East Office of Finnish Industries held its Annual General Meeting on May 9th 2025, at Wärtsilä’s headquarters in Helsinki. The meeting marked a leadership transition within the Board of Directors: Tomas Myntti, Business Area President at Konecranes and Vice Chair for the past 1.5 years, was elected Chairman of the Board. Topi Paananen, CEO of Peikko Group, who served as Chair during the same period, was elected Vice Chair.
The composition of the Working Committee remains unchanged and continues to include Tomas Myntti and Topi Paananen, alongside Johannes Frände (KONE), Teppo Voutilainen (Elematic), and Mikko Pasanen (Telko).
The AGM also welcomed two new members, Hesburger and Sweco Finland, to the community.
Tomas Myntti commented: East Office exists for a reason. In markets like Ukraine and Central Asia, where business potential comes with complexity, our role is as important as ever. I look forward to continuing the work in my new role as Chair.
Topi Paananen added: We’ve covered a lot of ground over the past 1.5 years, and the direction is right. I’m glad to continue supporting the work as Vice Chair.
Before the AGM, attendees heard a keynote from Risto Murto, CEO of Varma. Murto, who chaired the government’s Room for Growth working group launched by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in 2024, spoke about the current investment climate and broader economic outlook. He highlighted how capital-intensive growth, new trade barriers, and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping how companies and investors approach long-term decisions. The presentation concluded with a lively discussion among participants.
Participants also heard from Wärtsilä’s Kenneth Engblom and Igor Petryk, who shared an industry update on global energy trends, Wärtsilä’s approach to evolving market conditions, and the latest developments in their operations in Ukraine.
East Office continues to serve as a platform for business-driven cooperation and practical support for its member companies in strategically important markets.
