Programs and Events
Commercial Officer Delivers Keynote Speech at Bioenergy Conference
Last year Mankato, Minnesota became the first town to host the International Bioenergy Days. This year's edition is being organized in Trollhättan and Lidköping in Sweden. Following the opening address by Governor Lars Bäckström of Västra Götaland, Frank Carrico, Senior Regional Commercial Officer, presented President Barack Obama's very ambitous initiatives on biofuels.
Mr. Carrico highlighted that more than $1 Billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Obama earlier this year, has been devoted to direct investments in biofuels to improve the environment, reduce the dependence on foreign oil and create green-collar jobs. Frank Carrico also illuminated the Administration's new fuel standards for cars, by 2016 the new corporate average fuel economy will be 35.5 mpg.
ÄFAB and Neova, both on the Embassy's list of Alternative Energy Opportunities in Sweden, sponsored the conference. Other keynote speakers included: Lena Ek, Member of European Parliament, Tore Helmersson, CEO Innovatum Technology Park, Göran Lundgren, Head of Business Development Vattenfall, Dale Wahlstrom, Bio Business Alliance of Minnesota, John Frey, Ireti Institute, Johan Trouvé, CEO West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and Industry.