CIFIT outreach brings Chinese investor delegations to Tampere

China Week activities in September, including participation at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen and follow-up events in Shanghai, produced concrete two-way business opportunities for the Tampere region, Business Tampere said.

The delegation at CIFIT joined a Finnish business mission led by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto. Business Tampere was represented by CEO Harri Ojala and Senior Business Advisor Yi Tang. Finland’s role as one of the Guest Countries of Honour at CIFIT raised the profile of Finnish and Tampere-region companies among Chinese investors and media.

Several specific leads emerged from the trip. A leading Chinese electrification company plans to visit Tampere in mid-October to explore the local ecosystem and possible cooperation, and a separate delegation of Shanghai companies, including representatives from a major Shanghai-based healthcare group, is expected during Slush Week 2026. Battery technology and robotics were singled out as areas of growing interest, echoing earlier coverage of the Nordic Battery Summit's focus on battery technologies in Tampere the Nordic Battery Summit coverage. Interest is growing.

To help local firms pursue those opportunities, support will be channelled through Leap4Growth, a project that assists Tampere-region SMEs exploring the Greater Bay Area. The programme offers market insights, partner identification and practical development support so companies can test commercial fit before committing to larger investments. Leap4Growth previously mapped market-entry pathways for Tampere SMEs to the Greater Bay Area the Leap4Growth mapping.

Officials said strengthening those links should expand Tampere’s international visibility and open new growth paths for regional companies.