Today, we are pleased to speak with Cosima Steiner, the new Head of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Stockholm and Austrian Commercial Counsellor for the Nordics. With previous postings in London, Toronto, Warsaw, and after seven years in Copenhagen, Ms. Steiner brings wide international experience and a personal connection to the Nordic Region. Her move to Stockholm in July 2025 marks a continuation of her Nordic journey, now with a regional focus on Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is Austria's official trade promotion organization. With 100 offices in over 70 countries, Austria’s Internationalization Agency provides a broad range of intelligence and business development services for both Austrian companies and their international business partners. It is part of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber which – together with the nine Regional Chambers – represents the interests of more than 590,000 Austrian member companies.

Austria–Finland: strong ties and collaboration

The economic relationship between Austria and Finland stands out as an example of cooperation between two small, open, and highly developed economies. The trade volume may be modest in absolute terms, but it is characterized by a high degree of sophistication and mutual benefit

Austria is strongly represented in Finland, particularly in the fields of machinery and equipment for the manufacturing and energy sectors. Conversely, Austria imports a range of high-quality solutions from Finland, contributing to a balanced and dynamic trade relationship. The exchange of services also plays a significant role—not only in tourism but increasingly in business-related services, such as IT solutions, transport, consulting, research, and licensing.

Direct investments illustrate the depth of the Austrian-Finnish economic partnership. According to the Austrian National Bank, Austrian subsidiaries in Finland employ around 5,000 people, while Finnish companies operating in Austria provide jobs for approximately 6,000 employees.

With her broad international background and previous experience in Scandinavia, Cosima now focuses on developing Austria’s bilateral trade relations with the Nordic region from Stockholm. In this interview, she shares insights into ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA’s activities, the special role Finland plays, recent success stories, and her vision for future collaboration between Austrian and Nordic businesses.

Interview

What are ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA’s activities and strategic initiatives in the Nordics?

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA supports Austrian companies with their market activities in the Nordic Region. In addition to our main hub in Stockholm we operate offices in Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Oslo. Our shared mission is to identify and facilitate business opportunities for Austrian companies, and to promote sustainable business relationships with their Nordic partners.

We offer a wide range of services: we provide market intelligence, offer tailored consulting, and create targeted networking opportunities through our platforms. A core element of our work involves organizing business missions, delegation trips, industry-specific events, and B2B matchmaking.

A particular focus lies on innovation and future-oriented topics. In Finland, we regularly bring Austrian companies to Slush, one of the world’s leading start-up and tech events. This year, we will participate with a large pavilion, featuring around 80 start-ups, investors, and stakeholders from Austria.

Looking ahead to next year, we are planning a business mission on smart manufacturing and a participation in Habitare Pro in Helsinki, with the aim of specifically supporting companies in the design and architecture sectors.

What role does Finland play in your work in Northern Europe?

The Austrian-Finnish economic relations are characterized by solid cooperation in traditional industrial sectors such as mechanical engineering, wood processing, paper and pulp, chemicals, and energy. Austrian companies are well-established as reliable partners within these supply chains.

At the same time, Finland holds relevance due to its robust innovation ecosystem. The country's vibrant technology and start-up landscape presents numerous opportunities for collaboration with Austrian counterparts, especially in the domains of digital transformation, sustainability, and emerging business models. Besides our yearly participation in Slush, we organize formats such as innovation ecosystems trips to Finland to foster the exchange between Austrian and Finnish peers.

In which sectors are Austrian companies currently successful in Finland?

In Finland, Austrian companies are particularly represented in industrial sectors, especially wood processing, mechanical engineering, and energy supply. Over the past four years alone, we have recorded five investments in the sawmill, paper, and wood industries, aimed at expanding regional value creation. In addition, various deliveries of high-tech equipment and on-site installations have been carried out, for example in the fields of biomass, chemicals, and wind energy.

But one can also find consumer products from Austria in Finland. I was happy to learn that Finnish food lovers enjoy wine, cheese, and other delicacies from Austria! In the creative industries, Austrian lighting solutions are brightening Finland, and Austrian firms have supplied organs and stage technology to Finnish cultural institutions.

What commonalities do you see between Austria and Finland?

From the business perspective, Austria and Finland share an international outlook and we value co-operation. We are both innovation-driven and place a strong emphasis on sustainability and digitalization. This provides a solid foundation for working together and an exchange of expertise.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for Austrian companies in the Nordics?

There is significant potential for co-operation in many areas, but particularly in projects characterized by innovation and sustainability. As ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Nordics, we particularly focus on green transformation, smart industrial manufacturing, connected supply chains, as well as health and mobility. Here, Austrian companies have a lot to offer – whether in smart manufacturing, renewable energies, industrial supplies, sustainable building materials, or digital healthcare services.

Moreover, the innovation landscape in the Nordic countries offers numerous possibilities for collaboration. Our objectives and activities extend beyond connecting individual companies: we aim to cultivate meaningful exchange between the innovation ecosystems of both regions.

What are your expectations for economic cooperation between Austria and Finland in the coming years?

The past few years have been challenging, and bilateral trade between Austria and Finland has declined. It would be highly encouraging to witness a reversal of this trend, accompanied by a clear, sustained increase in the exchange of goods and services.

Our ambition is to actively generate momentum through our initiatives. Whether in Finland, Austria, or the Nordic Region, our aim is to catalyze joint projects and long-term partnerships. Our local presence serves as a strategic foundation for driving this impact.

Did you have any connection to Finland before taking on your current posting?

Yes, there was a personal connection! While getting ready for my move, I looked for Nordic traces in Vienna and came across a small but active Finnish community. I celebrated my farewell at Café Ihana, where they served Korvapuusti. This lovely, symbolic moment also gave me – quite literally – a taste of the Nordic region.

Interview with Cosima Steiner, the new Head of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Stockholm and Austrian Commercial Counsellor for the Nordics

Interview