Minister visits India and Singapore

The Minister of government administration, reform and church affairs, Ms Rigmor Aasrud, will be visiting India and Singapore in the beginning of February 2012. The purpose of the journey is to establish closer ties between knowledge environments in Norway and the two Asian countries in the fields of ICT and public digital services. The visit is part of the efforts to develop a Norwegian strategy for ICT based innovation and value creation.

India has one of the world’s largest ICT industries, employing more than 2.5 million people. The minister will visit New Dehli and Bangalore.

The minister will among other activities:

• have a round table conference for Norwegian ICT companies based in India
• visit IT companies working with solutions for green, energy efficient buildings, smart energy and smart waste handling and discussions on innovation and entrepreneurship
• get an insight into ICT education and training

Singapore is one of the leading countries in the field of electronic administration. During her visit to Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, minister Aasrud will be looking at Singapore’s efforts to get public services on the internet. On her program is also a visit to the science, technology and research institution A*Star.

Ms Aasrud will also visit the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Singapore.

During her visit the minister will have discussions with minister colleagues from the two countries.

For further information on the program, you may contact communications adviser Helge Kvandal, tel. 2224 4776 / 4028 4275.

Pictures from the journey will be published on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fornyingsdep/