Eksportfinans was responsible for arranging a successful Norwegian Finance Day at the Federal Reserve Bank of Houston on September 22, in close cooperation with the Norwegian Consulate General, GIEK and DnB NOR. Around 130 participants from various countries and industries attended the half-day event, and were presented the knowledge and insight of the following speakers:
Ms. Berit Henriksen, EVP and Head of Energy of DnB NOR
Mr. Bill Gilmer, Senior Economist of the Federal Reserve Bank and Officer in Charge of El Paso Branch
Mr. Torbjoern Kjus, Senior Oil Analyst of DnB NOR.
Mr. Lars B. Hasle, Conference Moderator and Senior Vice President of Eksportfinans
Ms. Jasna Stojanovic, Senior Adviser of GIEK
In addition, speakers representing four companies from various exporting businesses eligible for export financing offered by Eksportfinans shared their experiences:
Mr. Griff Lane, VP Strategic Business Development and Commercial of Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine
Mr. Harald Dirdal, Partner and Project Manager of HAVGUL Clean Energy
Mr. Thomas Nyheim, Regional Director of REC Systems North America
Mr. Mark Reese, President of National Oilwell Varco Rig Division
Norwegian Finance Day was held one day after the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) of the US Federal Reserve announced the introduction of 'Operation Twist', which is designed to level the yield curve of the US dollar interest rates, ideally reducing the rate for long term lending. This is exactly the implication of the fixed rate government supported loans (CIRR-loans) offered by Eksportfinans for financing Norwegian export contracts.