International expansion and exports to the UK

The UK as a market

The UK government has long invested in research and innovation, helping the UK become a leader in several key sectors that attract significant foreign investment.

The UK is one of Norway's most important trading partners, and London is an attractive city for businesses thanks to its access to both funding and expertise. It is also easy to do business there. If you would like to explore opportunities in the UK, get in touch with our team in London.

Our London office has a strong understanding of the UK market and business culture, as well as an extensive local business network. We can help you connect with key partners and customers, deepen your market knowledge and discover new opportunities. Through our local internationalisation accelerator TEA, you will develop new skills, learn how to scale and grow internationally, and benefit from working closely and connecting with leading technology companies and industry experts from around the world.

Brexit

Free trade agreement

The free trade agreement between Norway and the UK has been in effect since 1 December 2021. The agreement is extensive and covers many sectors. Read more about the free trade agreement on the Norwegian Government's website – regjeringen.no. You can find the full agreement, including annexes, on EFTA's website – efta.int. Contact our Export Centre if you have questions about the movement of goods under the free trade agreement between Norway and the UK.

Opportunities for Norwegian companies in the UK

Entrepreneurs

The UK is an excellent base for start-ups looking to grow their business. London is the world's third-largest technology hub and a leading centre for start-ups in Europe. It is known for its vibrant community, high concentration of capital and vast pool of international talent. Key reasons to establish your business in the UK include low corporation tax, fast company registration (48 hours), a large workforce and government support.

Useful links for companies looking to establish themselves in the UK:

Read the step-by-step guide to setting up a business.

Read practical advice on setting up a business.

Read about business partners we can introduce you to in London.

Fintech

The UK government estimates that the country's fintech market generates around £20 billion in annual revenue. London has the world's highest concentration of financial institutions and is known for its strong banking, asset management and insurance sectors.

Artificial intelligence

In partnership with the private sector, the UK government has agreed a £1 billion deal to make the UK a leader in artificial intelligence. The UK government ranks third worldwide for AI spending, and the sector employs more than 35,000 people. Despite Brexit, the UK remains Europe's clear technology leader. London is home to more than 1,500 AI companies, almost twice as many as other European cities such as Berlin and Paris.

Smart cities and IoT

UK cities have set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and use resources more efficiently. Most cities have committed to meeting the national target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. Securing a sustainable urban future will require £25 trillion in global infrastructure investment over the next 20 years, including investment in smart city initiatives. The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to generate £455 billion in economic benefits. The UK is well positioned to lead this innovative work. Get in touch with us for help finding business partners, analysing the market and gaining insights into the smart cities network.

Health technology

There is strong demand for digital health solutions in the UK. The NHS (National Health Service) spends around £5 billion each year on IT and digital health services. It is continually looking for new and improved digital solutions in areas such as procurement and productivity, recruitment and training, prevention, support for self-care, AI in radiology and pathology, patient safety and mental health.

Aquaculture

The UK aquaculture sector is performing well, with ambitions to increase the value of Scottish aquaculture from £1.8 billion in 2016 to £3.6 billion by 2030. Achieving this goal will require measures such as introducing world-leading innovation zones to test pioneering equipment, technology and fish health strategies. The new strategy is expected to create more than 9,000 jobs. Norwegian technology companies can help drive innovation and unlock the full potential of sustainable aquaculture in Scotland.

Tourism

The UK is one of the world's largest outbound travel markets. We understand British travellers' travel patterns and preferences and can market your product effectively across the UK. With 260 weekly flights and direct routes to Norway, British tourists have excellent access to Norwegian destinations. For more information, see Visit Norway's Market Insights: United Kingdom

Creative industries

The creative industries employ more than 3 million people in the UK, and the sector is growing faster than any other in terms of employment. It contributes more than £115 billion to the economy each year and exports goods and services worth over £35 billion, with IT, software and games accounting for the largest share of exports.