FACTFILE: Finland has trade surplus with USA
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The United States is the fifth-most important export country for Finland. In recent years, trade has been in surplus for Finland. Finnish exports to the United States have nevertheless declined by about one-third since 2000.
However, a recent survey by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs indicates, the importance of the United States for Finland is much greater than the trade figures suggest, because only about one third of sales is reflected in customs figures. Most of the trade takes place through subsidiaries, or involves countries other than Finland.
Finnish companies operate in all US states, with the exception of Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Vermont, and Mississippi. The greatest number of companies is in California, where there are more than 30 business locations.
Among the more than 100 Finnish companies electronics, metals, data technology, and forest companies are the best-represented. There are 23 electronics companies in the country and seven pulp and paper companies.
In 2002 a total of 31 Finnish companies had production in the Untied States. In terms of turnover and personnel, Nokia and the forest industry companies had the top spots. Now Finnish companies employ about 30,000 people in the United States.
Positive factors for Finnish companies operating in the United States include the 300 million consumers who live there, the familiar English language, and the position of the United States as a forerunner of global trends.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 8.10.2006
More on this subject:
 Optical illusion on the North American market
Helsingin Sanomat
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