Starting the FINESTJAP Project with a Finnish-Estonian Export Mission to Japan

The FINESTJAP Project invites Finnish and Estonian Green Tech SMEs with export-ready products and services to join a new export collaboration. FINESTJAP started in June 2024 and continues until May 2027. It is run by two experienced project organizations Green Net Finland (FI) and Tehnopol Science Park (EST). Green Net Finland is a Finnish cleantech network and project organization based in Helsinki and Tehnopol is the largest Science and Business Park in the Baltics. FINESTJAP project is co-funded by the Interreg Central Baltic program of the European Union. The committed companies will get skills training and external market expert services from the project. Joint business missions to Japan will be arranged with the main goal of the companies reaching deals in Japan. The missions will take place between spring 2025 and spring 2027. 

Business support organisations, interested green technology developers, and green technology trade and export experts in Japan and the Central Baltic region (Finland, Estonia, East Sweden) are warmly welcomed to collaborate with FINESTJAP. 
How an organisation can benefit from FINESTJAP: 

1. Adding to their network qualified Finnish and Estonian Green-tech SMEs with the competence to start action in the Japanese market. 
2. Allowing Finnish and Estonian Green Tech to obtain increased attention and recognition in Japan. 
3. Forming new company-organisation mini clusters with green tech players in specific fields (e.g. energy). 
4. Bringing European and Japanese Green-tech organisations and companies closer together and strengthens their collaboration. 

Relations between Japan and Finland
In 2019 Japan and Finland celebrated 100 years of diplomatic relations and the two countries have a mutual understanding based on democracy, peace, and scientific and cultural values. Leaders of Japan and Finland have in 2016 signed a shared Strategic Partnership Statement, which expresses the will to stimulate mutual trade and investment, among other goals. In 2019 the EU-Japan Economic partnership agreement entered into force. Direct flights between the countries have existed since 1983. 

Relations between Japan and Estonia
The relationship between Japan and Estonia is warm and friendly, based on shared values such as openness to innovation, democracy, and a market economy. Both countries have expressed interest in cooperation in technology and digitalization, including e-governance and cybersecurity. Estonia's reputation as an e-state and digital society is well known in Japan, offering Estonian tech companies a potential market in Japan. Cooperation with Japan may include areas such as digital technology, green technology, renewable energy solutions, and smart cities, where Estonia's innovative solutions can resonate in the Japanese market.
Source: Green Net Finland and Tehnopol 

Contact in Finland: ilkka.aaltio@gnf.fi, Mr. Ilkka Aaltio, Project manager, Green Net Finland

Contact in Estonia: ragmar.saksing@tehnopol.ee, Mr. Ragmar Saksing, GreenTech Sector Manager, Tehnopol

Published: October 2024