The growing capital of Northern Scandinavia – also in the field of trade

The inhabitants of Oulu possess rapidly increasing purchasing power: it is estimated to grow as much as 50%, or EUR 500 million, by 2025. Moreover, Oulu attracts purchases from the surrounding regions: the net transfer of purchasing power totalled +15% overall and as much as +37% in specialised trade in 2008. The increasing purchasing power calls for increasing service offerings and diverse competencies. Therefore, the development of business settings in the centre of Oulu is a key investment target. The computational need for new commercial premises for retail purposes in the Oulu region by 2030 adds up to 530,000 km2.

Oulu enjoys an excellent location on terms of logistics: flight, rail and harbour connections link it to mainland Europe and the Barents region. Several airlines connect to Oulu with covering schedules. Approximately 600 cargo ships visit the Port of Oulu every year, and the railway connection to Russia is continuously increasing in significance. The capital of Northern Scandinavia, Oulu can also be easily accessed by road.

The increasing importance of e-commerce is understood in Oulu. The VERCCO project by BusinessOulu is creating a hub of expertise that will produce an attractive e-commerce entity to serve northern Scandinavia and north-western Russia.

Trade and services in Oulu

  • Approximately 1,800 corporate sites
  • Nearly 10,000 employees
  • Special focus area: e-commerce

Oulu welcomes tourists

In terms of the number of tourists visiting the city, Oulu is the most significant travel destination in northern Finland. The number of foreign visitors has increased as much as 20% annually. The completion of the Oulu Airport expansion in 2012 will significantly contribute to the development of tourism, as well. In the entire northern Ostrobothnia region, tourism income is expected to increase close to EUR 800 million by 2013.
The tourism development and internationalisation projects implemented in Oulu will attract new investments and operators in the region. In terms of tourism, Oulu comprises a wide region of influence, and the diverse natural resources of the region's nature are easy to access.

Tourism destinations in the Oulu region:

  • Centre of Oulu
  • Nallikari
  • Hailuoto
  • Ii
  • Kiiminkijoki, Koiteli
  • Kierikki Stone Age Centre
  • Liminganlahti
  • Oulujoki
  • Raahe
  • Rokua
  • Syöte
  • Virpiniemi recreation area 

JYRKI KEMPPAINEN
Key Account Director, Trade & Services, Travel and Logictics
tel. 044 499 3296
firstname.lastname@businessoulu.com