Changes to our international office structure
Our Board has approved changes to our international office structure following a thorough review of our export offices, their results and potential.
We are Norway's organisation for exports and business development, with offices in 23 countries across Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. We play a key role in the government's goal of increasing non-oil exports by 50 per cent by 2030.
Limited budgets mean we must prioritise and focus our resources on markets with the greatest potential in the short and medium term. As a result, we are closing our office in Kenya and strengthening our presence in Canada and Houston, USA. NORAD's reduction in assignments for us is one of the factors behind the closure in Kenya.
'It is deeply regrettable that we have to close our only remaining office in Africa. The region has significant long-term potential. Nevertheless, we believe we have made the right decision given the current constraints and based on our experience of running export offices for Norwegian businesses,' says Per Niederbach, EVP of Trade and Invest at Innovation Norway.
The considerations
We regularly review our global presence and assess where Norwegian businesses would benefit most from a Norwegian export office.
We use several criteria to determine whether we should have a presence in a market. The market must offer sufficient interest and potential for Norwegian businesses.
Our presence in the market must also make a real difference to Norwegian businesses and exports. The more complex the market, the greater Norwegian exporters' need for our expertise.
Political priorities and assignments also play a role, alongside cooperation agreements, trade agreements and partnerships with a number of countries.
The changes
Given our current funding, we believe we have a presence in the most relevant markets. However, there is scope for adjustment, and we need to concentrate our resources in the markets with the greatest interest and potential.
We have decided to close our office in Kenya while strengthening our presence in Canada and Houston. These two offices currently deliver greater value and have the most to gain from additional resources among our smaller teams. We previously carried out assignments for NORAD in East Africa, but these ended in 2024.
Despite this, we see that Norwegian businesses are showing interest in East Africa and that the region offers further long-term potential.
'The East African market requires a long-term commitment that is difficult to maintain within our current framework and remit. Unfortunately, closing the office will mean that we no longer have a presence in Africa,' says Niederbach.
Tourism
We are also changing our international staffing for our tourism assignment, without reducing our activity in these markets. In recent years, Visit Norway's digital marketing to attract tourists to Norway has been managed from Norway. As a result, we are now relocating the related roles in New York, Milan and Paris to Norway. This will not reduce our activity in these markets; instead, it will strengthen our existing international marketing from Norway.
Contact:
Anders Vinnogg
Communications Adviser
Tel:93 669 204