Press release -
Sigmund Bjørgo returns to the Norwegian Seafood Council – rejoins as Country Director to China
The Norwegian Seafood Council has hired Sigmund Bjørgo (46) as its new Country Director to China.
- Sigmund Bjørgo is strategically strong and has in-depth knowledge of both the seafood industry and the Chinese market. He has previously served in the same position in China and has done a remarkable job for us for many years, so we are extremely pleased to have him back, says Director of Global Operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council, Børge Grønbech.
Worked with the Seafood Council in China for seven years
Sigmund Bjørgo was hired by the Norwegian Seafood Council for the first time in 2011. He then assumed the role of Country Director in China and Hong Kong, a position he held until 2018.
For the next three years, the 46-year-old from Steinkjer served as the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to Sweden, before resigning in 2021 to become in charge of international growth at Tine.
- I had 10 great years at the Norwegian Seafood Council and I am proud and humble to be given this opportunity. Now I am looking forward to returning to Shanghai and further developing the Chinese market together with the Norwegian seafood industry, says Sigmund Bjørgo.
China has untold opportunities
As Director of new international growth at Tine since 2021, Bjørgo has been working towards Asia, including developing markets and brands for both TINE Brunost and Jarlsberg in this region.
- China has untold opportunities. Since I moved from Shanghai in 2018, Norwegian seafood exports have increased by a whopping 129 percent in value. This shows the great appetite the Chinese domestic market has for Norwegian seafood," says Bjørgo.
Replaces Thorud
Sigmund Bjørgo replaces Andreas Thorud (43), who has been the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to China for the past three years.
- Andreas Thorud has put in a solid effort in a large and important market for Norwegian seafood. He deserves a big round of applause, and we wish him good luck in the future, says Børge Grønbech.
Sigmund Bjørgo starts in his new position on July 1st.
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The Norwegian Seafood Council works with the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industries to develop markets for Norwegian seafood through local market intelligence, market development and reputational risk management. The Seafood Council is headquartered in Tromsø and maintains local representatives in twelve of Norway's most important international markets. The Norwegian seafood industry finances the activities of the Norwegian Seafood Council via a tariff on all Norwegian seafood exports.
The Norwegian Seafood Council is a public company owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
