Trond Giske to Qatar and the Emirates

Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Trond Giske will next week visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with HRH Crown Prince Haakon and 60 industry representatives. During the visit the minister will attend the official opening of Hydro's project Qatalum and have several meetings on corporate social responsibility.

Qatalum is the result of nearly 40 years of cooperation between Hydro and Qatalum Petroleum. - This is world-class technology developed in Norway, Giske said.

After the opening of Qatalum, the minister travels to the United Arab Emirates. Some 100 Norwegian companies are established in this important hub for commercial activity in the region, mainly in the maritime sector, oil and gas and high-tech industries. These sectors are the themes for business seminars in Abu Dhabi on April 13 and in Dubai on April 14 in connection with the official visit. Giske will also have separate meetings on corporate social responsibility and health and safety for workers.

Facts about Qatalum
Qatalum is one of the largest and most modern aluminum plants in the world. It has had a construction period of 25 months. Total investment, including establishing the organization, is 33 billion Norwegian kroner. Hydro’s  share is 50 per cent of the investment, but Hydro will be responsible for the sales from the production at the plant. Qatalum is considered one of the most cost-efficient aluminum plants anywhere in the world.

Contact for media:
Senior Communications Adviser Kjell Brataas
22 24 01 28 | 45 29 97 12 | kjb@nhd.dep.no