The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Trond Giske Visits China

The Minister emphasized the increased importance of China’s role in the world economy and that China will be a bigger economy than that of many European countries combined in the years to come. Furthermore, he mentioned the importance of Norway’s involvement in trade and commercial cooperation with China in the years to come. Minister Giske also urged Norwegian companies to see the importance of having knowledge about Chinese culture as this is crucial to understanding

China, as well as building better relations with Chinese companies.

 “Norwegian producers have already made a good impression on the Chinese market, and we know for a fact that they supply goods of high quality. One of the key objectives of my visit here is to assure contracts to Norwegian companies for even more deals”, he says.

The minister’s visit also included a trip to Waigaoqiao Shipyard where Mr. John Fredriksen’s Frontline has orders for several Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). . At the shipyard, Giske was accompanied by representatives from other companies, such as Det Norske Veritas, I.M. Skaugen, Jotun, DnB NOR and Rolls Royce.

Included in his visit was also a meeting with the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Han Zheng, where they discussed the Expo 2010 as well as economic relations between Norway and Shanghai. 

 Mr. Giske was also given a guided tour at the Norwegian pavilion at the Expo site by Mr. Arild Blixrud. Later the same evening, he went to see a fashion show which introduced the uniforms for the guides at the Norwegian pavilion. The uniforms are designed by Wenche Lyche and Johan Rye Holmboe who were both present during the catwalk.

The Norwegian Furset-gruppen restaurants will be providing the catering at the restaurant at the Norwegian pavilion, and Mr. Giske enjoyed a delicious seafood buffet dinner of the menu to come.

On Tuesday January 12th, Mr. Giske visited the Norwegian company Metallkraft AS which has a plant in Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province. He also got to meet the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Yangzhou, Ms. Wan Yanwen. The topic of their meeting was cooperation in the field of new energy.

On Wednesday the 13th,  Minister Giske opened a seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility in Beijing, where he adressed the possibilities of cooperation between Norway and China on issues such as the improvement of Occupational Safety and Health and fighting corruption.

Furthermore, Minister Giske conducted political meetings with both Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Technology, and Ministry of Communications (Transport). To Chinese authorities the Minister’s main message was the importance of the ongoing FTA negotiations, and his aim of having these concluded within the EXPO year of 2010.

 

 

 

In addition the Minister attended the Nordic Countries’ EXPO launch, as well as a promotion and press conference regarding the EXPO participation of the Nordic countries. 

The Minister also got a glimpse of how Norwegian salmon is being promoted in China. China is now the second biggest market for Norwegian salmon abroad.