Bertin Environics CEO Kirsi Hedman took part in the official business delegation that accompanied President of the Republic of Finland Mr. Alexander Stubb in his official state visit to Norway on 15, 16, 17 October 2024.
The relations between Norway and Finland have been growing stronger, namely in the fields of defense and business, after Finland became a NATO member state in April 2023. Therefore, one of the aims of this state visit was to “promote cooperation in security and defence policy and infrastructure development.”
Bertin Environics CEO Kirsi Hedman was part of the Business Delegation that accompanied the President of the Republic of Finland Mr. Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb, as a representative of one of the companies with largest growing prospects in the defense industry, according to Tekniikka&Talous (Technology&Business in English), a Finnish language web service and news magazine.
Welcoming ceremony in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo on 15 October 2024. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland. View original photo here.
During the state visit, Kirsi Hedman had the opportunity to engage in great discussions with the Norwegian MOD customers. The Ministry of Defence is a government ministry in charge of the formation and implementation of national security and defence policy.
On the afternoon of 16th of October, Kirsi Hedman and with other elements from the Business Delegation visited the Nobel Peace Center where the Embassy of Finland hosted a reception. In his speech “President Alexander Stubb singled out Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2008, as the most important diplomat Finland has ever had”.
The next day, Thursday 17th of October, the delegation enrolled on a visit to Haakonsvern Naval Base (Haakonsvern Orlogsstasjon) in Bryggen, where they were introduced to the Norwegian Royal Navy by Rear Admiral Oliver Berdal. Among other short presentations, the Modernizing Norway’s Martime Capabilities by Commodore Stein Håvard Bergstad, head of Naval System Division. Haakonsvern is the main base of the Royal Norwegian Navy and the largest naval base in the Nordic area.
On the same day there was also a meeting with Port of Bergen & Plug Bergen where the delegation was welcomed and hosted by Michael Forland, Port Director and Monica Mæland, CEO of Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Port of Bergen is Norway’s second-biggest port. Plug Bergen AS is a joint-venture owned 50/50 by the Port of Bergen and Plug AS.
It was with great pleasure and honour that I took part of the highest possible delegation of Finland during this state visit to Norway.
I am proud of Bertin Environics’ role on supporting the cooperation between the two countries, by providing state-of-art technology to Norwegian defence organizations.
It was also impressive and delightful to observe how Norwegian and Finnish people can cooperate and work together like if they have been doing it since ever. I felt like being home and welcomed.
Kirsi Hedman
Bertin Environics President, CEO