Development proposals regarding the housing market and construction, as well as investment assistance for renovation construction, were the main topics of a roundtable discussion organized by RT with the responsible ministers.
Representatives of RT's board and financing group, as well as the executive management, gathered for a roundtable discussion at the end of February, together with the Minister of the Environment responsible for construction and housing. Sari Multala and the Minister of Labour, who heads the ministerial group on employment and entrepreneurship Matias Marttinen The event was aimed at the decision-making process in connection with the government's April budget budget meeting and was part of RT's ongoing advocacy work.
During the discussion, the ministers were presented with RT's current situational picture of the construction cycle, especially with regard to housing construction and the market, and the means proposed by RT to strengthen consumer confidence and respond to market shortcomings were reviewed. RT has emphasized the importance of quick-acting measures in an exceptionally difficult economic situation. At the same time, the need for longer-term measures to improve the accessibility of housing in a changed operating and financing environment has also been emphasized.
The discussion also addressed the status of the legislative preparation regarding construction and housing financing based on the government's growth campaign decisions last spring. At the same time, the proposals made by RT to the study group on housing and construction financing, which the government set up during the growth campaign, were reviewed. The study group's report is being prepared for the government's use now at the beginning of March.
The management of RT's member companies brought a concrete business perspective to the discussion, described the practical impacts of the market situation, and answered the ministers' clarifying questions.
Representatives of RT member companies participating in the discussion were: Anu Ojala, CFO (Lujatalo Oy), Heikki Vuorenmaa, CEO (YIT Corporation), Mika Katajisto, CEO (Peab Oy), Juha Korkiamäki, management advisor (Hartela Oy), Maarit Weather, CEO (Arkta Construction Ltd), Juha Metsälä, CEO (Pohjola Construction Ltd) and Mika Airaksela, director (Jatke Oy). The RT management was attended by Aleksi Randell, CEO (Construction Industry RT), Kirsi Palviainen, CEO (Finnish Building Industry Association), Paavo Syrjö, CEO (INFRA ry) and Jouni Vihmo, Chief Economist (Construction Industry RT).
RT's advocacy work towards the country's government continues with meetings between the leadership of the governing parties and key ministers and their staffs. The situation and proposed measures have also been discussed with the senior management of key ministries and the leadership of opposition parties. In addition, there has been a close dialogue with the leadership of cities about the construction situation and especially the land policy of municipalities.