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Welcome to Joensuu!
The City of Joensuu and the entire region extend a warm welcome to participants
in the ISTMA conference.
The City of Joensuu was founded by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia in 1848. Today
it is an active centre for the region and for the whole of Eastern Finland.
The Joensuu region is home to over 115,000 inhabitants, of whom approximately
58,000 live in Joensuu itself.
Joensuu is a city for students and young people, with about 20,000 of its inhabitants
either students or schoolchildren. The education level of the population in
this lively university town is one of the highest in Finland. North Karelia
University of Applied Sciences brings its own important investment to the training
profile.
The region’s business and commercial life is buoyant. Many notable firms,
such as John Deere Forestry Oy, Abloy Oy, Kesla Oyj and Exel Oyj are situated
in the region, along with a sizeable group of companies in the plastics, metal,
forest, timber and stone industries. In the production of work tools the Joensuu
region possesses an abundance of expertise and an exceptional number of companies
in this field.
Proximity to the Russian border and the short journey to St Petersburg and
Moscow present the Joensuu region with a significant opportunity for the future.
Flexibility in crossing the border exists in both directions. Transport connections
and other infrastructure are developing strongly on both sides of the border.
Special potential is forecast in exploiting the economic growth and investments
in Western Russia and especially the Barents and St Petersburg regions.
Joensuu is also about amusement, recreation, relaxation and the beauty of its
natural surroundings! We wish you a very enjoyable stay in Joensuu – a
heartfelt welcome!
Mayor Juhani Meriläinen City of Joensuu
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