Helsinki, Oulu, Espoo, Tampere, Turku, and Vantaa, together with the Confederation of Finnish Industries, Business Finland, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, have launched the Gateway to US Industrial Platforms project. The project leader is Martti Wallin, who has extensive international business experience. Wallin will begin his duties as an industrial counselor in Washington in March. The project is based on Finland’s F-35 fighter jet purchase, which is expected to provide new opportunities to expand commercial and industrial cooperation with the United States. American stakeholders are interested not only in defense industry applications but also in a variety of high-tech products, such as cybersecurity and various digital applications.
BusinessOulu is representing the city of Oulu in the project. On Tuesday, February 21, Wallin spent a busy day in Oulu familiarizing himself with the expertise, products, and solutions of Oulu’s ICT companies, whose landing in the US market he is helping to promote. In total, Wallin had meetings with 11 companies, and he also got to know the resources of the Oulu University’s 6GFlagship research unit.
Mr. Harri Romppainen (Bittium) introduces Mr. Martti Wallin to corporation’s Tactical Communications portfolio
Wallin explains his role: “My goal is to act resolutely to open up value chains for Finnish operators in various ways. It is clear that achieving this goal requires perseverance, strong multi-level cooperation, and wisdom in choosing the right way to market Finnish expertise. Oulu-based operators have strong positions based on their expertise.”
The USA is the world’s largest economy, and competition in the markets is tough. The aim of this project is to utilize the channels opened up to northern Finnish companies through large public procurement, says Juha Ala-Mursula, the head of BusinessOulu, commenting on Oulu city’s role and contribution to the project.
Juha Ala-Mursula, the Director of BusinessOulu, and Martti Wallin
Jussi Leponiemi, BusinessOulu’s ICT Key Account Director, says that local ICT products and solutions are of high quality. “Oulu companies already have a developing position on the US market. When working with the right partners and distributors, and if our solutions are marketed in a meaningful way, this position can be strengthened, and these products can be highly competitive in the US market.”
As Wallin begins his work in Washington, BusinessOulu provides an interface for companies in the area to discuss opportunities and ways to promote business in the US market. The project is still in its early stages, and the program will become more concrete and detailed in the near future. Companies interested in the matter are encouraged to contact BusinessOulu.
For more information, please contact:
Martti Wallin tel. +358 40 869 2016
Juha Ala-Mursula tel. +358 40 559 7020
Jussi Leponiemi tel. +358 44 238 7860