In the past two days, Nordland promoted and strengthened cooperation and relations with China at the EXPO in Shanghai. 40 companies from Nordland took the opportunity to further develop the cooperation with existing and hopefully new Chinese partners.
- We are up for EXPO to open doors for companies in Nordland in China. Nordland is one of the largest exporting counties. Adding total exports to the three northernmost counties, Nordland contributes 75% of the total exports. This includes everything from aquaculture, energy, industry, and also the gas in the future, "said Odd Eriksen, Governing mayor of Nordland county.
Early out
Eriksen says that Nordland has a tradition to be present in important and growing markets.
- We were early in terms of international relations. Back in 1987, we had offices in the old USSR and we have offices in Brussels and now it is China that is one of the most important markets for us, "says Eriksen.
40 companies from Nordland are on the trip to China and the foremost industry leaders from Nordland are also coming to Shanghai.
Leading Northern business
Among the Norwegian companies present in Shanghai, Leonhard Nilsen & Sons AS and Norwegian Crystallites AS are both world leaders in their fields.
LNS group has big tunnel and road construction projects both at home and abroad -- with special expertise in tunneling and underground mining projects. They have major contracts in Hong Kong.
- We have projects all over the world and we have a special technology to offer China. We are particularly interested in Shanghai and see great potential here, "said Frode Nilsen, CEO of the LNS Group.
For Norwegian Crystallites, China has already become their biggest market. More than 70% of the firm's exports and revenues of 125 million NOK goes to the Chinese market. From 2009 till this year, the turnover increased by 100% and next year, the company hopes for an increase of 70-80%.
- We have been exporting to China since 2001, and we hope that this will only increase. China is definitely our most important market today, "said Svein Olerud, CEO of the Norwegian Crystallites.
Norwegian Crystallites extracts quartz and China is one of the exporting destinations. The product is used in optics and glass, but in China it is primarily used in the solar sector.