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Summery of presentation at the Norwegian Society of Washington D.C held its "Norway in the 21st Century" luncheon series on March 27, 2003, at the Pier Seven Restaurant.
Atle B. Nordvik, President, NACC MA
The Chamber
The Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Atlantic Chapter Inc. (NACC MA) is a non-profit networking organization established to promote trade, create business opportunities, professional interests, and goodwill between the U.S Mid Atlantic Region and Norway. Funding of operations is solely by contributions from membership fees/dues and sponsorship.
It was several reasons for establishing a chamber of commerce in the Mid-Atlantic Region. First of all, the United States is considered the most important market for Norwegian trade and business outside the European Union. Secondly, our region covers 8 states with a population of more than 31 million with an expanding economic base that presents a great potential for trade between Norway and the United States. This market potential is to a great extent unexplored by Norwegian companies. Thirdly, NACC MA enjoys the advantage of being located in Washington D.C., the world's most dominant capital where policy and decision makers from government and industry have significant influence on international affairs, trade and business. Fourthly, many highly qualified professional Norwegians and Americans with businesses interests in the two countries live in this Region. [top]
Members and businesses
The Chamber has grown steadily from the Inaugural Meeting March 11, 2002. By the end OF March 2003, the Chamber included 19 member companies of which 10 are American, 8 Norwegian subsidiaries or companies tied to Norway and one Norwegian. Among our 75 individual members, 40 represent the companies and 35 are individual members. Our members represent a broad specter of businesses. They include public and private sectors such as government agencies, shipping, insurance, finance, banking, travel and tourism, law firms, science and technology, energy, environmental protection, fishery, retail, defense, and information technologies. In total, corporate and individual members represent a network of more than 50 different companies, organizations and government agencies.
The first Norwegian registered company to join was Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. It is our strategy to include more Norwegian companies in NACC MA to create direct business relations across the Atlantic in order to expand the potential for business opportunities and joint ventures between companies and members both in the U.S and Norway.
Companies and members are represented in various business sector committees based upon their field of operation and professional experience and interests. These business sector committees are formed to promote and support business and professional interests of our Norwegian and American members, and to create goodwill and business relations and opportunities to expand, and strengthen the commercial and political ties that bind our two countries.
The potential for new members and increased network building in this region is exceptional, with the presence of all major companies in the U.S., national and world organizations, and foreign embassies with their network of business contacts all over the world. A new Recruitment and Program Committee is planned for further development of the Chamber and its network of business contacts. [top]
Ties to the Royal Norwegian Embassy
The Mid-Atlantic Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce is fortunate to have the honorable Mr. Knut Vollebęk, the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States as our Honorary Chairperson. The Chamber works in close contact with counselors of the various sections at the Embassy including: energy, defense, fishery and economy. The main point of contact is with the Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs of the Economic Section. The section also coordinates activities that promote Norwegian exports to the United States. Among the staff are counselors who deal with sector issues of major importance to Norway, such as oil and energy, finance, fisheries, science, shipping and aviation, and research and development. The ties, good working relationship and assistance from the embassy with its professional staff, door-opening capabilities and well-built network is of great importance for the Chamber. [top]
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