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“Internationalisation is the key for many businesses in
rural areas of Norway. However, you must prove that
you have learned your lesson at home before you can
make it in the international market,” says Per Sævik,
founder of Havila Shipping ASA.
tain our high degree of innovation today.
Furthermore, it is an advantage that the
dialogue and relations between the various
players in the industry are informal. These
relationships are characterised by loyalty.”
Mr Sævik thinks that a healthy dose of
competition is part of the reason for the
incredible success over the past few years.
“I think Herøy is where it is today largely
as a result of its roots in fishing – and fishing
has always been strongly competitive.
In short, we cooperate where we can and
compete for the rest. And you will find
that there is an extreme willingness to
take risk in this region. People here have
an independent spirit – and this spirit has
taken them far,” says Mr Sævik.
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Like his fellow shipowners in Herøy, Mr
Sævik is preoccupied with giving back
to the local community. This is not only
because he feels gratitude towards his
neighbours, but also because he realises
that in order to attract employees to Herøy,
the community needs to offer something
more than just a good and stable income.
“If Fosnavåg is to remain an attractive
coastal town, we need to invest. This is
social responsibility. Work is a blessing,
but it is important that we make it more
lucrative for our youth to stay and not
move to the bigger cities. One way to do
this is through investing in their well-being
and prosperity. That means investing in
recreational activities, hotels, schools and
much more. If we don’t, we will lose the
best people,” says Mr Sævik.
no 01 2012 – 33