Globalization is changing the international division of labour, and this will have a dramatic effect on Finland's future. What should be done to retain the position of one of the winners in the development of globalization?

The Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers voiced its opinion on Finland succeeding in the face of increasing global competition. It gives industry's vision of Finland of the future. It will be constructed on strong economic growth, the profitability of the operating environment and its ability to regenerate, and also social equality and safety.

If the growth base of the economy and welfare is to be preserved, companies and investors will have to be willing to invest in Finland. Finland must succeed when competing for companies' research and development activities and the locating of head offices and parent companies. Finland must also be a country where an individual is given the incentive to work.

More work, entrepreneurship and expertise

One of the most critical questions is solving the problem of Finland's high structural unemployment, the costs of which are straining the welfare system and keeping taxation high. Public expenditure pressures are also being increased by the population trend and ageing in Finland.

Wage formation must be aimed at a fundamental raising of the level of employment. Taxation must be reformed and reduced so that it is worthwhile for an employer to employ and a wage-earner to be employed.

In order to safeguard expertise, investment in training, research and development must be increased. The opportunities to compete for a mobile workforce must be safeguarded by a work-based immigrant policy. Obstacles to entrepreneurship must be eliminated.

A Successful Finland sees the implementation of changes as the best option in the consensus between interest groups and parties. Although some of the decisions are politically awkward in the short term, their benefits and inevitability will be seen years later.

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