Invitation to Nordic-Baltic ministerial conference on digitalisation

“The Nordic and Baltic countries are European leaders in digitalisation. Closer co-operation between the countries can generate added value, more jobs, and help to improve services for citizens throughout neighbouring countries in the north,” says Jan Tore Sanner.

Digital North brings together Nordic and Baltic ministers responsible for digitalisation policy and business representatives from the region. High-level representatives from the OECD and the European Commission will also be taking part. On the agenda are digital restructuring, public digital services, smart communities, the sharing economy, and closer political co-operation on digitalisation in the Nordic Region and Europe.

Improved regional co-operation can improve competition 

“Better regional co-operation on digitalisation can improve competition in each country, and in the region as a whole,” says Frank Bakke-Jensen.

Several studies highlight the potential for stronger co-operation between the Nordic countries in this area. The inclusion of the Baltic countries further increases the economic and welfare benefits.

“Norway is well placed in this area and is at the forefront of digitalisation. Yet we recognise that other Nordic and Baltic countries are better than us in other areas, so we have much to gain from closer co-operation,” says Sanner.

Digital North conference

Norway holds the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2017. This is the first time that digitalisation has been raised at the political level.

The Digital North conference will be organised by the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, in co-operation with the Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Innovation.

• Find out more about Digital North on Nordic Innovation’s website
• Provisional programme

Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, telephone for media:
+ 47 22 24 25 00