REGIONAL CENTRE PROGRAMME
North-East Finland – broad-minded thinking for the future
In a business development strategy drawn up in 2005, the North-East Finland Regional Centre set as its goal to develop the Kuusamo region (Kuusamo, Taivalkoski, Posio) into Europe’s leading area in nature-based entrepreneurship and competencies by year 2010. The focus is on building a thriving regional centre, spearheaded by international tourism and information society service production. Other key areas of development include the wood industry, primary production, welfare services and processing industries.
The 9,3 MEUR expansion of the Kuusamo Airport, scheduled to be completed in 2009, will ensure the competitiveness and accessibility of the airport’s sphere of influence (see map). With over one million tourists a year, the Kuusamo region is the most popular year-round travel destination in Finland. The Kuusamo-Suoperä border crossing station, opened in 2006, gives international visitors the unique chance to visit Kalevala National Park, Paanajärvi National Park and other destinations in Viena Karelia.
The Kuusamo region is internationally known for its guaranteed snow and the FIS World Cup events it hosts every winter. The local expertise in snow generating systems and eco-friendly, sustainable construction is being exported to Himalaya, India and other countries, as well. The Ruka Holiday and Ski Resort is currently undergoing development on a scale unique throughout the entire Nordic region. The pedestrian RukaVillage will bring to life a 2010 vision for a compact, car-free area offering services all year round.