(Yicai  Global) Dec. 4 -- More and more Finnish companies are looking to set up  shop in China and the recent China International Import Expo, held in  Shanghai last month, has further stimulated the desire among small and  medium-sized enterprises to pursue opportunities in the world's  second-largest economy. 

Now  is a good time for Finnish firms to enter the Chinese market thanks to  the country's opening-up efforts, Carl F. Fey, a professor at Aalto  University School of Business, told state-backed Xinhua News Agency in  an interview, adding that the number of graduate students who sign up  for his China-focused course has increased by one-quarter over the past  year. 

Fey's  experience serving as a director at Nottingham University Business  School in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has instilled in him a deeper  understanding of the Chinese business environment. For many years, he  has been dedicated to helping foreign players operate in China and  Chinese companies optimize their overseas management.

More  and more customers are reaching out to Fey for consultation. One such  firm is Flexound, which focuses on experiential audio and music  products. Although the Espoo-based company has enjoyed healthy sales in  the European market, its foray into the Chinese market remains in its  infancy. 

Taking  advantage of a trip to Shenzhen to find a manufacturing partner,  Flexound President Mervi Heinaro reached out to some potential Chinese  customers as part of efforts to get to know the market.

Flexound  released a household 'audio cushion' last year and it was sold on a  Chinese e-commerce platform. The Finnish company secured its first  Chinese investment this year, further strengthening Heinaro's confidence  in the market.

The  company is also expanding its research and development team in Finland,  while setting up a branch office in Shanghai and increasing sales  staff, Heinaro said. China will become one of Flexsound's major markets  in the future, he added. 

Another  Finnish start-up MVision AI is also planning to expand into China.  Established in 2017 with only six employees, the Helsinki-based company  has developed an artificial intelligence computing model for producing  effective target outlines used in cancer radiotherapy.

MVision  AI is actively developing a plan to enter the Chinese market, and is  pooling knowledge on Chinese culture, laws and regulations, while also  looking for potential partners, Chief Executive Mahmudul Hasan told  Xinhua News Agency. He hopes the company's technology will help  patients.

Editor: William Clegg