Anne-Grete Ellingsen, CEO of GCE NODE, moderated the seminar on blue growth in Brussels.

The European Union welcomes new ocean space projects. GCE NODE moderated a seminar on blue growth in Brussels this week.

The seminar was part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, which is an important arena for the public sector in both the EU and the European Economic Area, which includes Norway.

Organized by South Norway European Office (Sørlandets Europakontor), the seminar Blue Growth – Future Perspectives for Smarter Specialization,drew attendees from European offices representing nations and regions with natural relations to the North Sea.

The key note speaker was Mr. Christos Economou, Head of Unit at Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the European Commission. He focused on the digital shift and the security challenges associated with it.

“And this is, of course, exactly what we focus on in GCE NODE,” says Isabelle-Louise Aabel, EU Advisor for GCE NODE.

“The OECD report on Blue Growth (2016) lays the foundation for the European offensive for ocean space industries, such as tourism, aquaculture, energy and transport. The Commission is ready to support large ocean space projects, and recognizes that small and medium-sized companies will play a key part,” says Aabel.

“The seminar was also an opportunity to showcase GCE NODE competence, technology and network. EU is interested in how technology and competence from the oil and gas industry can be utilized in other blue industries. This presents new opportunities for GCE NODE companies,” says Anne-Grete Ellingsen, CEO of GCE NODE.

For more information and assistance, please contact EU Advisor at GCE NODE, Isabelle-Louise Aabel at tel:+4799275549.