Finland is the wildcard of European tourism - well away from run-of-the-mill itineraries and with an abundance of natural attractions. Relatively few travellers from China make it to Helsinki and beyond - around 135,000 per year from the mainland and Hong Kong, according to recent statistics. 

Finland lies partly in the Arctic Circle and is the coldest country in the European Union (EU). So power, and likewise heating, is more than just a mere necessity - it's absolutely vital to maintain the country's high economic and social standards.

A "hidden gem", Tampere may not be highly recognised outside the Nordic region despite being Finland's fastest-developing city - but not for long. With the Tampere Region Economic Development Agency (TREDEA) at the helm, Tampere reinforces its commitment to attract global investments and tourists.

Founded on a rich industrial history spanning more than 200 years, Valmet was reborn through the demerger of Metso's paper, pulp and power businesses in 2013. Through time and across economic movements, Valmet's commitment to developing fit-for-purpose and value-adding solutions remains unchanging.

China's 12th five-year plan, which calls for infrastructure and industrial upgrades, presents opportunities for hi-tech tube and pipe fabrication machinery manufacturers such as T-Drill. Trailblazing since the 1970s, its patented T-Drill method - a way of branching tubes and pipes more quickly and cost-efficiently without expensive T-fittings - has become a worldwide success.

Responding to the rapidly growing demand for high-quality stone blocks worldwide, the leading Finnish granite producer, TG Granit, is expanding its product offering to include more colours and one-of-a-kind varieties. 

Start-ups make their elevator pitch in an ice hole cut through the Oulujoki river during Oulu's annual Polar Bear Pitching event in February. Despite the freezing temperature, investors flock to the event because Oulu is at the front end of hi-tech with robust developments on the "internet of things" (IoT) and the fifth generation of wireless communications (5G). 

Before online streaming media became a trend, Hibox Systems already made its mark as a pioneer of internet TV. In 2004, the Finnish company's founders combined their skills in information technology and engineering to build an internet protocol television (IPTV) system middleware purchased by a rapidly growing Finnish hotel chain. Since then, Hibox has evolved into a global provider of advanced integrated turnkey information and entertainment solutions for clients in the hospitality, residential and telecommunications sectors.

Goran Sundholm, a multiawarded entrepreneur recognised in 2002 for the highest number of patents in Finland, speaks of his inventions in plain terms. He jokingly describes the MetroTaifun system as a big vacuum cleaner and Elsi Smart Floor as a big touchpad. The two are products of MariGroup, where Sundholm is CEO and chairman of the board. 

Rakastu arkeen is a famous Finnish saying that exhorts people to fall in love with everyday life, and Martinex makes this possible by designing delightful and functional items for customers of all ages. As one of Finland's leading producers and wholesalers of household goods, textiles, toys and games, Martinex makes everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

How can content, technology and teaching combine to help each pupil to reach full potential? "Amid today's technologies, the killer app in education is still the teacher," says John Martin, CEO of Sanoma Learning - market leader in some of the world's best-performing education systems and frontrunner in digital transformation.

The mark of a true businessman lies not in his products nor place of trade, but in his passion to fulfil customers' needs and in pursuit of such. For Karkkainen - one of Finland's largest privately owned shopping centres - the pursuit started with a truck, an aspiring entrepreneur and an open road.

With strong demographic trends and a solid economic environment, the Nordic region boasts the fastest-growing cities in Europe. The region's capitals - Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki - are ranked first, second and fourth among the fastest-growing cities in Europe and are prime locations for international investors and retailers. 

As China moves towards infrastructure investments for sustainable economic growth, the award-winning Finnish company Visedo promises the latest in new energy vehicle technologies. 

Leading global manufacturing subcontractor Fortaco Group is reshaping the way industries produce heavy equipment. Covering the whole value chain from design and prototyping to testing and life-cycle support, the company gives original equipment manufacturers an opportunity to consolidate their supplier base and focus more on their core businesses.

To maximise overall sales, retailers and suppliers must have a mix of products that answers to shoppers' needs and demands in every store location. Analyse2 Assortment Planning solution does the process with ease and accuracy. The solution taps into a retailer's process to organise data, revealing shoppers' preferences and behaviour. It then advises on the best combination of products to put on the store shelves.

When forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgren could not find logging machines that measured up to his standards, he created his own under the Ponsse brand. After almost 45 years, the company today maintains the passion for creating some of the best mechanised heavy equipment for cut-to-length (CTL) logging. As opposed to transporting whole trees to sawmills, CTL is a highly mechanical and efficient harvesting method that cuts the trees on site into specific order sizes. 

At daybreak, a contractor pulls up a map on his smartphone to see how his fleet of harvester machines are doing in the forest in real time. He can schedule maintenance, send size orders for logs, and view efficiency and production reports at the touch of a button. On the heavy equipment, an on-board computer relays size orders to sensors that guide the machine on how to cut the trees. 

More than its international experience and customer-oriented approach, Finnish company Hydroll attributes its success as a global supplier of high-quality, piston-type hydraulic accumulators to its singular focus. "Integral to our growth is our unique positioning, being the only company in the world purely specialising in piston accumulator technology," says Ilpo Honkanen, managing director. "Tapping our industry-leading expertise, we aim to better educate the market about the many user benefits of piston accumulators over bladder accumulators and other traditional accumulator solutions."

With a passion for better energy, inductive product solutions provider Trafotek focuses on improving the quality of electricity, promoting energy efficiency and applying renewable resources. The company produces reactors and electrical filters for industrial automation and renewable energy applications, and power transformers for marine and offshore industries.

Celebrating 70 years of expertise in high-quality pumps and electric motors, leading Finnish pump manufacturer Kolmeks is laying the groundwork for a China-led international expansion. With infrastructure on the rise in China and Asia-Pacific, the company has opened two sales offices in Beijing and Shenyang, in addition to its Shanghai branch, in a bid to become an established pump supplier on the mainland.

For more than 130 years, Finnish consumers and businesses alike have enjoyed access to a variety of global brands such as Clarins, Sensai, Adidas, Omron, Kikkoman and Mitsubishi, thanks to Berner. Positioning itself as a gateway to Finland, Berner aims to expand its extensive brand portfolio through partnerships with more international companies carrying products that appeal to Finnish tastes.

Agility has become an essential attribute in overcoming challenges in a manufacturer's sourcing processes. With products today coming from a growing global network of suppliers, companies must be nimble to quickly meet quotas and fast-changing market demands.

With about US$300 billion worth of rail infrastructure put up in China alone since 2011, the mainland is a huge market for noise-barrier assemblies that raise the sustainability quotient of railways, especially goods and high-speed trains. 

As a pioneering manufacturer of dental imaging units, SOREDEX has come a long way since introducing the first high-frequency dental X-ray unit with a DC generator to the market in 1977. For almost 40 years, SOREDEX has ceaselessly developed reliable, innovative and user-friendly imaging solutions for dental professionals worldwide. 

With its diverse range of niche ferroalloy and speciality alloy products, Finnish mining company Afarak Group is primed to become a major player in the global chrome market. "Our competitive advantage lies within our ability to focus on specialities," says Michael Lillja, executive director. "This unique ability sets Afarak Group apart from every other producer of ferrochrome."

Weighing plays an integral part in business, and when massive amounts are involved, accuracy becomes even more crucial. As an industry heavyweight, Tamtron Group has more than 40 years of experience in pioneering the development of digital heavy weighing, mobile weighing and life-cycle servicing systems. The systems are crucial to industries such as mining, construction, railways, and pulp and paper.

The anticipated change in the Arctic climate opens alternative sea trade routes from Asia to Europe. Likewise, Polar Logistics, one of Europe's leading providers of logistics, transport and forwarding solutions, foresees opportunities to reinforce and expand market borders.

Rapid industrialisation comes with a hefty price tag: rising toxic waste levels that pose serious health risks. Crucial in the fight against pollution, Dekati provides fine particle measurement and sampling instruments that promote accountability and help companies fulfil their civic duties in policing air emissions.