Finland, Maine sign bioeconomic co-op deal

Finland and the State of Maine on the North-East coast of the United States on Thursday signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) on fostering exchange of information and cooperation in developing bioeconomy based on forests and the use of wood.

The MoU was signed Wednesday by Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne and Governor of Maine Janet Mills, said a government press release.

The MoU was signed in Reykjavik, where the representatives of both the participants attended the Arctic Circle Assembly.

Opening addresses at the Senior Arctic Officials Meeting were given by Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne and Iceland Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

The practical cooperation between Finland and the State of Maine will be coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.

In both Finland and Maine, forests cover most of the land area, and forest industry is highly significant for both economies. Forest industry employs tens of thousands of people in both Finland and Maine and forest industry products represent a significant proportion of their goods exports.

“In our relations with the United States it is also important to have concrete collaboration at all levels, including with states. The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry shows the way forward in building these new avenues for cooperation. Finland and the State of Maine have a lot in common in forest issues,” said Antti Rinne.

“Maine’s forests have supported our rural communities and powered our economy for generations and, today, our forest products industry is experiencing a remarkable revitalization driven by world-class innovation,” said Maine Governor Janet Mills.

“Alongside the traditional forest industry, both Finland and Maine keep investing in new wood-based products, thus also contributing to climate change mitigation. We have very similar objectives in terms of developing new wood-based products and in promoting wood as construction material,” said Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä.