Norway’s foreign ministry, which has assembled all its ambassadors and station chiefs in Oslo this week, unveiled a new program to them that aims to make it easier for Norwegian businesses to expand abroad. The program also enhances state support for companies’ international operations.
Called “Team Norway,” the program will coordinate the services of the foreign ministry, Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Seafood Council and others who work for Norwegian outside Norway.
“The ministry is stepping up efforts to support Norwegian business abroad,” said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. “Norway’s ambassadors will lead the coordination of the Team Norway groups’ work.”
Eide also claimed Norwegian business “will to an even greater degree see that we operate with economic diplomacy.” The “Team Norway” concept already is underway in some countries, including Japan, but now will spread to most countries where Norwegian companies have operations, through exchange of information and experience, joint events and promotions aimed at the host country.
Top business and labour leaders were at Monday’s launch of the program, including Kristin Skogen Lund, head of employers’ organization NHO, and Gerd Kristiansen, head of trade union federation LO.
newsinenglish.no staff
