Faroe Islands and Shetland Islands officials expect growth through cooperation

A Faroese delegation lead by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Johan Dahl along with representatives from the Ministry, from Faroese Telecom and from the Earth and Energy Directorate, visited Shetland and Aberdeen on May 17th – 18th.

Following an intensive programme fruitful and constructive meetings were held with authorities, industry leaders and organisations. The key focus of the visit was the initiatives on energy in Shetland i.e. the Viking Wind Project, the electricity cable between Shetland and mainland Britain and the Laggan Tormore oil and gas project.

In addition to the energy challenge of both communites several other topics were discussed.
 

The telecommunications services and infrastructure established by Faroese Telecom in the Faroes are considered to be an example worth following in Shetland and cooperation in this field is being planned. The decommissioning industry at Lerwick harbour is similarly of interest to the Faroese delegation as a new business opportunity.

All parties share the disappointment of the sailing and flying links between the countries being cancelled two years ago and there is common interest in reconsidering these routes as an important vehicle for cooperation.

In general several business opportunities are considered worthwile to pursue and a Shetland visit to the Faroe Islands is planned for the month of August.