From forests to pioneering bioeconomy, Final report on the Strate

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy instituted the Strategic Programme for the Forest Sector (MSO) for the period between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2015 to implement the Government Programme’s focus area concerning the strengthening of economic growth, employment and competitiveness by promoting competitiveness and renewal in the forest sector. The programme’s goals were to increase forest industry exports, wood construction and the use of domestic wood, and to commercialise new products. During the programme period, implementation of the Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy, promotion of internationalization of the forest sector and enhancement of Finnish influence within the EU were updated as additional objectives. The programme was steered by an advisory board made up of representatives from labour market organisations, nationwide business organisations and research institutions as well as key ministries. The steering group was chaired by the Minister of Economic Affairs who reported on the programme to the Government’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy. The head of the MSO was Strategic Director Sixten Sunabacka. Development Manager Markku Karjalainen was responsible for the National Wood Construction Programme included in the programme. Ministerial Advisor Reima Sutinen was in charge of the international operation of the programme and the enhancement of forest industry exports, as part of Team Finland activities. After the Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy was completed in the summer of 2014, its implementation within the programme was enhanced by Development Manager Jussi Manninen. The secretary of the programme was Planning Officer Anne Jatila-Jokinen