In a white paper presented to the parliament today the government have proposed to give the Ministry of Trade and Industry authorization to vote for the demerger of the Agri business on Norsk Hydro ASAs general assembly.

- Trough the demerger of the Agri-business from Norsk Hydro ASA, the foundations of a new Norwegian based listed company with activities worldwide will be realized. The government wishes to support the company and carry on its role as a strong shareholder also in the new listed entity. The government prepares for an ownership of at least 33,4% in the company states the minister of trade and industry Ansgar Gabrielsen.

- The Ministry as an owner expects that both companies through the demerger will be in a better position to reach its individual goals and that this will increase the value of the state ownership in the two companies. We will today present a white paper to the parliament where we ask for approval to support the demerger ads the Minister.

The demerger will create a new large Norwegian based listed company with activities in more than 50 countries. The company will be among the ten largest companies on the Norwegian Stock exchange. The state will still remain a strong shareholder in Norsk Hydro ASA with 43,82 %.