Norwegian companies invited to join a delegation to Germany in November

The business delegation will take place in connection with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit's official visit to Germany.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will be accompanied by Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram and Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland.

The programme in Munich on 6–7 November 2023 will focus on the defence and security industry, while the programme in Hamburg on 7–8 November 2023 will highlight the green energy transition, with a particular focus on hydrogen, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage), renewable energy and green maritime solutions.

The conference offers German and Norwegian companies a unique opportunity to establish new business connections, maintain existing relationships and explore new investment and business opportunities.

'A business delegation is an excellent forum for exchanging ideas, presenting solutions and building networks. Germany has ambitious goals and is a very large market, creating a strong fit with innovative Norwegian solutions. This is a valuable opportunity for Norwegian companies in hydrogen and other low-carbon solutions, the maritime industry, and defence equipment and technology to showcase solutions that can support the green transition,' says our CEO, Håkon Haugli.

Norway and Germany have made strong commitments and launched initiatives and measures to drive the energy transition and meet the UN climate goals. The two countries have a long history of cooperation in energy, industry and shipping. They are now working together to explore opportunities for value chains in hydrogen and low-carbon solutions.

Norway aims to play an active role in developing a commercial hydrogen market in Germany and the EU. The two countries aim to establish large-scale hydrogen supplies from Norway to Germany by 2030. This creates significant opportunities for Norwegian companies across the value chain.

'Norway and Germany have ambitious plans for energy cooperation in hydrogen and CCUS. Businesses must now seize the opportunities, and this delegation will provide an excellent platform for launching partnerships,' says Haugli.

The maritime industry is important to both Norway and Germany, and many of the world's most modern ships are built at Norwegian and German shipyards or equipped with Norwegian and German equipment and technology. At the same time, shipping accounts for significant greenhouse gas emissions, making the industry's green transition a high priority in both countries. Germany and Norway can drive the development of a greener maritime industry in Europe and around the world.

Norwegian-German cooperation on energy and hydrogen will play an important role in our joint efforts to develop a green maritime industry. The business delegation to Hamburg on 8 November will provide an important meeting place for companies working with hydrogen and green maritime solutions.

The security situation in Europe also makes the Norwegian state visit particularly important, which is why the defence and security industry will be a key topic for the business delegation in Munich.

On behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, we are responsible for managing and organising the programme for the business delegation, in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin, the Norwegian Shipowners' Association, Norwep and the Norwegian-German Chamber of Commerce.

We have offices in both Munich and Hamburg, ready to help Norwegian companies explore opportunities in the German market.

'We will see even closer cooperation on the green transition between European countries in the years ahead. One way we contribute is by creating arenas where Norwegian businesses can meet relevant partners. In countries where we have export offices, we already have extensive market knowledge and can help Norwegian companies connect with the right potential partners. Norway has solutions that Germany needs, and vice versa. We look forward to further developing German-Norwegian cooperation through these meeting places in Munich and Hamburg,' says Haugli.