SME barometer: SMEs’ outlook remains positive with improved expectations of personnel growth
The beginning of 2022 was exceptional for SMEs as the coronavirus pandemic started to worsen again. This situation is reflected in the expectations of near-term economic growth among small and medium-sized companies. The expectations have fallen but remain positive.
Sector report: Strong trends support growth of the natural products sector
The demand for natural products is expected to grow globally. Natural raw materials are expected to generate significant business activities because their economic potential has not yet been fully realised.
Sector report: The bakery sector keeps in touch with times and invests in the future
While the turnover of the diverse bakery industry increased in 2020, competition continues to be tight; imports are on the increase and so are bakery services and store baking points.
Support for management of sudden structural changes and development of international capabilities of SMEs
On 18 March, the Government granted Naantali and the Kemi-Tornio region EUR 600,000 and EUR 1.1 million, respectively, for the management of sudden structural changes. At the same time, the Lahti region was granted the remaining portion of the EUR 1.065 million additional funding already proposed to it. In addition, South Finland and Western Finland received funding to develop the international capabilities of SMEs.
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment analysis: 333,000 new jobs created in 2019 – SMEs would benefit from help and advice during recruitment process
In 2019, Finland’s economy was in the later stages of a cyclical upturn and demand for labour remained strong, with the number of those employed increasing by 26,000. At 65,000, the workforce shortage, i.e. the number of vacancies that remained unfilled, reached a recordhigh. About 333,000 new jobs were created in 2019.
