norwegian ministry of foreign affairs

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Norwegian Ministry

of Foreign Affairs

Royal Norwegian Embassy In Bangkok

Business Agenda


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• A strategy which describes the business related work at the Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok.

• Team Norway (the Embassy, the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (TNCC), and Norway Connect (NC)) is deeply involved with all the larger companies and also with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

• It is based on the overall business work priorities for the foreign service in cooperation with others locally (Team Norway)

• Developed by the Embassy staff and other Team Norway members

• Contains priorities, resources, activities and deliverables to support Norwegian business interests in Thailand

• Updated at least once a year

About the Embassy’s Business Agenda (BA)

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The Business Agenda Consists of Six Building Blocks

which Together Constitute a Whole

NorwegianBusiness Interests

Now and InThe Future

Areas to be Proactive

Important Partners and

Networks

The Embassy Business Agenda

BusinessServices:

Own and From Others

Capacity and

Competence

External Communication

and Website

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1. Current business interests:

• Telecom is the largest Norwegian related business sector through Telenor’s ownership in dtac.

• Offshore engineering is also significant with several complicated FPSO installations produced for the North Sea operation. (Aibel)

• Fertilizers constitute 50% of the export from Norway to Thailand. (Yara)

• About 60 Norwegian companies are present in Thailand. Five – six with very large presence, some with a regional hub.

2. Other areas of potential and/or future areas, with possible target groups in Norway:

• Thailand, as the geographic centre of ASEAN, offers a multitude of opportunity for Norwegian companies.

• Highlights:

- The newly developed Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) tries to drawn in high-technology and innovation based investments. The Thai government usuesconsiderable high incentives, in terms of both tax and non-tax, investment promotion.

Norwegian Business Interests

in The Thai Market – Now And in The Future

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- The manufacturing sector, where Norway has capability for subcontracting in a wide variety of areas.

- Norway has extensive experience in light materials and sensor technology in automotive sector.

- Norway is a leading country in Electric Vehicle (EV) and electrification which Thailand is currently much interested in.

- Norwegian companies offering renewable energy and solution including solar, small scale hydro electric power, and waste to energy which have good potential in Thailand.

- Norway also has expertise in solar energy, small scale hydro electric power, and waste to energy

- There is potential for Norwegian companies within the health sector and the ICT sector.

- Export of Norwegian seafood and particularly fresh salmon from Norway

- The tourism industry (the Fjords, Oslo and North Cape, Norway as a winter destination, and the Northern Light) has particular appeal to Thais.

Norwegian Business Interests

in The Thai Market – Now and In The Future (Cont.)

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Team Norway Mission Statement

Team Norway will seek to further enhance the cooperation in assisting Norwegian business interests in doing business in Thailand.

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Thai-Norwegian

Chamber

of Commerce

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Norway’s official representation in Thailand and Cambodia

• Promotes and defends Norway’s general interests.

• Promotes equal opportunities and clear framework conditions for Norwegian companies

• Provides political and practical advice to individual companies

• Provides business sectors overview to individual companies in key areas

• Participates in public diplomacy for Norway and Norwegian companies

• Participates in promoting of international norms and rules and corporate social responsibility

• Creates venues for Norwegian companies in their dealings with local authorities

• Participates as observer in the TNCC Board of Directors

Non-profit membership/ organisation in Thailand

• Organises member activities and network events, incl. “Seafood under the Stars”

• Publishes the “Business Review” magazine and maintains TNCC website

• Participates/contributes to Norway-Asia Business Summit

• Promotes Norwegian business inte-rests through membership in JFCCT

• Engages in activities to improve business conditions for foreign companies

• Lobbying for transparency and level playing field for foreign companies

• Advises authorities on policy matters affecting the foreign business community

• Foreign business com-munity speaking partner vs. Thai Government bodies

Royal Norwegian

Embassy

in Thailand

• Participation in the Embassy Business Council

• Implementation of project allocations from the Ministry of Trade and Industry for business promotion (NPR)

• Information sharing

Joint

Activities

• Networking events

• Business seminars

• Ministerial visits

• Trade delegations

TNCC NCNorway

Connect

in Thailand

Norwegian Trade Representative in Thailand and Cambodia

• Undertakes commercial assignments on behalf of Norwegian industry

• Provides market advice to individual companies related to activities in Thailand and Myanmar

• Assists Norwegian companies in their dealings with local authorities

• Facilitates Norwegian participation in fairs and exhibitions

• Promotes Norway as a tourist destination

• Liaises with sector organisations in Norway (INTPOW, INTSOK, NTN, ICH etc.)

• Liaises with Innovation Norway (IN)

Cooperation and Responsibilities in Team Norway



1. Own services :

• Through a close and integrated approach, the Team Norway parties provide a comprehensive chain of services for Norwegian and Norwegian-related companies.

• Added value of the Embassy:

- High level political dialogue with Thai authorities where Norwegian companies will be appropriately and well represented.

- Reliable knowledge about business sectors, Thai government’s policies, and market information.

- Trustworthy networks with representatives from business, academic, and government sectors.

2. Services provided by external partners

• Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) is the most important partner for Norwegian investors in Thailand. Newcomers from Norway, especially within the manufacturing sector, is recommended to contact them.

• Access to first class attorney and auditing companies.

- All companies establishing themselves in Thailand are advised to seek legal advice on the most optimal setup before investments are made.

Team Norway Services + Other’s

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3. Services for local companies interested in Norwegian business

• Companies with investment prospects in Norway can be directed to TNCC or Norway Connect.

• Local companies offering pure exports of goods from Thailand to Norway are directed to Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion Office at the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen.

• TNCC provides advocacy services for its members through the umbrella organisation Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT).

• In addition, members of TNCC can apply for membership in the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) which provides advocacy and advisory services on behalf of its members.

• Furthermore, TNCC creates multiple venues and channels for sharing information (breakfast meetings, large events, networking events)

Team Norway Services + Other’s (Cont.)

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Capacity and Competence

1. Capacity and competence – own employees:

• Mr. Kjetil Paulsen, Ambassador. More than 30 years of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic experience.

• Mr. Vegard Holmelid, Minister Counsellor. Several years of experience working on bilateral economic affairs and promotion of Norwegian economic interests abroad.

• Ms. Paranee Jansawake, Economic Affairs Officer. Several years of experience working on business facilitation, investment promotion, and consultancy -specialized in building business and economic collaborations between Nordic Countries and Thailand.

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Capacity and Competence (Cont.)

2. Competence available from Team Norway staff:

• Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce

- Ms. Aina Eidsvik, President. Director and Finance Manager for Aibel (Thailand) Ltd. and a few other related companies in South East Asia with almost 10 years experience working in Thailand.

- Ms. Anne-Kari Gulliksen, Executive Director. Many years of experience from working with quality assurance of higher education, analysis of educational systems in different countries as well as private public cooperation on recruitment.

• Norway Connect

- Mr. Axel Blom, Country Representative. More than 30 years' experience from senior management position within sales, marketing and operations in Asia.

- Ms. Yanin Srathongnoi, Market Adviser. Several years’ experience in business facilitation and market research with focus on outbound tourism and marketing of Norwegian seafood.

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External Communication and Website

1. Policy and activities for web pages (Norgesportalen) and other publications

• The Embassy utilises Norgesportalen for overall and general information about the relationship between Norway and Thailand, also on economic affairs.

• Embassy’s Intern has the responsibility to update the content, supervised by the Minister Counsellor and Economic Affairs Officer.

• Team Norway-branded Chamber’s website contains relevant information for business as well as a listing of all members, which comprises of almost all Norwegian companies in Thailand.

• TNCC in cooperation with other Norwegian business associations in Asia produces four business magazines (“Norway-Asia Business Review”) per year.

2. Communication and delivery channels

• Pro-active use of all regular communication and delivery channels on a daily basis.

• Such as the Embassy’s, the TNCC’s and the NC’s webpages and Facebook channels.

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Important Partners and Networks

1. The most important local partners contributing to our competence and deliveries are:

• Board of Investment (BoI), Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce (JFCCT), European Association of Business and Commerce (EABC)

2. Other important partners contributing to our competence and deliveries , including partners in Norway

• Norwegian Seafood Council, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries in Oslo, NHO, GIEK, Export Credit Norway, IN in Norway, MFA.

3. Important local networks and meeting arenas

• The Residence of the Ambassador has been established as a meeting place for Thai and Norwegian industries, where business lunches as well as company specific events are held active use of all regular communication and delivery channels on a daily basis.

• ‘‘Seafood under the Stars” is an event held annually and is the main event where companies meet clients, partners and government entities.

• TNCC’s meetings and seminars are platform for Norwegian business community to do knowledge sharing and express common concerns.

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Areas/Sectors to be Proactive towards

Norwegian Business and Industry

• Direct participation mainly by NC’s staff here, especially at events in Norway. Ongoing and often.

• Locally the Ambassador and the embassy’s staff also participates at most events.

• General promotion towards Norwegian businesses engaged in the following sectors: manufacturing, automotive, aquaculture, health, ICT, energy and environment.

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