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THE ÅLAND ISLANDS AND THE ÅLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Åland Chamber of Commerce wishes you welcome to Åland - the autonomous "Finland Swedish" region of 6.500 islands - and to the Chamber of Commerce - the Worlds oldest and biggest network for business and trading. We are happy to help with information on economy or trading, adequate advising, general consulting or physical establishing. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information. E-mail: info[at]chamber[dot]ax.
Åland Chamber of Commerce, Torggatan 5, AX-22 100 Mariehamn, Åland/Finland. +358 18 29 029
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The Chambers of Commerce
The Chambers of Commerce make the world’s oldest and greatest network for commerce, industry and entrepreneurship. The world’s first Chamber of Commerce was established in Marseilles in France in 1599. At present, a network of 12.000 Chambers of Commerce covers nearly all countries. In Finland there are nineteen independent regional Chambers of Commerce. The Chambers of Commerce in Finland have over 16.000 companies or organizations as their members, representing all the fields and branches of trade and industry. Most of the members are small or medium-sized enterprises. Companies have the opportunity to influence their business environment in the committees of Chambers of Commerce. The Finland International Chamber of Commerce, ICC, is located in the World Trade Centre in Helsinki.
Activities of the Chambers of Commerce
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Newsletter or journal for members
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Expert and up-to-date training
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Legal advice
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Export documents
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Authorization and supervision of HTM auditors
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Payroll file and Book-keeping file
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Regional projects
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Promotion of business interests in different regions
The Åland Chamber of Commerce
The Åland Chamber of Commerce is one of Finland's 19 regional chambers. The local chamber has approximately 300 registered members and three employees (see staff). We help businesses succeed in Åland, in Finland and in international markets. We try to influence legislation, taxation and economic policy in order to help build a healthy business environment. The Åland Chamber of Commerce gives expert advice and guidelines, and supervises Auditing, Goods Inspection and Property Valuation in Åland. We also give general information and member services, help starting up new companies and run EU projects. Our vision is a prosperous Åland and Finland and an EU which offers its citizens the best possible living environment.
- Åland Chamber of Commerce, Torggatan 5, AX-22100 Mariehamn, +358(0)1829029, e-mail -
General information about The Åland Islands
The Åland Islands, consisting of over 6.500 islands, are located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, between Sweden capital Stockholm and Finland capital Helsinki. The Åland Islands make a Swedish speaking, autonomous region belonging to Finland. The autonomy gives a large degree of own legislative powers, official flag, stamps and so on. The currency is Euro. The population is 27.000, of which 11.000 in the City of Mariehamn, and increasing from positive net migration and excess of births. Approximately 92 percent of the population has Swedish as their mother of tongue, five percent Finnish and three percent other languages. Almost everyone knows English and service is often available in other languages as well.
Information about Åland business
Åland has about 2.000 registered companies, of which 30 percent in trade and tourism, 20 percent in construction, 17 percent in the finance sector and about 10 percent in manufacturing and transport respectively. The most important business is shipping, making up one third of the regional gross domestic product. Also banking and insurances make important business. The total GDP is equivalent of 35.000 EUR per capita (compared to 28.000 EUR per capita in Finland and in Sweden). Due to its location in between two great capital city areas, and the frequent ferry services, Åland is the perfect site for establishing businesses with focus on the Scandinavian region. Enquiries welcome.
Information about Ålandic special legislations
The Åland autonomy with its own legislative powers and exceptions from common EU right is meant as a minority protection. In the Åland Islands there is a limitation in the right to own or be in possession of real property and to run businesses, introduced to ensure that the land and the business control would remain in the hands of the local population. It does not prevent people from settling in or trading with the Åland Islands. Immigrants who have lived in Åland for five years and have an adequate knowledge of Swedish may apply for the status. The Åland Government can, occasionally, grant exemptions from the requirement of right of domicile for those wishing to acquire real property or conduct a business in Åland. The Åland Islands are a member of the European Union but not part of their tax union. This gives possibility for Tax Free shopping, but also causes some special arrangements in trading matters. See instructions below.
Instructions for trading with The Åland Islands
Since the autonomous Åland is a member of The EU and the customs union, but not included in the tax union, the Åland Islands shall be considered as a third country in EU trade matters. Therefore Tax Free sales are still allowed at trips between Åland and EU countries, but there are also some other special legislations and arrangements concerning indirect taxation in the trade between EU countries and The Åland Islands. Please see instructions below (PDF in different languages):
Åland in brief / in Kürze / en Bref / pähkinkuoressa / kort & gott / other
Travel to The Åland Islands
The Åland Islands are always worth paying a visit to. Please check the links below:
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