Norway-Asia Business Summit dinner

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Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here at the Norway-Asia Business Summit.

I am here because Asia matters to Norway. Developments in Asia affect us today – and will do so even more in the decades ahead. If we are to sustain our own development, we need to take part in Asia’s journey.   

This is the second time I have visited Asia in April. Last year I went to Indonesia and Vietnam, and this time I am visiting Singapore and South Korea. These countries are all important partners for Norway.

As business leaders, you know how crucial it can be to have a presence in a market. An important goal of my visit is to underline the importance Norway attaches to our Asian relationships – and to support Norwegian business in the region.

Our business community has led the way in forging closer ties with Asia, from the days of the sailing ships onwards. Our relationship today is one of the future. I am confident that business will pave the way when we shape tomorrow’s economic partnership.

The guest list today includes business leaders from some of Norway's most important companies and industries. The fact that so many of you have taken the time to come to this event reflects the level of interest in this region.

I would like to thank the Norwegian Business Association in Singapore and their Team Norway partners for bringing us all together here. I look forward to the next few days, and I am confident that this will be a successful summit.

I hereby declare the Norway-Asia Business Summit open.