Source:
https://scmp.com/presented/business/topics/norway-country-report/article/1880482/innovation-norway-promotes-green
Business

Innovation Norway promotes green technology, buoys business growth

Knut Sørlie, regional director for China

Climate change and oil-price volatility are some of the top global sustainability issues confronting Norwegian companies today. These challenges encouraged Innovation Norway - the Norwegian government's mechanism for developing enterprises and industries - to work more closely with companies to stimulate innovations that promote sustainable technologies globally in areas such as energy, renewables, environment and health.

With a heightened focus on the world's green economy shift, Innovation Norway upholds Norwegian entrepreneurs and growth-oriented firms as they nurture sustainable trade relationships with markets in Asia.

Its presence on the mainland and in major cities such as Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore has spawned successful partnerships that have contributed significantly to the advancement of clean technology.

Setting up offshore wind and wastewater technology business clusters in Beijing, Innovation Norway has helped small Norwegian companies expand seamlessly across Asia by collaborating effectively with counterparts in China.

"Asia is a growth region for Norwegian companies," says Knut Sørlie, Innovation Norway regional director for China. "The trade development between Norway and China has been very positive for the past 10 to 15 years. Norwegian companies continue to be optimistic about market potential in China."

With the Chinese government's marked commitment to fighting corruption and pollution, Innovation Norway sees China as a crucial market for Norwegian green technology services particularly in the maritime and offshore sectors, and environmental technologies.

To bolster further cooperation, Innovation Norway fosters agreements with associations in the renewable energy sector and welcomes like-minded investors dedicated to creating value and growth.

"Norway is known as a clean, peaceful and environmentally friendly country, but it's more important to create a sustainable society that can make things better for people," Sørlie says. "That is what business is about and that is our contribution to the business sector. We're a small player, but we make a difference in the small things that we do."