PRESS RELEASE 13.11.2012
Zhongguancun Finland Office opens its doors to Finnish and Chinese companies on 13 November 2012. Backed by the Chinese national science policy organization Zhongguancun Administrative Committee, and the investment organization of Zhongguancun Science Park, the Finland office will aid Chinese companies in market entry and support finding R&D and technology co-operation partners and investment targets.
Discussions about starting operations in Finland started in autumn 2011, when a delegation of key Zhongguancun officials visited Finland. “From the beginning, there has been an understanding that both China and Finland have a lot to both offer and gain from Zhongguancun operating directly in Finland. This way they are closer to the cooperating partners and common projects are easier to take forward,” says Mr. Marko Vänskä, CEO of China-Finland Golden Bridge Innovation Center. “We work closely with national and regional organizations in order to get the best results from the co-operation. We have received strong support from the government side and we are glad to see that there has been a great interest amongst the Finnish partners towards the co-operation with Zhongguancun.”
“Finland has a strong reputation in innovation, especially on the technological front. The two countries have complementary factors in technology, talent and market. There is already a good basis for cooperation and we’re looking forward to building on it,” says Mr. Ziqi Zhu, Director of Zhongguancun Finland Office.
The work of the Zhongguancun Finland Office will be done through matchmaking events, seminars and forums. After the platform is functional and there is a steady flow of Chinese hi-tech companies coming to Finland, the role will move towards being an incubator, providing soft landing service to Chinese companies as well.
“There is also an interest in taking part in the cooperation among companies, universities and research institutes in Finland. It is our intention to facilitate R&D cooperation between Chinese and Finnish companies and research organizations as well,” Mr. Zhu comments.
The Zhongguancun operation is a bilateral effort, serving both Chinese companies entering Finland and Finnish companies entering China. “It is an excellent co-operation partner for Finpro,” says Mr. Kari Häyrinen, CEO of Finpro. “We are going to have a FinChi office in Beijing, located in Zhongguancun Science Park, benefitting from the support, services and networks provided by Zhongguancun.”
“Innovation cooperation between China and Finland is very important for both countries and the Zhongguancun unit opening its office in Finland is a key element in taking that cooperation”, says Mr. Petri Peltonen, the Director General of the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
For more information:
Mr. Ziqi Zhu
Director
Zhongguancun Finland Office
+ 358 46 9033816
zhuzq@zpark.com.cn
Marko Vänskä
CEO
China-Finland Golden Bridge Innovation Center
+358 50 588 5856
marko.vanska@goldenbridge.fi
Kari Häyrinen
CEO
Finpro
+358 40 343 3464
kari.hayrinen@finpro.fi
Zhongguncun Software Park Development Co
Zhongguncun Software Park Development Co, Ltd is specialized in high tech park development and operation. Its establishment was granted by the Beijing Municipal government. Its three shareholder companies are Beijing Technology Park Construction Group, Beijing Capital Steel, and Beijing Haidian Technology Park. Zhongguncun Software Park Development Co, Ltd was founded on August 7th, 2000 with initial capital of 500 million RMB ($62.5 million USD). Zhongguancun Finland Office is the newest international office for the chain of Zhongguancun Software Parks, following Silicon Valley, Toronto, Tokyo, London, Munich and Sydney offices.
http://www.zpark.com.cn/en/
China-Finland Golden Bridge
China-Finland Golden Bridge Innovation Center helps Chinese hi-tech players in finding innovation and growth possibilities in Finland and the European Union, while helping Finnish hi-tech players connect with the right partners in China. Established in 2010, Golden Bridge is funded by the Ministry of Labor and the Economy and Greater Helsinki Promotion, the inward investment promotion organization for the Greater Helsinki region.
www.goldenbridge.fi
Finpro
Finpro is a global organization building the growth and success of Finnish companies in international markets. We have more than 350 professionals in 68 offices in almost 50 countries. We enable companies to be in the right place at the right time with competitive products, services and concept.
Together with our global network and competitive services, Finpro’s active Foresight work and our internationalization know-how offer Finnish companies excellent tools for developing their own business and competitive strengths. Along with assignments for companies, Finpro runs several major international projects, such as clean technology Cleantech Finland, Future Learning Finland and FinNode.
www.finpro.fi
