Nordic cooperation vital post COVID-19

The Nordic Ministers of business met to discuss ways ways to focus on a cross-Nordic approach to re-energising the trade, industries, tourism, service sectors and innovative focused companies in the Nordic countries following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, Minister of tourism, industry and innovation: 

"I felt it was important to call this meeting, especially because now, more than ever, it is important for the Nordic countries to exercise the power of unity and their collective strength. Research shows that the markets we look to the most see the Nordic countries as one area. We also know that it is important to be ready to move swiftly when things have improved after COVID-19. So we need to utilise this and move fast; identify our strengths as a region and find common ground for collaboration. We know the world has changed but we still know our strengths and I belive that we can easily improve further with the good co-operation of the Nordic countries."

All the Nordic countries have been dealing with the challenges presented by COVID-19, economical as well as social. The actions taken now will be decisive in how the Nordic countries will succeed in moving on once this demanding period passes and we are back to business as usual.

The world as we know it may be changed forever, but the Nordic Ministers are confident that the Nordic countries can take a leading role in adapting to this new reality relying on our common Nordic values as well as our unwavering focus on sustainability and integration.

To this effect, the Nordic Ministers agreed to establish a cross-Nordic working group focusing on a fast track process to define a roadmap for areas where the Nordic countries can work together with the aim of rebooting their respective economies post-COVID-19, assisted by the Nordic Council of Ministers.