Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by expressing my great pleasure in being here today and welcoming you to this German-Norwegian workshop on Information and Communication Technology – ICT. The fact that this workshop takes place at EXPO 2000 is not accidental. From the start, we have seen our participation at EXPO 2000 as a platform and a meeting-point aimed at encouraging long-term business relations between German and Norwegian companies. Indeed, gathering here today at the Norwegian pavilion at the EXPO 2000 in Hanover demonstrates how the world exposition can be a dynamic international meeting place.

The world economy is characterised by rapid technological developments and structural changes in business and industry. National barriers to industrial development and trade are falling. We see a global market with increasing competition, where knowledge will be a much more crucial production factor than labour, raw materials or capital. The ability to adapt to new challenges and to be in the technological forefront will be more decisive than ever.

Therefore, this seminar with its focus on the development of new technological solutions based on Information and Communication Technology through co-operation between German and Norwegian companies, is most timely.

The composition of the Norwegian society, being a small population that is both homogenous and spread out over a relatively large geographical area, has also put strong emphasis on developing and making use of modern ICT. This has fostered creative and curious individualists with the ability to co-operate efficiently, thus explaining why a small country like Norway is in the forefront in the utilisation of advanced ICT.

But we cannot compete in the knowledge Economy with only half of our population. Therefore, it is crucial to activate both women and men and all of our widespread population;

• through education,
• welfare arrangements
• and new technology available for all.

The efforts to promote a strong national ICT industry combined with the proliferation of new technology throughout the Norwegian society has made Norway well known as "a testbed" by international suppliers of ICT systems and equipment. Norway has made a strong effort to promote a high level of technological competence. This present us with a unique opportunity to welcome global companies who wants to take part in this development in bringing forward tomorrow’s solutions. Both in public and private sectors.

Norway was one of the pioneers in mobile telephony, and today one in two Norwegians carries a cellular phone. We have gained international competence in the provision of satellite telephony equipment and service. A new mobile future is emerging, where telephone, data processing and information services are all offered over an extensive global network.

In 1998 the Norwegian ICT industries achieved a higher turnover than our combined oil and gas sector. The ICT sector now represents the most dynamic part of our economy. However, we cannot rest. We must continue to nourish further growth and consolidate our position. To the Norwegian government this is an effort of high priority.

In June of this year we launched a national eNorway-plan with the aim to create a green knowledge Economy and an Information society for all, not the few. Our aim is to make our welfare system and knowledge capacity to an advantage in the global knowledge economy. We have to put strength on an economy driven by innovations.

A particular effort is being made in developing our infrastructure for broadband communication. It is my Government’s objective to provide all schools in Norway with broadband access by 2002. Issues linked to e-safety are also being addressed as a prerequisite for developing the full potential of the new economy.

Based on eEurope, the eNorway Plan is adapted to Norwegian conditions with a specific aim of ensuring that our ICT Policy has objectives equal to or higher than the EU’s. We co-ordinate closely with the EU, and participate actively in EU work in this field. As an example, our participation in the EU’s benchmarking effort will contribute to ensure full consistency in ICT statistics across Europe.

Of particular interest concerning today’s seminar, the eNorway Plan will include, in close co-operation with the industry, a strategy for promoting exports from and internationalisation of our ICT industry. In this context Europe should be seen as our prime home market, a market that can be a springboard for more global efforts. Even though work on this strategy is still in an early phase, I expect that the promotion of co-operation between German and Norwegian companies will be highlighted.

Germany and Norway have developed a close relationship through the years. Germany is today the single most important trading partner to Norway. It is therefore of no surprise that co-operation between Germany and Norway has been well established for several years in many areas, also within the ICT sector. And we want to strengthen the co-operation and bonds between our two countries.

Therefore, we are currently considering steps to strengthen our official presence in Germany in this field. We foresee that Germany will continue to be a particularly important partner for the development of our ICT industries.

This brings me to today’s host, the Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund. The Fund is one of our prime institutions for supporting small and medium-size enterprises.

This is particularly relevant to Norwegian ICT companies as they in general are relatively small. The upside is that small companies often are more creative, flexible and able to adapt quickly. The downside is that being small can limit expansion abroad, and jeopardise a company’s future. A main objective will therefore be to provide assistance to Norwegian ICT-enterprises that has the idea, the know-how and the will to bring forward new solutions and products.

The Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund can assist the relatively small ICT companies present here today in alleviating risks connected to new technology development. Through available instruments, companies can be linked up with customers of a bigger size. Customer’s with concrete needs is in our experience the most constructive partner in working out new solutions. The Fund may finance up to one third of the project costs, and assists in matching small ICT companies with bigger ones.

Trough our meetings today, we want to bring German top industrial enterprises such as Siemens Business Service and DaimlerChrysler, to whom the global market is a natural thing, together with Norwegian ICT-companies, to whom the creation of complex solutions is a natural thing.

Norway has a lot to learn from Germany – as we have a lot in common.

• Both we have to give high priority to progress and development in new companies and branches.
• Both we have to underline the importance of good conditions for the labour force in a progressive innovative environment.

We have to deliver knowledge and a framework for quality of life in an open market, in a global world which understands technology as an opportunity – not a threat.

Thank you for your attention.