On the right track

Relations between the UAE and Norway continue to prosper

Norway, recognised worldwide for its diverse resources and characteristics, is known in the UAE for its substantial oil resources, insurmountable mountain peaks and intriguing Viking heritage.

Similarly, the UAE is known in Norway for its fast-track development curve, desert safaris and modern tourist attractions.

Although formal relations between both countries have existed for several decades, ties at the ambassadorial level were established in 1994. Prior to that, Norway's embassy in Kuwait was responsible for diplomatic dealings with the UAE.

A number of positive developments have given a boost to relations between the two countries.

Anne Rikter-Svendsen, the newly-appointed Norwegian ambassador to the UAE says, "Norway and the UAE enjoy an excellent partnership on both the political and economical front. As Norway's new ambassador to the UAE, it will be my endeavor to contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of these ties.

"At a time when major regional and global changes are taking place so rapidly, maintaining and further strengthening good bilateral ties is a priority for Norway."

Healthy ties
The UAE and Norway have traditionally shared healthy trade ties. The UAE hosts more than 50 Norwegian companies and about 800 Norwegians, which is the biggest Norwegian presence outside Europe and North America.

With its strategic placement as a business hub, the UAE is an important business partner for Norway in the region. It also serves as the biggest market for Norwegian direct investment and as the base for its re-export market.

"There exists ample potential to enhance and extend our cooperation in several fields especially but not exclusively - in business. It has been my objective to encourage Norwegian companies to look at the UAE for business opportunities as well as help UAE companies pursuing business and investments in Norway.

"We are proud of the involvement by Norwegian companies in opportunities in Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as in Abu Dhabi," says the envoy.

Norway's economic growth over the past 20 years has been substantial and the country today is among the richest in the world. It is one of the world's foremost oil exporting nations, and a global leader in a wide range of industries such as aquaculture, maritime industries, hydropower engineering and telecommunications.

"While access to natural resources such as oil has been essential to the growth of wealth in our country, the human capital is our most important resource," says the ambassador, pointing out several sectors that could boost beneficial mutual cooperation, including state-of-art technology in oil and gas, environment conservation research, shipping, defence technology, telecommunication, supply industries, advanced technologies and fish farming.

Norway's capability in these industries was well demonstrated at the recent ADIPEC exhibition in November this year, according to the Norwegian envoy.

The embassy plans to have a single Norwegian pavilion (rather than a scattered representation), at ADIPEC 2008 in order to market Norway's strengths effectively.

Trade figures between both nations have been charting growth, with a remarkable increase over the past few years.
Norwegian export figures tripled since 1997 and reached almost $100 million (Dh367.27 million) in 2000, making the UAE one of the most important markets for Norwegian companies.

For the year 2005, Norwegian imports to the UAE stood at 866.7 million crowns (Dh520.48 million), while imports from the UAE totalled 65.6 million crowns (Dh39.39 million) for the same year.

The country exports an array of products to the UAE, including machines, telecommunication equipment, prefabricated buildings, furniture and parts, scientific and technical equipment, manufactured goods and traditional items.

Promoting the business interests of Norway in the UAE is the Norwegian Business Group (NBG) - an organisation for Norwegian-related companies in the country.

The group, which was established in 1996, helps promote Norwegian business in the UAE and welcomes members/companies interested in Norway or Norwegian business.

With regards to Norwegian presence in the country, the envoy says: "We are happy to see more Norwegian companies come to the UAE. Recent entrants to the UAE market have been both SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and major Norwegian companies.

"Telenor, Norway's biggest telecom operator has also opened its office in Dubai recently. We also have Norwegian involvement in the two big rigs being built at the Dubai Dry Docks for Aker Kvaerner.

Major Norwegian companies such as Wilhelmsen/Barwil, Jotun Paint and Det Norske Veritas have been here for 30 years.

Research hub
Norway has the biggest oil research institute in northern Europe, and the country has developed the finest state-of-the-art oil and gas technology. The country also boasts the biggest fish-farming industry in the world.

"Although Norway and the UAE are working together on many fronts, there is a need for a wider scope of cooperation in many areas that are common to both the countries.

"I am sure that the two largest Norwegian oil and gas companies Hydro and Statoil, who are both represented in the UAE, would be very happy to see a long term commitment with the UAE," says the Ambassador.

The Norwegian envoy wants more Norwegian companies to come to the UAE and discover new opportunities. Towards this end, she has prepared an official agenda, which has been submitted to the Norwegian government.

The proposals include promotion of more bilateral visits, exchanges and business delegation visits between the two countries.

"High level visits and delegations allow and facilitate the right people or decision makers to look at opportunities between our two countries. I hope to see more Norwegian high level visits and delegations in UAE in the years to come.

"We are targeting various new sectors for cooperation, including the environment/technology, health sector and education. Architecture is another possibility", says the Ambassador.

Tourism is booming business globally, and Norway is no different. "The tourism sector is among the fastest growing sectors in the world. Norway places great importance on this industry, especially regional Norway.

"However, Norway does not rank among the top tourist destinations in Europe. I have nevertheless met many UAE nationals who have been visiting Norway, a fact I find quite impressive," says the ambassador.

"I have met the senior Norwegian officials of Innovation of Norway - a merger between Norway Trade Council and Norway's tourist council - to promote Norway as a tourist destination in the UAE.

"On the other hand, the UAE is well known in Norway as the media is flush with Dubai tourism promotion packages. Recently introduced chartered flights have also provided a significant boost to air-traffic from Norway to the UAE.

"Serving at Norwegian Embassies in London, Paris, The Hague and Singapore for several years and as an Assistant Director General for different sections at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo, Anne Rikter-Svendsen was posted as minister counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy in Paris for five years before her posting to the UAE.

"As minister counsellor in Paris, my responsibilities included the promotion of culture. Therefore I am keen to introduce more of Norwegian culture to the UAE.

"I have had meetings with the cultural foundation in the capital and look forward to organising more Norwegian activities in the future, in close cooperation with UAE organisations andinstitutions," she says.

Warm reception
The Norwegian Ambassador is receptive of the warmth of the UAE people. "I am extremely pleased to be here as well as amazed at the hospitality of the UAE people. I am especially impressed with the country's outstanding developments and achievements that have set examples for others to follow."