Business cost support granted during the coronavirus crisis increased companies’ turnover, turned them profitable and lowered the risk of debt restructuring. Due to the support for business costs, some of the loss-making companies became profitable during the coronavirus epidemic. However, the new rounds of support have slowed down a beneficial structural change of the economy. These are the conclusions of the report ‘Assessment of Support Policy during the Coronavirus Pandemic,’ published by the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (Etla) for the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Employment on 17 May 2022.

The European Commission has approved the EU regional and structural policy programme, Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027, and Finland’s partnership agreement among the first in the whole EU. The programme promotes the vitality, employment and wellbeing of the regions. The partnership agreement describes the strategic direction and mutual coordination of different funds.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has launched a development programme for sustainable maritime industry. The starting point for the programme work is maintaining Finland’s maritime industry as a competitive employer in the country’s different regions. Climate objectives and digitalisation will create new demand and business opportunities as long as the sector invests heavily in competence and innovation, productivity, internationality, exports and cooperation.