Collaboration with Russia intensifies in the field of construction
On behalf of Russia, the memorandum was signed by the deputy minister for construction, housing and local government finances Juri Reiljan and on behalf of Finland, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy Jari Gustafsson.
In addition, Rakennustuoteteollisuus RTT ry and the Russian national confederation of producers of construction materials also signed a collaboration agreement at the same time.
Deputy minister Juri Reiljan and his delegation is visiting Finland on 3–4 December. During their visit, they will also be introduced to e.g. the REDI construction site at Kalasatama, the Konepaja housing project in Vallila and Alppila as well as the Loiste housing project in Herttoniemi.
Collaboration projects and better exchange of information
The Memorandum of Understanding creates a framework for more extensive collaboration between Finland and Russia in housing construction, redevelopment and renovation as well as building design. The more precise themes in the collaboration identified by the countries were e.g. energy efficiency, quality of indoor air, effects on the environment during life cycle and material efficiency.
'Especially implementing joint development projects aiming at improved energy efficiency of the existing building stock would bring the desired, more extensive saving in energy consumption in both countries,' says Juhani Luhanka, CEO at Rakennustuoteteollisuus RTT ry.
In practice this collaboration will be visible as for example new partnerships and collaboration projects between research institutes in both countries, and as more extensive exchange of information and experiences especially at municipal and regional level. Within the framework of the memorandum, the countries also aim to identify structural and economic obstacles that complicate efficient and economical construction in accordance with current requirements as well as to draw up suggestions to overcome those obstacles.
As the next step, Finland and Russia will establish a cooperation group, which will draw up a collaboration programme to implement the goals set in the memorandum as well as a more detailed plan for measures to be taken in practice. The working group invites representatives of central government and business as well as research and education institutions from both countries to join its operation and will report the plans and results to the economic commission of the Finnish and Russian governments.
More information
Teppo Lehtinen, Senior Construction Adviser, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 295 250 157
Juha Luhanka, CEO, Rakennustuoteteollisuus RTT, tel. +358 9 129 9302