The 10th FCPAE Europe Forum and The 4th ASEM Cooperation Forum organised in Finland brings together entrepreneurs, officials, professionals and experts from China, other Asian countries and Europe.

The theme for this year’s forum is “Clean, Smart and Health”. The event was organised by the City of Helsinki, CASTF and ASEM-CCSTI on 25–28 September 2018.

The forum also included a sub-event in the form of a circular economy seminar held today in Kemi. After the seminar, visitors had the opportunity to become acquainted with local businesses.

“We are happy that the City of Kemi, Digipolis and Lapland University of Applied Sciences had the chance to host a part for China’s annual European meeting of science and technology associations. These association operate under the protection of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and this offers us valuable opportunities for cooperation in the future. Kemi is currently also in the middle of negotiations on close cooperation with the China Association of Circular Economy, which operates as a national circular economy developer in China,” says Tero Nissinen, Mayor of Kemi.

The events held in Helsinki and Kemi emphasise science, technology and innovation cooperation between China and Europe. The goal is to open a new era of Asia-Europe cooperation based on the Belt and Road Initiative.

At the events, representatives of China and European member states discussed how to promote contacts and cooperation. Representatives of science and technology parks also found opportunities for cooperation. In addition, investors and company representatives were offered a chance to survey the potential for investment and product development. As a whole, the forum creates a platform that allows companies and product development units to attract high-level talent from China and Europe.

“Kemi was not selected as the venue for the event by chance. The city has become the northern centre of circular economy development. Large industrial units in the region, which were highly visible at the event, have contributed to this. The Kemi-Tornio region represents about 8 percent of the total value of Finnish exports,” states Mayor Nissinen.

The region's central role in Finnish industry can be concretely seen in the Circular Economy Centre ran by Digipolis, with Sitra as its partner.