The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) presented its economic survey ofNorwaytoday. The survey gives a comprehensive analysis of the Norwegian economy.

-The Norwegian authorities are in broad agreement with the OECD regarding the main challenges for the Norwegian economy, says the Minister of Finance, Per-Kristian Foss. Among others, we recognise the importance of implementing a pension reform in line with the proposals from the Pension Commission. We also agree on the necessity of continuing our work to reverse the sharp rise in sick leaves and disability pensioners.

-The recent reform of the disability pension system, introducing temporary disability pensions when future working capacity is uncertain, is an important step in the right direction in this area. The OECD also emphasises the importance of implementing a tax reform, and they support the proposals made by the recent tax committee led by former Minister of Finance Arne Skauge. We are pleased to note that the OECD has a positive assessment of the Norwegian economic policy framework.

In some areas the OECD is critical to Norwegian economic policies. For instance they disapprove of the high level of agricultural support in Norway. Moreover they are critical to whether the voluntary tripartite agreement is sufficient to bring down sick leave.

This time the survey contains a special chapter on product market competition where the OECD underlines the need for a strengthening of both the current legislation and the sector regulators in order to better promote competition in the Norwegian economy. Moreover, they recommend reducing public ownership in the business sector and letting private suppliers play a larger role in providing publicly financed services.

-The Government agrees with the OECD on the importance of promoting competition in the Norwegian economy. We need a strong and dynamic business sector to remain a top performer in the years to come. The new competition law will be an important contribution towards strengthening the competitive forces in the Norwegian economy. Regarding the public sector, the Government’s modernisation strategy seems to be very much in accordance with the OECD recommendations, says Minister of Finance Per-Kristian Foss. The Governments modernisation programme is well under way. The introduction of VAT compensation for all municipal purchases from private companies is an example of the Government’s ongoing work to let private suppliers play a larger role in providing publicly financed services. The Government also has a clear policy to gradually reduce the high level of state ownership in parts of the economy, says Minister of Finance Per-Kristian Foss.

Read the entire report here

OECD's website on Norway here