Ministry

1. Sustainable growth, wellbeing and safety through knowledge and connections of the future
2. Law drafting in the transport and communications sectors
3. Cooperation with the European Union
4. International cooperation
5. Overseeing the agencies in the government branch
6. On-budget entities
7. Operating licences and government grants
8. Ministry communications
9. Organisation
10. From a transport system committee to the Ministry of Transport and Communications

1. Sustainable growth, wellbeing and safety through knowledge and connections of the future

Digital connections, transport and communications all play a vital role in creating wellbeing and competitiveness in society. They are also a part of comprehensive security.

The government branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications creates sustainable growth, wellbeing and safety through knowledge and connections of the future.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications drafts legislation and prepares policy and strategy decisions for its field of activity. This work is carried out transparently and in collaboration with stakeholders.

The Ministry guides and directs the operation of its agencies and companies, and manages the on-budget entities for its branch of government.

2. Law drafting in the transport and communications sectors

Drafting legislation is one of the Ministry's main responsibilities. The Ministry prepares the Government’s legislative proposals and submits them to the government plenary session. The Ministry also prepares decrees for the transport and communications sectors and issues its own decrees.

Much of the Ministry's legislative work focuses on implementing EU legislation.

3. Cooperation with the European Union

A major part of transport and communications legislation is drafted in the European Union. The Ministry is responsible for national-level preparation and follow-up of EU transport and communications matters. The Minister of Transport and Communications represents Finland at the meetings of the EU Transport and Telecommunications Council. The Ministry actively engages in EU policymaking from an early stage. The Ministry’s public officials take part in the preparatory work in the Council and Commission working parties.

4. International cooperation

The Ministry is active in international forums, particularly in cooperation not only with the other EU Member States, but also with the Nordic and Baltic countries. 

It also works closely with international organisations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

5. Overseeing the agencies in the government branch

The Ministry’s key responsibilities include providing strategic performance guidance for its branch of government. 

A joint strategy ensures societal impact and effectiveness, and helps the branch achieve the objectives set out in the Government Programme as efficiently as possible.

The Ministry guides and supervises the operation of its agencies and monitors their development, setting annual performance targets. 

It is also responsible for the ownership steering of state-owned companies operating under its branch of government. These limited liability companies have statutory public service obligations.

The agencies operating in the Ministry’s branch of government are the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

The state-owned companies under the Ministry's ownership steering are Traffic Management Company Fintraffic Ltd, Arctia Ltd, Airport Rail Ltd, West Railway Ltd and East Railway Ltd. The Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) also falls within the Ministry’s branch of government, but it is overseen by an Administrative Council appointed by Parliament.

6. On-budget entities

The Ministry manages the on-budget entities for its branch of government. It prepares the budgetary framework and the annual budget proposal, monitors the use of appropriations allocated to its field of activity in the national budget, and reports on them in its annual report.

7. Operating licences and government grants

The Ministry is responsible for certain licensing and government grant matters. It grants licences for activities such as building mobile networks and operating radio and television services. The Ministry supports services such as public transport in sparsely populated areas by funding them through public service contracts.

8. Communications

Communications and stakeholder engagement promote the Ministry’s objectives. Communications strengthen the ability of the Ministry, its agencies and stakeholders to engage in dialogue, participate in policymaking and contribute to decision-making. Open and proactive communications and interactive stakeholder cooperation are the foundation of communications across the government branch.

9. Organisation

The Ministry is led by the Minister of Transport and Communications, who is responsible for the matters covered by the Ministry. 

The most senior official at the Ministry is the Permanent Secretary. The Ministry employs some 190 people and has three departments: Ministerial Governance Department; Data, Safety and Security Department; and Networks and Services Department. Each is headed by a Director General. Departments are further divided into units. The Ministry also hosts the National Cyber Security Office.

10. From a transport system committee to the Ministry of Transport and Communications

The Ministry dates back to 1892, when a transport system committee was set up in the Senate of Finland, then an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. The committee later became the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, which was further divided in 1970 into the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Transport. As communications policy grew in importance, the Ministry of Transport was renamed the Ministry of Transport and Communications in 2000.

Throughout its history, the Ministry has promoted the wellbeing of society and improved the operating environment for business and industry by providing good connections. From its early focus on the construction of canals and railways, it has evolved into a strategic leader of Finland’s entire transport and communications sector. By integrating different modes of transport and looking after the environment, the Ministry aims to ensure smooth and safe connections and services for all users.