Qeqertalik Business Council was co-organizer, when the municipality of Qeqertalik this week was visited by the American consulate in Nuuk. The visit has lifted the dialogue between Qeqertalik and USA and brought new perspectives on how cooperation and potentials in the region could grow.
Aasiaat and Qeqertarsuaq were the destinations, when a representative of the United States Consulate in Nuuk, Elizabeth Feary, Senior Development Advisor, with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) visited the municipality of Qeqertalik this week. Qeqertalik Business Council was co-hosting the visit.
“It has been a very rewarding visit in Qeqertalik. We are very happy to be strengthening the relations between the USA and Greenland, and the visit in Qeqertalik has brought a lot of new perspectives on how to deepen the cooperation,” Elizabeth Feary says.
With representatives from the local business operators as well as the municipality in Aasiaat, she started the week by participating in a meeting with two mining companies, who were telling about their preliminary investigations on Disko Island.
Possibilities of Qeqertarsuaq
The town of Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island was also part of the trip. In Qeqertarsuaq Elizabeth Feary met with local business operators as well as the scientific Arctic Station and a local artist at Kuannit Artworks.
“We are pleased that the U.S. representation prioritized meeting with local business leaders, artists, and educators of Aasiaat and Qeqertarsuaq, providing greater knowledge about the communities’ perspectives on the potential opportunities in our region. Furthermore, the visit increased local understanding of the U.S. Greenland partnership,” Gerth P. Olsen – Managing Director of Qeqertalik Business Council – says.
Visiting educational project in Aasiaat
Another purpose of the visit from the American consulate was to see the local Gammeqarfik school in Aasiaat. Here a new pilot project by Fonden for Entreprenørskab (FFE) – supported by USAID – begins next school year.
The pilot focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship. The aim of the project is to teach the students how to bring in and work with new ideas.
FFE program seamlessly integrates into Greenland’s existing school curriculum, equipping young people with the skills, foundation and encouragement they need to succeed in an ever competitive world.
Stronger connection to the USA
Finally, Elizabeth Feary went on a boat trip to the Transit Island and Tupilak Island of Aasiaat. Here she visited the old American base, which was used during Second World War (read more here: https://diskobay.gl/adventures/adventures/culture-and-stories-from-disko-bay/transit-island-in-aasiaat/).
“The visit has strengthened our relationship with the United States through the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk. This provides new possibilities for investments and corporations between our two countries, which benefits our local community,” Gerth P. Olsen says.
