The government wants to increase exports, but still cuts support for an organization that helps Norwegian industry land agreements abroad.
Ståle Kyllingstad, chairman of the board of Norsk Industri, criticizes the cut.
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“It is positive with increased support for Norwep, which contributes to more exports, value creation and employment in energy-related companies.”
This quote is by the Labor Party and the Center Party. It is taken from a recommendation from the Energy and Environment Committee that applies to the state budget for 2021.
In the state budget for 2022, on the other hand, the Labor and Social Democrat governments have cut NOK 10 million in support of Norwep.
– The cut was unexpected and very, very incomprehensible, says Ståle Kyllingstad, chairman of the board of Norsk Industri and CEO of the IKM group.
Export investment in government platform
Norwep stands for Norwegian Energy Partners. This is an organization that will support the internationalization of Norwegian industry.
The sum Norwep was likely to receive in the proposal from the Solberg government was NOK 34 million, which is on a par with the support they have received in recent years.
The Hurdal platform, which forms the basis for the Labor and Socialist government, states that the government will increase exports. “The state’s tools for assisting Norwegian export companies will be strengthened, so that more people can succeed in international competition”, one can read there.
Kyllingstad does not understand that a government that says they want to invest in exports, at the same time reduces support for one of the most successful instruments Norway has.
– When you enter a new country, you are basically quite green. But Norwep helps us with knowledge of new markets. Small and large companies use their services, says Kyllingstad.
Aftenbladet / E24 has sent the criticism to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. State Secretary Amund Vik (Labor Party) responds to e-mail:
“There were many considerations that had to be made in a short time in connection with the budget work. In order to free up funds for other budget purposes, the government had to prioritize, and this unfortunately led to a cut in the allocation to Norwegian Energy Partners. We are now working to find solutions for Norwep in the future. “
Built up abroad
Geir Seland, daily leader in the Øglænd System group, said that they received good help from Norwep when Øglænd System established itself in the USA, China, Malaysia and Russia.
– Without the experience and relationships we gained access to through Norwep, it would have taken a very long time to build up abroad, he says.
The company is a supplier to the oil and gas industry, but they also invest in other industries. Now 30 percent of their turnover comes from offshore wind, an investment that has taken ten years for them to build up.
–Factory manager Martin Mildestveit, daily leader Geir Seland in the Øglænd System group, and Hermann Holzer, daily leader in Øglænd System.
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Seland has experienced that Norwep works long-term, and he claims that if you cut down one year, it is like skipping a stage in a relay.
– Norwep is a splice layer between the state and business. Can not the business community pay a little more if Norwep is so important?
– 70 percent of companies in Norwep are in a development phase. One must be very careful with cost week, because it is tough enough to compete.
Seland sits on the board of Norwep, but he emphasizes that he is speaking on behalf of the industry.
The critics of the cut receive support from Aleksander Stokkebø, parliamentary representative from the Conservative Party.
– Many companies in the energy capital Stavanger and the rest of the country benefit from Norwep’s expertise to create value and jobs. The cut will have major consequences for the export investment within new energy solutions that the Solberg government was responsible for, says Stokkebø.
–Aleksander Stokkebø (H) believes that this is a cut that will affect companies in Rogaland.
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More people use the offer
– A dramatic cut, says Norwep boss Sjur Bratland.
He describes Norwep as a “matchmaker” who connects Norwegian companies with needs in foreign markets.
Norwep has applied for an extra NOK 20 million because demand for the services has skyrocketed. Bratland believes the recovery has three causes.
One is that the business community has to a greater extent seen the benefit of Norwep having local representatives present in other countries when travel restrictions have made travel more complicated.
The other is that, according to Bratland, the world has opened its eyes to Norwegian technology that reduces carbon dioxide emissions and is energy efficient.
– Recently sent me 31 proposals with Norwegian companies that have CO₂-reducing technology to Shell in Malaysia. 21 of these received meeting agreements after this.
The third is that a lot is happening in the so-called new industries.
– Longships have opened many doors for us around carbon capture and storage, says Bratland as an example.
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