A suggestion by Russia that it would shift its container traffic from roads to railways may bring the goods traffic bound for Russia through Finland to a complete standstill, warns Finland’s Minister of Transport Anu Vehviläinen (Centre Party).
The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE reported on the issue in its Monday newscast.
“This would have serious implications with regard to Finland’s own exports as well”, Vehviläinen believes.
The motion will soon be brought before the Russian Duma.
According to Minister Vehviläinen, the motion has been prompted by the Federal Russian Customs, which are looking to achieve tighter control over imported goods.
The through traffic of goods bound for Russia has developed into a significant source of jobs and revenue in Finland. It employs around 4,000 people directly, and many thousands more indirectly, and has also benefited Finnish exporters.
