--- title: "Lappeenranta: The Driving Force Behind Sustainable Development and Innovation" description: Lappeenranta drives sustainable development and innovation, attracting talent and businesses to shape a vibrant future in Eastern Finland. A vision of vitality and prosperity for the region. image: https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/ding2.jpg --- [![Business Lappeenranta ja Imatra (1)](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20Lappeenranta%20ja%20Imatra%20(1).png?width=288&height=90&name=Business%20Lappeenranta%20ja%20Imatra%20(1).png "Business Lappeenranta ja Imatra (1)")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors) Show submenu for Sectors - [Data Economy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/data-economy) - [Hydrogen and P2X](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/hydrogen-and-p2x) - [Defence and Dual-use](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/defence-and-dual-use) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Technology Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/development-testing-and-manufacturing-in-one-business-network) - [Metal Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/manufacturing-expertise-close-to-industrial-supply-chains) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors) Show submenu for Sectors - [Data Economy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/data-economy) - [Hydrogen and P2X](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/hydrogen-and-p2x) - [Defence and Dual-use](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/defence-and-dual-use) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Technology Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/development-testing-and-manufacturing-in-one-business-network) - [Metal Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/manufacturing-expertise-close-to-industrial-supply-chains) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) Haku Hae - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/lappeenranta-the-driving-force-behind-sustainable-development-and-innovation) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/lappeenranta-on-ihmisläheisen-teknologiamaakunnan-veturikaupunki) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/lappeenranta-the-driving-force-behind-sustainable-development-and-innovation) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/lappeenranta-on-ihmisläheisen-teknologiamaakunnan-veturikaupunki) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) Haku Hae ![Lappeenranta: The Driving Force Behind Sustainable Development and Innovation](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/ding2.jpg) # Lappeenranta: The Driving Force Behind Sustainable Development and Innovation Lappeenranta drives sustainable development and innovation, attracting talent and businesses to shape a vibrant future in Eastern Finland. A vision of vitality and prosperity for the region. ## *Share* - [mailto:?&subject=Lappeenranta:%20The%20Driving%20Force%20Behind%20Sustainable%20Development%20and%20Innovation&body=Lappeenranta:%20The%20Driving%20Force%20Behind%20Sustainable%20Development%20and%20Innovation%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fbusinesssouthkarelia.fi%2Fen%2Fnews%2Flappeenranta-the-driving-force-behind-sustainable-development-and-innovation)](mailto:?&subject=Lappeenranta:%20The%20Driving%20Force%20Behind%20Sustainable%20Development%20and%20Innovation&body=Lappeenranta:%20The%20Driving%20Force%20Behind%20Sustainable%20Development%20and%20Innovation%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fbusinesssouthkarelia.fi%2Fen%2Fnews%2Flappeenranta-the-driving-force-behind-sustainable-development-and-innovation)) - - - ***Lappeenranta has a number of attractions, some of which have come as a gift and some of which have taken a lot of work. Saimaa and its archipelago, a rich history between East and West, and hospitality have come unbidden, but expertise and vitality are the result of systematic work.*** **Ding Ma,** The Head of Economic Development in Lappeenranta, Finland cannot remember a time when South-East Finland was known for its traditional forest industry. That is not to say that the wood processing industry does not still exist in the region, but a whole new ecosystem has grown up around it, based on sustainable development and the latest innovations. \- The image of an eastern border periphery is already far from reality," says Ma . \- International Lappeenranta is the **cradle of green electrification** and offers research, education and innovation power on sustainable development themes, while providing the conditions for a smooth life on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Ma sees the change as being driven by the diversification of the business structure and in particular by encouraging entrepreneurship, growth and internationalisation. \- The city ' s role is to create the conditions for entrepreneurship, living and prospering, Ma says . \- Individual successes create a positive atmosphere in the network. In the wake of strong process industry players in the region, a very high quality supply chain has emerged. At the same time, universities focusing on technology and innovation have developed their activities and are producing not only high-quality research but also talented people with the capacity to solve the region's needs - and why not the wider ones? ![ding2](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/ding2.jpg?width=5500&height=3667&name=ding2.jpg)*Ding Man, the City of Lappeenranta's Director of Vitality, envisages Lappeenranta as a driver of vitality in Eastern Finland in 10 years' time.* ## **Vitality is brought by attraction and attraction** Ma believes that when deciding where to locate a business, three things are important: location, location and location. \- In Lappeenranta, instead of the traditional idea of customer clustering, we want to emphasise the importance of talent clustering. The region has talent for both traditional and new industries, as well as solutions to the challenges of sustainable development. In addition, the growing capacity for green energy combined with a well-functioning infrastructure provides good basic elements for a location comparison. The city wants to listen carefully to what entrepreneurs need. It is clear that the main role of public authorities in the business community is to create the conditions for business to thrive, and this is best done by responding quickly. \- The City of Lappeenranta's customer promise to the entrepreneur is a one-stop-shop service and to deal with the entrepreneur's case within two days of contact, says Ma. \- This means that the entrepreneur is not left waiting, but the answer on how and by whom the case will be resolved is given quickly, ideally in a return mail. Differentiation between regions is increasingly important. Lappeenranta will continue to specialise as a pioneer in sustainable development and will involve businesses, universities and local residents in this development. \- We will create sustainable success stories boldly, together and looking ahead, Ma quotes the city's strategy . \- **In 10 years Lappeenranta will be a driving force in eastern Finland, strengthening the vitality of the border region and thus the well-being and security of Finland as a whole** . ## Saattaisit myös pitää ### [![Lappeenranta: The Driving Force Behind Sustainable Development and Innovation](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/2211%20lpr%20kaupunki%20yrityspalvelu4354_lo-res_web-1.jpg) *18.10.2026 | ICT ja datatalous* Visma Solutions Oy:n juuret ovat syvällä Lappeenrannassa](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/visma-solutionsin-menestystarina-lappeenrannassa-ja-sen-arvot?hsLang=en) ### [![Lappeenranta: The Driving Force Behind Sustainable Development and Innovation](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/20260909_131152.jpg) *15.10.2026 | Biotalous* Biotalouden kasvua rakennetaan yhdessä – Lappeenrannan BioHUBI kytkeytyy valtakunnalliseen yhteistyöhön](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/biotalouden-kasvua-rakennetaan-yhdess%C3%A4-lappeenrannan-biohubi-kytkeytyy-valtakunnalliseen-yhteisty%C3%B6h%C3%B6n?hsLang=en) ### [![ETD Finland Oy:n henkilöstö](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/ETD%20Finland%20ryhm%C3%A4kuva.jpg) *12.10.2026 | ICT ja datatalous* ETD Finland rakentaa Lappeenrannasta käsin digitaalisen yhteiskunnan näkymätöntä selkärankaa](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/etd-finland-rakentaa-lappeenrannasta-k%C3%A4sin-digitaalisen-yhteiskunnan-n%C3%A4kym%C3%A4t%C3%B6nt%C3%A4-selk%C3%A4rankaa?hsLang=en) Contact info Helena Laitinen City of Lappeenranta tel. 045 602 0140 helena.laitinen@lappeenranta.fi   Janne Saharinen Imatran Seudun Kehitysyhtiö Oy Puh. 050 584 6294 janne.saharinen@kehy.fi **Sitemap** - [Front page](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/sektorit) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) [![business-lappeenranta-vaalea](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/business-lappeenranta-vaalea.png?width=400&height=200&name=business-lappeenranta-vaalea.png "business-lappeenranta-vaalea")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) [![BIR\_logo\_logo\_oranssi-valkoinen](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Logot/BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen.png?width=153&height=100&name=BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen.png "BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) ![Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Logos/Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR.jpg "Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR") Sivusto on luotu osana "Kotisatama Etelä-Karjalaan - Maakunnallisen sijoittumismyynnin kehittäminen" -hanketta. 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