Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Torbjorn Roe Isaksen, said yesterday that several Norwegian companies are already present in Qatar, and more companies are showing interest in the Qatari market. The energy company Equinor engaged in developing oil, gas, wind and solar energy across the world, wants to establish a local presence in Qatar.
The Norwegian company The Kongsberg Group yesterday signed an agreement to reinforce their cooperation with Barzan Holdings on digitalization in the maritime sector, the Minister announced.
Kongsberg is an international technology group that supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the merchant marine, defense, aerospace, offshore oil and gas industries, and renewable and utility industries.
Speaking on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of industrial cooperation between Qatar and Norway here yesterday, Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry noted that for decades, Norway has been focusing on developing technology in the offshore petroleum sector. Both automation and autonomy can provide additional environmental savings. Norwegian maritime industry is a world leader, including on autonomous ships based on advanced technology.
This has given Norwegian companies world-leading expertise, significant in terms of cost reductions, climate-efficient solutions, and digitization.
“Much of this technology and experience is now also relevant in the production of offshore wind. Where the global market is growing rapidly. The Energy Company Equinor developing oil, gas, wind and solar energy in more than 30 countries worldwide, wants to establish a local presence in Qatar….The vision is to establish and grow a long-term sustainable energy business in Qatar – by co-operating within various areas, both internationally and locally.”
As Qatar and Norway celebrate 50 years of successful collaboration and friendship, both the countries have built a sound basis – on appreciation and trust. Norway is looking forward to developing our future relations.
The Minister said knowledge, innovation, and technology have been building blocks for Norway’s partnership in Qatar.
He said Qafco represents the outset of a long-lasting Qatari-Norwegian industrial collaboration. The building of Qatar Fertiliser Company was truly initiating. It was the first major investment a Norwegian company had made abroad.
Commenting on the genesis of Norway’s partnership with Qafco, the Norwegian Ministers said: “It all started with the pioneering Norsk Hydro. Later the fertilizer division was demerged and became Yara. Hydro was quite simply the founding father of the industrial cooperation between Norway and Qatar.”
‘Yara’ being a global leader in crop nutrition and fertigation is contributing to the production of sustainable, local farming of high-quality food products. This is in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to achieve food security, improved nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.
“The Norwegian Government expects all Norwegian companies to act responsibly. It does not make a difference whether they have their business in Norway or in other countries…However, when businesses go beyond the minimum expectations and make real contributions to some of the world’s common challenges, I must say it makes me proud! ”, he said.
What really helped put Norway on the map in Qatar was the construction of Qatalum. Being the largest primary aluminum plant ever built in one phase. Many Norwegians and accompanying families stayed in Qatar during the construction period.
The Hydro and Yara’s investments in Qatar are of great importance for value creation in both Norway and Qatar.
The Peninsula
12/11/2019
