| 18 |
Finnish Forest Mystery. by Artur Vest, Helsinki
There is a strong opinion in Finland that the Finnish wood industry will be significantly undermined by the increase in export taxes for logs, planned by Russia this January. Is it true that one of Finland’s main industries is so deeply dependant on foreign raw materials?
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| 26 |
Iceland Miracle Turns Sour. by Alexej Smirnov, Reykjavik
The land that not so long ago surprised everyone with its booming economy and huge foreign investments flowing from the country is taking on huge loans and talking about changing its currency to the euro. Another economic miracle turned sour?
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| 32 |
A Splinter in Swedish Democracy. by Alexej Smirnov, Stockholm
This summer, the Swedish parliament approved a law that will grant Sweden’s intelligence agency sweeping powers to eavesdrop on all international phone calls and emails. This caused a wave of disapproval not only in Sweden, but all over the world.
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| 38 |
Russians, Come Home! by Marina Koluyartseva, St.Petersburg
Russian Authorities on the highest level are concerned with the country’s steep population decline. One of the ways of solving this problem is providing favourable conditions to those 30mln Russians who are now living permanently abroad, but with the proper incentives could be encouraged to return.
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| 44 |
A Steel House for Metallurgists. by Larisa Pelle, Helsinki
Helsinki’s Living Steel competition sets a task of creating energy efficient single-family detached housing that minimises climate change emissions and can withstand temperature extremes, yet is affordable to build and to buy. The winning designs will be used to build houses for employees of Russian steel maker SeverStal.
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| 50 |
Latvia will Produce its Own Fuel. by Konstantin Ranks, Ventspils
Latvia has decided to take the global energy shortage issue into its own hands. The founding in 2004 of the company Bio-Venta led to the implementation of a grand bio diesel plant construction project. The capacity of the new plant will be 100 thousand tons of bio diesel per year, most of which will serve to cover the country’s own needs.
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| 56 |
It’s not Easy Being King. by Natalia Gracheva, Stockholm
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and the royal family all have their own duties to fulfil for the good of their people. When does a monarchy become a productive industry? How to make millions on a royal wedding?
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| 62 |
Raise Your Bets. by Nikolai Sorkut, Stockholm
The majority of gambling establishments in Sweden are state controlled. However the tendency towards privatisation is putting this situation at risk. Will state monopoly on gambling hold or fold under the onslaught of internet casinos and privatisation tendencies.
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| 68 |
Super Star of Finnish Tourism. by Gorran Svensson, Joutseno
In the summer of 2008 a grand project was undertaken on lake Saimaa in Finland, known as “Saimaa Gardens”. It includes a holiday spa for one thousand guests, time share apartments, golf course, bowling, skating rink and much more.
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| 72 |
Blog Millions. by Sergei Tushin, Stockholm
Who could have thought that a teenager’s diary could bring in millions for advertisement? In Sweden web diaries or “blogs” have reached the height of popularity opening the way for a new “industry”.
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| 76 |
Corporate Races. by Liisa Reijonen, Helsinki
Company events are not often creative: the majority of businesses go for parties at restaurants, tickets to shows or small getaways. Organising a carting race between employees, clients and business partners is a sure way to top everyone’s event calendar.
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| 80 |
Canine Industry. by Victor Kononov, Stockholm
According to European specialist the average cost of keeping a dog should not exceed 20 thousand euro in its lifetime. With the growing number of households owning dogs this means a booming pet industry, selling everything from cosmetics to yoga lessons for pups.
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| 84 |
Live Like a Dog. by Karita Kiviniemi, Helsinki
Yearly sales for the pet industry in Finland have reached an astonishing 450 million euro. Only last year 50 thousand new “family members” have been registered by Finns. The industry is looking for new ways to capitalise on this growing infatuation, among them puppy kindergartens, which already have a long waiting list.
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| 86 |
A Pearl of Accommodation. by Karita Kiviniemi, Anttola
The Finnish hotel Anttolanhovi treats its guests to a unique experience, combining rich history, nature, art and modern amenities. In the summer, the yard area of the main manor house serves as a venue for the HoviArt contemporary art exhibition.
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| 84 |
Evolution in the Cat Family. by Karita Kiviniemi
The new Jaguar XF has caused a lot of waves among automobile enthusiasts. One thing everyone seems to agree upon is that the car is made with the fashion conscious slightly egoistic driver in mind.
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| 92 |
Petersburg from a Different Perspective. by Alexander Istomin, St.Petersburg
All major world cities offer a variety of city tours, but it is doubtful that most of them are as exciting as the specialised ones offered by some St. Petersburg companies. Among the most exotic are roof excursions providing a glance at the city from the rooftops.
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| 98 |
An Island of History. by Natalia Gracheva, Visby
Our editorial staff travel to the Swedish island Gotland to experience first hand all that this extremely popular tourist destination has to offer. During the 3 days of their stay they get a chance to work as archaeologists, find prehistoric fossils and take part in the defence of a medieval city.
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| 106 |
World’s First Sports Activity Coupe. by Karita Kiviniemi
Once again BMW introduces a ground-breaking idea to the world by creating the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe. The all-new vehicle redefines the very notion of a coupe - with five doors and four sculpted seats, a higher ride and loads of cargo space, combining coupe agility and SAV versatility.
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| 110 |
Business Legislation
• Private Quarters’ Business
(materials prepared by BDO Unicon North-West).
• Finnish Labour Legislation: working time. Continue.
(materials prepared by NordLex Law offices).
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