Building Trust Is the Most Important Growth Investment for Finland’s Economy

Finland’s economy is finally showing signs of a turning point, but favorable figures alone will not restart growth, the writer argues. Companies must feel confident enough to invest, hire workers and take risks.

The opinion piece says prolonged discussion about barriers to growth could itself reinforce caution and economic gloom. Finnish households have maintained a high savings rate, and deposits have reached historically high levels, according to figures from the Bank of Finland. Strong investment returns in recent years have also increased the capital held by institutional investors.

The writer argues that the money exists, but domestic demand needs to be unlocked. Consumer confidence remains low, although the situation has begun to ease. Senior salaried employees and entrepreneurs have particularly improved their views of the economic situation. Entrepreneurs often make decisions about the future before a turnaround appears clearly in official statistics, the piece says.

Confidence, the writer adds, is more than a mood. It affects investment, consumption and employment. Entrepreneurs risk their own livelihoods when they expand, and their decisions can create new economic activity and jobs.

The piece calls for a clear and predictable outlook for businesses. It says policymakers should maintain a responsible, consistent line, warning that tax reversals and abandoning previously made decisions would harm growth. Entrepreneurial confidence, it concludes, comes from concrete action, predictability and the belief that Finland remains a place where people can invest and build businesses.