Regional Council in meeting with the industry coordinator: "Focus together"
How should Sweden better take advantage of the industrial transition in the north? That is the question the government's new industry coordinator, Kristina Alvendal, is working on. Yesterday she met Anders Öberg, chairman of the regional board in Norrbotten, and representatives of the other three regions in northern Sweden.
Work began in August on the green acceleration office established by the government. The office is led by the industry coordinator. It is part of the government's strategy for northern Sweden, which was presented in June.
– The industrial transition taking place in northern Sweden is part of an enormous potential for Sweden. But they require new solutions and better coordination to ensure competitiveness and climate commitments for Sweden, said Kristina Alvendal in connection with the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the challenges and solutions that arise from large industrial establishments, but also when existing businesses expand.
– In northern Sweden, we have common opportunities and challenges as a result of the historic investments that are taking place here. It is important that we focus on these together, said Anders Öberg, Chairman of the Regional Board of Region Norrbotten.
Strengthen Swedish competitiveness
The task of the Acceleration Office is to speed up work on the green transition. The government wants to make it easier for companies to invest in it. In this way, Swedish competitiveness will be strengthened.
– We are positive about the state taking a role as an accelerator in the industrial transformation. For us to succeed, new initiatives are also needed to support community development and the municipalities that are investing heavily to achieve the green industrial transition, said Jonny Lundin, chairman of the regional development committee in Region Västernorrland.
At a press conference in June, the government emphasized that quick solutions are needed if investments are not to end up elsewhere in the world. The inspiration for the industry coordinator came from how the AGON network in Norrbotten has worked. Within AGON, all stakeholders gather around a table to jointly find a way forward.
– Population supply is a crucial issue where efforts are needed to ensure that education, immigration and labor market expansion interact, said Rickard Carstedt, chairman of the regional development committee in Region Västerbotten.
Working with authorities
Kristina Alvendal has a background in the real estate industry and as a Stockholm city councilor for the Moderate Party. She will now take on tasks such as:
- Get authorities to speak with one voice to companies and, for example, provide clear timetables
- Analyze different forms of financing that can accelerate the industry's transformation
- Develop proposals for changes to laws and regulations
- Propose new assignments to authorities
- Collect information about business start-ups and continuously develop a current picture
– It is extremely welcome that the regions now have direct contact with the government to resolve the obstacles that arise in the green transition, said Jonas Andersson, chairman of the regional development committee in Region Jämtland Härjedalen.
