Finnvera launches shopping line financing to enhance Finnish exports – A new credit structure directs procurement towards Finnish export industry

As global competition intensifies, the continuous development of export finance is becoming increasingly critical. In recent years, Finnvera has introduced more proactive instruments to promote exports. At the beginning of 2026, Finnvera launched a financing limit known internationally as shopping line financing. Under the structure, a foreign buyer can obtain credit from Finnvera by committing to make purchases from Finland in line with a procurement plan developed together with Finnvera. A key condition is that the buyer sources from several Finnish suppliers and, in particular, from suppliers that are not regularly utilising Finnvera services. The objective is to broaden foreign buyers’ interest in the potential of Finnish export industries and expand Finnish companies’ access to international markets.

The financing limit is called the Procurement Facility. Within the concept the foreign buyer commits to using 20–50 per cent of the credit granted by Finnvera for purchases from Finnish export companies. The exact share is determined case-by-case and depends, among other factors, on how many Finnish suppliers the buyer engages. If the amount of purchases from Finland increases, the credit amount may also be expanded over time. According to Jussi Haarasilta, Executive Vice President at Finnvera, many countries have their own versions of this type of financing solution, thus Finnvera has developed a concept that is a significant initiative among export credit agencies.

“We are actively seeking new commercial opportunities for Finnish exporters through financing solutions. Our aim is to increase trade with Finnish companies, grow exports from Finland and expand the number of Finnish exporters. Through this financing, we are targeting large buyers, such as financially strong European corporates operating in global markets. The structure is flexible, but part of the financing is always tied to Finnish deliveries. Compared with other European export credit agencies, our model is purposeful and bold. We want to actively steer foreign buyers towards sourcing from Finnish companies,” Haarasilta says.

Raising awareness of export finance benefits among a broader base of companies

At present, too few Finnish export companies – especially SMEs and midcap exporters – make use of export finance tools either to secure their exports or to strengthen their position in trade negotiations.

“We want more export companies to understand the benefits of export finance and to use our export finance products. Our role is to drive growth through financing at a time when uncertainty in the global economy continues. In global competition, companies from a small country may struggle to succeed. Measured by export finance volumes, Finnvera and Finland have long been punching above their weight in the global economy. For us, the real measure of success is impact – how export companies are able to grow with the support of our financing,” says Jussi Haarasilta.

When assessing the Finnish content requirement, it is also possible to consider the exporter itself or the transaction as a whole, together with their overall economic impact on Finland.

These new financing approaches were made possible by legislative reform steering Finnvera’s operations that entered into force at the beginning of 2026. The central aim of the reform was to strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish export finance, and according to Haarasilta it creates a strong basis for doing so. New ways of financing exports and proactively attracting transactions to Finland are a concrete example of what this reform enables.

International infrastructure projects offer export potential for Finnish companies

The proactive approach is also closely linked to enabling export transactions in international infrastructure projects. Launched in 2024, Finnvera’s Trade Facilitation activity has evolved into a new business flow function and has recently been reinforced with additional resources. In major projects in developing markets – including e. g. hospital, education and energy infrastructure investments – procurement and delivery are often carried out under EPC contracts (Engineering, Procurement and Construction). From Finland, it can be challenging to gain access to these projects even when potential for gaining export contracts is significant. Finnvera identifies financing opportunities and engages with potential counterparties around the world on behalf of exporters so that Finnish companies gain greater visibility in tenders and more contracts can be directed to Finland.

Business screening initiatives are conducted in close cooperation with the Team Finland network, with Business Finland and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. EPC infrastructure projects are implemented worldwide with tailored financing packages with banks experienced working with ECAs. Finnvera provides export credit guarantees for Finnish export deliveries within these projects.

“At present, the greatest potential lies in regions where access to international capital markets is more limited – primarily Africa and Southeast Asia. We see that, in developing markets, infrastructure projects executed under the EPC model are frequently financed with export credits, and Finnvera is ready to meet this demand,” says Mika Kursukangas, Trade Facilitator at Finnvera since late 2025.

Kursukangas has more than 25 years of experience in export finance and international trade, gained at an international investment bank, a development bank and previously also at Finnvera.

“I have maintained my connections with Finnvera over the years, so I have been able to move at full speed from day one. We enhance bankable projects in cooperation with Finnish export industries and international EPC companies. Delivering meaningful impact for the Finnish economy is the core theme, and we believe the new Procurement Facility concept provides new tools for achieving visible impact while attracting strong and prudent international buyers to enjoy Finnvera services,” Kursukangas says.

Further information:

Finnvera as an export finance provider.

Take a look at Finnvera's country classifications map.

Contact Finnvera's Trade Facilitators:

Mika Kursukangas, tel. +358 29 460 2951
Mika Relander, tel. +358 29 460 2725
Erno Ihto, tel. +358 29 460 2529