One of the tasks of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy is the promotion of foreign investment. On 20 December 2012 the Government approved a decision-in-principle prepared by the Ministry called "Team Finland – Strategy for promoting foreign investment". The strategy is based on the policy programme for the Government of Prime Minister Katainen.
In 2013 foreign investments in Finland accounted for 39.4 per cent of GDP. The average for the European Union was 49.4 per cent. The figures are based on statistics from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The goal of the investment strategy is for Finland to exceed the average EU level in direct foreign investment in terms of proportion of GDP by 2020. Successful acquisition of foreign investments requires a business environment that encourages entrepreneurship, active promotional work through sales and marketing, and a pro-business image of the country. The strategy places a special focus on the changes which strengthen promotion work.
Active means of promoting investment concentrate especially on investments which create economic growth, increase jobs and reinforce Finland's base of knowledge and skills. The sectors that the strategy focuses on are environmental business activities, ICT and the extractive industry. Regionally resources are directed especially at companies in the United States, Russia, and China.
The strategy proposal includes 17 proposals for action, the most important of which are:
intensifying and developing cooperation in the national investment promotion organisation Invest in Finland, which operates through Finpro, together with the Team Finland network operating abroad and with domestic players,
acceleration lane activities.
Other proposed measures are linked with Finland's image as a country, direct foreign investments into growth companies, resources for investment promotion, as well as structure and follow-up.