Invest in Norrbotten

Assignment

”We export understanding and knowledge of business opportunities in Norrbotten, and import founders and investors into the county.”

Invest in Norrbotten’s assignment is to play an active, systematic part in attracting investments and business start-ups to Norrbotten with the aim of creating more job opportunities in the region. The project has been running at full speed since members Jörgen Eriksson and Göran Littorin were employed at the beginning of November 2009. Twelve municipalities participate in the project and work is under way to get all of the county’s communities on board.                                                                  

The three-year project is financed by the county council, the twelve municipalities and the European Regional Development Fund. The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth has agreed to an extension of the project until June 30, 2012.

Invest in Norrbotten is tasked with raising the market’s understanding of the county’s advantages and selling the region’s opportunities for presumptive business founders and investors both national and international. Invest in Norrbotten is a coordinating, supporting function at regional level, and does not close deals; these always take place at the local community level.

The initial strategy has been to visit all participating municipalities and initiate processes aimed at achieving improved sales and reception organizations in the respective communities and locations. Equally important is working together with communities to pick out the best reasons as to why a company should set up or invest in a particular community or location. Contacts and meetings are held with Invest Swedens with the aim of establishing collaboration and cooperation agreements between Invest Sweden and Invest in Norrbotten. A formal agreement is intended for signing in June, 2010 in connection with a two-day visit to Norrbotten by Invest Sweden’s management group, including General Director Per-Erik Sandlund.