Norway is exploring ties with Gujarat in the field of ports, shipping, green energy, sea-food, chemicals and petrochemicals sectors. The discussions were held during the visit of Ann Ollestead, Consulate General of Norway in Mumbai to Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.
“An industry delegation from Norway will meet business delegates from Gujarat by the end of April to explore collaboration possibilities,” said Ollestad. The Scandinavian country can also offer a lot to a state with a 1,600-km long coastline in the marine sector, she said. “Waste and environment are high priorities for both the countries and Smart City initiative give us an opportunity to enter into waste management business. Also, Gujarat is a state with long sea coast, so there is a huge potential for green shipping and coastal shipping,” Ollestad said adding that surveillance over coastal lines, as well as tackling pollution like oil spills and microplastics in the ocean and electrification of ports through renewable energy offer us huge business opportunity in the state.
Norway is also seeking to join hands with higher educational institutes in the country, including Indian Institute of Management (IIM-A) for student exchange and other opportunities of skill development. GCCI will facilitate meetings between business delegates from Norway and Gujarat.
She said that Norway can offer a lot to the state in the maritime sector, including in the fields of seafood, green technology, shipping and shipbreaking, as well as in the areas of creating bio-fuel.
GCCI president Shailesh Patwari said that Gujarat industry can also explore possibilities of tie-ups in the areas of chemical and pharmaceuticals. “We will convert this meeting into an opportunity. The state government here is business friendly and has taken a number of financial and infrastructural initiatives for the industry. Chemical and pharmaceuticals are areas in which we see tie-ups,” he said.Norway is also seeking to join hands with higher educational institutes in the country.
Source: dnaindia
