In the South-East of Finland large stores have claimed they will accept Rubles as payments since December 2012, reported radio company Yle last week.
The Stockmann department store in Helsinki is the first to accept Russian banknotes for its goods.
Other Finnish stores are considering the idea. The initiative was regarded positive in the South Karelia and Imatra Chambers of Commerce. At that some other Finnish provinces have not liked the idea, reports RBC.
A lot of Russians especially from St. Petersburg and neighboring regions make shopping and weekend trips to Finland. Russian tourists buy first of all food, adult clothes and household items. Some Russians have acquired real estate there.
Living through uneasy economic situation caused by Euro crisis, Finland has to take commercial decisions to attract customers.
Author: Irina Fomina