The Japan Times WORLD EYE REPORTS NORWAY
©THE JAPAN TIMES	Thursday, November 15, 2001

The Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry - Norway's main business group, known by the Norwegian initials NHO, represents 16,000 enterprises, ranging from large companies to small family-owned firms. It promotes legislation and industrial policies to improve business climate and advises members on competitiveness and profitability. www.nho.no eBox ODIN - The official site of the Norwegian government, which has an English version, intends to be a one-stop platform to information about Norway. ODIN contains links to information relevant to both business executives and tourists. www.dep.no

21st century Vikings open new frontiers

Pristine waters, clean fresh air and the abundance of natural resources make Norway a country unlike any other. Located in northern Europe, Norway shares a continental border with Sweden to the east and Russia in the far north. But a more important border, the one that gives Norway access to the rest of the world, and the world access to it, is its 21,925 kilometers of coastline. This is the world's longest - stretching half the circumference of the equator. Land and sea gateways to and from Norway are the traditional trade routes that connect this geographically isolated and resource-rich country to the rest of the world. FULL STORY

Nearing a hundred years of partnership World Eye Reports met with Masao Kawai, Japan's ambassador to Norway, to ask him about the extent and direction of current relations between the two countries. A close relationship between the Japanese Imperial family and the Norwegian royal family has served to further strengthen ties that officially date back almost 100 years. Official visits from both sides accompanied by leading businessmen have opened up new opportunities for cultural and economic trade. FULL STORY

Masao Kawai Japan's ambassador to Norway

Four billion barrels and counting Open minds and a willingness to adapt spells success Creating a niche in a global market place Building solid foundations Leif Hoegh heads for higher profits by narrowing focus From Norway's waters to the world's kitchens

A global paper trail leads to Norske Skog A direct flight to success 'New' Peterson sees borders wide open Tiny bead produces biotech milestone Predicting the unpredictable, Det Norske Veritas is a step ahead

Norway Area: 386,975 sq km Population: 4,481,162 (July 2000) Currency: Norwegian krone (NKr) Exchange rate: US$1=8.87 (August 2001) Total GDP: US$164.432 billion (2001 forecast) GDP growth rate: 2.5 percent (2000) GDP per capita: US$35,810 Inflation rate: 3.1 percent (CPI from May 2000 to May 2001) Unemployment rate: 3.8 percent Total exports $76.0 billion (2000) Total imports $49.6 billion (2000) Top five imports: Machinery, equipment, chemicals, metals, food Top five exports (% of total) : Gas and oil (50%), machinery and carriers (14%), metals (9%), fish and marine products (8%), pulp and paper (6%), chemicals (6%) Main export markets : EU (77%), Germany (12%), Netherlands (10%), Sweden (10%), France (8%), U.S. (7%) Main import markets : EU (69%), Sweden (15%), Germany (14%), Britain (10%), Denmark (10%), U.S. (7%), Japan (4%)

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