A natural connection

Drawing from their commonalities, Norway and the UAE look at new areas of cooperation.

Norway has the world's second highest GDP per capita and was in first place on the UNDP Human Development Index for the fifth consecutive year in 2006. Apart from the impressive economic and social statistics, tourists also know the country as a beautiful destination with mountains, glaciers and fjords.

The UAE is an important trading partner for Norway, and historically the ties between the two countries have been robust. "The relationship between the two countries has been growing since the Royal Norwegian Embassy was established in Abu Dhabi in 1994. In 2007, we witnessed a major boost in the bilateral relationship between Norway and the UAE, which will be followed next year with new ties spanning several fronts," says Anne Rikter-Svendsen, Norway's ambassador to the UAE.

The UAE is the centre of attention for Norwegian policies vis-à-vis the Gulf, as the country hosts the biggest Norwegian expatriate community outside Europe and North America. "Approximately 1,100 Norwegians reside in the UAE, with a vast majority living and working in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Many of these are employed with the approximately 60 Norwegian companies doing business in the UAE," says Rikter-Svendsen.

Exciting times

Rikter-Svendsen became ambassador in October last year and feels challenged by her position. "These are really exciting times to be posted in the UAE. The country is witnessing unprecedented economic growth, which is also reflected in the import and export figures between our two countries. Norwegian exports to the UAE last year amounted to 1,149 million crowns (Dh784 million), an increase of 32 per cent from 2005. Norwegian imports from the UAE stood at 113 million crowns (Dh77 million) in 2006," she says.

These numbers make the UAE one of Norway's largest export markets in Asia, on par with India. Fish, metals and machines are traditionally strong sectors in the bilateral trade. Trade in services and consultancies has increased immensely over the last few years.

"Against this backdrop, the Embassy in Abu Dhabi has recommended to Norwegian authorities that a Norwegian Trade Office, with a separate energy section, should be established in the country," says Rikter-Svendsen.

Norway and the UAE have a number of commonalities. "We are both small countries with economies that are largely based on oil and gas. As a result, we have both acknowledged the importance of developing industries closely connected to our natural resources. Our national resource wealth notwithstanding, both Norway and the UAE are making great strides towards diversifying our economies."

The ambassador also feels that mutual interests and challenges concerning climate change and the environment unite the two countries. Climate change is at the pinnacle of Norway's policy agenda, and the Norwegian government's vision is that the country should develop into an environmentally friendly nation that leads the way in the development of green energy.

Common ground

"Norway's aspiration to be a front-runner in the international climate debate will open new avenues for dialogue with the UAE. I find this a most interesting issue for our two small, rich, resource-abundant countries. Improving the protection of the environment is also a priority in the UAE, especially through the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar," says Rikter-Svendsen.

"Future energy", as Masdar calls it, will cover a growing and noticeable share of the energy mixture in both countries in the years to come.

"As a result of our mutual interests in this field, our Deputy Minister of Oil and Energy will lead a Norwegian delegation to the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in January 2008," she says.

As a representative of a country with a female majority in government, and at the forefront of gender empowerment, the ambassador says that she is keen to give higher priority to the two countries' mutual interests with regard to women's roles in public and business life.

"I have attended several forums for business women here in the UAE and have been impressed by the initiative and great talent that these women demonstrate. I am also very impressed by the high percentage of women represented in the Federal National Council. I hope this will provide a solid background for closer cooperation between Norwegian and Emirati women," says Rikter-Svendsen.

The UAE is growing as a tourist destination for Norwegians. "With the launch of Scandinavian Airlines' direct flight from Copenhagen to Dubai in November this year, we expect the numbers to increase even more rapidly. Many Norwegians also work for the UAE's two airlines, Emirates and Etihad. In addition, studies at the Emirates College of Hospitality have become popular among Norwegians, and there are about 50 students enrolled there currently," says Rikter-Svendsen.

The ambassador is also keen to strengthen cultural ties and says that the performance of world-renowned Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes in Abu Dhabi on UAE National Day this year was an occasion to celebrate these growing ties. In addition, the critically acclaimed Norwegian film The Bothersome Man will be shown in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain this month.

"We hope to do more to bring Norwegian culture to the UAE in the future, in close collaboration with the country's excellent cultural institutions," she says.

"Addressing political, economic and cultural issues alike, I feel confident that the relations between Norway and the UAE will continue to grow in 2008. Together with the strong Norwegian expatriate community and business interests present in this exciting and hospitable country, I look forward to continue working towards this goal," says Rikter-Svendsen.