Mission of the Lot-et-Garonne GPF in Finland

Mission of the Lot-et-Garonne GPF in Finland

Dates: September 9 to 13, 2024

Beneficiaries: group of 30 people made up of members of forestry productivity groups from Lot-et-Garonne and Landes

Objectives: a study mission to gain a better understanding of forestry in Finland, addressing both the scientific research side of birch forestry and the structure of the sector, processing, industry, and marketing of wood. To meet these objectives, a program was coordinated by Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine with the support of Business Finland and Business Joensuu between the regions of Helsinki and Joensuu (the hub of the Finnish forestry industry). The main objective for the group members was to learn more about birch forestry methods and their uses by manufacturers.

Results: Two networking events were organized, enabling group members to meet around 80 people from the ecosystem of the Helsinki and Joensuu regions; a meeting and visit with Finland’s largest forestry cooperative, MetsaWood; One visit to a nature park; one visit to a sawmill; visit to John Deere’s headquarters and forestry equipment manufacturing line; meeting with research stakeholders and the LUKE Institute; meeting with the private forest center.

Next step: in partnership with Business Finland and Business Joensuu, the goal is to put together a delegation for the FOREXPO 2025 tradeshow.