Eastern Finland expected to receive special economic zone next week

Eastern Finland could be designated a special economic zone as early as next week, according to investigator Harri Broman, who spoke at a border region forum in Parikkala on Friday. The decision will be made during the government’s upcoming budget framework session, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Broman, who has proposed establishing the zone covering the Imatra region and Kajaani, expressed confidence in a positive outcome. “I sincerely believe the decision will be favourable,” he said, though he could not specify the exact form the zone might take. The framework session represents the final opportunity to approve the pilot project during the current government term.

The proposed zone aims to attract both domestic and foreign investment to boost regional vitality. Broman emphasised that the initiative should be business-driven and could later expand to include other border municipalities. “The goal is to bring investments that will inevitably strengthen the region’s economic activity,” he stated.

Meanwhile, 14 municipalities along Finland’s eastern border—including Imatra, Lappeenranta, Kuhmo, and Inari—plan to form a new association to advocate for border region interests. The group, which met at the Rajafoorum event, is also developing projects related to comprehensive security. Additional members include Kitee, Kuusamo, Lieksa, Parikkala, Rautjärvi, Ruokolahti, Salla, Sodankylä, Suomussalmi, and Tohmajärvi.

Broman clarified that his proposal did not consider municipal or regional boundaries, focusing instead on economic potential. If approved, the special economic zone could serve as a model for broader border region development.