The Strategic Programme for the Finnish Forest Sector MSO, implemented in collaboration with various actors in 2011-2015, has for the most part reached its ambitious objectives. The sector is again on a growth path, and the results will support the new Government in its work. The annual use of domestic industrial and energy wood has increased to the desired record level of 65 million cubic metres. Over the five-year period the market share of multi-story buildings made of wood rose from close to zero to the 10 per cent set as the target. The value of forest industry exports rose to 11.2 billion euros, which is still below the target value of 13 billion euros.
The turnover of new wood-based products is already hundreds of millions of euros. These include various kinds of transport fuels, bio-oil and biogas, dissolving pulp, microfibrillated cellulose, wood composites and construction materials. We are still some way from the turnover of one billion euros set as the target, but there has been strong growth in this type of products. All this and more can be read in the final report of the programme, presented to the Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn on 25 August 2015.
The Strategic Programme for the Forest Sector was among the key projects of the previous Government term. The programme succeeded in promoting the competitiveness and renewal of the Finnish forest sector. It also implemented the Finnish National Wood Construction Programme and contributed to the implementation of the Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy. Further objectives that materialized during the programme period included increased internationalisation and stronger influence in EU contexts.
– The programme contributed to creating a strong common will to develop the forest sector and bioeconomy. Through shared objectives and collaboration we were able to significantly improve the situation in the forest sector and promote investments. A better understanding of the use of biomasses increased the interest in bioeconomy, resulting in significant public and private inputs in the development of the sector. These are among the many benefits derived from the programme, says Sixten Sunabacka, Strategic Director at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
– Forest bioeconomy is the core area where Finland can stand out as a forerunner of bioeconomy in international contexts. In forest bioeconomy the forest, energy, chemical and construction sectors come together in a way that produces more and more work and well-being in the future.
– The Strategic Programme for the Forest Sector provides a solid foundation for promoting the Government objective to speed up bioeconomy and cleantech solutions. I hope that the Government will use this to construct a new cross-sectoral bioeconomy programme. In order for the favourable trend to continue, the Government should target both financial resources and research and development inputs in further development of the bioeconomy sector, says Mr Sunabacka.
The final report of the Strategic Programme for the Finnish Forest Sector
Contact
Sixten Sunabacka, Strategic Director
Ministry of Employment and the Economy
tel. +358 40 036 6148
Source
Ministry of Employment and the Economy, press release 2015-08-25.
Supplier
Finnish Government - Valtioneuvosto
Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy
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