- "Leaving Kristiansand is a difficult decision. But it's tempting to work even more internationally with business development, and Canada is an exciting country and market," says Haugum.

He has previous international experience from Innovation Norway in Beijing and came to Kristiansand after working for EFTA in Brussels for four years. Now he is ready for new international assignments. On March 1, he will be in place at the Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa as seconded trade counselor. Innovation Norway also has an office in Toronto.

In her seven years in Kristiansand, Haugum has established and built Business Region Kristiansand as the municipality's business department. During this period, the department has grown from four to 13 employees without increasing the budget. This has been made possible by seeking collaboration with private companies, Agder County Council and others.

- "I've had seven incredibly good and eventful years in the municipality of Kristiansand and have been allowed to build a business department with a mandate to look beyond the municipality's borders. It's been a fantastic journey," says Geir Haugum.

Analyses from Telemarksforskning show that the Kristiansand region reversed a negative trend in 2019. Among the major city regions in Norway, the region scores highest on overall residential and business attractiveness over the past five years.

- I am proud of what we have achieved. The recommendation for a new municipal organization, which came before the weekend, is a recognition of the work that has been done. It is a very good starting point for further business work in the municipality," says Haugum.

He hopes to make use of his southern network in Canada as well.

- I'm happy to hear from companies that are active or want to be active in Canada," says Haugum.

- "We are very grateful for the effort Geir has put into building an excellent business department that has also looked beyond the municipality's borders. The fact that our employees are also attractive employees in an international setting shows how good people we have in the municipality," says Bernt Jørgen Stray, Director of Interaction and Innovation in Kristiansand Municipality.