On 8 November Rail Baltica Business Network organized a first event aimed at gathering Finnish business community and elaborate latest developments in Rail Baltica project. This happened in the framework of European Commission project in order to support the creation of Rail Baltic Business Networks in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
The keynote speaker in the Finnish event was European Corridor Coordinator for the North Sea Madame Trautmann, who stressed the importance to attract attention and support of Finnish business community for Rail Baltica. “I have been since the very start of Rail Baltica development in connections with Finnish government as well as business community and I have seen more and more interest and involvement from the Finnish side.”
During the visit Baiba Rubesa, CEO of joint venture RB Rail, addressed the Finnish business community and outlined the opportunities offered in the process of creating an economic corridor in the North-East region. “Rail Baltica is a true winner as the most sustainable freight transportation mode – it has the best performance in road safety, reduced noise pollution, it permits decongestion, wildlife protection and lower carbon footprint. It also has a full advantage regarding economies of scale for freight consolidation and partly with reliability and punctuality,” added Rubesa.
Participants in the Finnish business community meeting emphasized that Rail Baltica will potentially create social economic benefits and opportunities to the whole region.
Representatives from Finnish business community included Kyösti Orra (YTL), Pekka Meronen (Port of Helsinki), Kari Ruohonen (FinEst Link), Hakan Fagerström (Tallink Silja OY), Matti Kiiskinen (SKOL and Technology Industries of Finland).
The international consortium that is responsible for initiating business networks in five countries consists of Triniti Business Law Firm, Civitta management consultancy, Malla Paajanen Consulting and government relations and public affairs company META.
