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Heinäkuussa 2002 kävelin ensimmäistä kertaa sisään Konsulttitoimisto Seppo Hoffrénille. Edessä haastattelu myyntikoordinaattorin tehtävään. En oikein tiennyt mitä se tarkoittaa, mutta olin hakenut ja nyt menin kuuntelemaan tarkemmin. Tapasin Sepon itsensä ja jutustelimme tehtävästä.

I would like to reflect on how business life is resurging from the Covid-19 pandemic. My reflection focuses on trade exhibitions. In 2021, “live” trade fairs in Spain received 3.79 million visitors, 200% more than in the previous 2020 Covid-19 pandemic year.

As the coronavirus is losing its strength, the Russian economy is rising. Not only has the Russian economy declined by 3.1 % -- less than the world average -- it is also recovering faster than expected. Globally, the country is following worldwide trends to reduce carbon footprints and working to speed the adoption of electric vehicles. Domestically, the government is trying to solve specifically Russian problems. Among them: curbing raw timber exportation in order to boost the timber processing industry, which has been a significant challenge for many decades.

Times are tough and this is no mere British under-statement. As we are all too acutely aware of, there have been real lows across all spheres of life (business, social, political, economic) as a result of lockdown measures. However, allow me to shed some light on the business highs.

This is the first winter we decided not coming back to the city apartment from our village cottage 60 km from the capital. Forthcoming holiday lockdown starting right after the Orthodox Christmas on the 7th of January played a big role in this decision – no concerts and performances to attend, no strolling on Xmas markets, no visits to favourite restaurants – what’s the reason of moving to the city with six pets?

The German health system is facing enormous challenges. In addition to demographic and societal trends as well as changes in the spectrum of diseases that severely threaten the guarantee of the financing of the health care system.

When it comes to Russia, Moscow and St-Petersburg seems to be places, which rank first on the priority list. Yet Russia is much bigger. It boasts many other areas which can be similarly attractive and promising for doing business. One of such areas is Krasnodar region.

The wages actually paid in the East, even 28 years after the end of the state separation, are only 82 percent of the West's level.

Ukraine knows how to astonish the world: recent presidential election brought as the winner young comedian with no party affiliation neither political experience and whose presidential campaign was entirely virtual

There are always areas that are lucrative for investments and expansion. As long as you are aware of the current social-economic situation in the market of your interest.

Manufacturers of cheese are not satisfied with the quality and availability of the main ingredient - fresh milk.

There is a tendency to categorize people of specific geographical origin into cultural groups – for example Scandinavians/Nordics as one, Mediterranean countries as another.

In Germany, punctuality is expected, but in Spain, for example, one quarter of an hour late is still on time.

The sector of manufacturing electronic and electrical equipment is one of the fastest growing industries in Estonia.

It is common knowledge that stable trusting relationships with partners are of crucial importance in conducting business. How can you find a company or a person with whom you can set up and develop business in another country?

This year, 2017, is a significant one for both Finland and Russia: Finland celebrates 100 years of independence, and Russia - of the October revolution. It is not much of celebration in Russia though, but an important historical date.

The Baltic States, i.e. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are doing pretty well economically. According to Eurostat, GDP growth in Q1/2017 was 4% in Estonia, 4% in Latvia and 4.1% in Lithuania compared to the same period in 2016.

2015 Russia produced, for the first time, more cereal crops than the United States. Russian farmers still struggle with the production of vegetables and milk.

There are several large infrastructure projects that inject optimism into the forecast.

The municipal authorities in Moscow have an ambitious plan to make the city tourist-friendly and to improve the quality of life for ordinary Muscovites.