The strong growth of the Finnish economy will continue in 2018. In its economic survey published on 18 June 2018, the Ministry of Finance forecasts economic growth to accelerate to 2.9% this year. Economic growth is projected to slow to under 2% in the coming years.

On Thursday 14 June, Finland will give notice of termination on its tax treaty with Portugal concerning the avoidance of double taxation. The decision to terminate the treaty and approve the bill on the termination was made by the President of the Republic on Wednesday 13 June.

Preparation of the 2019 Budget is under way. The aim is to improve and ex-pand the way in which sustainable development is treated in the Budget, making it easier to identify the appropriations that relate to it. Finland’s ac-tions in this area have received attention internationally.

On Wednesday 23 May, the European Commission issued its proposal for country-specific rec-ommendations for Finland and the other EU Member States. In addition, the Commission again gave an assessment of Finland’s general government finances.

In the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI 2018) published by the European Union, Finland ranks top in the section on digital public services. Finland is also among the top three in the overall index. The index compares all 28 EU Member States across five different subject areas.