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Finding business partners in Norway
Presentation by Astri Sophie Platou,
Director International Business Section, Oslo Chamber of Commerce
Contents of presentation
 A few facts about Norway and its industry, trade and
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economy
Starting a business in Norway – some important
aspects
Norwegian business culture
Some advices and contact points for doing business
in Norway
How can Oslo Chamber of Commerce assist you
Some facts about Norway:
 Norway is the 4th largest country
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in Europe by area – population
4,9 mill.
5 geographical regions: Eastern,
Southern, Western, Middle and
Northern Norway
Divided into 19 counties
Less than 20% fertile soil
Currency is Norwegian Kroner
(1 EUR = approx. 7,8 NOK)
Norwegian industry
 Norway is the world’s 6th largest
exporter of oil and 2nd largest of
gas - Crude oil, gas and pipeline services
account for approx 50% of the export
 Other profitable industries: Fishing,
shipping, forestry, metallurgic industry
 Norway’s main trading partners:
Sweden, Germany, England, USA and China.
Companies in numbers:
 Number of companies in Norway
approx. 486.000
 90% of Norwegian companies have
less than 10 employees
 Only around 650 companies have
more than 250 employees.
 Oslo region has about 25% of all
Norwegian companies.
Foreign work force in Norway:
 Every 8th worker in Norway is a
foreigner – 330.000 (13% of total
work force – doubled since 2003!)
 27,5% of Oslo’s 585 000 inhabitants
are immigrants
 Largest group: 120 000 Polish
immigrants
 Foreign workers from EU/EEA can
stay in Norway 3 months without
registering
Types of business enterprises:
 Branch (Filial); - registered office of a foreign
company (reg. cost EUR 240)
 Private Limited Liability Company (AS); - min.
share capital 100.000 NOK (reg. cost EUR 600)
 Public Limited Liability Company (ASA); - share
capital 1.000.000 NOK (reg. cost EUR 600)
 Sole Proprietorship (reg. cost approx EUR 300)
 General Partnership (reg. cost approx EUR 300)
The Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises
www.brreg.no
Key numbers – taxes/duties in Norway:
 Corporate income tax 28%
 Individual income tax 28% - 48%
- Top rate 55%, incl. national insurance
contribution
 VAT 25%
- Reduced rates and exemptions on some
goods and services
- Treshold for registering for VAT – NOK
50,000 (approx 6000 EUR)
What do the Chinese associate with Norwegians:
Said about Norwegians: J
 Cold on the outside – warm on
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the inside
Blue eyed / naive
Loners – nature lovers
Norway closes down at 4
Not very responsive
Prime interest – the weather!?
Tips for business meetings and negotiations:
 Punctuality
 Small talk – brief!
 Communication style:
informal, transactional, direct
 Egalitarianism – Jante’s Law
- don’t be too self promoting
- flat business organizations
 Back up arguments with
facts&figures – don’t exaggerate
 Quick decisions – (Norwegians often
bring contracts ready for signing)
Things to consider before you start:
 Which part of Norway is most
interesting for your business?
 Sales channels: agent, distributor,
branch office… ?
 Competition – price structure
 Market study!
Useful organizations and door openers to the
Norwegian market:
 City of Oslo www.oslo.kommune.no
 Oslo Teknopol www.oslo.teknopol.no
 Innovation Norway www.innovationnorway.no
 The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise
www.nho.no
 Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises
www.brreg.no
 The Federation of Norwegian Commercial and
Service Enterpises www.hsh-org.no
 Oslo Chamber of Commerce www.chamber.no
Useful websites in English for business in
Norway:
 www.bedin.no and www.brreg.no
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Information on starting and running a business
www.ssb.no
Statistics
www.toll.no
Customs and taxes/duties
www.nortrade.com
Company information – industry
www.gulesider.no and www.purehelp.no
Business search – retail and trade
www.messe.no Major international exhibitions
www.careernorway.com Work in Norway
What can
do for you?
 We can find a business partner through our
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matchmaking programs
Provide tailor made market reports
Provide company information – lists of importers /
distributors etc.
Hold matchmaking seminars for foreign business
delegations
Connect you with the relevant organizations /
contact persons and answer questions related to
import and export
Provide assistance to expats in Norway
We are at your service and look
forward to hearing from you!
Contact:
Astri Sophie Platou
International Market Manager
Oslo Chamber of Commerce
Tel: +47 22 12 94 04
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chamber.no