Imatra businesses quietly prepare for possible reopening of Russian border

Some entrepreneurs in the Finnish border city of Imatra are already making preparations for the potential reopening of the eastern border crossing with Russia, despite no official signals from authorities, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The city’s mayor, Matias Hilden, confirms that while the Finnish government has not indicated any plans to lift the border closure imposed in December 2023, certain businesses are quietly gearing up for a possible shift. The preparations remain largely conceptual, however, as the Chamber of Commerce emphasizes that business strategies cannot be built on speculation alone.

For years before the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian tourists were a vital part of Imatra’s economy. Weekend busloads of shoppers and visitors frequented local services, while Finnish paper industry products were exported by rail through the Pelkola terminal. The border crossing, located just six kilometers from Imatra’s city center, has since fallen silent, leading to closures of many specialty shops deemed unprofitable in the new reality.

Mika Peltonen, CEO of the South Karelia Chamber of Commerce, acknowledges that while optimism is natural for businesses, concrete planning requires stability. “A reopening would only become possible if the security situation changes, the war ends, sanctions are lifted, and trust in Russia is restored,” he notes, adding that the timeline remains impossible to predict.

Local entrepreneur and city councilor Emilio Urpalainen describes the preparations as primarily mental. Businesses in tourism, hospitality, retail, and dining are monitoring geopolitical developments closely but refrain from major investments. “We’re ready to react quickly if the opportunity arises, though few genuinely expect it to happen in the near future,” Urpalainen says.

Some believe pent-up demand may exist in Russia for Finnish products, cleanliness, and nearby travel destinations—though current substitutes from other markets could dampen immediate enthusiasm. Meanwhile, South Karelia’s export businesses have long diversified away from Russia, improving strategic resilience.

Mayor Hilden declines to specify which companies are preparing, citing his role in municipal land ownership, zoning, or permitting processes. Yet the quiet discussions reflect lingering hope among some that Imatra’s once-thriving cross-border trade might one day return.