Norway & Canada: An Important And Long-Standing Economic Relationship
Emphasis on Research & Innovation
Norway has a strong emphasis on research as a key component to an evolving competitive and innovative society -- this is evident across sectors. Norwegian firms' commitment to research, technology, and quality distinguishes them as a foreign investor in Canada.
My example above from Newfoundland can readily be used here. And investment in research is over-all an important aspect of Norwegian companies' activity in Canada. For example, Statoil is working with ArcticNet, to support developments in cold ocean regions.
Future Norway-Canada relations -- more trade & more jobs
A key way to benefit both our economies is to invest in free-trade. International investment and trade do not, as some presume, come at the expense of the domestic economy and jobs. As documented, Norwegian companies invest with a benefit to the Canadian economy. Free trade and investments across the borders is a win-win, not a zero sum game. The real value of world trade has increased eight-fold since the 70s, at the same time the number of people living in extreme poverty has been reduced by 50 per cent in the past two decades. Trade and development go hand in hand. And trade creates jobs. Our hope is, that this philosophy and the possibilities to invest will expand to the High North, the Arctic, where countries like Norway have decades of experience in developing the harsh, northern regions. Housing for the Arctic, infrastructure, harbours, developing the fishing sector -- in all these areas Norwegian companies stand ready to work in Canada.
Both Norway and Canada need to move from a resource-based to higher value-added economy. Other sectors of importance that have not been mentioned here are defence materiel, the maritime sector, mining, green technology and the whole tech-cluster (med-tech, edu-tech, gaming etc.). Cooperation in research-intensive sectors is a mutual priority, whether that be in ICT or in cold technology.
Norway & Canada: An Important And Long-Standing Economic Relationship | Mona Elisabeth Brother
Emphasis on Research & Innovation
Norway has a strong emphasis on research as a key component to an evolving competitive and innovative society -- this is evident across sectors. Norwegian firms' commitment to research, technology, and quality distinguishes them as a foreign investor in Canada.
My example above from Newfoundland can readily be used here. And investment in research is over-all an important aspect of Norwegian companies' activity in Canada. For example, Statoil is working with ArcticNet, to support developments in cold ocean regions.
Future Norway-Canada relations -- more trade & more jobs
A key way to benefit both our economies is to invest in free-trade. International investment and trade do not, as some presume, come at the expense of the domestic economy and jobs. As documented, Norwegian companies invest with a benefit to the Canadian economy. Free trade and investments across the borders is a win-win, not a zero sum game. The real value of world trade has increased eight-fold since the 70s, at the same time the number of people living in extreme poverty has been reduced by 50 per cent in the past two decades. Trade and development go hand in hand. And trade creates jobs. Our hope is, that this philosophy and the possibilities to invest will expand to the High North, the Arctic, where countries like Norway have decades of experience in developing the harsh, northern regions. Housing for the Arctic, infrastructure, harbours, developing the fishing sector -- in all these areas Norwegian companies stand ready to work in Canada.
Both Norway and Canada need to move from a resource-based to higher value-added economy. Other sectors of importance that have not been mentioned here are defence materiel, the maritime sector, mining, green technology and the whole tech-cluster (med-tech, edu-tech, gaming etc.). Cooperation in research-intensive sectors is a mutual priority, whether that be in ICT or in cold technology.
Norway & Canada: An Important And Long-Standing Economic Relationship | Mona Elisabeth Brother
