All posts by Janice Gundersen

Lars Hanseid – Må hoppe i det ukjente for å nå toppen internasjonalt

Lars Hanseid har jobbet som leder i det globale konsernet 3M i over tre tiår. Fleksibilitet, eventyrlyst og høye ambisjoner har vært grunnpilarer for å lykkes. For andre som ønsker seg en internasjonal lederstilling råder han til å ta en større grad av risiko og ikke være redd for det ukjente. 

Hanseids lange utenlandsopphold startet med ett år som utvekslingsstudent i USA siste år på videregående skole. Deretter fullførte han to år på Telemark Ingeniørskole og militærtjenesten i Norge, men oppholdet i USA ga mersmak. Veien videre ble en mastergrad i finans ved Michigan State University.

– Jeg ble trigget av min far, som var i handelsflåten som sjømann og reiste rundt. En gang iblant fikk jeg være med. Når man har fått sett verden rundt på den måten, ble jeg inspirert til å dra ut selv, først som student og deretter i jobbsammenheng.

Må tørre å hoppe i det ukjente

I etterkant av studiet ble Hanseid ansatt av 3M Company, som i 2023 var blant de ti største konglomeratene i verden, med over 85 000 ansatte. Han jobbet på det norske kontoret i to år, før han ble spurt om å lære opp teamet i Ungarn i 1991, som på den tiden var et nytt marked for selskapet.

Les hele artiklen her.

KONGSBERG to deliver Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) to US Air Force

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has been awarded a $70m firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for the Joint Strike Missile, according to a statement by the US Department of Defense. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $208m. Work will be performed at Kongsberg, Norway, and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Read full article, here.

AmCham Financial Forum: ESG Reporting Requirements & The Future of Search

AmCham Financial Forum: ESG Reporting Requirements & The Future of Search

Cross-industry member leaders gathered at AzetsSkøyen office for a Financial Forum focusing on ESG reporting requirements in Norway and leveraging new AI technologies.

ESG reporting compliance: how best to find and use relevant data required in Norway

With Europe at the forefront of implementing legislation on sustainability, companies operating in Norway need to stay up to date on reporting requirements. In combination with increased expectations from customers, investors, banks and other stakeholders, this accelerates the need for companies to document their environmental impact.

Azets provides holistic sustainability services for companies including ESG due diligence, strategy and sustainable business development and sustainability reporting. Mats Lorentsen, Head of ESG Services at Azets Advisory, gave participants an overview of the European Green Deal action plan, in particular the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) framework’s data requirements and where to find data to increase ESG insight.

Lorentsen joined participants in examining the major opportunities and challenges facing financial roles. The demand for sustainability data is increasing quickly, as 75,000 companies in the EU are now facing this mandatory requirement. Companies with data that complies will have a competitive advantage as even stricter regulations are expected.

“Expectations are that the sustainability gap is increasing, but the capability is not growing as fast. We need to keep up!”

Presenters

Ida Haneborg
Industry Head of Finance and Insurance


Mats Lorentsen
 Head of ESG Services at Azets Advisory

The Future of Search and Leveraging AI

Google’s Industry Head of Finance and Insurance, Ida Haneborg, gave participants updates on Google’s search functions – with the most significant improvements in 20 years. By combining search with their Gemini (AI), search can give more comprehensive answers to longer and more complex questions. Not only does it provide more useful results, but it has also changed the ways in which you can search – by taking a picture or interacting with your environment through the user’s camera. With two billion users every day and 15% of searches being completely novel, Haneborg remarked that curiosity is outpacing technology! The group concluded by discussing use cases to leverage new AI functions including data collection for ESG.

About the AmCham Financial Forum

AmCham’s collaborative Financial Forum enables cross-industry leaders to openly exchange and learn from their peers – building a better understanding of what it takes to maintain successful international operations in Norway.

Please contact madeleine.brekke@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

Previous Forums

Nordic AmChams Live – US Presidential Inauguration and Election Debrief

Nordic AmChams Live - US Presidential Inauguration and Election Debrief

AmCham Norway, along with our fellow Nordic AmChams, hosted a Nordic AmChams Live – US Presidential Inauguration and Election Debrief. During this dynamic transition period, and just hours before President Trump’s inauguration, Nordic AmCham Directors shared key takeaways, insights, and signals from high-level briefings and strategic conversations. The discussion dove into some of the most commonly questions asked by AmCham members, including on new administration nominees, tariff strategies, NATO, US immigration policy, Greenland policy, China relations, energy policy, and the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Nordic Directors also took the opportunity to unveil the Nordic Advantage initiative, which covers the nearly 30 members companies that proudly belong to all four Nordic AmChams: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It represents a fantastic opportunity for companies across the Nordics to shape the AmCham agendas on the issues that matter most.

The Defence Minister’s Speech at Oslo Military Society, 20 January 2025

Distinguished Audience,

“We lived in a democracy. But then, we felt the walls closing in around us.” These words were spoken by Gunnar Sønsteby to a school class in Rjukan in the film Nr. 24. “We felt the walls closing in around us.”

In just over a month, Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine will enter its fourth year. It is almost inconceivable how many lives Putin is willing to sacrifice in his imperialist attempt to conquer Ukraine and the scale of destruction and suffering he has inflicted on the Ukrainian people. This use of force cannot prevail. It is existential for Ukraine but also poses a serious threat to Norwegian and European security and the international rules-based order.

Others are also feeling the weight of Russian pressure and influence. I visited Moldova shortly before their elections last autumn. Massive attempts at interference, vote-buying, and worse have been observed there. The pro-Western forces barely prevailed. The outcome was not as positive in Georgia after its disputed presidential election.

We are now facing a more dangerous and unpredictable neighbour. Russia threatens the use of nuclear weapons, and last year, they revised their doctrine on the use of these weapons. Nuclear arms have become even more prominent as a tool of power in international politics. Their rhetoric grows harsher and more unyielding. Simultaneously, the strategic importance of the High North is increasing. The Arctic’s strategic significance for Russia also enhances allied interest in the Barents Sea and Arctic regions. This is our neighbourhood—our most important strategic area. It is crucial that we ensure situational awareness and presence in the North alongside our allies. We seek predictability and stability through calibrated military activity to deter Russia while avoiding misunderstandings and unintended escalation.

Read full article here.

Norway signs space agreement with the US

Today, Norway and the U.S. signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA), which will facilitate the launch of U.S. launchers and satellites from Andøya Spaceport.

– The agreement is a major step toward making Andøya one of the world’s most attractive locations for satellite launches. The U.S. is the world’s largest satellite market. Norway and Andøya Spaceport greatly appreciate the opportunity to launch satellites for U.S. clients, says Cecilie Myrseth, the Norwegian Minister for Trade and Industry.

The TSA is a bilateral agreement, which will prevent unauthorized dissemination of U.S. technology. This agreement is necessary for the US authorities to authorize the transfer of U.S. commercial launchers to launch facilities in Norway. The U.S. has concluded similar agreements with Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, among others.

Read full article here.

AmCham Defense Forum: The Evolving Security Landscape and Norwegian Military Development

AmCham Defense Forum: The Evolving Security Landscape and Norwegian Military Development

In collaboration with the US Commercial Service, AmCham’s first Defense Forum of the year was hosted by Brækhus at their downtown Oslo offices. The session featured two distinguished speakers: Retired General Sverre Diesen, lead researcher at Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI) and former Chief of Defense, and General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense. Together, they provided invaluable insights into the current and future security challenges facing Norway and its allies.

Sverre Diesen opened the forum with a comprehensive analysis of the global security environment following the US Presidential Election and the enduring role of the United States as an indispensable nation. General Diesen examined the critical implications for Europe and Norway, emphasizing that while the nature of US support might evolve, Norway’s dependence on US support will remain steadfast, regardless of the probability or nature of that support. He also highlighted the importance of proactive strategic planning to navigate a more complex and unpredictable security landscape.

Retired General Sverre Diesen, lead researcher at Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI) and former Chief of Defense,

General Eirik Kristoffersen focused on the future development of Norway’s Armed Forces. He outlined how Norway’s Defense Pledge – with a budget exceeding NOK 1 600 billion through 2036 – will drive significant advancements in national defense capabilities. Norway is aiming to allocate 3% of GDP to defense by 2030, including contributions through the Nansen Program. Kristoffersen underscored three key priorities for Norway and its allies moving forward: standardization, mobilization, and interoperability. Drawing from lessons learned in Ukraine, he emphasized the importance of streamlined procurement processes, flexibility, and collaboration with private industry to ensure innovation and scalability in times of crisis.

General Kristoffersen also challenged the defense industry to play a more dynamic role in supporting Norway and NATO’s strategic goals by delivering affordable, innovative, and rapidly deployable solutions to meet emerging threats. He highlighted that public-private collaboration will be essential to ensure Norway remains equipped to address evolving security challenges alongside its allies.

About the AmCham Defense Forum

In partnership with the US Commercial Service, the Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Key Patron-level and defense industry representatives gather quarterly to forge enhanced public-private sector collaboration – sharing insights, developments, and trends to secure long-term transatlantic bonds.

 Please contact amcham@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense

United States and Norway Issue Innovative Report Creating Greater Transparency in Critical Mineral Supply Chains

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries issued a thorough, innovative report presenting our shared understanding of non-market policies and practices (NMPPs) of certain third-party countries that may distort critical mineral markets (“NMPP Report”). The NMPP Report marks an important milestone in the United States and Norway’s pursuit of sustainable, high-standard, market-oriented critical mineral mining and processing activities globally.

The International Trade Administration’s Industry and Analysis business unit played a leading role in the development of this report.

“Securing our critical mineral supply chains is vital to protecting our national security and enhancing our economic competitiveness,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant Harris. “This report provides an in-depth analysis of how non-market policies and practices have impacted the markets for critical minerals. It should be used to inform actions by market-oriented economies and industry partners to differentiate markets and strengthen these vital supply chains.” 

Read full article here.

Statsministeren møtte eksportbedrifter

Statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre, finansminister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, utenriksminister Espen Barth Eide og næringsminister Cecilie Myrseth møtte tirsdag 7. januar norske eksportbedrifter på Statsministerens kontor. Tema for møtet var konkurransekraft og markedsadgang i en urolig tid.

– Vi lever i tid preget av store omveltninger og uforutsigbarhet. Det påvirker Norge som en liten, åpen økonomi. Vår felles evne til å navigere i denne uroen og uforutsigbarheten, er avgjørende for norsk økonomi og norske arbeidsplasser. Når uforutsigbarheten øker ute, blir det bare enda viktigere at vi snakker sammen hjemme. Derfor var dette møtet viktig, sier statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre.

 

Den 20. januar innsettes Donald Trump som USAs president. Regjeringen er forberedt på at det kan komme økte tollsatser og andre proteksjonistiske tiltak.

– Vi ser frem til å samarbeide med den nye administrasjonen i USA. Samtidig gjør presidentskiftet at vårt forhold til Europa får økt betydning. Vi skal sikre norske interesser og forhindre at Norge kommer i en dobbelskvis dersom EU svarer med mottiltak på amerikansk toll. Vi står sterkere når vi fortsetter å samarbeide om løsninger, og det skal vi gjøre ved å ha et tett samarbeid med USA, men ikke minst også med våre EU/EØS-partnere, sier utenriksminister Espen Barth Eide.

Les hele artklen, her.

Norway will keep momentum for well drilling, natural gas in 2025, Directorate says

Norway’s oil and gas companies delivered record levels of natural gas in 2024 and will drill a similar number of exploration wells this coming year, in a push to offset production declines later in the decade.

Some 40 wells are due to be drilled in 2025, on par with the 42 drilled last year, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate said Thursday. About half will be in the North Sea, about 10 in the Norwegian Sea and between four and six in the Barents Sea, the directorate said in its annual report on activity on the shelf.

Read full article, here.