Norway and Goa discuss options for bilateral trade

Panaji: Green energy, shipbuilding, waste management, tourism, and agri-exports are some of the sectors where Norway and Goa could collaborate, said officials from the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

They said that Norwegian consul general Monica Nagelgaard held a meeting to discuss potential areas for bilateral trade. Nagelgaard said that polar research, marine biology, and fisheries research are areas that Norway and India are already cooperating on.

India is among the top countries prioritised by Norway for bilateral projects and research, Nagelgaard added.

Deputy consul general of Norway Fredrik Bjerke Abdelmaguid said that aquaculture technology is one of the newest technologies that Norway could offer to Goan entrepreneurs, in addition to technologies on wind energy.

Given that Norway invested and conducted extensive research into sustainability practices, Goa could certainly benefit from technology inputs from Norway. GCCI vice-president Pratima Dhond said that Goa is a major tourist destination, and the possibility of reaching out to the Scandinavian Tourism Board to attract more Norwegian tourists to Goa was discussed.

A Norwegian delegation is expected to travel to Mumbai in October for a conference. Norway is keen to bring this delegation to Goa to discuss waste management collaborations. Given that India’s energy and power requirements are fast increasing, GCCI said that the state is looking at wind and solar energy to generate power. GCCI officials have enquired about the potential for cooperation with Norway on hydropower, which is one of Norway’s strengths.

The scope for exports of vegetables and food items to Norway, which is a net importer of food, was also discussed. Nagelgaard also visited the office of Goa-based IT and software company, Kilowott, to discuss efforts towards the India-Norway trade corridor, especially in technology and sustainability-linked ventures, underscoring growing trade interest from Norwegian companies in India under the recently signed India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement.