Oulu Investor Guide for Trade and Tourism

The number of investments is increasing in Northern Scandinavia, the investment boom being especially focused on construction, mining, logistics, energy industry, tourism and the creative sector. A dynamic economic growth enforces a fast-growing future in the commerce and services sector. Oulu’s growth is stronger than ever. Several development projects will bring investment opportunities worth EUR 300-400 million in the Oulu city center area.

The growing international city of Oulu is worth investing in! Oulu is located at the heart of the extensive market area of the Barents Region. Oulu is in the immediate vicinity of Sweden and Norway to the west, and Russia to the east. Total investments of over EUR 100 billion have been planned for Northern Scandinavia and Russia, and in the near future, EUR 15 billion will be invested in areas, such as mining, energy, and construction in Northern Finland alone.

Oulu is surrounded by an international market area that serves circa one million consumers and tourists. Oulu region itself has about 250 000 inhabitants. Thanks to flight connections to a wide variety of destinations, access is easy to the rest of Europe and the metropolises of the world.

Oulu - Capital of Northern Scandinavia

City-center has Received a Modern and Urban FaceliftOulu has invested dozens of millions of euros to make the city-center modern and urban. An investment of EUR 73 million by the City of Oulu will create more than 1,000 jobs and open up opportunities for private investments. The city center of Oulu will soon be entering a new commercial era, as the center will be completely reconstructed. Updating the city plans and rebuilding 8 blocks, as well as new underground parking facilities, will open up major private and public investment opportunities.

Investing in Tourism Oulu trade and tourism will provide plenty of new business opportunities in the near future. There were nearly 600 000 overnight stays in Oulu in 2013. Oulu attracts people to enjoy a vivid cultural and urban life, the summertime sea and the Nallikari sand beaches, take part in several meetings and conferences or visit Oulu as part of their journey in northern Finland or towards the tourism resorts of Lapland. Oulu is well known for its high quality accommodation services, restaurants and other services. Our target is to increase the amount of overnights stays up to one million. A new capacity, for example, several new hotels are needed in Oulu in the upcoming years.

The Logistics Hub OuluServing as a logistics hub in Northern Scandinavia, Oulu provides access to an extensive market area from around the world. Oulu Airport has evolved into an international standard hub. There are several flights a day and trains run around the clock. Diverse international logistics connections promote the growth and success of commercial life.

Oulu is located by the main thoroughfares in Finland. Road connections are good to various parts of Northern Scandinavia, and the extensive railroad network is actively developed to meet the logistics needs of commercial life and tourism. Located on the shore of the Baltic Sea, Oulu also has a busy cargo port.

Highly Educated Young ProfessionalsOulu is a city of young, highly educated professionals, who have top skills – both nationally and globally. Approximately one third of the inhabitants have a university degree and first-rate language skills. The educational opportunities in the area are excellent, from intermediate schools to institutions of higher learning.

Home for Successful BusinessesOulu is a great environment for business, innovation, and development.

Oulu is a great environment for business, innovation, and development. Internationally recognized technological know-how, diverse research and education activities, the proximity of valuable natural resources, a young population, advanced services and a progressive infrastructure make Oulu a great investment location.

Oulu is one of the world’s most significant centers of know-how in wireless and mobile technologies. Now, the top technology developed in Oulu is being successfully used in new markets and industries, including services in Life science - OuluHealth-ecosystem, bio-economy - Cleantech - energy applications, environmental applications – and Creative sectors.

Leading the WayOulu is a center of creativity and special technological know-how. There are hundreds of ICT businesses and research organizations in the region, offering the latest solutions that can also benefit forefront commerce and services.

City CenterRebuilding Plans in 8 Blocks

Updating the city plans of two major blocks in the city center of Oulu (Galleria and Pallas) will open up major private and public investment opportunities. Another six blocks are also in progress. This will create a lively new cluster of housing, offices, commercial premises and other services, with shopping centers and roof gardens. Maintenance and parking facilities will be located underground, which will enable a variety in the street-level design and attractive shopping courtyards within the blocks.

Site in figures:• Constructionperiod:2012–•Landarea:5ha•Floorarea(residential):25,000-floorsq.m•Floorarea(commercial): 50,000 – 100 000 floor sq.m•Residents:500•Jobs:1,200•Source:LaatioArchitectsLtd

Kivisydän Underground Parking for 900 Vehicles

Investment by the City offers a major opportunity for private investments. A modern, spacious and accessible parking facility with 900 spaces will be built in the bedrock deep under the city center of Oulu. Oulun Pysäköinti Oy is developing Kivisydän (‘Heart of Stone’) as a high-quality parking garage, whose functionality, usability and attractiveness is the best that Finland can offer. The facility will have two two-way access ramps. In addition to parking spaces, the facility will have a maintenance access way, maintenance facilities for the city blocks above, and a civil defense shelter. An investment of EUR 73 million by the City of Oulu will create more than 1,000 jobs and open up opportunities for private investments totaling EUR 300 million. Construction is scheduled to start in February 2012, with the selection of the contractor, and the facility is scheduled for completion at the beginning of 2015.

Site in figures:•Constructionperiod:2012-2014•Landarea:140000sq.m•900parkingspaces•Air-raidshelter3000sq.m•Source:ARKDESIGN,Arkkitehtuuritoimisto JuhaPaldaniusOy

Oulu Airport Flight Hub of Northern Scandinavia

Oulu Airport has evolved into an international standard hub.Several international airlines operate from Oulu. With the completion of the expansion of Oulu Airport, the number of direct international flight connections and, thereby, passengers will increase further. A flight to Oulu from Helsinki, the capital of Finland, takes no longer than an hour. There are several flights a day and trains run around the clock.

Site in figures:•Location:15kmsouthofthecitycenter•Newterminalopened9/2011•Floorarea:6450sq.m•Passengers2012:1million•Gates:17•Gatetubes:4•Source:ArkkitehtitoimistoA-KonsultitOy

Nallikari Recreation and Tourism Area

Located in Hietasaari, which is only a few minutes away from the center of Oulu. Nallikari is especially famous for its beautiful beach area. The general development plan includes investments worth upto100millioneuros.Investmentexamplesare:ThemePark,anentertainment and leisure activity center alongside the Eden Hotel and Spa, a new hotel and a holiday village. There are activities for visitors all year round.

Site in figures:•Constructionperiod:2012–•Location:4kmnorthwestofthe city center• Landarea:100haanda1kmlong sandy beach•Floorarea:about20,000floorsq.m NewFloorarea:40,000floorsq.m•Beds:over600(tobedoubledby2025)• HotelandSpa,HolidayVillage, Conference Center, Sport Facilities•Source:LinjaArchitectsLtd

Toppilansalmi Waterfront Nautical Living

Ranta-Toppila – A modern application of the traditionalFinnish wood-built town. A residential district, smaller in scale than the existing Meri-Toppila high-rise district but complementing it, is being planned for the Ranta-Toppila area, adjacent to the small craft marina being built. In addition to the marina and water sports center, a marine center providing cultural experiences from boat building to summer theatre and concerts will be built. Ranta-Toppila will link Meri-Toppila more closely to the waterfront and the services of the city center.

Site in figures:•Constructionperiod:2015–•Location:4kmnorthwestofthe city center•Landarea:25ha•Floorarea(residential):40,000 floor sq.m•Residents:1,000•Marinecenter:5,000floorsq.m•Source:M3ArchitectsLtd

Land uplift compensates for effects of global warming at Toppilansalmi. The former harbor area of Oulu is being developed into a high-rise residential district, adjacent to the romantic villas on the sea shore. With good transport connections to the city center, Toppilansalmi became nationally known as the site of the housing fair in 2005, and it is rapidly growing into a modern city district with a wide range of services. The shore area of the inlet is being developed as an urban waterfront with high environmental values, plenty of activities and planned for pedestrians and cyclists. A maritime flavor is lent by recreational services, the marina capable of accommodating cruisers, a marine hobby center and even a boat-building facility. The buildings dating from the time of the harbor will be preserved. The centrally located park will diversify the environmental profile of the district, providing an original touch.

Toppilansalmi Waterfront Nautical Living

Site in figures:•Constructionperiod:2010-•Location:3kmnorthwestofthe city center•Landarea:44ha•Floorarea(residential):216,000 floor sq.m•Floorarea(commercial):44,000 floor sq.m•Residents:5,400•Jobs:600•Source:M3ArchitectsLtd

The fastest growing of the Finnish cities, Oulu has purchasing power and demand for a wide va-riety of services. The Oulu area has, approximately, 250,000 inhabitants, with another 250,000 people living less than an hour away from the city. The population of Oulu is estimated to increase steadily to more than 280,000 people over the next 20 years.

A young and growing population with purchasing power generates a strong commercial life

Oulu is an active, youthful city that looks boldly forward. The average age of the city’s highly educated popula-tion is only 36 years. Since, approximately, one third of theresidentsofOuluareagedbetween25and44years,Oulu will also have plenty of purchasing power and skilled professionals in the future.

Oulu is a regional commercial center. It has been esti-mated that by 2030, the purchasing power in Oulu will have risen by, approximately, EUR 855 million, to a total of EUR 2 billion. The development of purchasing power is, naturally, linked to the development of the population and of private consumption.

The number of households in the Oulu area is a little over 105,000. The income of the households has risen steadily over the last 15 years, and at the end of 2012, the average income in Oulu was over EUR 31,000. This is higher than the national average, and it has been higher for twenty years.

In addition, the turnover of trade, as well as the turnover of accommodation and catering, is higher than the na-tional average. Business as a whole is doing well in Oulu – and we have affluent investment opportunities for you!

The Age Distribution in Oulu Area 1.1.2013The Whole Population 235 2680-6 25 0747-14 24 62215-24 33 58225-44 65 85045-64 55 80365-74 17 34475-84 9 74285- 3 251

The prediction of population in Oulu and its’ catchment areaYear Oulu

Region2010 228 7042015 244 8102020 257 8912025 268 1802030 276 2872035 282 7042040 287 870Change 2010-2030 (%) 21Change 2010-2040 (%) 26

Households in Oulu Area (2012) 106 099Average Size of Households in Oulu area (2012)

2,2The Population in Northern Finland (31.12.2012)Central Ostrobothnia, Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and Lapland

732 809

Turnover of Trade in Oulu Region and in Finland

802005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

90

100

110

120

Oulu RegionFinland

Oulu RegionFinland

Turnover of Accommodation and Catering in Oulu Region and in Finland

80

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

90

100

110

120

Households Income in Oulu Region and in Finland (Disposable Income per Household, Median, €) 1995-2012

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 201223 000

24 000

25 000

26 000

27 000

28 000

29 000

30 000

31 000

32 000 Oulu Region

Finland

Further InformationWhether you are a private person or a representative of a company or an organisation, do not hesitate to contact BusinessOulu to learn more about investment and business opportunities in Oulu. Our services are free, and we guarantee confidentiality for all your communications.

Jyrki KemppainenKey Account Director, Trade & Services, Travel and LogicticsBusinessOuluMobile: +358 44 499 3296jyrki.kemppainen@businessoulu.comwww.businessoulu.com

Pauliina Pikkujämsä Marketing ManagerBusinessOuluMobile: +358 40 743 4362pauliina.pikkujamsa@businessoulu.comwww.businessoulu.com