This presentation was featured at the 11th OECD Rural Development Conference held on 9-12 April 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland (UK). More information: www.oecd.org/rural/rural-development-conference/

1. Kuusamo Region in Northern Finland
Kuusamo Region
• Kuusamo region is part of the Council of Oulu
Region (411 000 inhabitants)
• Total population in Kuusamo region is 20 000
inhabitants
• Strategic and exotic location in Lapland on the
northern border of the EU and Russia
Three main industries (direct employment)
• Tourism (~600 person-years, growing)
• Forestry and wood processing (550 person-years)
• Agriculture and food processing (350 person-
years)

2. Innovation
Fishing is a tradional
profession
 Changing of
knowledge and skills
with other areas
 New technical
applications
 Best practices and
new technologies
often requires (need)
training and
education
 Projects have been
recognized as a good
way to do this training

3. Barriers to start and
grow business
 Fishing like all food industry
needs a lot of capital
 Loan rates are low, but loan
guarantees are really tight
 It is very difficult for a new
entrepreneur or company
to get enough capitals
 EU fund’s investment
subsidies are really
important tool especially for
young new entrepreneur
 Encourage small businesses
to cooperate and make joint
investment

4. The Key Assest to
Exploit in Rural
Areas: Networking
 With other fishery areas
 With other businesses, for
example tourism industry
 With other food industry, for
example a common brand
 a good way to get our
products to the markets
 a good way to get our voice
heard

6. Thank you!
Koillismaan luonnonkala ltd
Juha Korhonen
Tel. +358 (0)40 731 7526
info@kitkanviisas.fi
www.kitkanviisas.fi
https://www.facebook.com/
kitkanviisas