On the heels of one of the largest defense related tradeshows in the Beltway (Association of the United States Army - AUSA) the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. hosted its “Norway Means Business” seminar, with Norsk Titanium representing the interests of small Norwegian businesses who have successfully established footing in the United States. Among the attendees were the US heads of Equinor, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, and the Norwegian Minister for Trade and Industry - Cecilie Myrseth. Also in attendance were a host of small Norwegian companies and startups with material and service needs that Norsk Titanium can provide. Topics discussed were the recent US/Norwegian Memorandum of Cooperation regarding strategic minerals, and sustainability and transparency of the minerals and materials supply chains. Rounding out a two-week speaking tour; our Director of Programs, Karl Fossum presented Norsk Titanium's market outlook and recent successes in front of a very diverse group as well taking part in a short Q&A session from the viewpoint of our small but growing company. There are many unknowns in growing a Norwegian business here in the US, but there is help available from Norway and its outreach organizations. Our attendance was made possible by sponsors such as Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC (NorCham Washington DC) and the Norwegian-American Defense and Homeland Security Industry Council (NADIC), and a very big thank you goes to both these teams.
The fourth annual "Norway Means Business" event was hosted yesterday in the Embassy's Atlantic Hall. The event was focused on how Norwegian companies contribute to a secure supply of critical minerals in the U.S. and allied countries, as well as bilateral cooperation on critical-mineral supply chains. It was organized by the Embassy, NorCham Washington DC, and Norwegian-American Defense & Homeland Security Industry Council. The afternoon featured welcome remarks by Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt, keynote addresses by Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie T. Myrseth and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt, and reflections from NorCham President Idar Voldnes. Our moderator was Senior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates Peter Stahley, and our panelists were Allison "Allie" Kennedy Thurmond, Ph.D. (Vice President of U.S. Lithium, Equinor), Seth Levey (Head of U.S. Government Relations and Corporate Affairs, Glencore), Karl Fossum (Director of Customer Programs, Norsk Titanium), and Heather Armentrout (Head of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace U.S.). In her remarks, Minister Myrseth noted that Norway is rich in many of the minerals crucial for defense and technology, so the Memorandum of Understanding that was recently signed by Secretary Blinken and Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide will be important for securing sustainable value chains. Assistant Secretary Pyatt remarked that the MoC can serve as a launch pad for deeper cooperation, and that Norway is a uniquely important ally for the United States. Thanks to all for a successful day!