‘From Immigrant to Entrepreneur’ tour continues in Tampere

Immigrants who have been granted a residence permit are encouraged to become entrepreneurs. The information tour supporting this, entitled ‘From Immigrant to Entrepreneur’, began in May and is continuing in Tampere at the Kauppi reception centre on 14 June 2016. The event will be opened by Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn and the Confederation of Finnish Industries’ Director General, Jyri Häkämies.

“The Finnish Government supports the integration of immigrants as part of Finnish society. Our task is to make sure that unnecessary obstacles to employment and entrepreneurship are removed. The Government’s entrepreneurship package takes specific account of immigrants as well, and it is in everyone’s interests that the skills and expertise of immigrants are harnessed in business,” emphasises Minister Rehn.

The tour is organised by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Confederation of Finnish Industries, the Finnish Enterprise Agencies and the Employment and Economic Development Offices. At the tour events, immigrants are provided with guidance on matters related to entrepreneurship not only by the advisers but also by entrepreneurs of immigrant background.

Encouraging women to be entrepreneurs is key goal

The Kauppi reception centre in Tampere also has women residents, and the event aims to encourage women, too, to become entrepreneurs. The proportion of woman among immigrant entrepreneurs is on the increase. Female entrepreneurs with an immigrant background often work as sole entrepreneurs, especially in the service sectors.

“In Finland, only slightly below one third of immigrant women from the Middle East and Africa are in employment.  From the perspective of integrating women and families, it is imperative that women are also engaged in working life. Entrepreneurship can offer a natural path into Finnish working life,” explains Häkämies.

In Tampere, immigrants will receive guidance from entrepreneurs Midia Burhan, Mustafa Beeik and Alexandr Ivaine, who have already become integrated into Finnish society. In addition, head of development Kaj Heiniö from the Finnish Enterprise Agency in Tampere and service supervisor Kristel Stenman-Huuskonen from the Pirkanmaa Employment and Economic Development Office will explain about setting up as an entrepreneur and the support available.

The tour began on 18 May 2016 at the Auramo reception centre in Vantaa and it will continue in the autumn. The locations will be decided later.

Announcement by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the Confederation of Finnish Industries

Inquiries:

Mikko Räsänen, Adviser, Confederation of Finnish Industries, tel.  +358 040 722 4100

Jari Jokilampi, CEO, Finnish Enterprise Agencies, tel. +358 50 073 1445

Tiina Oinonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. +358 29 504 9295

Kristel Stenman-Huuskonen, Service Supervisor, Pirkanmaa Employment and Economic Development Office, tel. +358 29 504 5765