Turku welcomes theBusiness Commission

The City of Turku in Southwest Finland will host the annual Business Commission meeting in June. Invitations to the BizCom -network have been sent out and registrations are expected by 5 May.

Last year the meeting was successfully hosted by Tallinn and in 2007 the honour will be Narva's. The two-day meeting in Turku will be chaired by the newly appointed Director of Turku Area Development Centre, Mr Kalle Euro. The TAD Centre is a business development centre aiming to create an environment that promotes dynamic entrepreneurial activities in Turku Region.

Turku is the largest biocluster in Finland and the official programme includes introduction and visit to the Turku Science Park and some of the start-up companies in the BioIncubator. Interesting research results about innovation environment and competitiveness in the Baltic Sea Region will be presented. A closer look will be taken to the renewal of EU Structural Fund and Turku region's new model for public business services. Participating cities will also have the opportunity to give presentations about issues of mutual interest. The white nights of midsummer together with the beautiful archipelago of Turku will give a wonderful setting for sightseeing and an evening cruise.

Prior to the UBC meeting guests are welcome to take part in the events of the European Day of Entrepreneur (EDE) on 14 June. The EDE is an event organised in many European cities initiated by Eurocities in 2002. It aims at promoting entrepreneurship within the European Union. In 2005, Turku's EDE had achieved international renown and was attended by entrepreneurs and decision-makers from Russia, Poland, Germany, the Baltic countries and Denmark. This time, at an international afternoon forum, Turku will introduce its plans to develop the event into Baltic Sea Region -wide co-operation. The EDE closes with an evening party at a fascinating environment with live music and buffet. More information availbale at www.edeturku.fi.

For further information about the programme of the meeting, accommodation and registration (by 5 May) please contact Ms Maarit Tontti, maarit.tontti@turku.fi