Co-ownership in focus for parliamentary seminar on Helsingborg-Helsingør connection
Co-ownership in focus for parliamentary seminar on Helsingborg-Helsingør connection
Our Head of Investment Management, Carl-Emil Lindholm, recently participated in a seminar in the Swedish parliament on alternative financing models for infrastructure projects. The seminar covered the potential of a fixed road and rail tunnel between Helsingborg and Helsingør to increase connectivity between Sweden and Denmark.
Carl-Emil, what are your main takeaways from the seminar?
The seminar highlighted the importance of infrastructure for societal growth and particularly cross-border collaboration. Investing in infrastructure that further connects Denmark and Sweden would increase mobility that strengthens economic competitiveness and resilience. Another connection to continental Europe builds Swedish civil preparedness, but also further Nordic collaboration. Co-ownership could play a key role in unlocking the potential of the Helsingborg-Helsingør connection.
Based on the conclusions from the seminar, how can we find alternative financing models of infrastructure?
At Infranode, we support the efforts of the Swedish government to boost infrastructure investments by encouraging collaboration between the public and private sector. Sweden faces significant financial challenges in maintaining and developing existing and new infrastructure. To tackle the challenge, we need new ways to collaborate. Better knowledge sharing between municipalities, regions, and investors is crucial for both sides. Across Europe, there are cases to learn from. As a next step, we propose the establishment of a national competence center on co-financing models to advance a co-ownership agenda.
What are your general reflections on achieving collaborations between private and public actors?
Finding the right model for co-ownership is not a one size fits all solution. Suitable collaboration models must be identified through active dialogue on a case-to-case basis. All infrastructure projects involving co-ownership between private and public actors need to strike a balance for risk sharing.
What will be of importance for realizing the Helsingborg-Helsingør connection going forward?
We need to increase investments in infrastructure in all Nordic countries. Co-ownership, collaboration, and innovative financing models should remain at the core of the discussion. The Nordics offer strong examples of innovative partnerships resulting in essential infrastructure such as the Arlanda track, and the Öresund Bridge being developed. We look forward to following the progress of the Helsingborg-Helsingør connection.
