Long-term weak growth in economy worries WGs

All the four working groups in a joint statement have raised their concerns over long-term weak growth in productivity and the economy and over Finland’s international competitiveness.

The working groups in their report published on Monday also proposed several similar measures to overcome these challenges to secure Finnish wellbeing, said a government press release.

The chairpersons of the working groups- The Technology Advisory Board, the Parliamentary Working Group on Research, Development and Innovation, the Working Group on Sustainable Growth, and the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme- in the joint call to the current Government and future governments expressed their profound concerns about Finland’s future.

They emphasised that securing Finland’s wellbeing will require sustainable growth. Action must be taken soon.

"Technology plays a key role in modern society and by nature crosses administrative boundaries. At the moment, the promotion of information and technology policy is fragmented and has suffered from a lack of real continuity. The work done in several cross-administrative bodies has succeeded in putting cooperation in the field of information and technology policy on a course towards more systematic and closer cooperation, which is the right direction. Creating tools to manage digitalisation across administrative boundaries is one of the most important tasks for the next government," said Risto Siilasmaa, Chairperson of the Technology Advisory Board, highlighting the importance of cross-administrative management in information and technology policy.

“Finland is well placed to continue at the forefront of the digital transformation and lead the way globally in the twin transition, but succeeding in these efforts will require long-term investments in research, development, increasing labour supply and improving productivity. If we want Finnish industry to be clean, efficient and digital in 2030, decisions need to be made now,” said Jussi Herlin, Chairperson of the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme.

According to the chairpersons, Finland is underperforming, despite placing high in international rankings. Finland's conditions are excellent, but the country needs more determination and ambition.

The statement has been signed by Pekka Ala-Pietilä, Chairperson of the Working Group on Sustainable Growth, Jussi Herlin, the Chairperson of the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme, Matias Mäkynen, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Working Group on Research, Development and Innovation, and Risto Siilasmaa, the Chairperson of the Technology Advisory Board.