Finland eyes construction orders in Arkhangelsk

The Arkhangelsk regional administration last week hosted negotiations with a delegation from the Finnish Oulu Province. High on the agenda was wooden house building. Both parties presented their possibilities for cooperation in the sector. The Finnish delegation shared their know-how and the Russian part told about its construction capacities. The need for cooperation was quite clear for all the participants. There are currently 30 mln m2 of housing altogether in Arkhangelsk Oblast, 2.5 mln of which are dilapidated and even hazardous for residents Vice Government on Infrastructural Development Vladimir Voikov said the meeting marks the start of an initial phase of collaboration within wooden housebuilding. -I will be very happy to resume our negotiations on wooden house building in Arkhangelsk Oblast, said Oulo Governor Eino Siuruainen. -We now need to define the interest and goals of each party, he added. The Russian-Finnish talks about cooperation within housing construction started when the regional representatives met late last fall. -You need to find the best price-quality ratio. The housing should really be affordable, stressed Mr. Siuruainen. — Finally, he expressed hope that further negotiations will a successful and that in the nearest future the practical part of cooperation will start.