| Category: Success stories

“How can we get young people who have just started on their path excited about this field? Our message must also speak to them to ensure that young people want to get an education and stay in this area.”

Chamber of Commerce provides access to its networks

The Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce wants to contribute to promoting the internationalisation of the members in the open Kuopio Health ecosystem.

– Chambers of commerce operate in an international network. We have built networks internationally and with various experts, decision-makers and other operators. Different people and themes can promote developing this cluster. After all, your networking partners do not always have to be companies in the same field, but you can find an interface with a neighbouring sector, says Kaija Savolainen, the Managing Director of Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce.

According to Savolainen, the Chamber of Commerce aims to work to promote strong growth in health tech and familiarise the experts in the Kuopio Health network with the Chamber of Commerce networks.

– We often talk about brain drain, but this cooperation allows us to increase brain collaboration, so to speak, and encounters between people, she says.

Kaija Savolainen
Big goals set for internationalisation

The Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce operates across the whole North Savo area. There are three divisions: Ylä-Savo, Kuopio and Varkaus.

The chamber of commerce has over 850 member companies, representing around 50 per cent of the total turnover of the region’s business life. 

The activities emphasise influence, internationalisation and competence. Internationalisation is a major focus area; the strategic objective is to double the number of export companies in the region (currently 250) by 2030.

Concrete measures and plain language

Kaija Savolainen believes that health technology can become one of North Savo’s strongest industries alongside forestry and agriculture and the manufacturing industry. 

To foster growth, Savolainen highlights the role of communications between different operators in the Kuopio Health activities.

– We are quick to resort to using specialist terms and professional jargon. However, in doing this, there is a risk of alienating people and sounding so high-flown that companies hesitate to join us. That is why it is important to highlight concrete aspects and speak in a way people can understand. That way, we can also engage those that using jargon would drive away.

Savolainen finds it important to also get young people excited about striving for jobs in health tech.

– How can we get young people who have just started on their path excited about this field? Our message must also speak to them to ensure that young people want to get an education and stay in this area. That way, we will also make sure that local companies will have competent workforce.

Savolainen notes that there is also need for international professionals. Particular attention must be paid to attracting them to this area and ensuring that they will stay here.

– If we are able to attract a top professional from, say, India, how will we welcome the person and help him or her integrate in this region? These are extensive questions that we must be able to answer.

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