
Construction
Lignan from spruce
inner branches
Energy
Fibre
Tourism & recreation

12. Climate and Energy Programme of North Karelia
Locally – Renewably – Efficiently

Fossil Oil Free Heating in 2020
 Totally Fossil Oil Free Region in 2030
 It means more woodchips, pellets, pyrolyse oil,
solar energy, wind mills and other renewables.

13. Investing in bio-oil production
Fortum pyrolysis oil plant
in Joensuu: production to be
started in November 2013.
A model example of an
investment (30 M€) needed
on the way towards fossil oil
free region!

14. Mining sector is growing

-
Pampalo goldmine in Ilomantsi
Endomines Ltd
2012: 250 000 tons of ore, gold 866,5 kg
150 employees

-
Kylylahti mine in Polvijärvi
Altona Mining Ltd
copper, kobalt, nickel, zink, gold
160 employeess
 Soapstone companies in Juuka
- Tulikivi ja Nunnauuni fireplaces and interior
designs

15. Tourism – success with smart specialisation
E.g.: Ageing people
•are wealthy
•are healthy and active
•have time
•spend on services
•are quality conscious
•have disabilities and
health problems

16. Future development requires investments
The utilisation of natural resources means a lot of construction,
increasing transportation of products and materials as well as
commuting of employees and construction.
 Investments are needed to develop:
• roads, rail networks, water routes and airports
• IT and energy infrastructures
• technological research & innovation

17. Removing borders
 Visa freedom

18. Every success on the way to the future!