Less export support for Norwegian companies
‘In an increasingly challenging global trade environment, businesses need more support to succeed internationally, not less. However, as a result of the approved cuts, we must now scale back our competence-building and advisory services for Norwegian exporters. This will weaken our efforts to promote Norwegian business internationally and drive innovation for future competitiveness,’ says Håkon Haugli, our CEO.
We are Norway's official Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO), with employees in international markets who support Norwegian companies. Over time, our capacity to promote Norwegian business internationally has been significantly reduced – from 218 employees in 30 markets in 2009 to 141 employees in 23 markets in 2024/2025.
'We know that companies benefit from our export advisers in international markets, and that their support leads to contracts between international buyers and Norwegian suppliers. Our reduced international presence limits our ability to build and maintain critical networks in key markets,' says Håkon Haugli.
Following negotiations in the Norwegian Parliament before Christmas, an additional cut of NOK 70 million to export activities and NOK 30 million to our tourism assignment was approved, on top of the government's proposed reductions in funding for start-ups and in loan and grant schemes for the green transition.
'We will still have the resources to support businesses across the country, but we are concerned about the decline in funding and advisory services available to Norwegian businesses for innovation, transformation and international growth,' says Haugli.
Overview of cuts to our funding and advisory services for Norwegian businesses in 2026:
- We are cutting advisory and competence-building services for exports, internationalisation and the EU by NOK 70 million.
- Funding for our tourism assignment will be cut by NOK 30 million.
- Funding for startup grants, loss provisions for innovation loans and innovation contracts will be reduced by NOK 94 million.
- Grants for environmental technology will be reduced by NOK 72 million.
- The Green Investment Grant will be discontinued, and the NOK 100 million allocation will be cut.
- The lending limit for large loans through 'Green Industrial Financing' will be reduced from NOK 5 billion to NOK 4.1 billion.
- The innovation loan scheme for low- and zero-emission vessels is being paused.
Impact of scaling back our export activities
- Reduced export capacity: The cuts reduce our capacity to support companies seeking international growth, both through advisory services in Norway and through our international offices.
- Strategic export initiatives scaled back: The five strategic export initiatives that formed part of the 'All of Norway Exports' reform will end when their current terms expire, while planned new initiatives have been put on hold. This means we will discontinue the tourism export initiative. We will cut the ongoing Health Exports and Finished Goods and Design initiatives by NOK 3 million each this year. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries is still considering the Aquatech initiative.
- Scaling back internationally: We will aim to maintain as much of our international presence as possible, but the National Budget may also affect our presence in some countries.
Cost reductions and workforce downsizing at Innovation Norway
Following the adoption of the national budget, our Board has approved an operating and administrative budget for 2026 based on a reduction of 100–110 full-time equivalent positions, substantial cuts in consultancy costs, and a reduction and review of other operating costs. We will also review our regional presence in Norway. This is the responsibility of our Board, as set out in the 2026 national budget proposal.