"Such an initiative would create the conditions to develop and attract international talent", says governor of Västerbotten, Helene Hellmark Knutsson.
Länsstyrelsen in Västerbotten, Region Västerbotten and Skellefteå municipality have sent three letters to the government.
The first requests Migrationsverket to allow exceptions for work permits for people from non-EU countries. The second asks for an immediate start of the Norrbotniabanan rail project.
The third urges the government to create a research and innovation cluster in Skellefteå, linked to the automotive industry in Västra Götaland. The proposal highlights Skellefteå’s expertise in electrification and battery production, aiming to create a competitive growth cluster.
"The government's recently announced investment in Kraftlyftet, with 700 million kronor over the next three years, is a step in the right direction and can be effectively linked to the creation of such a cluster," reads a press release.
– We see an opportunity for the government to turn the Skellefteå region into an education, research, and innovation cluster focused on advanced battery manufacturing, research, and innovation, says Västerbotten county governor Helene Hellmark Knutsson, adding:
– Such an investment would create conditions to develop and attract international expertise, foster new startups, strengthen the development capacity of existing businesses, and make regional research even more relevant.
Lorents Burman (S) believes that a cluster in Skellefteå could help Sweden lead the way in the future of electric vehicles and battery manufacturing.
– Development is being distorted due to, among other things, China’s extensive state subsidy policy, which threatens Europe’s and Sweden’s industrial base, says Skellefteå’s mayor, Lorents Burman (S), continuing:
– With the resources available in Skellefteå and Västra Götaland, Sweden can be in the vanguard of the future electric vehicle industry and battery manufacturing.
“Experience shows that cities and regions that can develop successful clusters around an industry with relevant education, good conditions for skills supply, and closer collaboration with business to create economic development,” states the press release.
Rickard Carstedt (S) is the chairman of the regional development committee at Region Västerbotten.
The Skellefteå Universities Alliance (SUA) is highlighted in the Swedish government’s strategy for reindustrialization and societal transformation in Norrbotten and Västerbotten, according to local stakeholders.
The construction of the Arctic Center for Energy (ACE) is also cited as evidence that Skellefteå is an ideal location for such a cluster.
– This is a golden opportunity to create a pilot for innovative education and research collaborations that benefit Sweden, says Rickard Carstedt (S), chair of the regional development committee at Region Västerbotten.