Insight into target markets and geopolitics

Does your company need up-to-date information on market conditions and opportunities or factors affecting business? Do you want to gain a better understanding of the effects of the geopolitical situation and the international operating environment on your business activities? The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad produce and compile market information, analyses and insights into the target market’s conditions, regulatory environment and current opportunities for the use by Finnish companies.

Current target market conditions and environment 

Our missions abroad provide Finnish companies with country-specific information and up-to-date insight into the current market conditions. The missions will also give you informal coaching geared to the specific needs of your company.  

Our network of missions monitors the market conditions in the host countries and identifies current market opportunities. The information gained is available to companies in the Team Finland Market Opportunities service, which contains country outlooks and information about concrete market opportunities and sales leads. Representatives of all companies with a Finnish business identity code may register and log into the service. 

Companies may also contact a Finnish mission directly to inquire about a target country’s business culture and practices.  

Geopolitics and political risks 

Geopolitical tensions, international relations and political stability directly affect the operating environment for companies on many markets. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs monitors and analyses developments in the international operating environment and the associated risks from the perspective of business activities. Companies may ask for general market reports and up-to-date assessments, inquire about open sessions and Team Finland events or agree on a meeting with the Foreign Ministry's Trade Promotion Services or with its missions in the target countries. 

Market access challenges and trade barriers 

Companies may encounter various barriers to entry into a target market, such as challenges related to customs procedures, technical regulations, acceptance procedures or regulations and official practices that discriminate against foreign companies. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad monitor trade barriers affecting the operating environment for companies and raise these challenges in appropriate influencing channels. 

Finland engages directly with public authorities in target countries and through the EU to influence the conditions for market access. Our advocacy is based on information that companies provide on market challenges and how these challenges affect their business operations. Companies may report a trade barrier on the contact request form (Select: International Operations – Market access barriers and Development cooperation financing).