Tag Archives: USA

Innovation Norway’s Presence to be Strengthened in US

Business News, , , ,

Innovation Norway is now following up the government’s new action plan for exports, and will strengthen our presence in some important export markets. At the same time, the number of permanent Innovation Norway offices abroad is reduced, and arrangements are made for more flexible and targeted export support in line with the advice from Norwegian business and industry. 

– Our ability to export products and services is crucial for the development of a competitive and sustainable Norwegian business community. Innovation, business development and exports are closely linked. We are now making changes that will strengthen efforts towards export and give us the necessary flexibility to assist companies in the work of seizing market opportunities abroad, says CEO Håkon Haugli of Innovation Norway. 

Read entire article here

Business Wire: Equinor Ready to Expand Offshore Wind in New York, Invest Locally

Business News, Energy, , ,

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Equinor submitted bids into New York’s second offshore wind solicitation, building on its strong commitment to deliver renewable energy to the Empire State. In keeping with New York’s commitment to a just energy transition Equinor would provide large investments in economically disadvantaged communities.

Equinor submitted its proposals to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in response to the state’s most recent solicitation requesting proposals for up to 2,500 megawatts of offshore wind and a multi-port infrastructure investment plan.

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Norway House Providing Support for Companies Entering the US Marketplace Through Business Accelerator Resource Network (BARN)

Business News, ,

“Norway House connects the United States and contemporary Norway through arts, business, and culture.”

Norway House is a forward-thinking, international business and culture organization in Minneapolis, Minnesota dedicated to establishing, renewing, and advancing connections between contemporary Norway and the United States through education and partnerships centered around the arts, business, and culture.

BARN (Business Accelerator Resource Network) provides unique and individual support for companies entering the US marketplace. Barn gives access to senior mentors with extensive globalization experience, and provides introduction to strategic partners and service providers. BARN is a springboard into the American marketplace.

Press Release: Equinor partners with BP in US offshore wind to capture value and create platform for growth

Business News, Energy, ,

Equinor (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) has entered into an agreement with BP (LSE: BP, NYSE: BP) to sell 50% non-operated interests in the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind assets on the US east coast for a total consideration before adjustments of USD 1.1 billion. Through this transaction, the two companies are also establishing a strategic partnership for further growth within offshore wind in the US.

Currently Equinor holds a 100% interest in both the Empire Wind lease, located off the coast of New York State, and the Beacon Wind lease, located off the Massachusetts coast. The transaction is in line with Equinor’s renewable strategy to access attractive acreage early and at scale, mature projects, and capture value by de-risking high equity ownership positions.

Read entire press release here

Reuters: Equinor to cut jobs in U.S., Canada and UK following oil price fall

Business News, Energy, , ,

OSLO (Reuters) – Norwegian oil and gas firm Equinor is set to cut jobs significantly in the United States, Canada and Britain to adjust to a fall in oil prices, a company spokesman said on Wednesday.

The group plans to cut employee numbers in those countries by about 20% and contractor numbers by around half to ensure profitability at lower oil prices, the spokesman told Reuters, adding that the targets were communicated internally on Tuesday.

Equinor will also not drill any new unconventional wells this year in the United States, where it has acreage in the Bakken and Marcellus shale formations, he said.

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Sons of Norway Viking: Seven Years as Norway’s Ambassador with Kåre R. Aas

Business News, Government, ,

I have served as Norway’s Ambassador to the United States for the past seven years. It has been a privilege and an honor to work every day on further developing the already excellent relationship between our two countries. In a few weeks I will leave Washington, D.C., and move on to new challenges.

It is a strange time to end my tenure here in the United States, as the whole world since late winter has been challenged by a health crisis the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetimes. It affects us all profoundly. It impacts our economy and way of life to such an extent that I believe we will never really return to our old ways in all respects.

Let me reflect on a few issues that come to mind as particularly important after these years.

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hans Christian Heg was an abolitionist who died trying to end slavery. What to know about the man whose statue was toppled in Madison.

Business News, ,

MADISON – During chaos at the Wisconsin State Capitol Tuesday night, protesters tore down two statues that have stood in front of the statehouse for decades — including one memorializing a Wisconsin abolitionist who died trying to end slavery during the Civil War.  

In other cities, statues of Confederate soldiers and symbols have been destroyed by those protesting racial injustice. But in Madison, the statue of famed abolitionist Col. Hans Christian Heg was torn down and thrown into Madison’s Lake Monona late Tuesday night. It had stood in front of the Capitol since 1925.

Read entire article HERE.

NPR: Trump Expected To Suspend H-1B, Other Visas Until End Of Year

Business News, Government, , , , ,

President Trump is expected to sign an order to suspend H-1B, L-1 and other temporary work visas through the end of the year, according to the multiple sources familiar with the plan.

The new order — which is expected to come with broad exceptions — comes as the administration continues to wrestle with high unemployment among American workers because of the coronavirus pandemic and tries to kick-start the economic recovery.

The order would target H-1B visas, which are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in the tech industry, as well as L-1 visas, which are meant for executives who work for large corporations.

Read entire article HERE.

New York Times: U.S. Is Nowhere Close to Reopening the Economy, Experts Say

Business News, , , ,

WASHINGTON — How long can we keep this up?

It is still very early in the U.S. effort to snuff a lethal pandemic by shutting down much of the economy. But there is a growing question — from workers, the White House, corporate boardrooms and small businesses on the brink — that hangs over what is essentially a war effort against a virus that has already killed more than 9,000 Americans.

There is no good answer yet, in part because we don’t even have the data needed to formulate one.

Essentially, economists say, there won’t be a fully functioning economy again until people are confident that they can go about their business without a high risk of catching the virus.

Read entire article HERE.

Littler: 2021 US (H-1B) Business Visa Registration Process: March 1-21

Business News, Legal, , ,

In late 2019, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would implement the registration process for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap. The H-1B visa is used by businesses that want to employ foreign nationals to work in a specialty occupation requiring theoretical or technical expertise. The initial registration period for the 2021 cap will open at 12 p.m. ET on March 1, 2020 and run through 12 p.m. ET on March 20, 2020. USCIS will use the myUSCIS online portal to conduct the electronic H-1B registration process. Prospective petitioners may begin to designate themselves as H-1B registrants on the myUSCIS accounts beginning February 24, 2020. The following information will be required for the registration process (Information and entire article can be found HERE)