– part of the solutions is to invest more in the north

Increasing military threats from the East and trade policy threats from the West have made security of supply and industrial value chains an existential question for Norway and Europe. Part of the solutions is to invest more in the north.

The government will soon be presenting a new industrial report for the Storting. Since the previous message eight years ago, the world has changed dramatically. We, the mayors of Northern Norway's six largest cities, expect an updated industrial policy that puts our region in the center. We are also looking forward to the government's notified updating of the Northern Territory strategy reflecting the new realities.

Three threats that characterize our time

1. War in Europe Russia's full -scale invasion of Ukraine has changed the security picture and collected the Nordic region in NATO. Northern Norway has a strategic role as NATO's North Flank. Strengthening the defense and defense industry in our region is necessary for both Norwegian and European security.

2. Trade war and financial uncertainty. Europe is challenged by China and the United States, while the EU's competitiveness is weakened. The recent Draghi report points to the need to strengthen European industrial value chains, investments and technology development. Norway must take part in this shift and ensure that we are with where value creation takes place.

3. The climate challenge and the green shift The EU is stepping up its green industrial policy through « Clean Industrial Deal ». Norway must not remain on the sidelines, but actively contribute with updated green industrial lift, participation in EU programs and closer cooperation with our Nordic neighbors.

Northern Norway has unique advantages. In addition to geostrategic location, these are about rich natural resources in seafood, minerals, natural gas and renewable surpluses and the lowest electricity prices in Europe. The process industry, mineral companies and the workshop industry are already one of the pillars of Northern Norway, with great potentials for growth in the future.

To strengthen the Northern Norwegian industry and national emergency preparedness, we point to six key initiatives:

1. Renewable power and web development

– The power development has almost stopped and we risk losing our power advantage in a few years. Municipalities that make areas available to sustainable wind farms should have a significant proportion of tax revenue before and early in the development. It can speed up important power development.

– Faster development of power grids for industry and business in the north. The criteria for the allocation of capacity in power grids should be improved. Projects in industrial parks and with the greatest ripple effects must be prioritized, as well as power grids to regions with a high risk of lack of capacity, such as East Finnmark.

-offshore winds also in Northern Norway to create local jobs and energy security, and not just in the south as now.

2. Development of Northern Norwegian and Nordic value chains

-We should be inspired by the Swedish major investment in Green Industry in the north, where growth in employment and population in recent years has been significantly higher than in Northern Norway. One of the most important is better coordination of state efforts across ministries and directorates.

– Simplification and faster processes for mineral extraction, which today can take decades. Several of our largest mines are in the north. The extraction and industrialization of metals and other minerals is becoming increasingly important for Nordic and European self -sufficiency.

3. Interaction with the EU's industrial programs

– Norway should match and utilize « Clean Industrial Deal » and other programs in the EU to the maximum.

-Targeted incentives for carbon capture and storage in the north as well as circular economy, where Northern Norway can offer several exciting interactions between industry/industry parks, the seafood industry, universities and supplier companies.

4. – the defense industry and infrastructure

– Increased military structure in the north and across three countries in the north provides new needs for industrial development, but also requires targeted investments in infrastructure, supply logistics and technology development.

– When the Armed Forces are expanded in the north, defense -related contracts for the Northern Norwegian industry must be better facilitated. In particular, the use of repurchase agreements and defense acquisitions for industrial development in the north.

-Develop Narvik as a NATO port and rail (Ten t core corridor), as a hub for allied receptions as well as important civil and industrial purposes.

– Develop several corridors to supplement and strengthen emergency preparedness, military mobility and security of supply and better tying the Nordic countries together.

5. Maritime industry and infrastructure

-Northern Norway has strategically important ports and a varied maritime industry that can support both civilian and military activity. This should be addressed by the industrial report with reinforced instruments.

– Increased investments in the maritime industry that support both civilian and military activity in large marine areas and technologies for the green shift.

6. More research and innovation in the north

– Strengthen regional research environments and innovation clusters in the north. Build on successes such as Arctic Cluster Team (ACT) where 140 companies and R&D players in the north collaborate on industrial development. Create several research centers and pilots in the north linked to new industrial value chains.

– Increased focus on Andøya Space as a strategic platform and infrastructure for space technology, monitoring and defense and more nodes in the north.

– Develop and build on the management environments in the north, including With the State Pension Fund's office, including that they can contribute capital to industrialization in Northern Norway.

The Government and the Storting must ensure framework conditions that allow us to utilize our natural resources, geopolitical benefits and expertise. We have most things in the north. Norway must act now – so that we do not end up on the sidelines in economic development.

Municipal Cooperation O6

Monica Nielsen, Mayor of Alta

Gunnar Wilhelmsen, Mayor of Tromsø

Kari Anne Opsal, Mayor of Harstad

Rune Edvardsen, Mayor of Narvik

Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, Mayor of Bodø

Geir Waage, Mayor of Rana