Envoy set to take up Middle East role

The Seafood Council decided in August 2023 to establish an office in Dubai, which was put on hold due to the unrest in the region.

It didn’t totally cease activities in that part of the world, with Ingelill Jacobsen, helped by  Ørjan Olsen, temporarily taking on responsibility.

Now the Council has appointed a full time envoy in a region with a rapidly growing demand for seafood

Asbjørn Rørtveit (pictured) said: “ I am very much looking forward to working together with the exporters to increase Norwegian seafood exports to a very exciting region in strong growth.

“It will be particularly important to build close relationships with importers and grocery chains in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, in order to be able to jointly carry out campaigns for, among other things, salmon and cod that have the greatest possible effect on awareness, preference and demand.”

He takes up his new role next month and one of his first roles will be to join the Norwegian pavilion at the Saudi Food Show from May 12-14, where several Norwegian exporters will participate. 

He said: “It will be important for me to have close dialogue with the exporters in order to develop the region in accordance with the industry’s ambitions and expectations,

“This is a good opportunity to position yourself in a market that could double by 2030.”

Meanwhile, Trond Rismo, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s envoy to Portugal, is leaving the organisation in August after nine years to take on a new role in a different part of the seafood industry.

Børge Grønbech, Director of Global Operations at the Council, said it was a shame to be losing a very talented colleague.