Where businesses have their running spikes on

'Just like Karsten Warholm, we have learned to clear the hurdles. That is why so many companies are at the top of the podium in their field,' Gjerde continues.

- Here in Møre og Romsdal, we live along a stretch of coastline between rugged mountains and an equally wild sea. Since the Viking Age, we have learnt both to live with it and make a living from it. This has made us Norway's most industry- and export-intensive county. We can keep it that way, as long as we keep our spikes on!

Gjerde describes a business community full of optimism and drive, working hand in hand with our regional office.

- The maritime industry remains one of our most important sectors. Shipping companies, shipyards, equipment and service providers and others work alongside academia and public-sector organisations to form a unique ecosystem that is a global leader in its field.

He says they have shown an impressive ability to adapt time and again to changing markets and economic conditions. The larger shipyards stand out in particular. In the past decade alone, they have shifted from primarily building offshore vessels to passenger ships and naval vessels, and are now establishing strong positions in service vessels for the offshore wind industry.

The fish and seafood industry is one of the most important industries in Møre og Romsdal. In 2022, companies in this sector across the region accounted for 17.5 per cent of Norway's total fish and seafood exports, worth NOK 26.5 billion. Alongside whitefish, pelagic fish, salmon and trout, other species are increasingly appearing on dining tables abroad. One excellent example is halibut from Nordic Halibut on Averøy.

Møre og Romsdal is also home to a world-leading equipment supply chain for the fisheries and seafood industry. These companies supply systems and equipment to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, both at sea and on land. Examples include Artec Aqua, MMC First Process and C-flow.

– We are involved in much of this. Our offices in Ålesund, Molde and Kristiansund are home to skilled colleagues with extensive business expertise and, importantly, in-depth knowledge of the financial and non-financial products and services available from us and other public support providers.

Of our many assignments related to the green transition and exports, one is currently receiving particular attention. Møre og Romsdal County Council has asked us to help establish new circular value chains and industrial symbioses as part of the green transition. 'Green Industrial Initiative Møre og Romsdal' is a long-term project that aims to establish more circular value chains across existing industry structures.

Norinsect in Stordal is a good example of a company that is already part of a circular value chain. It uses offcuts from the aquaculture industry and food production residues to feed protein-rich larvae, which can then be used in animal feed. Another example is Seagems on Ellingsøya, which develops and produces flavourings for various foods using fish offcuts and prawn shells as raw materials.

Gjerde explains that the close ties between businesses, public-sector organisations and educational institutions are typical of the region. At its heart are cornerstone companies such as the Vard shipyard group in Ålesund and Ulstein in Ulsteinvik, Hydro's aluminium plant in Sunndal, Ekornes furniture in Sykkylven and the gas terminal at Tjeldbergodden, as well as several major seafood companies and shipping companies. Around them, smaller, creative businesses are emerging and driving further development.

- Storvik AS in Sunndalsøra is a good example. Once a small mechanical workshop and tool manufacturer, it is now a medium-sized mechanical and engineering company specialising in the Norwegian and international process industries. Most of its revenue now comes from exports. This shows what can be achieved in a village at the head of Tingvollfjorden.

Tourism is also a growing priority for Møre og Romsdal.

'Mass tourism, with cruise ships visiting Geiranger, Ålesund and other places in the region, is one thing, but experience-based tourism is becoming increasingly important. Strong growth in this type of tourism will bring more dollars, euros and yen into our county in the years ahead. It also benefits the agricultural sector by offering locally sourced food to discerning food lovers who are willing to pay for quality,' says Gjerde.

They are also seeing increased interest after several locations in the region gained international exposure through film stunts in both Rauma and Hellesylt. In other words, significant growth in the tourism industry is not 'Mission Impossible'.

Is there no hurdle the people of Møre og Romsdal cannot overcome?

- Well, we have a tradition of not letting obstacles stop us, but some 'hurdles' are certainly harder to clear than others. One of these is the shortage of electricity. The county already has a significant power deficit, leaving us entirely dependent on imports from elsewhere. We also know that demand will rise sharply in the years ahead, while access to new power supplies is very limited. To succeed in both the green transition and our ambitions for growth and exports, we need to expand both power generation and grid capacity, Gjerde explains.

Another 'hurdle' is access to critical expertise. Transformation and growth require new and broader expertise, which we must partly bring in from outside and partly develop ourselves. Today, we benefit from close collaboration between businesses and educational institutions in Ålesund, Volda and Molde, but we need more highly skilled workers if we are to keep up the pace as we clear these hurdles.

But Gjerde is determined to clear these hurdles too. His message to ambitious companies looking beyond the county border is: 'Get your spikes on! Take your places at the starting line, and make 2024 the year you reach the top of the podium.'