Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Programme 2000 - 2006 Euregio - Karelia (FI-RU)

Date of latest update: 2021-04-06

Description

Description (EN):

The challenge of Central Karelia is to utilise its position as a gateway region and the international Värtsilä-Niirala border-crossing point, particularly from the viewpoint of industry. Th e goal of the project was to improve the operational environment of cross-border entrepreneurship and business across the border in general and industrywise by creating a Border Service Centre. Th e Border Service Centre was to serve as a gateway from Finland to Russian Karelia and from Russian Karelia to Finland. In addition, it was to coordinate cross-border cooperation between the regions and serve as a business, guidance and information service centre for cross-border business activities.

Achievements (EN):

The Karelia Gateway Border Service Centre began regular operations at Tohmajrvi as a regional advisory and support centre for companies, stakeholders, and partners in Central and North Karelia. Various types of knowledge and expertise were brought into the Border Service Centre regarding operations across the border. They were used to offer 61 companies expert services in different types of issues related to operating in Russia. A quality control system and operational model were created for the Border Service Centre. The model included an expert network around core activities. The network consisted of expert services with Russia and other expertise from Central and North Karelia. The support functions of trade with Russia were classified according to functions in companies: sales & marketing, management, finance, production, and logistics. Sales & marketing part included marketing research, creating and reviewing bilingual contracts, negotiations, interpretation, translations, producing marketing material, forwarding requests for quotations, and planning marketing strategies. The management section included monthly reports of the business environment, business plans regarding trade with Russia, establishing companies, and Managing Myself training. Finance services included creating investment and development aid applications. Production services included researching subcontracting opportunities. In reference to logistics, legal changes at the Russian customs were monitored and practical customs issues resolved. In practice, the service usually consisted of need assessments for companies, formulating business plans, seeking Russian partners, and assisting/advising during start-up and implementation negotiations for a new business relationship. Besides to Finnish actors the advisory services were offered also to Russian companies regarding the search for partners, business meetings, subcontracting research, exhibition arrangements and assisting Russians to become established in Finland. Cooperation between Finnish and Russian companies increased through activities at the Border Service Centre: as a result of trips for negotiation, contacts were established or direct agreements made with regard to initiating or implementing cooperation-based activities. The project also arranged nine training events related to trade with Russia.

Thematic information

SME and entrepreneurship

Partners (8)

Lead Partner: North Karelia Educational Federation of Municipalities / Keti Centre for Development and Information in Central Karelia, Karelia Gateway - rajapalvelukeskus

Address: 82600 Tohmajarvi, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Pohjois-Karjalan Kauppakamari

Name: Pohjois-Karjalan Kauppakamari

Address: 80100 JOENSUU, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Josek Oy

Name: Josek Oy

Address: 80110 Joensuu, Finland

Legal status: n/a

University of Joensuu/Itainnova

Name: University of Joensuu/Itainnova

Address: 80101 Joensuu, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Central Karelia municipalities

Name: Central Karelia municipalities

Address: 185028 Petrozavodsk, Russia

Legal status: n/a

City of St. Petersburg

Name: City of St. Petersburg

Address: FL 33701 St. Petersburg, Russia

Legal status: n/a

Town of Sortavala

Name: Town of Sortavala

Address: 186750 Sortavala, Russia

Legal status: n/a

Sortavala Branch of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Karelia

Name: Sortavala Branch of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Karelia

Address: 186750 Sortavala, Russia

Legal status: n/a

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

North Karelia Chamber of Commerce

Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Partners and Projects info

Josek Oy

Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Partners and Projects info

North Karelia Educational Federation of Municipalities / Keti Centre for Development and Information in Central Karelia, Karelia Gateway - rajapalvelukeskus

Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Partners and Projects info

University of Joensuu/Itainnova

Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Partners and Projects info

Central Karelia municipalities

Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Partners and Projects info

City of St. Petersburg

Karelia Gateway – Border Service Centre

Partners and Projects info

Town of Sortavala