Fri,Nov 22,2013
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| A visitor poses for a photo at an Angry Birds outdoor theme park in Shanghai, east China. China is the second-biggest regional market for Finland-based Rovio, the developer of the Angry Birds game, with almost 150 million downloads in the first three quarters of this year. (Xinhua/Lai Xinlin) |
Beijing, Nov.22 (People's Daily Online) -- Finland's highly globalized economy ranks among the most competitive in the world. To a great extent, the rise of Finland has been powered by innovation.
Finland has systematically focused on promoting innovation through a variety of channels and initiatives, such as a national innovation strategy, a technology program, and a network of regional science and technology parks. It is among the leading countries globally in terms of R&D spending per capita. Finland is also a leading country in social innovation.
"A good education system is the basis for a good innovation system."
Finland was a largely agrarian society up until the Second World War, when it transformed itself into a post-industrial society with a strong focus on education and research, according to Mr. Jari Gustafson, who assumed the post as Finnish ambassador to China in September.
Finnish businesses harness and are pioneers in using new technologies. Finnish engineers and scientists have made their international mark in diverse fields and products. These include numerous products in the fields of forestry, engineering, and information and communications technology.
"A very effective communication channel among academics, the whole education system, with the government and the private sector working side by side – all of these are essential for a good innovation system," the Ambassador responded, on being told by People’s Daily Online that the Chinese government has been betting big on the force of innovation in recent years.
The Ambassador explained the competitive business environment in Finland as he pointed out that The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report (2013-2014) has ranked Finland as the third most competitive nation in the world for the second consecutive year.
In addition, Finland has the best framework conditions for entrepreneurship in the Nordic countries, according to the Nordic Growth Entrepreneurship Review 2012.
Speaking of the success of Finnish companies such as Nokia and Angry Birds, the not-for-profit Finnish funding agency—Tekes-- cannot be overlooked. 
A chart shows the key figures of Tekes in 2012. Tekes offers funding for research, development and innovation to companies, research organizations and organizers of public services operating in Finland. (Provided by tekes.fi)
Tekes works with the top innovative companies and research units in Finland. Research, development and innovation funding is targeted to projects that create the greatest long-term benefits for the economy and society.
Every year, Tekes finances some 1,500 business research and development projects, and almost 600 public research projects at universities, research institutes and universities of applied sciences, according to data provided by Tekes on its website.
Last year, about 570 million Euros in funding for companies and research organizations was provided through Tekes. 350 million Euros went to company projects, of which 135 million was earmarked for young growth companies. 68% of company funding went to SMEs for their R&D projects.
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