Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2013 | Page 52

Rebound City
Kouvola is reinventing itself via trade,
logistics and a wave of new construction

Rooted on strong industrial expertise, Kouvola Region is driven by an innovative mindset
and its excellent location near both Helsinki and St. Petersburg. Presently, there are plenty of
exciting things going on in the dynamic region.

T

alking with Asko Pesonen, Managing
Director for economic development
company Kouvola Innovation (Kinno),
one is quickly convinced that the region is
especially well connected. Located in SouthEast Finland, it takes little over one hour to
get to Helsinki by train, and two hours if
you’re heading to St. Petersburg. Kouvola’s excellent location along the main roads
6, 12 and 15 makes the city the leading dry
50 Nordicum

harbour in the land, catering to the needs
of the major export ports of South Finland.
In the past, Kouvola’s position as the
number one railway hub in the land has
served it well. Pesonen believes that developing railway logistics will be a key factor in the future, too. According to plans,
goods from all over North Europe could be
organised here, before they leave the European Union and enter Russia. The tracks

keep going all the way to China, which is
another alluring prospect. “We have the capability to serve as a very effective railway
corridor,” Pesonen says.

Ready to Play
Kouvola stands poised to take advantage of
the emerging opportunities. In the Kouvola logistics centre area, there are terminals