. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONIP/C/W/388/Add.5
8 January 2003
(03-0067)
Council for Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property RightsOriginal:  English
IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT:
INFORMATION FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRY MEMBERS
Addendum
NORWAY
The present document reproduces the information on Norway's implementation of
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, which has been received from the Permanent Mission of
Norway by means of a communication dated 22 November 2002.
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Introduction
1. Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement requires "developed country Members to provide
incentives to enterprises and institutions in th eir territories for the purpose of promoting and
encouraging technology transfer to least-developed country Members in order to create a sound and
viable technological base".  The present note provid es an update of the releva nt facilities provided by
the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Norwegian Investment Fund
for Developing Countries (NORFUND).
2. Least-developed countries are eligible for NORAD and NORFUND incentive schemes along
with other developing countries with a GDP per capita less than US$5,295 in accordance with the
threshold for World Bank loan eligibility.
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
3. NORAD provides incentives for technology tran sfer to least-developed and other developing
countries through its facilities for investment support and financing arrangements for export.
4. The purpose of the NORAD facilities for investment support is to encourage firms to pursue
opportunities for investment in developing countries.  The facilities promote technology transfer bysupporting feasibility studies for establishing joint ventures or foreign subsidiaries, investment in
basic infrastructure and training for the purpose of strengthening the local management of joint
ventures or companies that are owned wholly or partly by one or more foreign companies.
5. The purpose of the financing arrangements for the export of capital goods, technology and
services is to promote transfer of technology more directly.  They include support for training in
connection with export, untied mixed credits
1, equity investment guarantees2 and untied co-financing.
                                                     
1 Mixed credits combine development assistance funds with ordinary export credits in order to further
technology and capital transfer.
2 Administered by the Norwegian Guarantee Institute for Export Credits.IP/C/W/388/Add.5
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Special training programmes in connection with such exports to developing countries are often
necessary for ensuring a real transfer of technology, by providing know-how that contributes to the
proper operation and maintenance of machines and equipment.
Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (NORFUND)
6. The purpose of NORFUND is to promote private sector development in developing countries
by providing risk capital and expertise.  NORF UND supports the realization of viable commercial
projects which balance economic, social and environmental considerations by investing in private
enterprises and promoting business development in these countries.  One third of NORFUND’s total
investments must be made in the least-developed countries.
7. NORFUND’s two main investment strategies are direct investment and involvement in local
investment funds.  Direct investments in particular provide incentives for the transfer of technology.
8. Direct investments are made jointly with private companies, often in cooperation with local
partners in developing countries.  By providing risk capital, contacts and expertise on business andmarkets in developing countries, NORFUND can act ively contribute to the success of projects
initiated by private companies.  NORFUND re quires a well-documented business plan before
proceeding with an investment, and the plan must demonstrate the presence of good earnings
potential, expertise and an awareness of environm ental and social considerations.  NORFUND usually
injects equity capital, at most matching the amount invested by the private company, and itscommitments are based on shared risk, not subsidies.
***
For further details concerning the above-mentioned incentive schemes, please contact:
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
Industrial Development Department
P.O. Box 8034 Dep.,
N-0030 Oslo, NorwayTel:  +47 22 24 20 60
Fax:  +47 22 24 20 31
E-mail:  sk@norad.no
Website:  www.norad.no
Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (NORFUND)
P.O. Box 1280 Vika,
N-0111 Oslo, Norway
Tel:  +47 22 01 93 93
Fax:  +47 22 01 93 94Email:  post@norfund.org
Website:  www.norfund.org
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