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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  
NORWAY  
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 18 AND 20 JUNE 2018  
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 27 August 2018 . 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
NORVÈGE  
PROJET DE COMPTE REN DU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 18 ET 20 JUIN 2018  
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 27 août 2018  au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
NORUEGA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 18 Y 20 DE JUNIO DE 2018 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 27 de agosto de 2018  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraci ones.  
 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
NORWAY  
DRAFT  MINUTES OF THE MEETI NG 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Eloi Laourou (Benin)  
CONTENTS  
 
1   INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ......................  3 
2   OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F NORWAY  ................................ .... 4 
3   STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ...............  8 
4   STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S ................................ ................................ ........................  12 
5   REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF NORWAY AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  49 
6   CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ........................  57 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Norway are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/373/Add.1 and will be available online 
at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The seventh Trade Policy Review of Norway was held on 18 and 20 June 2018. The 
Chairperson, H.E.  Mr Eloi Laourou (Benin), welcomed the dele gation of Norway, headed by 
Ms. Marianne Hagen, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ; the rest of the delegation; and 
the discussant, H.E.  Ambassador Alvaro Cedeño Molinari (Costa Rica).  
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Trade Policy Revi ews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by Norway was contained in document WT/TPR/G/373 
and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/373.  
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writing before the deadli ne: 
Switzerland; United States, Singapore; Australia; Mexico; Japan; European Union; China; Brazil; 
Costa Rica; Ukraine; New Zealand; and Chile. The following delegations submitted written 
questions after the deadline: El Salvador; Republic of Moldova; Ind onesia; Thailand; Colombia; 
Ecuador; Canada; Iceland; Republic of Korea; and Turkey.  
1.4.  During its previous Review in 2012, Members had commended Norway for its effective 
handling of the impact of the global financial crisis on the domestic economy, which had  been 
achieved with a swift and resolute fiscal stimulus and without recourse to protectionist policies. 
Norway had also been complimented for its longstanding participation in the WTO, its consistent 
commitment to a strong and effective multilateral tradi ng system, a generally open and liberal 
trade regime with low or no tariffs for manufactured goods, and the absence of trade remedy 
measures in Norway's import regime.  
1.5.  As before, agriculture had stood out as an area where non -trade concerns had dominated 
policy. For several Members, their trade relationship with Norway had not lived up to their true 
potential due to high tariffs or other barriers to agricultural imports. In the area of TBT, it had 
been noticed that Norway had implemented most EU regulation s due to Norway's membership in 
the European Economic Area, but that Norway would notify to the WTO only technical regulations 
that had been purely national in scope. The scientific justification for some specific SPS measures, 
including the treatment of G MOs, had also been questioned. Opinions differed among the Members 
regarding Norway's model for state ownership.  
1.6.  Turning to the period under review, the significant decline in oil and gas prices since mid -
2014 posed a more serious challenge to the economi c policy of Norway than the global downturn 
of 2008 and 2009. However, a large sovereign wealth fund built up in good times proved its utility 
as an economic buffer. Norway's trade policies were characterized by stability. Norway's trade 
regime remained op en, firmly anchored in the European Economic Area Agreement with the 
European Union, Norway's membership in the European Free Trade Association which also 
provided an extensive network of free trade agreements with partners around the world, a liberal 
GSP scheme, and – last but not least – Norway's WTO commitments. Since 2012, Norway 
accepted the Trade Facilitation Agreement, implemented the revised ITA and pharmaceutical 
product coverage, completed procedures for adopting the revised GPA, and committed to the 
phasing out of agricultural export subsidies by the end of 2020.  
1.7.  Based on the advance written questions posed by Members for this Review, the Chairperson 
expected many issues to resurface as in past TPRs. Norway liberalized autonomously 
114 agricultur al tariff lines since 2012, but in the main the levels and means of support to the 
agricultural sector remained high and on the distortive side. At a more general level, the 
Chairperson thought Members could be interested in Norway's experience in "greenin g" its 
economy, as well as its new "blue" maritime policy. A number of "technical" issues also came up, 
such as the application of EEA food safety legislation in Norway, the level of harmonization with EU 
technical regulations, the status of the new Copyri ght Act and accession to international IPR 
treaties, Norway's biofuels policy, including restrictions on the use of palm oil, and the recent tax 
hike on chocolate and other sugar products.  
1.8.  This meeting served as a good opportunity for Members to discuss in greater detail issues of 
interest to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. The Chairperson 
looked forward to a fruitful exchange.   WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F NORWAY ( MS. MARIANNE HAGEN ) 
2.1.  Chair, thank you for your introductory remarks.  
2.2.  Let me start by commending the Secretariat for the comprehensive report it has prepared for 
the seventh Trade Policy Review of Norway. I know both the Secretariat and our own 
administration have devoted a lot of time and effort i n preparing for this review.  
2.3.  I would also like to thank our dear friend the Ambassador of Costa Rica, Alvaro Cedeño 
Molinari, who is the discussant for our TPR. I look forward to hearing his comments.  
2.4.  Let me also thank the 24 Members who have presented w ritten questions and comments.  
2.5.  Transparency is one of the fundamental tenants of the multilateral trading system. Norway 
finds the TPR to be an extremely valuable exercise. Its importance tends to be underestimated.  
2.6.  We have received 227 written questions  and I want to thank the Members for their interest 
and for giving us the opportunity to explain our policies - in sometimes excruciating detail. We 
have done our best to answer the questions in full, and we are prepared to elaborate further if 
need be.  
2.7.  Although a multitude of issues have been raised, we see a special interest related to the 
agricultural sector. Allow me therefore to comment on this, before entering into more general 
aspects of Norwegian trade policy and also comment upon some global trend s.  
2.8.  The Norwegian agricultural sector differs from other sectors, due to high tariffs and extensive 
subsidies. The policies are there in order to contribute to specific policy objectives in a country 
where a number of factors make agricultural production c hallenging. This is a political reality.  
2.9.  I would like to highlight three Norwegian WTO commitments on trade in agriculture. Firstly, a 
commitment to transparency. We work hard to consistently abide by our notification commitments, 
so that whether you agre e or disagree with our policies, you are in a position to know them and to 
assess them in relation to your own interests. Secondly, a commitment to minimize negative 
spillovers, especially for the most vulnerable. Through our GSP system, LDCs and other low  
income countries are offered duty - and quota free market access for all products, while the system 
also ensures preferences to a broader group of developing countries. We will, in line with WTO 
ministerial decisions from Bali and Nairobi, phase out all re maining export subsidies by the end of 
2020. Thirdly, a commitment to negotiate. Norway remains committed to play a constructive role 
in global agricultural trade policy, acknowledging that all WTO Members have agreed to continue 
the long -term reform proce ss towards substantive progressive reductions in support and protection 
in accordance with Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
2.10.   Norway is a trading nation. Support for, and dependence on, open international trade are 
key features of Norway's interna tional role.  
2.11.   A strong, stable, rules -based trading environment is of fundamental importance to Norway's 
national interests. Being a relatively small country with a medium -sized economy, Norway is 
dependent on a level playing field in international markets  and a predictable trading environment. 
Trade policy is an integral part of the Government's policy to promote sustainable growth, 
domestically and globally. The WTO agreements, the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement 
and the European Free Trade Associa tion (EFTA) free trade agreements are the cornerstones of 
Norwegian trade policy.  
2.12.   Some Members had questions about the EEA Agreement, which is the mainstay of Norway's 
European policy. For more than 20 years, it has broadened and deepened the cooperation between 
the EU and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.  
2.13.   The EEA Agreement ensures that Norway takes part in the EU single market with access to 
the benefits of the free movements of persons, goods, services and capital. It guarantees 
non-discrimination and e qual rules and competition throughout the area. It gives Norwegian 
businesses access to Norway's largest export market – the EU single market. The agreement has WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  provided a stable and predictable framework for Norway's economic relations with EU member 
States and has made an important contribution to Norway's economy and development.  
2.14.   At present, over two thirds of Norwegian export revenues come from coastal and 
ocean -based activities. Norway is one of the world's largest producers of oil and gas, one of the  
world's largest and most advanced maritime nations and the world's second largest exporter of 
fish and seafood. Furthermore, Norway has a world -class offshore supply industry. This provides 
great opportunities for the Norwegian ocean industries in the fut ure.  
2.15.   The decreased activity in the offshore petroleum sector over the last few years has 
contributed to a restructuring of the Norwegian ocean industries – maritime, oil and gas, fisheries 
and aquaculture – the so -called blue economy. Businesses are incre asingly applying industry 
expertise and technology across the traditional sectoral divides. This is particularly evident in the 
emerging offshore aquaculture, offshore wind and marine biotechnology segments.  
2.16.   The shift towards a more integrated blue econom y is accompanied by a need to ensure 
sustainable use of the oceans. In 2017, the Government issued a coherent ocean strategy where 
sustainable development of the ocean is a key priority. The strategy highlights policies for how 
restructuring of the ocean i ndustries can contribute to economic growth in new areas and at the 
same time contribute to Norway's international commitments on environment and combatting 
climate change.  
2.17.   Norway's long -term interests and fundamental commitment to an open, predictable, 
well-functioning and rules -based trade regime have not changed. Our policies and approaches 
must however be adapted to changes that are taking place. Norwegian trade policy reflects 
changes in the Norwegian economy, with an added emphasis on investments and trade in services.  
2.18.   The Government's trade and economic policy is designed to promote sustainable 
development in economic, social and environmental terms. While openness to trade is necessary, 
it is not a sufficient condition for inclusive growth, job crea tion, and overall prosperity. Trade policy 
and other elements of economic, social and structural policies are all integral to the Norwegian 
Government's policies that not only stimulate growth and secures jobs, but also ensure decent 
working conditions and  an equitable distribution of the benefits of trade and economic growth.  
2.19.   Gender equality is an economic sound policy to ensure equal opportunities to all. There is a 
perception that Norway is rich from natural resources; however, I would contend that the 
participation of women in the labor market has been just as important in Norway's move from 
poverty to prosperity. Getting women into paid work means using the entire talent pool of the 
workforce. We know that women's participation drives economic growth a nd development. A 
modern, competitive economy needs the best heads and hands, regardless of gender. Affordable 
childcare and generous parental leave schemes have made it possible for both mothers and fathers 
to work. These welfare schemes are costly, but a re investments that pay off.  
2.20.   Trade and environment must be integral parts of a global agenda focused on inclusive and 
sustainable growth. Norway has always been an active supporter of cooperation between trade 
and environmental policymakers. The 2030 Agen da and the Paris Agreement represent important 
frameworks for the global challenges. Trade represents a positive element in solving 
environmental challenges, for example by reducing trade barriers for environmental goods and 
services, fishery subsidies ref orm, fossil fuel subsidies reform, etc.  
2.21.   And this brings me to fisheries subsidies. Up until the 1990s a comprehensive support 
scheme towards the fisheries sector was in place in Norway. However, profitability in the sector 
was poor, and the industry lacke d incentives to change. The authorities then removed virtually all 
subsidies. During the last 25 or so years, the industry has had to adjust accordingly.  
2.22.   Better regulation and the use of structural quotas have strongly increased the profitability of 
the fisheries sector, and reduced overcapacity. Support is reduced to a minimum. Coupled with 
strong fisheries management policies this has helped maintaining sustainable fish stocks and 
improved the economy within the fisheries sector.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  2.23.   Our experience underlin es that maintaining subsidies does not improve the economy of the 
fisheries sector – rather to the contrary. Subsidies "shield" the industry from undertaking 
necessary adjustments to the fleet and other modifications. More importantly, maintaining 
fisherie s subsidies increases pressure to engage in fishing, thereby undermining fish stocks.  
2.24.   Norway looks forward to continued hard work in the WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies 
in order to implement SDG 14.6 within the agreed timeframe. We all need to re -engage and work 
closely together to advance these negotiations. It is crucial that all Members are ready to make 
concessions, otherwise it will be impossible to conclude. Norway is ready to do so.  
2.25.   Globalization is under pressure. In many countries, we see protectionist tendencies. 
However, openness to trade is of key importance for sustainable social and economic development 
at the global level. Norway attaches great importance to inclusion and integration of all countries 
into the world economy and the mul tilateral trading system.  
2.26.   Norway strongly believes that binding, enforceable multilateral rules and open markets 
continue to be the right approach to economic growth, peaceful cooperation, job creation and 
development, including as a contribution to fulfil ling the Sustainable Development Goals.  
2.27.   Multilateral agreements will always be first best.  
2.28.   At the same time, Norway sees promise in pursuing its interests through joint initiatives 
with those who want to take part, such as the initiative on e -commerce fr om the Ministerial 
Conference in Buenos Aires. Such initiatives should be open to all and as far as possible kept under 
the WTO umbrella. It is important that they are pursued as building blocks - not as stumbling 
blocks - towards further multilateral agre ements.  
2.29.   Norway strongly supports the integration of developing economies into the global trading 
system. How trade can work for development in the 21st century is a conversation that WTO 
Members need to have in order to build trust and secure the future of  the multilateral trading 
system. Special and differential treatment should not primarily mean that developing Members 
remain outside the framework, but that emphasis is placed on identifying what needs to be done in 
order for them to be included.  
2.30.   The 203 0 Agenda is a strategic priority for Norway. The Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs) make it clear that all countries, rich and poor, have work to do at the national level. 
Norway has the means and the political will to be a contributor in the implementat ion of the SDGs, 
both through national efforts and internationally.  
2.31.   The Norwegian Government views trade as an instrument of development policy. Trade is a 
necessary, if insufficient, instrument for achieving development, employment and growth. The 
Norweg ian Aid for Trade approach aims at ensuring that developing countries, and especially the 
LDCs, achieve sustainable economic growth, higher employment, poverty reduction and an 
improved quality of life for the entire population. The Enhanced Integrated Fra mework is our most 
important cooperation partner within Aid for Trade.  
2.32.   Norway is deeply concerned about the state of play in the WTO and worried by:  
 the apparent willingness to risk ruining the system that has served us all so well for more 
than 70 years ;  
 the idea that "might makes right" and the use of unilateral tools outside the WTO to attack 
global issues;  
 the risk of the Dispute Settlement Pillar grinding to a halt unless we quickly fill empty seats 
in the Appellate Body; and  
 the apparent unwillingn ess by emerging economies to accept their part in the fine balance of 
rights and obligations.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  2.33.   Norway is fully aware that there are some underlying concerns that need to be addressed. 
However, protectionism is not the answer. These are not bilateral issues,  nor single WTO Member 
issues. They are multilateral issues.  
2.34.   The entire WTO Membership needs to reflect on the deeper root causes of the current 
tensions in the trading system. How each of us responds impacts on our multilateral common 
good.  
2.35.   We should wi thout prejudice commit to work together to safeguard the multilateral trading 
system while at the same time being open to discuss its imperfections and seek improvements. I 
hope the exchange of information and views with other Members on issues related to Norway's 
trade policy over the next couple of days will serve that end.  
2.36.   Thank you for your attention.  
  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  Distinguished government officials visiting us here today from Norway, I would like to extend 
my warmest regards to Mariann e Hagen, State Secretary and Head of the Norwegian delegation, 
and to my good friend and colleague, Ambassador Harald Neple and his delegation here in Geneva.  
3.2.  This Trade Policy Review is personally a very honourable experience and very close to my 
heart. N orway's contribution to the multilateralism and to the international community are 
significant and world -renowned. Norway supports development initiatives through Aid For Trade, 
the Green Climate Fund and other international agencies as well as directly th rough Norad, its 
international cooperation agency. In fact, in 2016, Norway was the largest donor by percentage of 
GNI and the ninth largest by volume.1 It is a country of only five million inhabitants whose 
contributions around the world have benefitted m any millions more, including me.  
3.3.  Back in 2002, I was granted a very generous scholarship that allowed me to study and obtain 
a master's degree in Northern Norway, the country's Arctic region. It also allowed me to live what 
I still consider as the two most  transformational years of my life in what is probably the most 
exotic destination for someone coming from the tropics like myself. Living in the Arctic gave me a 
different awareness and engagement about climate change. It actually became the purpose of my  
life and what I consider since then to be the most important and urgent conflict human civilization 
has ever faced. So, even though I left Norway 14 years ago, Norway never left me.  
3.4.  In the work of the WTO, I would like to commend Norway for its active rol e and positive 
contribution to the multilateral trading system. Norway is a true "Friend of the System", exemplary 
of consistent and positive support to the multilateral trading system and to the efforts to maintain 
an open trade regime. Norway has activel y engaged in negotiations at the WTO, including the 
expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA II), Government Procurement and Trade 
Facilitation Agreements. It is also committed to the phasing out of the remaining export subsidies 
in agricultu re as per the Nairobi Ministerial Decision. At present, Norway is actively participating in 
the Joint initiatives on e -commerce, MSMES and women's empowerment in the economy launched 
in Buenos Aires, and subscribed the Joint Statement on Services Domestic Regulation.  
Economic environment  
3.5.  Norway's economy recovered quickly from the global financial crisis of 2008 -2009 and the 
real GDP of mainland Norway has been growing steadily above the historical trend with rate 
growths of 3.7% since 2012, even though it slowed down a bit to 1.8% in 2017 . The GDP per 
capita of US$75,000 remains among the highest in the world and the unemployment rate of 4.2% 
dropped in 2017 after a surge the year before. However, growth has been geographically uneven. 
The contraction in the petroleum industry and its repe rcussions on the supply chain affected local 
communities, particularly in the South -West and West. The rise in unemployment in these regions 
was sharper than the national average; it rose from 3.5% in 2013 -2014 to 4.7% in 2016.  
3.6.  The crisis in 2008 -2009 had  a negative effect both on imports and exports, but whereas 
Norway's imports quickly returned to pre -crisis levels, exports lagged behind. The high petroleum 
prices that prevailed until mid -2014 brought sizable trade surpluses, but exports of traditional 
(non-oil) goods were stagnant or declining. The weak trend in non -oil exports reflected a 
significant decline in the competitiveness of industries in mainland Norway. On the other hand, the 
significant depreciation of the Norwegian krone since 2013 has impr oved the competitiveness of 
Norwegian businesses and some export -oriented sectors - in particular fish and fish farming - have 
experienced a boom. All this while imports became more expensive and fell by 17% overall2 
between 2012 and 2017.  
Trade policy  
3.7.  Turning now to tariffs, the simple average tariff rate decreased slightly from 7.5% to 6.9% 
between 2012 and 2017, due to lower rates in agriculture, while the average rate in the industrial 
sector remained unchanged at 0.5%. About 85% of tariff lines are dut y free, and tariffs are mainly 
                                                
1 OECD, DAC member profile: Norway, 2017.  
2 Measured in U .S. dollars . WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  applied to agricultural products, textiles, clothing, and a few fish products. However, many of 
those lines show very high rates and non -ad valorem rates of duty are prevalent. The latter 
account for about 10% of all tariff l ines or about 50% of agricultural product lines. Some positive 
steps towards the simplification of the tariff regime have been taken recently with the elimination 
of nuisance tariffs for 114 agricultural lines. It is also commendable that under Norway's 
preference schemes, least developed countries are granted duty and quota free access for all 
goods.  
3.8.  Norway's agricultural sector remains highly protected despite its small contribution to GDP 
and employment. In fact, lands dedicated to agriculture total no m ore than 3% of the entire land 
mass, the agricultural sector represents only 1.7% of the employment (2017) and 2.3% of the 
value added of the GDP.3  
3.9.  Even though over two fifths of lines of agricultural products are duty free, the simple average 
is 37.1%. Tariffs of over 100% are not unusual in many agriculture sub -sectors for example meat, 
dairy, fruits and vegetables, cereals, beverages and oilseeds, and other agricultural products. The 
meat and dairy sectors also stand out for their very high tariff avera ges at 101% and 105%, 
respectively.  
3.10.   Regarding agriculture domestic support, the situation has remained relatively stable during 
these years. Although the general trend has been for increased support under the Blue and Green 
Boxes, most support continues to  be provided through the Amber Box. The total Aggregate 
Measurement of Support notified in 2016 was close to the average of NKr 10.5 billion for the 
previous ten years. However, while the total has been relatively constant, the structure of support 
has cha nged somewhat. In the mid -2000s, beef, lamb, and poultry accounted for about one third 
of total AMS including de minimis4, but in 2016 they accounted for only 4%. On the other hand, 
milk and pork accounted for half of the AMS in 2006, and almost three four ths in 2016. The 
current total AMS is close to the final bound total AMS, which means that Norway should reflect on 
further reforms in this area. At 60% of gross farm receipts, the Product Support Methodology 
(PSE) of Norway, as defined in terms of the OEC D, is three times the OECD average.  
3.11.   According to the Secretariat report, productivity growth has been much higher in Norwegian 
agriculture than in other sectors of the mainland economy in recent years. Farmers have been 
swift in adopting new technologies. About one third of the raw milk produced in Norway in 2015 
was milked by robots, and the share is expected to reach 50% within the next 3 to 4 years. Other 
examples of increasing robotization are "intelligent" feed carts, the use of drones for mapping and 
measuring, and technologically controlled application of pesticides and fertilizer.5 In the context of 
growing productivity, one may reflect on whether all these different layers of protection are still 
needed for Norway's agricultural sector. It would be highly valuable for this exercise to have 
comments of the Norwegian delegation in this regard.  
3.12.   On the transparency front, Norway has an exemplary record in meeting its notification 
obligations. Nevertheless, according to the Secretariat report, some improv ements can been made 
even in the case of Norway in few areas, where updated or initial notifications are needed, as in 
customs valuations, regional trade agreements, quantitative restrictions, and rules of origin 
(paragraphs 2.21, 3.33 and 3.70 of the Secr etariat report). It is also noted that only few 
notifications have been presented in the fields of technical barriers to trade (paragraph 3.129) and 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures (paragraph 3.142). Most aspects of these two agreements 
may be covered under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement; it would also be of interest 
for this exercise that the Norwegian delegation provides further clarification on this point.  
3.13.   Norway has not initiated any anti -dumping or countervailing duty investigations si nce the 
inception of the WTO, nor has it taken any global safeguard measures or has invoked the 
agricultural Special Safeguard agreed in the Uruguay Round.  
3.14.   The country has been a strong supporter of the WTO's work on trade facilitation and in 
October  2015 it ratified the agreement concluded two years earlier in Bali and is a donor to the 
                                                
3 Table 1.1 Secretariat r eport.  
4 36% in 2006.  
5 Paragraph 4.6 . WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF).6  According to the Secreta riat report, in terms of 
electronic systems, Norway continues to use the TVINN (Norway's system for customs 
declarations) and does not have a single window application as such. The report also states that 
Norway is in the early stages of elaborating and di gitalizing customs systems (paragraph 3.17). It 
would be interesting to learn from the Norwegian delegation on the future plans in these fields.  
3.15.   Besides its efforts to support and strengthen the multilateral trading system, Norway has 
also pursued trade li beralization through regional or bilateral FTAs, including as a member of the 
European Economic Area. The EEA agreement is also the basis for the relations between Norway 
and the United Kingdom, which is, incidentally, one of its main trading partners with in the 
European Union, being the single largest market for both Norwegian goods and services exports; 
and an important source of FDI. The decision of the UK to leave the EU (also known as Brexit) will 
definitely be a trade policy priority for the Norwegian  Government in their future relationship with 
the UK.  
3.16.   Furthermore, most of Norway's 32 FTAs (including one with my country) are mainly pursued 
through EFTA, although it has entered into bilateral FTA negotiations with China.7 Could the 
Norwegian delegation  update us on the status of these negotiations? Is there currently any other 
FTA negotiation in the pipeline?  
Transition to the blue economy  
3.17.   Now I would like to talk about the process that Norway is undertaking as one of the world's 
leading ocean economies . The world we live in, and the environmental constraints we face as a 
civilization, require a particular kind of leadership, one that understands that in order to survive as 
a species and to leave a legacy of healthy ecosystems for future generations, we need to engage 
in regenerative development, an economic approach that ensures the restoration of ecosystems 
that have been otherwise depleted. This applies to fish and other forms of biodiversity, forestry 
and even ice -based ecosystems that have been melti ng in recent decades.  
3.18.   According to the OECD, economic activity in the ocean is expanding rapidly, driven primarily 
by developments in global population, economic growth, trade and rising income levels, climate 
and environment and technology. The projectio ns suggest that between 2010 and 2030, on a 
"business as usual" scenario basis, the ocean economy could more than double its contribution to 
global value added, reaching over US$3 trillion and generate approximately 40 million full -time 
jobs.8  
3.19.   This encour aging economic scenario is, nonetheless, threatened by challenges such as 
ocean over -exploitation, pollution, declining biodiversity and climate change. Norway is one of the 
world's largest producers of oil and gas, the second largest exporter of fish and seafood and one of 
the world's most advanced maritime nations. More than 70% of the Norwegian exports come from 
the so -called ocean industries.9  
3.20.   As a leading maritime nation, Norway faces the challenge on how to rip the benefits of the 
ocean economy while  securing a more sustainable use of its waters.  
3.21.   The growth prospects for the ocean industries signaled by the OECD might show some light 
on the direction where ocean economies should be headed. Not all ocean industries face the same 
growth potential. Mode st growth is expected for established ocean -based industries, such as 
offshore oil and gas extraction and fisheries captures, both of high importance to Norway's 
economy. High long -term growth is found in emerging ocean -based industries like marine 
aquacul ture, marine biotechnology, and ocean renewable energies.  
3.22.   The shift towards a more integrated blue economy goes through a transition towards these 
emerging ocean -based industries. Given the decline in the offshore petroleum sector over the last 
                                                
6 WTO online information. Viewed at: http://www.tfafacility.org/norway . 
7 Paragraph 2.22 of the Secretariat report.  This process was put on hold in 2010 but reactiv ated in 
2017.  
 8 OECD (2016), The Ocean Economy in 2030, OECD Publishing, Paris. Viewed at: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264251724 -en. 
9 According to the Norwegian  Government and the WTO Secretariat reports.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  few years, Norway has already taken steps in this direction. According to the Norwegian 
Government's Ocean Strategy, development of established ocean industries will continue, while 
stimulating research, innovation and technological development to see new industries emerge.10  
3.23.   As Norway's Ocean Strategy states, becoming the world's foremost ocean economy might 
be achieved by facilitating blue growth through green restructuring.11  
Energy and climate change policies  
3.24.   Norway was one of the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement and is a leading 
advocate of climate action. Among Norway's climate change goals is the commitment of at least a 
40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.  According to the 
Norway's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), this commitment is to be fulfilled through a 
collective delivery with the European Union (EU) and its Member States, mainly through the EU 
Emission Trading System.  
3.25.   Under the Climate an d Forest Initiative, Norway has made payments totaling about 
NOK 14 billion  – which is nearly US$2 billion - to projects destined to reduce emissions from 
deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Norway also plays an important role 
through other international initiatives such as the Green Climate Fund, which was launched in 
2011 and has become a key institution for multilateral climate finance. This is clear regenerative 
leadership the kind the world urgently needs.  
3.26.   Norway is also a Me mber of the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFFSR), a group of 
like-minded countries that promote the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies as a means for cleaning 
up the air and freeing up public funds for development efforts.  
3.27.   It is interesting to note that despite the fact that Norway is a major producer of 
hydrocarbons, it has still introduced initiatives to limit its consumption. Banning the use of mineral 
oils in the heating of buildings, including residential homes, and promoting the use of ele ctric 
vehicles are just two examples of this phenomenon. The number of electric cars has been 
increasing steadily in the last few years and it is estimated that a complete shift to electricity in 
the transportation of passengers could be absorbed entirely by the existing electricity production 
capacity. Given that their electricity matrix is almost entirely based on renewable energies (mostly 
hydropower), this would mean that in the short and medium term, the transportation system could 
be fuelled by clean energies. The country's goal to become carbon neutral by 2050 might be 
achieved sooner than expected.  
3.28.   On 1 July 1998, almost 20 years to the day, I crossed the Atlantic for the first time in my 
life to spend a month in a magical Nordic village in the middle of the mountains. The name of this 
town later became globally known by a simple product of great quality that is traded in more than 
50 countries. That summer month – if it can be called summer - in the beautiful village of Voss, in 
Western Norway, was the first time I visited a country that later became my home and my 
sanctuary, a place where I became much of who I am today. This story shows - in essence - what I 
consider to be the most important things about Norway: cooperation beyond borders, 
environmental awareness, a knowledge -based economy and openness to international trade. 
Norway's challenge is to preserve the elements that have made it the global leader it is today, and 
adapt to the new challenges by adapting to greener and innovation -driven industries - including 
agriculture - and transform to a blue and carbon -free economy. Thank you.  
  
                                                
10 New Growth, Proud Hi story, The Norwegian Government's Ocean Strategy. Norwegian Ministry of 
Trade, Industry and Fisheries. Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, p. 6 -7. 
11 Ibid, p.8 . WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
SWITZERLAND  
4.1.  Switzerland highly values Norway's active engagement in the work of the WTO. This is of 
particular merit at a time fraught with considerable challenges related to growing trade tensions. 
Let me also highlight the outstanding work done by Ambassador Neple and his team. The bilateral 
economic relations between Switzerland and Norway are excellent. Swiss exports to Norway 
reached  almost US$700 million and Swiss imports from Norway amounted to about US$430 million 
last year. The intensity of our bilateral relations is also reflected by the amount of direct 
investments. At the end of 2016, Swiss direct investments in Norway amounted  to US$2.2 billion, 
employing a total of 6 600 people.  
4.2.  Furthermore, Norway is a highly appreciated and reliable partner for Switzerland within the 
European Free Trade Association EFTA. Both Norway and Switzerland have been rather successful 
in using EFTA a s a means to conclude preferential trade agreements with non -EU countries. We 
continue to have a busy trade agenda as we work together to expand and modernize our existing 
network of trade agreements.  
4.3.  It is a well -known fact that Norway's and Switzerland' s agricultural policies have a number a 
common features. Our reform efforts have to take account of numerous constraints, in particular 
non-trade concerns. It therefore stands to reason that we are joining forces in the WTO 
negotiations. Within this contex t, we both remain committed to the long term agriculture reform 
process as defined in the WTO instruments.  
4.4.  In general, Norway is an open economy with a rather liberal investment regime. Norway has 
quickly adhered to the most recent WTO agreements. Moreover , it has a excellent notification 
record with only a few notifications outstanding. During the review period, applied tariffs were 
simplified or reduced somewhat. Yet tariffs on textiles remain fairly high.  
4.5.  Norway is one of the most prosperous countries i n the world. Nevertheless, Norway still has 
some problems of its own. One area of concern is the real estate market. Norwegian house prices 
have raced ahead of increases in income. An adjustment to an imbalance in the housing market 
can be painful as Switz erland itself experienced some years ago.  
4.6.  Luckily, Norway is blessed with one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds. It goes 
without saying that the enormous assets of the fund would help cushion the effects of an adverse 
economic shock.  
4.7.  Yet ther e is a downside to the preponderance of the extractive industry in the Norwegian 
economy. For one, it makes the economic performance of the country heavily dependent on the 
volatility of the price movements in international commodities markets. Second, it has split the 
economy into two. On the one hand, there is a competitive petroleum sector. On the other hand, 
there is an onshore economy, which seems to have lost some of its competitiveness. Wages are 
high and productivity growth has been sluggish. The No rwegian government has rightly identified 
the modest cost competitiveness of the onshore sector as a problem and has embarked upon 
structural reforms, also to diversify the nation's export base.  
4.8.  An outside observer cannot fail to be struck by the high lev el of taxation in the country. This 
concerns corporate taxation but also taxation of labour as well as taxation of products and 
services. Norway has an astonishingly steep tax wedge. But in spite of extensive tax collection, the 
structural non -oil budget d eficit of the government has been increasing.  
4.9.  The Secretariat's report has given us a noteworthy analysis of the substantial role played by 
state-owned enterprises in the economy. It seems that the frontiers of the state in the economic 
activities of the country could be rolled back in some measure.  
4.10.   Before concluding, let me underline Norway's outstanding commitment with respect to the 
reform of fossil fuel subsidies.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.11.   Switzerland would like to thank Norway for having provided detailed and timely answers t o 
our questions. We wish the Norwegian delegation a successful Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.12.   On behalf of the United States, I would like to join others in warmly welcoming State 
Secretary Marianne Hagen and the rest of the delegation for this trade p olicy review of Norway. 
We look forward to insightful discussions during Norway's seventh Trade Policy Review.  
4.13.   The United States and Norway enjoy a long tradition of friendly relations, based on shared 
values and principles, including a robust trade and in vestment relationship. Our two countries have 
an active history of cooperation, and we each appreciate the powerful role that international trade 
plays in global economic and political stability. We look to continuing this tradition and finding new 
ways to  expand trade and investment between our two countries.  
4.14.   This review provides an excellent opportunity to recognize Ambassador Neple for his many 
contributions to the work of the WTO during his time in Geneva, sustaining a long tradition of such 
Norwegian l eadership. We especially appreciate his service as General Council Chair and I have 
personally appreciated his honest counsel during my first months here. In addition, I would like to 
commend Norway for the central role and considerable expertise it has br ought to our ongoing 
negotiations on fisheries subsidies.  
4.15.   As we have seen in previous reviews, the Norwegian economy is among the world's most 
advanced and prosperous, characterized by high living standards and a highly skilled labour force. 
Norway remains  an open and prosperous nation; however, as we have also seen in previous 
reviews, the agricultural sector remains highly protected from global competition through tariffs, 
government support, and SPS measures.  
4.16.   While Norway maintains a liberal trade and in vestment regime, the troubling disparity 
between its openness to trade in industrial products and its high level of protection for agriculture, 
including through exceptionally high tariff protection, has remained unchanged since its last 
review. This dispa rity is also reflected in Norway's approach, along with its EFTA partners, to the 
negotiation of FTAs, which eliminate tariffs on markedly fewer agricultural tariff lines than 
non-agricultural tariff lines.  
4.17.   The Secretariat notes that support to Norwegian agriculture is three times the average for 
all OECD countries, with 60 percent of farm earnings resulting from transfers to producers under 
agricultural policies. Much of that support is provided through distorting types of policies. We 
continue to encoura ge Norway to increase the market orientation of its agricultural production and 
trade policies, including reducing the share of production -linked support and increasing market 
access. These policy approaches would be fully consistent with Norway's goals fo r environmental 
protection and rural development.  
4.18.   In addition to very high levels of protection for agricultural and food products, traders also 
encounter problematic SPS barriers in Norway. Norway prohibits the import of beef from animals 
treated with hor mones, despite decades of scientific evidence demonstrating that this practice 
poses no risks to health. We would encourage Norway to re -examine its measures related to 
genetically engineered products in light of more than 20 years of experience with their  safe use. 
We would also highlight the importance of science -and risk -based regulations, including for the 
registration and use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, and other innovative tools to 
supporting agricultural innovation and functioning  trade in agricultural products, which are vital in 
meeting the world's food security needs.  
4.19.   The United States is also interested in better understanding Norway's harmonization of its 
standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment practices wit h those of the EU, and 
the implementation of its WTO TBT Agreement commitments. We have several questions regarding 
the process of adopting EU legislation and the implications for its use of international standards 
and its conformity assessment practices. We hope to obtain further clarification related to 
Norway's regulatory requirements during the course of this trade policy review.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.20.   The United States has submitted advance written questions on certain aspects of Norway's 
trade and economic regime. We have requested additional information regarding some of the 
points I've mentioned, as well as information regarding Norway's notification of the EFTA 
agreement with the Gulf Cooperation council, status in joining certain treaties on intellectual 
property rights , the Norwegian Patent Act, and issues pertaining to Norway's State -owned 
enterprises. We appreciate Norway's responses to the questions we raised, and we are 
undertaking a comprehensive review of the responses in Washington.  
4.21.   In closing, the United States and Norway have important common interests, including our 
longstanding -shared support for international trade. We look forward to further information and 
discussions on trade matters with Norway, both here at the WTO and in our bilateral exchanges.  
SINGAPO RE 
4.22.   Norway and Singapore enjoy strong and broad -based relations. Norway is Singapore's 12th 
largest European trading partner. In 2017, bilateral trade between our two countries amounted to 
US$1.5 billion. Key products traded include machinery, petroleum pro ducts, pre -fabricated 
buildings, scientific instruments and speciality chemicals.  
4.23.   Norway is our 5th largest European investor. As of end -2016, the stock of Foreign Direct 
investment (FDI) into Singapore from Norway continues to be a key maritime partner fo r 
Singapore. There are currently more than 400 Norwegian companies in Singapore. Singaporean 
firms operating in Norway include Sembcorp Marine, a global leader in integrated marine and 
offshore engineering solutions, and ST Aerospace, which provides aircra ft component repair, 
management and logistics services.  
4.24.   Singapore's economic relations with Norway have been further bolstered by the free Trade 
Agreement that Singapore has with European Free Trade Associations, which Norway is a key 
member of. In April t his year, Singapore hosted the 7th Norway -Asia Business summit, where we 
also had the pleasure of welcoming Norway's Minister of Fisheries H.E. Mr Per Sandberg to 
Singapore.  
4.25.   At the WTO, Norway is a strong and respected advocate for free trade and a well -
functioning rules -based multilateral trading System. It contributes actively to all areas of the 
WTO's work, including by supporting a forward -looking agenda to keep WTO's rules relevant to 
current business realities, and providing development and capacity b uilding assistance.  
4.26.   We appreciate the contribution of Norway's Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide in 
facilitating the important discussions at MC11 on development. Going at little further back in time, 
the informal Ministerial gathering initiated and hos ted by Norway, in Oslo in 201, engaged 
Ministers in frank discussions on nudging negotiations forward. In Geneva, Ambassador Harald 
Neple's wisdom and skills are much sought after, and were most visibly on display during his 
successive terms as Chairs of t he CTDSS, DSB and GC.  
4.27.   Apart from these high profile roles, as succinctly put in the Secretariat's report, during the 
period under review, Norway has accepted the TFA, implemented the revised ITA and 
pharmaceutical product coverage and completed procedures for adopting the revised GPA. 
Consistent with the agreement reached at MC10, Norway has notified its revised schedule phasing 
out all remaining agriculture export subsidies by 2020. We commend Norway's exemplary record 
in meeting its WTO notifications obli gations.  
4.28.   Norway's agricultural sector still has high tariffs and extensive subsidies. We hope that they 
could be phased out in due course.  
4.29.   Singapore looks forward to continuing our warm and constructive cooperation with Norway, 
including through its capabl e team at the mission in Geneva, to uphold the multilateral trading 
system. We wish Norway every success for this TPR.  
  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  AUSTRALIA  
4.30.   Australia and Norway have a strong bilateral relationship, based on shared values, including 
recognition of the critical impo rtance of the rules -based international order. Norway is Australia's 
45th largest trading partner, with two -way trade in 2016 -17 totalling just over $1 billion. At $662 
million, our trade in services represents over 60% of the total value of our trading re lationship, 
with the strongest activity in the transport sector. Our trade in goods is dominated by Norwegian 
exports, with the value of goods imported into Australia being four times higher than that of 
Australian goods exported to Norway.  
4.31.   Norway and Aus tralia share common expertise in various industrial sectors, including clean 
energy, oil and gas, mining, chemicals, and marine and shipping. Australia sees opportunities for 
the exchange of technology and expertise in these sectors.  
4.32.   At over $23 billion, o ur bilateral investment relationship is strong and growing. There are a 
number of significant Norwegian companies with direct investments in Australia. Australia notes 
that state ownership remains substantial, and encourages Norway to continue divesting al l or part 
of some enterprises where commercially opportune.  
4.33.   We note the challenges faced by Norway in recent years with oil and gas price slumps, and 
are pleased that the economy is showing signs of increased growth. Australia also notes the efforts 
being  made to develop a broader base for the Norwegian economy in the shift to a more 
integrated blue economy.  
4.34.   Australia commends Norway's commitment to open international trade and the multilateral 
rules based trading system. We welcome Norway's ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, 
and its commitment to phasing out all remaining agricultural export subsidies, as agreed at MC10.  
4.35.   However, Norway's agricultural sector remains dominated by significant applied tariffs and 
tariff peaks, overall domesti c support levels that are among the highest in the OECD, and complex 
regulations, though Australia acknowledges that Norway has taken some steps to increase 
regulatory flexibility. The under -utilisation of many existing tariff rate quotas suggests scope fo r 
reform.  
4.36.   We would reiterate our statement from Norway's 2012 Review encouraging Norway to 
actively find ways to achieve its agricultural policy objectives without over -dependence on trade 
and production distorting measures, and to find ways to introduce incentives for local producers to 
increase efficiency, diversify and find areas of comparative advantage.  
4.37.   Australia congratulates Norway on its exemplary record of compliance with WTO notification 
obligations. The Secretariat report notes that Norway has a  small number of outstanding 
notifications, and Australia encourages Norway to submit these in a timely manner.  
4.38.   In ongoing WTO work, Norway continues to show strong commitment and leadership in the 
fisheries subsidies negotiations, and, like Australia, is an active participant in the joint statement 
initiatives on e -commerce, services domestic regulation, investment facilitation for development, 
MSMEs and women's economic empowerment.  
4.39.   For this review, Australia has submitted a number of questions, focussin g on largely on 
agriculture, particularly agricultural tariffs, tariff quotas and domestic support. We thank Norway 
for the answers provided.  
4.40.   Australia wishes Norway a successful and constructive Trade Policy Review.  
MÉXICO  
4.41.   Quisiera iniciar esta intervención felicitando a Noruega por seguir manteniendo sus índices 
de desarrollo humano y satisfacción entre los más altos del mundo. Por ejemplo, el del Desarrollo 
Humano del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo 2016 y e l Better Life Index elaborado 
por la Organización de Cooperación y Desarrollo Económico en los que ocupan el primero y cuarto 
lugar respectivamente.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.42.   En los últimos años, Noruega enfrentó de manera exitosa la caída de los precios del petróleo 
y gas. Gracias  a los recursos acumulados en su Fondo Soberano y a la correcta implementación de 
políticas fiscales y monetarias expansivas, logró contrarrestar el impacto negativo en su economía, 
con lo que el crecimiento reinició en el 2016 y se fortaleció en el 2017. Lo que da lugar a 
expectativas positivas para este año.  
4.43.   México reconoce y valora altamente la vocación de Noruega por fortalecer el sistema 
multilateral de comercio. Noruega participa de manera activa en las recientes iniciativas conjuntas 
y es un actor cl ave en las negociaciones de subsidios a la pesca. Respecto a la transparencia, tal y 
como le señala el informe de la Secretaría, Noruega es un Miembro ejemplar en el cumplimiento 
de este tipo de obligaciones.  
4.44.   A pesar del escenario positivo antes descrito, no podemos dejar de mencionar que Noruega 
continúa aplicando aranceles altos a muchos productos agropecuarios. Aún con la reciente 
liberalización unilateral de 114 productos, el arancel promedio aplicado a este sector continúa 
siendo muy alto en niveles de l 37% con aranceles superiores al 100% a productos lácteos, frutas y 
hortalizas, cereales y bebidas, entre otros. Según la publicación Perfiles Arancelarios en el Mundo 
2017, Noruega es el país desarrollado con los aranceles aplicados más altos en este sec tor y es el 
quinto más alto entre los 150 analizados. Dicho en otras palabras, Noruega mantiene aranceles 
más altos que cualquier país menos adelantado y que casi todos los países en desarrollo.  
4.45.   Definitivamente, las últimas acciones de liberalización unil ateral, si bien plausibles, son 
insuficientes y se requiere realmente un esfuerzo importante para reducir los aranceles aplicados a 
los productos agrícolas.  
4.46.   Como ya se ha mencionado, Noruega también otorga niveles importantes de ayuda interna 
a la agricult ura. A pesar de que se ha focalizado en los compartimientos menos distorsionantes, 
azul y verde, los niveles de ayuda en el compartimiento ámbar siguen siendo sustanciales.  
4.47.   De acuerdo con la OCDE, la ayuda a los productos, a los productores abarca el 60% de los 
ingresos agropecuarios brutos, la cual es tres veces mayor que el promedio de lo que otorgan los 
países integrantes de esa Organización.  
4.48.   Esta ayuda, así como la protección arancelaria se otorga a un sector que solo contribuyó 
con el 2,3% del PIB en el 2017. Definitivamente, el Gobierno noruego tiene un importante reto 
para reducir los subsidios que distorsionan el comercio internacional de productos agrícolas.  
4.49.   En contrapartida, con relación al sector servicios, este representó dos terceras partes del  
PIB en 2017. Si bien la propiedad estatal sigue siendo importante en algunos sectores, lo cierto es 
que también hay pocas restricciones a la inversión extranjera.  
4.50.   Reconocemos los beneficios que tendrá la reforma legislativa del sector financiero que se 
llevó a cabo entre el 2015 y el 2016, con la cual se busca una mayor compatibilidad con la 
legislación de la Unión europea.  
4.51.   México y Noruega mantienen excelentes relaciones de comercio e inversión. En materia de 
inversión, Noruega se ha convertido en unos de los más importantes inversores en México. 
Recientemente, ha anunciado una inversión por más de 12 mil millones de dólares EE.UU. en la 
extracción de petróleo en aguas profundas del Golfo de México, lo cual, sin duda, contribuirá a 
fortalecer aún más nue stra relación bilateral.  
4.52.   Finalmente, agradecemos las respuestas a las preguntas enviadas por mi delegación y 
deseamos a la delegación noruega una conclusión exitosa de su séptimo Examen de políticas 
comerciales.  
JAPAN  
4.53.   Needless to say, Japan and Norway have  been important partners for years, both 
economically and politically. Japan will make continuous efforts to maintain and further develop 
the strong ties between us.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.54.   We are pleased to see that despite the significant decline in the price of crude oil since  
2014, which negatively impacted Norway's economy, Norway's GDP per capita in 2017 remains 
among the highest in the world.  
4.55.   In addition to that, we understand that in September 2017 Norway announced a new 
strategy, namely its Strategy for Export and Intern ationalisation, which aims to strengthen exports 
and internationalization of its business environment. We commend such continuous efforts by 
Norway to promote international trade and create new trade.  
4.56.   Now, let me turn to the WTO issues.  
4.57.   Norway has always b een a strong supporter of the WTO and the multilateral trading system.  
4.58.   Norway's policies for the fishing sector have stressed the importance of sustainability and 
actively address issues regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). We comm end 
Norway on its engagement in the WTO negotiations to prohibit fisheries subsidies.  
4.59.   In addition to that, Norway is one of the participants in the revised ITA and the tariff 
elimination regarding pharmaceutical products. It has also completed the procedur es for adopting 
the revised GPA in April 2014, and accepted the TFA in 2015.  
4.60.   Moreover, in the new strategy that I mentioned earlier, Norway has highlighted the 
importance of maintaining and strengthening the existing WTO system and development of 
negotiat ion of multilateral trading agreements such as the EGA and TISA.  
4.61.   Japan appreciates this commitment to being strongly involved in the WTO negotiations.  
4.62.   On the other hand, we believe that there is room for improvement regarding notification. 
According to the  Secretariat's report, some updated or initial notifications are needed in a few 
areas such as customs valuation, RTAs, quantitative restrictions, and rules of origin. We hope that 
Norway will provide relevant notifications as soon as possible, as notifica tion is an essential part of 
ensuring transparency of the WTO system.  
4.63.   Now, let me touch upon a specific point.  
4.64.   According to the government report, Norway will work to promote full economic rights for 
women and equal opportunities for women to participate i n the labour market. Moreover, Norway 
was ranked second in the Gender Gap Index of The Global Gender Gap Report 2017 provided by 
the World Economic Forum. Japan commends Norway for its leadership role as a gender champion 
as we also believe that improving women's access to opportunity will lead to inclusive growth.  
4.65.   In conclusion, we are pleased to see that transparency has been ensured to a high degree in 
the business environment, including in the bidding process, which contributes to making Norway a 
highly  attractive location for investment by Japanese companies.  
4.66.   Japan looks forward to continued close cooperation between our two countries and wishes 
Norway a successful and productive TPR.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.67.   First, I would like to highlight the strong resilience of the Norwegian economy. Since the last 
Trade Policy Review in 2012, Norway has been faced with the significant decline in the prices of oil 
and gas since mid -2014. This has posed serious challenges b ut has been mastered by a 
combination of expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. In the meantime, Norway has been 
actively pursuing a transition away from oil and gas, notably through its strategy for sustainable 
ocean -based industries.  
4.68.   Second, I would  like to emphasize the coherence of Norway's policy in support of free trade: 
internally, Norway deploys many policy instruments to support the expansion and dynamism of 
Norwegian companies. Internationally, Norway is a strong supporter of multilateralism and WTO 
and an important ally of the European Union in many of its trade policy objectives.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.69.   In this context, I would like to say a few words of the valuable contribution that Norway has 
made to this organisation over the past few years since the last TPR and to give you a few 
examples of the commitment of Norway to the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.70.   Norway has played a very constructive and positive role in the fisheries subsidies 
negotiations. Norway has tirelessly lent support for trade and ge nder issues, including by being 
among the Members that have endorsed the Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trade, and 
contributes substantially to the trade related assistance. More recently, Norway participates in the 
MC11 joint initiatives on electro nic commerce, MSMEs and services domestic regulation.  
4.71.   Additionally, I would like to mention Norway's exemplary record in terms of meeting its 
notification obligations by making timely notifications in nearly all areas and thus helping to 
achieve one of th e central objectives of transparency of this organisation. However, updated or 
initial notifications are needed in a few areas, e.g. customs valuation, RTAs, quantitative 
restrictions, and rules of origin.  
4.72.   Finally, let me emphasize the very special and sta ble relationship between the EU and 
Norway. We are strong trading partners: the EU is Norway's first trading partner and Norway is the 
EU's 7th largest trading partner. It is with Norway that we have signed one of our first FTAs, back 
in 1972. Although sti ll in force, this agreement has been in practice superseded in many respects 
by the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA).  
4.73.   Institutionally, through the EEA agreement, Norway is as closely linked to the EU's Internal 
Market as a third country can b e. Norway takes over the EU's internal market legislation and in 
return, Norwegian companies enjoy access to the internal market at the same conditions as the EU 
companies, in the areas covered by the EEA agreement. A level -playing field is ensured also 
through common rules regarding competition, state aid and government procurement, while 
uniform interpretation of the rules is guaranteed via the two -pillar structure of the EEA.  
4.74.   However - and there must by a "however" in this overall very positive picture - there is 
always room to strengthen further our trade relations. To this end, we have presented a number of 
questions related to Norway's agricultural policy, such as regarding the consequences of abolishing 
export subsidies and some customs reclassificat ion issues. We would also welcome further 
clarifications on the reform of the Norwegian railway sector.  
4.75.   The EU thanks Norway for the replies, submitted in advance of this meeting due to the use 
of the alternative timeline, and we continue to examine them carefully.  
4.76.   On behalf of the EU, I wish the delegation of Norway a very fruitful Trade Policy Review.  
CHINA  
4.77.   We are pleased to see that there have emerged economic recovery in Norway since 2017 
and the prospect for future growth appears positive as reported  by the Secretariat. This was 
achieved through a mix of expansionary fiscal and monetary policies taken by Norway to combat 
the sudden drop in oil and gas prices in 2014 which had posed a serious challenge to its economy.  
4.78.   We commend Norway's effort in rest ructuring its economy, both in terms of "thinking 
greener" transforming into a more environmentally -friendly, low -emission society, and "blue 
economy" ensuring sustainable use of the oceans, such as offshore aquaculture, offshore wind and 
marine biotechnol ogy. 
4.79.   Norway is a trading nation, as noted by its Government report, its imports and exports of 
goods and services were equivalent to 63% of GDP in 2017. Norway has remained an open 
economy with trade playing an increasing important role in its interaction with the world.  
4.80.   As an original contracting party of the GATT and founding Member of the WTO ，Norway has 
always been a strong supporter to the multilateral trading system and has made positive 
contributions by way of showing leadership in chairing the GC, su pporting Aid for Trade and etc. 
Norway has joined the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the ITA expansion, the revised GPA, and 
committed to phasing out agricultural export subsidies. At MC11, Norway has signed Joint WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  Statements on electronic commerce, on servi ces domestic regulation and on MSMEs. In particular, 
we commend the firm position Norway has taken in the WTO's collective fight against unilateralism 
and protectionism.  
4.81.   On the bilateral front, China is Norway's largest trading partner in Asia. According t o China's 
statistics, in 2017, the bilateral trade in goods reached US$5.62 billion, with China exporting to 
Norway standing at US$2.49 billion, importing from Norway totalling US$3.13 billion. China's 
exports to Norway are mainly tele -communication and of fice equipment, garments, electronics and 
machinery and etc., while China's imports from Norway are mainly chemicals, fishery products, 
scientific instruments and etc.  
4.82.   By April this year, China has invested in Norway US$2.69 billion in total, mostly in the  areas 
of transportation and storage, offshore petroleum, and telecommunication. Norway has invested in 
China US$650 million in the areas of maritime transportation, electronics and machinery and etc.  
4.83.   To better understand the latest development in Norway's  trade policy, we have raised some 
questions regarding agriculture policy, foreign direct investment, import licensing requirements, oil 
and gas, customs cooperation, and postal and courier services and traditional Chinese medicine 
therapy. We appreciate t he replies provided by Norway to our questions which we would study 
carefully.  
4.84.   Currently, the economic and trade cooperation between China and Norway has seen robust 
growth, with strong complementarity and huge potential. China will further promote coopera tion 
with Norway through the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening synergy between the 
development strategies, jointly promoting the connectivity and development in the continents of 
Europe and Asia ，ultimately making contribution to the global economy. W e are looking forward to 
early conclusion of China -Norway Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and welcoming Norway 
enterprises to participate in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) which will be held in 
Shanghai this November.  
4.85.   Both China and No rway are fully committed to multilateralism and advocating an open world 
economy and free trade. Currently, the WTO is facing major challenges that have to be dealt with 
by all WTO Members. China would lock arms with Norway and other Members to preserve th e 
fundamental principles of this Organization, resist unilateralism and protectionism, and collectively 
safeguard the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.86.   In conclusion, I wish this Review a complete success.  
BRAZIL  
4.87.   Norway is an advanced economy with a per capita GDP among the highest in the world and 
is deeply integrated to international trade and investment flows. Imports and exports of goods and 
services accounted for 63% of its GDP in 2017 and the 2016 FDI stocks remained above 2008 
levels, despite  the decline in recent flows.  
4.88.   Norway's active and constructive role in the WTO as well as its firm support to the 
rules-based multilateral trading system has not precluded it from developing an extensive network 
of free trade agreements with partners aroun d the world.  
4.89.   Brazil is Norway's largest trading partner in Latin America: bilateral trade reached 
US$1.263  billion last year, consisting of US$774 million in Brazilian exports and US$488 million in 
imports. Bilateral trade flows have much room for expansi on. Today, Brazil accounts for only 0.5% 
of Norway's overall imports and the current levels of bilateral flows are smaller than the those of 
2010. In the last 7 years, the main products traded between both countries remained fairly the 
same: fertilizers (2 6.2%), fish and crustaceans (24.8%) were the major products exported by 
Norway, whereas inorganic chemicals (73.2%) and soybeans (13.5%) were the main Brazilian 
exports.  
4.90.   The potential for deepening our commercial ties is significant, especially in the agri cultural 
sector. While Norway is fairly open in NAMA, its agricultural sector continues to enjoy high levels of 
protection.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.91.   The vast majority of tariffs (85% of tariff lines) are duty free but those that remain can be 
very high. Tariffs over 100% are not unusual in many agriculture sub -sectors. While bound and 
applied tariff in NAMA are 3.1% and 0.5%, respectively, they reach 1 43.1% and 37.1% in the 
agricultural sector. Bound and applied tariffs on animals and products thereof reach 318.3% and 
101.4%, respectively.  
4.92.   Non-ad valorem duties are highly prevalent, accounting for about 10% of tariff lines or 
about 50% of agricultural product lines. Tariff peaks and quotas are also applied, resulting in 
significant import barriers.  
4.93.   According to the Secretariat report, there have been no fundamental changes in Norway's 
trade policies since the last Trade Policy Review in 2012. One the on e hand, that's positive since it 
signals stability and predictability, on the other hand, it is worrisome for it shows high levels of 
protection in agriculture remain in place.  
4.94.   As for investments, Norwegian companies have been present in Brazil for a long  time. The 
FDI stock amounts to around US$10 billion, mostly concentrated in the oil and gas and maritime 
sectors. More than 120 Norwegian companies are established in Brazil.  
4.95.   Brazil and Norway are committed to strengthening their economic relations and co operation 
through the MERCOSUR -EFTA negotiations to reach a comprehensive free trade agreement. The 
third round of meetings, which took place in April 2018 in Buenos Aires, was very constructive and 
achieved progress in many areas. We expect further advanc es in the intersessional meeting that 
will be held in Geneva next month.  
4.96.   Brazil continues to follow with interest domestic developments in Norway's trade policy. We 
have submitted some questions and wait for the answers.  
4.97.   Finally, before concluding, let me say that, for Brazil and Brazilians, Norway is not only 
figures, tariffs and trade flows. Norway continues to evoke Grieg and Ibsen, Edward Munch, Thor 
Heyerdahl and the Kon -tiki, as well as the North Cape and the midnight sun. Recently this year a 
new com plete translation of Ibsen's plays were published in Brazil to commemorate 190 years of 
his birth and, only last May, a Brazilian project won the International Ibsen Scholarship, awarded 
for a play called "Enemies at the Doll House", which combines element s of both "An Enemy of the 
People" and "A doll house", two well -known plays by Ibsen, which can be seen, so I am told, as a 
metaphor with lessons for contemporary Brazil.  
4.98.   Let me conclude by wishing Norway a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.99.   Costa Rica desea resaltar la contribución de Noruega a la OMC y el valor que le da a un 
sistema multilateral de comercio basado en normas. Nos complace el trabajo conjunto de nuestras 
delegaciones en varios ámbitos de la OMC, desde el último examen de polít icas comerciales, tales 
como en Friends of the System, la expansión del ITA, las negociaciones sobre subsidios a la pesca 
y las iniciativas conjuntas en temas como comercio electrónico, MSMES y reglamentación nacional 
en materia de servicios.   
4.100.   En diciembr e de 2012, Costa Rica y Panamá concluyeron la negociación de un Acuerdo de 
Libre Comercio con la Asociación Europea de Libre Comercio (EFTA). Este acuerdo entró en vigor 
para Noruega el 19 de agosto de 2014 y ha contribuido a fortalecer la relación comerci al entre 
Costa Rica y este grupo de países, con compromisos en acceso a mercados y disciplinas para 
bienes y servicios.  
4.101.   Con relación a este Examen, felicitamos a Noruega por su desempeño económico, siendo 
una de las economías más sólidas del mundo y de may ores ingresos per cápita, con un crecimiento 
sostenido, una baja tasa de desempleo, y una gran capacidad de ahorro. También nos parece muy 
interesante y aleccionadora la experiencia de Noruega en materia de sostenibilidad ambiental y 
explotación de los rec ursos naturales, en una economía en la que aun cuando el petróleo y gas 
natural siguen ocupando un lugar destacado, han promovido el uso cada vez más intenso de 
energías renovables, en sectores con un alto consumo energético, hogares y transporte público, WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  incluida la navegación costera y la reducción de la intensidad energética de su economía, incluida 
la caída del consumo de energía per cápita.  
4.102.   En materia comercial, quisiera resaltar la rápida ratificación por parte de Noruega del 
Acuerdo sobre Facilitació n del Comercio, el uso nulo de medidas comerciales, su compromiso para 
eliminar las subvenciones a la exportación de productos agropecuarios y el cumplimiento ejemplar 
de sus obligaciones de notificación, aun cuando el informe señala algunas áreas que podr ían 
mejorarse en este último tema.  
4.103.   El sector agrícola noruego sigue disfrutando de un alto nivel de protección en frontera, así 
como de altos niveles de ayuda interna, aun cuando su aporte a la economía y al empleo es muy 
reducido. El sector ha aumentado s u productividad más que cualquier otro. En este sentido, nos 
unimos a los comentarios y preguntas presentadas sobre la necesidad real de mantener este 
altísimo nivel de protección y apoyo.  
4.104.   Mi delegación también quisiera subrayar el compromiso de Noruega co n el programa de 
Ayuda para el Comercio de la OMC y el aporte que hace a fondos multilaterales para la asistencia 
técnica.  
4.105.   Costa Rica presentó una serie de preguntas a Noruega para este examen y agradece las 
respuestas que recibimos.  
UKRAINE  
4.106.   Our countries have enjoyed close bilateral cooperation on trade, economic and technical 
issues. Nowadays Norway is one of Ukraine's staunch supporters, both from financial and political 
points of view. In this regard we would like to note that Norway has financed around  
30 development projects, supporting Ukrainian start -ups and young business leaders. Norway's 
assistance to Ukraine has reached more than US$100 million (since 2014), in 2017 Norway's 
foreign direct investment in Ukraine amounted to US$7.5 million.  
4.107.   When it  comes to trade, since 2012, Ukraine and countries of the European Free Trade 
Area (EFTA), including Norway, are benefiting from a Free Trade Agreement. It has comprehensive 
coverage, including trade in goods (industrial and processed agricultural goods, f ish and other 
marine products), trade in services, investment, protection of intellectual property rights, 
government procurement and provisions on competition.  
4.108.   Trade turnover between Ukraine and Norway was valued at almost US$300 million in 
2017. Ukraine' s export to Norway, while on the rise, was worth about US$50 million and import 
was US$240 million. Ukraine and Norway, besides trade in fish which takes essential place, trade 
food and agricultural products, lumber and ferrous metals, in 2017 we witnessed  40% increase in 
Ukrainian export to Norway, where textiles, light manufacturing and agricultural products are 
some of the important sectors of growth. IT is one of the most significant spheres within bilateral 
cooperation between our countries, when it co mes to employment.  
4.109.   Ukraine is interested in further enhancing bilateral trade and business relations and 
opportunities with Norway in a way that contributes to a win win situation for both parties. The 
main fields of interest cover IT, infrastructure, ener gy sector (petroleum and renewable), 
agricultural and food industry, tourism; generally speaking, creation of competitive regional blocks 
of global value chains.  
4.110.   Ukraine highly appreciates the partnership cooperation with Norway across the WTO bodies 
on di fferent issues, in particular on fisheries subsidies and bilaterally – on customs valuation 
issues, focusing on the use of benchmarks for customs valuation of goods in the risk management 
scheme.  
4.111.   Being strongly committed to the rule -based multilateral trad ing system, Ukraine notes and 
supports the efforts of Norway and its contribution to further strengthening of the MTS.  
4.112.   Within this TPR exercise Ukraine has submitted a number of specific questions and is 
seeking clarification on a range of the following to pics: WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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   investment regime and investment services;  
 some excise duties;  
 marketing fee for seafood exporters;  
 regulations relating to novel foods, pesticide residues, and the official control of some 
pollutants in foodstuffs; and  
 import  regime for processed agricultural products, etc.  
4.113.   We would like to express gratitude for the responses, which we are reviewing thoroughly.  
4.114.   In conclusion, I would like to express our deep appreciation to the delegation of Norway 
and especially to the team of the Mission in Geneva for their hard work in preparing for this TPR 
and for cooperation on the range of WTO issues.  
4.115.   We wish Norway successful TPR and look forward to continue further strengthening our 
bilateral relations.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.116.   While Norway and Ne w Zealand have a modest trading relationship, we have a very 
positive and collaborative relationship – especially here at the WTO. It is in this context that we 
welcome such reviews as an opportunity to engage more deeply on trade issues, and to learn from  
each other as small, open economies that depend on external trade for our quality of life.   
4.117.   I must start by expressing our deep appreciation for Norway's strong support for a fair, 
open and rules -based multilateral trading system. Like Norway, New Zealan d believes this system 
is essential to our collective future prosperity. We also share Norway's commitment to making sure 
that the benefits of trade are both sustainable and shared fairly among all members of our 
societies.  
4.118.   Trade continues to play an impo rtant part in the Norwegian economy, underpinned by its 
sizable exports of crude oil and gas. While the fall in oil prices impacted the Norwegian economy 
significantly, Norway has recovered swiftly with GDP growth for 2017 averaging 2% and its public 
finances remain amongst the strongest in the world.  
4.119.   New Zealand applauds the fact that, even as one of the world's largest producers of oil and 
gas, Norway has made concerted efforts to transition to a low carbon economy and improve 
energy efficiency. Examples include the Government's ban on the use of mineral oils in heating of 
buildings starting January 2020, Norway and Sweden's joint market for 'electricity certificates' and 
Norway's implementation of the Climate and Energy Fund, financing activities that sup port the 
energy transition.   
4.120.   New Zealand and Norway work together as part of the "Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy 
Reform", to support the phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. We welcome Norway's 
participation in the WTO Ministerial Statement o n Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform in Buenos Aires in 
December 2017 and look forward to our continued collaboration to promote trade policy as a 
mechanism to address FFSR and other global sustainability challenges.  
4.121.   New Zealand highly values Norway as a fellow me mber of the Friends of Fish group and 
appreciates Norway's expertise and leadership in the WTO negotiations to prohibit fisheries 
subsidies. Norway is the world's second largest fish exporter, and a major global player in fisheries 
in terms of catch and tr ade. We commend Norway's efforts to gradually reduce or terminate 
government support for the sector.  We also acknowledge that Norway is moving from 
industry -specific programmes to more general support programmes, where fishing has to compete 
with other in dustries for support.  
4.122.   However we would ask Norway to look closely at its policy settings for its agricultural 
sector, which, by contrast to the rest of its industry, remains highly insulated from the world 
market and subject to extensive production -distor ting government intervention. New Zealand 
encourages Norway to consider whether high levels of protection for agriculture are required or 
beneficial to the sector, and whether systems of support which are currently closely tied to WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  particular methods of pro duction and particular products, could be reoriented towards delivering 
general public good outcomes.  
4.123.   In closing, New Zealand appreciates Norway's continued commitment to the multilateral 
trading system and we welcome the positive steps that Norway has tak en since the last TPR. We 
look forward to learning more this week and continuing to work with Norway on a wide range of 
trade issues.  
CHILE  
4.124.   Felicitamos a Noruega por la muestra de transparencia que representa el someterse al 
escrutinio de sus pares. Esta d ecisión, sin lugar a dudas, contribuye al fortalecimiento del sistema.  
4.125.   Noruega es una sociedad exitosa, construida sobre la base del respeto, la libertad y la 
búsqueda del bienestar de sus habitantes. Los hechos hablan por sí mismos: bajo desempleo, baja 
inflación, abundantes reservas financieras, un ingreso per cápita de los más altos del mundo y 
todo bajo el paraguas de un estado de bienestar sostenible.  
4.126.   Desde sus inicios, la historia de Noruega ha estado ligada al comercio internacional. Así, 
desde los antiguos intercambios comerciales realizados a través de los mares del norte de Europa 
pasando, más tarde, por los descubrimientos de abundantes yacimientos de petróleo en el siglo 
pasado, hasta su activa participación hoy en la Asociación Europea de Libre  Comercio y el Espacio 
Económico Europeo, Noruega siempre ha promovido el comercio más allá de sus fronteras.  
4.127.   A pesar de las recientes dificultades derivadas de la baja en los precios internacionales del 
petróleo y el gas, Noruega ha seguido siendo una ec onomía abierta y sus políticas comerciales no 
han experimentado cambios de importancia desde su último examen de las políticas comerciales 
realizado en 2012. El compromiso de Noruega con un comercio libre y basado en reglas, resulta 
especialmente destacabl e en los tiempos actuales, en que el sistema multilateral de comercio se 
encuentra sometido a tensiones sin precedentes.  
4.128.   Al mismo tiempo, resulta importante destacar a Noruega por los notables avances 
alcanzados y ambiciosos objetivos que se ha impuesto pa ra mejorar su eficiencia energética, 
reducir la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero y aumentar la participación de las energías 
renovables en su matriz. Estos objetivos son plenamente compartidos por Chile y también se han 
traducido en progresos concret os en nuestro país.  
4.129.   Tanto Noruega como Chile somos economías abiertas al mundo. Nuestro comercio exterior 
representa más del 60% de nuestros PIBs, las exportaciones de materias primas constituyen una 
parte importante de nuestra canasta exportadora y ambos  países somos activos promotores del 
libre comercio a través de la suscripción de acuerdos comerciales. Chile concuerda con Noruega en 
la importancia de la política comercial, como pilar de promoción del crecimiento sostenible.  
4.130.   La relación comercial entre Chile y Noruega, se desarrolla bajo el marco del Tratado de 
Libre Comercio Chile -EFTA, vigente desde el 1° de diciembre de 2004. En virtud de este 
instrumento, más del 90% de nuestras exportaciones a Noruega gozan de arancel cer o. Asimismo, 
las inversiones noruegas en Chile alcanzan los 2.400 millones de dólares EE.UU, destacando 
principalmente el sector acuícola.  
4.131.   En el marco de la OMC, Chile concuerda con Noruega en la relevancia de contar con un 
sistema multilateral abierto, t ransparente y basado en normas. Nuestros países comparten 
muchas de sus posiciones en diversos temas, como comercio de servicios, comercio electrónico, 
reforma de los subsidios a los combustibles fósiles, entre otros y, en particular, consideramos 
urgente contar con un sistema de solución de diferencias plenamente operativo.  
4.132.   Por otra parte, en materia de agricultura, si bien existen algunas diferencias entre nuestro 
países, esperamos poder avanzar conjuntamente en el programa de reforma agrícola, 
particular mente en la limitación de la ayuda distorsionante al comercio.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.133.   Para este ejercicio, hemos formulado 10 preguntas cuyas respuestas agradecemos y serán 
analizadas por nuestros equipos en Santiago. Para concluir, deseamos mucho éxito a Noruega en 
su séptima r evisión de su política comercial.  
EL SALVADOR  
4.134.   Para El Salvador es un honor participar en este ejercicio de transparencia de un importante 
Miembro de esta Organización, firme promotor de un sistema multilateral de comercio sólido y 
basado en normas e impuls or de los principios de libre comercio en lo que se basa esta 
Organización.  
4.135.   Con respecto al ámbito económico, Noruega tiene una economía avanzada contando con 
uno de los niveles PIB per cápita más alto del mundo de aproximadamente 75 200 dólares EE.UU. 
en el 2017. El comercio es un componente importante de su economía, equivalente al 63% del 
producto interno bruto para el año 2017.  
4.136.   A nivel bilateral, Noruega es un socio importante y potencial para El Salvador con quienes 
nos unen lazos de amistad comercial es y de cooperación.  
4.137.   El Salvador mantiene una balanza comercial superavitaria con Noruega y el monto de las 
exportaciones salvadoreñas a este país asciende a 2.5 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el año 2017. 
Entre los principales productos exportados se dest aca la melaza de caña y el café. Por su parte, las 
importaciones proveniente de Noruega ascienden a 1.1 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el mismo 
periodo. Claramente, este es un reflejo de intercambios comerciales que están en etapas muy 
primarias. Por lo tan to, incrementar nuestras balanzas es una meta a alcanzar.  
4.138.   En el contexto multilateral, es importante resaltar el liderazgo y la destacada participación 
de Noruega en los trabajos ordinarios y de negociaciones que se llevan a cabo en esta Casa, lo 
cual cont ribuye a alcanzar importantes resultados como son la reciente aprobación del Acuerdo de 
Facilitación de Comercio y Agricultura.  
4.139.   En este sentido, instamos a Noruega a continuar contribuyendo a la reducción de las 
distorsiones en el mercado agrícola a favor de un comercio más justo y equilibrado en beneficio de 
todos los agricultores, en especial los de los países en desarrollo.  
4.140.   También instamos a Noruega a simplificar su estructura arancelaria en el área agrícola, lo 
cual promoverá mayor previsibilidad para los exportadores. Tomamos nota de las razones que la 
Señora Ministra esboza para justificarlas.  
4.141.   Antes de finalizar, deseo destacar la contribución del Embajador Neple en su calidad de 
Presidente del Consejo General, especialmente durante los trabajos de pr eparación previos a la 
Conferencia Ministerial de Nairobi.  
4.142.   Asimismo, cabe también destacar la importante contribución de Noruega al fomento de la 
participación de los países en desarrollo en las negociaciones comerciales y el fortalecimiento de 
sus capacid ades a través de fondos de cooperación.  
4.143.   Agradecemos a Noruega por las respuestas que brindara a las preguntas que realizamos, 
las cuales estaremos enviando a consideración a nuestras autoridades. Deseamos éxito a Noruega 
en este su ejercicio de política co mercial.  
REPUBLIC  OF MOLDOVA  
4.144.   The Republic of Moldova appreciates Norway's commitment to support open international 
trade, based on a strong, stable and rules -based trading environment, with the WTO constituting 
an indispensable part of the global governanc e system, as recognized by Norway in its report. This 
commitment is complemented by Norway's engagement to further strengthen the multilateral 
trading system by taking into account the 21st century challenges and realities, and by promoting 
sustainable dev elopment as the key to achieving inclusive growth, job creation and prosperity for 
all.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.145.   In this sense, we commend Norway's active role in the - negotiations on fisheries subsidies 
with a view of achieving a meaningful outcome for the implementation of SDG  14.6, signing the 
Buenos Aires Ministerial Declaration encouraging reform and phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies, 
pursuing joint initiatives such as the initiative on electronic commerce, supporting the integration 
of developing economies into the globa l trading system, promoting women empowerment in trade 
as a tool for development, as well as the concrete actions undertaken by the Norwegian 
Government at the international level in order to transpose its commitment to trade as a tool for 
development.  
4.146.   We note that the current outlook for the Norwegian economy is positive, as targeted fiscal 
policy and low interest rates have allowed for the improvement of competitiveness, rising growth 
and reduced unemployment.  
4.147.   Despite the various challenges affecting the  global economy, Norway has remained an 
open economy, openness and inclusiveness being the most important principles of its trade policy. 
This is also a result of anchoring its trade policy in the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, 
European Free Trade  Association (EFTA) and free trade agreements with trading partners around 
the world.  
4.148.   We note the aim set by Norway's Government to reduce the State's commercial ownership 
with time, while ensuring governance transparency through the division of roles set  out in 
Norwegian company legislation.  
4.149.   We commend Norway for being committed to phasing out export subsidies by 2020, that 
the amendments to regulations to fulfil this commitment have already started and that a revised 
Norwegian schedule for export subsid ies is already certified.  
4.150.   Norway has a high degree of tariff liberalization, with the vast majority of tariffs being duty 
free. However, the remaining tariffs are over 100% in many agricultural sub -sectors. The 
agriculture sector is closely regulated and complex domestic market regulation goes hand in hand 
with border protection. We commend the efforts undertaken by the Norwegian Government in 
raising the debates on both trade and agricultural policy and the reduction of exports subsidies for 
cheese by 50%  to be followed by a complete phase out by 2020. We encourage Norway to further 
explore ways of balancing agriculture trade liberalization with the other agricultural policy goals.  
4.151.   We welcome the expansion of the network of free trade agreements concluded , mainly in 
the framework of EFTA, Norway being a party to 26 EFTA FTAs which cover trade with 37 partners, 
including the most recent – Bosnia and Herzegovina, some Central American States, the Gulf 
Cooperation Council, Georgia, Hong, Kong (China) and Mont enegro.  
4.152.   The Republic of Moldova is also working closely with the EFTA Secretariat to launch the 
negotiations of a FTA. In this respect, we are pleased to note the openness of Norway and the rest 
of the EFTA Governments for this important endeavour, follow ing the signature of the Joint 
Declaration on Cooperation in November 2017 and the first Joint Committee Reunion that took 
place in May 2018 in Chisinau. The meeting in May has offered the opportunity to initiate 
discussions of mutual interest and formulat e recommendations which will give a boost to our 
current amounts of trade flows.  
4.153.   The Republic of Moldova would like to reiterate and highlight our interest and willingness in 
launching negotiations of a FTA with the EFTA countries, hoping that this issue will be examined 
between the 4 members states at the next EFTA Ministerial Reunion which will take place next 
week in Iceland.  
4.154.   Current trade with Norway is fairly modest, although imports from Norway to the Republic 
of Moldova have increased by 25% in 201 7 compared to 2016. Most existing trade faces low duties 
or medium duties (mostly apparel), however agricultural products fall under high duties.  
4.155.   Therefore, an FTA between the Republic of Moldova and EFTA states will create new 
opportunities for Moldovan, as well as EFTA exporters, farmers, businesses and consumers. As a 
signatory of the DCFTA with the European Union, which has allowed for the harmo nization of a 
large amount of trade -related legislation, as well as a member of Central European Free Trade WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  Agreement (CEFTA), Republic of Moldova sees the integration with the EFTA market as 
complementary to our trade expansion objectives.  
4.156.   We hope to see  further expansion of exports of Moldovan products, including wine and 
organic products to the market in Norway, and we express our gratitude to the Norwegian 
government for the implementation of technical assistance and development projects in the 
Republi c of Moldova in order to benefit from experience sharing and learning. We are also looking 
forward to extend the current cooperation framework, which includes bilateral agreements in such 
areas as rule of law and defense to protection and promotion of inve stment and technical 
cooperation. Republic of Moldova is interested in learning from Norway's experience in the industry 
of freezing, refrigeration and processing of fish and seafood storage.  
4.157.   We look forward to continue further strengthening our bilateral  relations with Norway and 
we wish the Norwegian delegation the utmost success during this trade policy review cycle.  
INDONESIA  
4.158.   In the last five years between 2013 and 2017, the total trade between Indonesia and 
Norway has been experiencing a promising gro wth trend of 7.39%, with trade value reaching a 
five-year high of US$351.6 million last year in 2017. Leading Indonesia's export drive to the 
Norwegian market are Indonesian electronic products such as monitors and projectors; then 
followed by Indonesian w ood charcoal, as well as tubes and pipes. Notable amongst our export 
commodities, are industrial fatty alcohols and industrial fatty acids; as well as fruits, nuts, and 
edible parts of plants.  
4.159.   We have addressed some questions to the Norwegian delegation, s eeking clarification on 
Norway's economic experiences, in the hope that we in Indonesia could also learn from economic 
best practices being conducted in the Norwegian. Additionally, and in relation to our export 
interest into the Norwegian market, there ar e some concerns that Indonesia tries to raise during 
this review process.  
4.160.   We have addressed the details of these question and concerns in our advanced written 
questions, which include among others, issues related to state ownership of enterprises; on the 
high-tariffs in many agricultural sub -sectors; on the non -ad valorem rates of duty in agricultural 
goods; on the scope of goods that the government of Norway deems eligible to receive export 
credits; on the sectors not open to foreign investors; and to the Norwegian Parliament's 
Resolution -issued on 2nd of June 2017 -requesting the Norwegian Government to legally prohibit 
public procurement of palm oil -based biofuels.   
4.161.   Indonesia flags the potential impact that this Norwegian Parliament's Resolution may have 
on Norwegian's trade regulation, especially on the possibility that the resulting trade regulation 
becoming a new non -tariff barrier.  
4.162.   We thank Norway for the replies to these advanced written questions. We in Geneva and in 
Jakarta are still looking into t he answers, and will be submitting additional questions, seeking 
further clarification, if so need. And to this, Indonesia wishes to use this opportunity, to convey 
much appreciation, to Ambassador Harald Neple, and Norway's Geneva -based delegation, on the  
excellent cooperation accorded to the Indonesia delegation in Geneva; and on their very active 
engagement in various issues of common concern.  
4.163.   Lastly, Indonesia wishes much success to Norway in the seventh Trade Policy Review.  
THAILAND  
4.164.   Thailand and Norway  have a significant bilateral trading relationship. In 2017, total trade 
between the two countries amounted to US$873 million, expanded by an additional 67% from 
2016.  
4.165.   Thailand acknowledges the commendable performance of Norway's economy since its last 
trade policy review. Norway has an advanced economy, with a per capita GDP at 75,200 dollars in 
2017 among the highest in the world. Norway has remained an open economy, and trade plays a WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  vital role in Norway's economy, with imports and exports of goods and s ervices equivalent to 63% 
of GDP in 2017.  
4.166.   Over the years, Norway has accumulated substantial amounts of petroleum revenue in a 
sovereign wealth fund, which helps the government alleviate economic downturns and counter 
external shocks. Norway has maintained  transparent and predictable trade policies and has taken 
steps to continually improve its regulatory framework. We believe that these efforts will contribute 
to sustainable and resilient economic growth.  
4.167.   Thailand highly values Norway as an active supporte r of the multilateral trading system. 
We commend Norway for accepting the Trade Facilitation Agreement, implementing both the ITA 
and ITA expansion Agreements, and for committing to phasing out all remaining agricultural 
export subsidies. We congratulate N orway for being one of the first few members to have certified 
amended schedule of export subsidies entitlements in line with the Nairobi decision. More 
importantly, Thailand applauds Norway for having an exemplary record in terms of meeting its 
notificati on obligations to ensure transparency in the global trading system.  
4.168.   Thailand notes at 85% of Norway's tariff lines are duty free. However, the rest still have 
high tariffs, especially agriculture sub -sectors, which have tariffs of over 100%. Non -ad valorem  
rates of duty are also prevalent, accounting for about 50% of agricultural tariff lines. In this 
regard, it would be appreciated if Norway could provide the reasons for maintaining high tariffs 
and non -ad valorem rates on agricultural products.  
4.169.   Norway is the world's third largest exporter of natural gas and continues to be a major 
producer and exporter of crude oil. The fact that Norway's domestic energy market is 
characterized by a high share of renewable energy deserves positive mention.  
4.170.   In this review, Thailand submitted a set of questions, covering the policies and measures 
of our interests. We thank Norway for timely responses to our questions and will study them in 
detail with great interest.  
4.171.   In conclusion, we wish Norway a successful outcome of this  Trade Policy Review.  
COLOMBIA  
4.172.   Para el periodo del examen, Noruega continúo un sólido desempeño económico. A pesar de 
ver afectadas sus exportaciones por la caída de los precios del petróleo, la economía logro 
mantener la senda de crecimiento. En parte, gr acias al fondo soberano de inversión, que le ha 
permitido mitigar las recesiones económicas y contrarrestar las perturbaciones externas. La solidez 
de su economía también se ve refleja en su PIB per cápita (75.200 dólares EE.UU.), situado entre 
los más alt os del mundo.  
4.173.   En el ámbito comercial, se resalta su dinamismo, con 32 acuerdos preferenciales suscritos 
que cobijan el comercio con 71 países. La Unión Europea continúa siendo su principal socio 
comercial, que en 2016 representó el 78% de las exportaciones  de mercancías y 62% de 
importaciones.  
4.174.   Por otra parte, los tipos consolidados de Noruega no han experimentado modificaciones 
importantes desde la Ronda Uruguay. Su estructura arancelaria mantiene un tratamiento muy 
abierto para los productos no agropecuar ios con alrededor del 85% de las líneas arancelarias 
exentas de derechos.  
4.175.   En contraste, os aranceles consolidados en el sector agropecuario, en muchos casos, 
superan el 50% e incluso el 600%. En el caso del arancel medio aplicado en algunos productos 
como los cereales supera el 200% y carne y lácteos supera el 300%.  
4.176.   Adicionalmente, como lo señala la Secretaría en su documento, el 57% de los aranceles 
aplicados a productos agropecuarios están consolidados en términos ad valorem y específicos (si 
estos result aran superiores), lo que permite altos niveles de protección cuando, por ejemplo, se 
utiliza un tipo específico pero su equivalente ad valorem supera el componente ad valorem, lo que 
ocurre en varios casos. Al igual que lo hicimos en examenes anteriores, r esultaría útil conocer, si WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  Noruega tiene previsto aplicar medidas tendientes a disminuir la protección y la regulación del 
sector agropecuario para mejorar su competitividad y previsibilidad del acceso de otros miembros 
a su mercado.  
4.177.   En cuanto a las relaci ones comerciales bilaterales éstas se enmarcan en el Acuerdo de 
Libre Comercio entre Colombia y la Asociación Europea de Libre Comercio. Desde la entrada en 
vigor del acuerdo en 2011, las exportaciones de Colombia a Noruega han mantenido una senda de 
crecimiento sobresaliendo principalmente café, carbón y banano. En cuanto a las importaciones se 
destacan química básica y maquinaria y equipos.  
4.178.   Deseamos aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecer el muy valioso apoyo de Noruega 
al proceso de paz en Colombia. A dicionalmente, el apoyo de Noruega en esta nueva etapa del 
posconflicto ha sido fundamental para consolidar una paz estable y duradera. En su reciente visita 
a Colombia, la Primera Ministra de Noruega ratificó el apoyo en áreas como educación, 
alfabetizaci ón de excombatientes y comunidades, desminado, protección del medio ambiente y 
desarrollo de proyectos productivos en zonas afectadas por el conflicto.  
4.179.   Para finalizar, permítanos resaltar el papel activo que realiza Noruega a favor del 
fortalecimiento del sistema multilateral del comercio. En este sentido, celebramos los esfuerzos 
realizados por ese país para dar cumplimiento a la Decisión Ministerial de Nairobi relativa a la 
competencia de las exportaciones, que fue un hito en las negociaciones agrícolas. Esperamos 
seguir trabajando con el Embajador Neple y su excelente equipo en Ginebra y les deseamos el 
mayor de los éxitos en su séptimo examen de las po líticas comerciales.  
ECUADOR  
4.180.   Este Examen de Políticas Comerciales reviste gran interés para nuestro país, puesto que 
Noruega es el segundo país en importancia para los exportadores ecuatorianos en el marco de la 
Asociación Europea de Libre Comercio (EFTA, por sus siglas en inglés).  
4.181.   Los envíos incluyen una gran cantidad de vegetales y flores. Estas últimas fueron el 
segundo producto de exportación al EFTA en el 2017, con el 32% de participación. En este sentido 
Ecuador espera profundizar el comercio actual c on Noruega e incrementar el comercio no 
tradicional con dicho país.  
4.182.   En relación con el EFTA, el acuerdo comercial tendrá una repercusión directa en nuestra 
economía, ya que contribuirá al incremento de la entrada de divisas y generación de empleo, 
aumento de las exportaciones ecuatorianas, particularmente de frutas, flores, cacao y 
preparaciones, grasas vegetales, y productos de acuacultura y pesca, entre otros. Por su parte, los 
países que conforman la EFTA del cual Noruega es parte, son proveedores de imp ortantes bienes 
de capital para nuestro país. Para los exportadores ecuatorianos de flores, este acuerdo le dará 
apertura al sector para invertir, buscando competir con mayor valor agregado. Por su parte, 
Noruega ofrecería un importante nivel de preferenci as. 
4.183.   La balanza comercial no petrolera que Ecuador registra con Noruega es positiva con 6,5 
millones de dólares EE.UU. Las exportaciones no petroleras de Ecuador a Noruega fueron de 
15 millones de dólares EE.UU. mientras que las importaciones no petroleras registraron 
8,5 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2017. En cuanto a los principales productos exportados de 
Ecuador a Noruega, destacamos plátanos, hortalizas, frutos comestibles, grasas y aceites de 
pescado, entre otros.  
4.184.   Permítame ahora referirme al informe p resentado por la Secretaría.  
4.185.   Destacamos el importante rol que desempeña Noruega a nivel regional y mundial tanto en 
sus políticas como en sus prácticas comerciales, el cual se ve reflejado en su avanzada economía, 
su nivel per cápita, en el alto nivel de e xportaciones e importaciones y la participación del sector 
de los servicios.  
4.186.   Tomamos nota sobre el manejo de sus políticas comerciales en torno al Acuerdo sobre el 
Espacio Europeo y su pertenencia al EFTA el cual desempeña un rol importante para Noruega ya  
que le provee de una gran red de acuerdos de libre comercio con participantes de todo el mundo.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.187.   Sobresale la activa participación de Noruega en la OMC, su grado de cumplimiento en 
materia de notificaciones, además de su alto nivel de participación en el ámbito de solución de 
diferencias y su destacado desempeño comercial.  
4.188.   Vemos de manera positiva los cambios introducidos en su legislación respecto a la 
eliminación de subvenciones a la exportación de productos agropecuarios antes del 2020, de 
conformidad c on el compromiso asumido luego de la Ministerial de la OMC en Nairobi 2015.  
4.189.   Destaca también, el trabajo desarrollado por Noruega en favor del medio ambiente, 
reflejado en su activa participación en las negociaciones de la OMC para prohibir las subvenciones  
a la pesca, tema que Ecuador comparte a favor de un desarrollo sostenible.  
4.190.   Tanto Ecuador, como Noruega se encuentran entre los Estados que apoyaron la hoja de 
ruta suscrita en el marco de la XIV conferencia de la UNCTAD en 2016 bajo el mandato del 
Objetiv o 14 de Desarrollo Sostenible, a fin de unir esfuerzos para reducir las subvenciones a la 
pesca.  
4.191.   Es digno de destacar el desarrollo y aplicación de políticas a favor del uso de energía 
renovable, el cual se ve caracterizado en la alta proporción de esta en ergía en el mercado interno, 
tales como, aquellas que promueven el uso de autos eléctricos, el fomento del uso de la 
electricidad en el transporte público, suministro de energía hidroeléctrica, entre otros.  
4.192.   Reconocemos el trabajo realizado por el Gobierno noruego en el control y reglamentación 
de su Sistema Financiero al mantener altos estándares en la suficiencia de capital para los bancos, 
las instituciones crediticias y las compañías de seguros; así como por mantener un marco jurídico 
sólido, como el cas o de la actualización y unificación de la Ley de Instituciones Financieras de 
2015.  
4.193.   Para concluir, deseamos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación de Noruega por 
sus respuestas a las preguntas planteadas sobre algunos aspectos concretos de su pol ítica 
comercial que proveerá información importante para el fortalecimiento de las relaciones bilaterales 
en materia de comercio exterior.  
CANADA  
4.194.   Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the WTO's trade policy review of Norway. 
Canada welcomes a col laborative approach to examine key themes and questions with a view to 
enable practical exchanges of information on our bilateral commercial relations with Norway. 
Canada recognizes and appreciates Norway's commitment to the multilateral trading system and  
to ongoing liberalization efforts, noting that Norway and Canada both signed the Declaration in 
support of the Multilateral Trading System at MC11 in Buenos Aires last December and at the May 
General Council Meeting. Support for, and dependence on, open a nd inclusive international trade 
are key features of Norway's international profile and at the heart of Canada's progressive trade 
agenda.  
4.195.   Norway has a fundamental interest in a strong, stable and open multilateral trading system 
with clear and predictable  rules that minimize the opportunity for misuse and provide maximum 
transparency, as well as an efficient dispute settlement system. Like Canada, Norway is a trading 
nation largely dependent on foreign markets for its economic prosperity. Furthermore, Norw ay and 
Canada both play by the rules, having committed to eliminate agricultural export subsidies per the 
Ministerial Decision on export competition at the 2015 MC10 in Nairobi, and we are both 
proponents on the prohibition of fisheries subsidies as demons trated in our joint proposal on 
overfished stocks at MC11.  
4.196.   Beyond our shared interests in Artic issues, Canada and Norway enjoy a strong bilateral 
trade relationship, facilitated in part, by the 2009 Canada -European Free Trade Association Free 
Trade Agree ment. In 2017, Canada and Norway enjoyed a balanced trading relationship, with 
merchandise exports to Norway totalling $1.97 billion and imports from Norway valued at just over 
$2.11 billion. Bilateral trade in services is also significant, with Canadian e xports to Norway 
totalling $318 million and Canadian imports amounting to $555 million in 2016.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.197.   Norway is one of the world's largest producers of oil and gas, one of the world's largest 
and most advanced maritime nations and the world's second largest exp orter of fish and seafood. 
Furthermore, Norway has a world class offshore supply industry. For a number of years, 
Norwegian business and political leaders have been speaking about the value of the "Blue 
Economy". While off -shore petroleum extraction has ma de them one of the most prosperous 
countries in the world, there is a recognition that Norway needs to transition away from fossil fuels 
as the main driver of wealth.  They see the ocean as a domain they excel in. The Norwegian 
commercial fleet is among th e most important in the world and their aquaculture industry is 
growing significantly thanks to the development of Asian markets. More than 70% of Norwegian 
exports come from the ocean industries. This provides great opportunities for the Canada - 
Norwegia n ocean industries collaboration in the future.  
4.198.   In this context, we would like to share some of our preoccupations aimed at maintaining 
and further developing our bilateral commercial relations. First, we would be interested to learn 
more with regards to the changes made to the Norwegian Customs Act and associated regulations. 
We would specifically like Norway to elaborate as to how the changes to the rules of origin impact 
preferential rules of origin for goods within Norway's existing FTAs.  
4.199.   Secondly, Ca nada recognizes that Norway's proposed amendments to its domestic 
legislation would replace the current prohibition against the importation of live Homarus 
americanus (lobster). Canada appreciates Norway's consideration of Canada's comments on 
Norway's pro posed amendments notified in late 2017 to the WTO SPS Committee, as well as 
Norway's ongoing efforts to ensure a more science -based and trade -facilitative outcome to this 
issue.  
4.200.   Finally, the report by the Secretariat notes that the Government recommended t he 
continuation of "Basic Agricultural Agreements" and most existing market regulation measures, but 
it also made a number of proposals which, in its view, would make the system more flexible and 
efficient, and stimulate competition within processing and d istribution. Among the principal 
recommendations were the transfer of pork from the "target price" to the "volume" model." Could 
Norway please provide more information on how it will implement this recommendation?  
4.201.   Like Norway, Canada recognizes the importa nce of ensuring that trade results in broad -
based benefits for our citizens and for those throughout the world. This is at the core of Canada's 
progressive trade agenda. Norway and Canada are aligned in many areas, having recently signed 
forward looking WT O MC11 declarations, including on micro, small and medium -sized enterprises 
(MSMEs), services domestic regulations, electronic commerce, and trade and gender. With regard 
to women's economic empowerment in particular, Norway and Canada agree that the inter national 
trading system needs to do more to increase the participation of women in trade. With this goal in 
mind, we look forward to working with likeminded partners like Norway to fully implement the 
Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment.  
4.202.   Canada looks forward to working constructively with Norway to continue to facilitate the 
mutual prosperity that can flow from our economic relationship, and to build a strong domestic and 
global consensus on the value of trade, investment and  inclusive growth. We appreciate the 
opportunity for this constructive exchange of views on all aspects of Norway's economy. Finally, 
we wish the delegation the utmost success during this review.  
ICELAND  
4.203.   As neighbouring countries, members of EFTA as well as the European Economic Area, 
Norway and Iceland have strong long -lasting ties and cooperate closely when it comes to trade.  
4.204.   We welcome positive developments in Norway's trade policy since its last TPR, including as 
regards the Trade Facilitation Agreemen t, the ITA and pharmaceutical products, GPA and 
agricultural export subsidies. We commend Norway for its excellent record in terms of meeting 
notification obligations, as well as for its valuable contribution in general to the WTO.  
4.205.   On the occasion of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires last December 
more than 120 WTO members and observers launched a joint declaration on women and economic 
empowerment that aims inter alia at sharing best practices and working together in the WTO to WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  remove ba rriers for women's economic empowerment and increase their participation in trade. 
Norway is a supporter of the declaration.  
4.206.   In the spirit of that declaration, Iceland submitted advance written questions on the 
participation of women in the Norwegian econo my. We wish to thank Norway for its responses to 
our written questions.  
4.207.   In closing, Iceland reiterates its appreciation for Norway's active engagement in the WTO. 
In particular I want to highlight the very valuable contribution Norway has made, and continu es to 
make, in the negotiations on fisheries subsidies. We wish the Norwegian delegation every success 
with the Trade Policy Review and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Norway, 
both bilaterally and here at the WTO.  
4.208.   On a personal not e, I would also like to thank my good friend and neighbour Ambassador 
Harald Neple for his valuable contribution to our work here at the WTO, including as Chair of the 
General Council and the Dispute Settlement Body. I know he is approaching the end of his  time 
here in Geneva and I take this opportunity to wish him all the best for his future endeavours and 
wish Benedikte and him a happy return to Oslo.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
4.209.   Korea and Norway have developed a strong economic partnership since the establishment 
of diplomatic relations in 1959. Our economic relations have continued to deepen further since the 
FTA between Korea and the EFTA came into force in 2006. Among all the EFTA states, Norway is 
Korea's largest trading partner accounting for 61.4% of total tra de between Korea and the EFTA 
States in 2017.  
4.210.   However, bilateral trade has fluctuated widely from US$4.5 billion in 2014 up to 
US$7.4  billion in 2015. More than half our bilateral trade is conducted in the shipping and marine 
plants sectors. For this reaso n, the vulnerability of bilateral trade tends to depend much on the 
business cycles of shipping and marine plants. Therefore, to stabilize bilateral trade, we need to 
seek out new trade items and diversify our trading patterns.  
4.211.   From a trade policy perspec tive, as the secretariat's report noted, Norway boasts an 
advanced and open economy. However. The Norwegian economy appears to be vulnerable to 
global oil prices due to the fact Norway owes a substantial share of its wealth to an abundance of 
natural resou rces. 
4.212.   As the secretariat also noted, we are highly grateful for the strong support that Norway 
has lent to the multilateral trading system. Norway formally accepted the trade Facilitation 
Agreement (TFA) in December 2015, and has participated in plurilater al agreements such as the 
expansion of the ITA and the revised GPA. In addition, Norway has been closely involved in all 
areas of WTO negotiations and has at times played a leadership role such as by sponsoring a 
proposal in the fisheries subsidies negotia tions.  
4.213.   We should take note as well that the Norwegian government has initiated domestic 
procedures to eliminate export subsidies by 2020, in line with the commitments made at the WTO 
Ministerial Conference in Nairobi.  
4.214.   My delegation has submitted, albeit somewhat late, our written questions regarding 
cooperation in the fishery sector. We look forward to receiving a reply in due course.  
4.215.   Korea hopes to continuously develop our economic relationship with Norway in the further. 
In addition, we expect Norway to  continue to contribute towards strengthening the multilateral 
trading system.  
4.216.   With this, we would like to express our deep appreciation to the Norwegian delegation for 
its hard work and wish them every success in this TPR.  
  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  TURKEY  
4.217.   Having a strong economy  and trade, Norway also has a critical role in the global energy 
supply; it is a leading supplier of fish in the world; it has the fourth highest GDP per capita in the 
world; and above all, it has the highest human development rank in the world.  
4.218.   Norway is also one of the most active and leading members at the WTO in many areas, but 
we would like to particularly commend the high level of engagement of Norway in fishery subsidies 
negotiations.  
4.219.   In this sense, thanks to its economic structure and its active eng agement in WTO works, 
Norway represents bigger importance for the world economy and the WTO system, than its weight 
in the world population.  
4.220.   While having a strong economic and human development background, we observe that 
Norway still faces the challenges of being a commodity dependent economy, as the crude oil and 
natural gas account nearly half of the country's exports. Due to the decline of the oil prices during 
the review period, the total exports of the country declined by almost 40% from 2012 to 2016.   
4.221.   On the other hand, we also observe that the drop in oil prices has provided opportunities 
for further development of aquaculture, tourism and other services sectors. The recent update and 
consolidation of the financial regulatory framework, as well as th e participation of Norwegian 
financial authorities to the works of the European financial institutions, together with the 
incorporation of the European regulations, will also increase the competitiveness of this particular 
sector.  
4.222.   We also would like to com mend the exemplary policies of Norway to increase the already 
high share of the renewable energy in domestic consumption, which will transform the Norwegian 
economy in a radical manner.  
4.223.   Although Norway maintains its open trade and investment regime during the review 
period, there is still a sharp discrepancy between the average bound rates for industrial products 
and for agricultural products. As it is also stated in Government report, Norway's "agricultural 
sector differs from other sectors due to high tar iffs and extensive subsidies and then, clearly is not 
competitive. In this regard, we also endorse the comments from others and encourage Norway to 
review its policies in agriculture sector.  
4.224.   Norway is an important economic and commercial partner for Turkey , with a bilateral trade 
volume exceeding US$1.5 billion.  
4.225.   Turkey and Norway have also a free trade relation, thanks to the Free Trade Agreement 
between Turkey and EFTA, since 1992. This is the oldest free trade agreement of both parties and 
negotiations to update and to extend the coverage of the agreement have been completed 
recently. We believe that the implementation of this renewed agreement, which is expected to be 
signed in coming weeks, will boost our bilateral trade and economic relations with all  EFTA 
countries, including Norway, to reach its real potential.  
4.226.   In this respect, Turkey will continue its close dialogue and cooperation with Norway in both 
bilateral and multilateral platforms.  
4.227.   We wish Norway a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
INDIA  
4.228.   Norway is an advanced economy and amongst the richest countries in the world with GDP 
of US$75,200 in 2017. Trade is important for Norway with exports and imports of goods and 
services contributing nearly 63% of the GDP. During the period under review the v olatility in 
international oil and gas prices and decline of exports in the petroleum sector, posed challenges to 
Norway's economy including contraction of offshore related industries, unemployment and 
decreasing incomes for local communities. However, we commend Norway for the measures 
undertaken to deal with these challenges and as a result the economy has remained resilient with WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  growth in line with historical trends and the GDP growth rate stood at 1.8% in 2017. Norway has 
also launched pioneering reform s and initiatives in many areas which include restructuring of the 
economy; going green and blue; promoting innovation and technology; open investment regime 
and measures to promote high labour force participation and equal distribution of income. Norway 
is part of the European single market, with the exception of agriculture and fisheries and also 
remains closely inter -linked with the European member states as part of the European Economic 
Area and Norway's membership of the European Free Trade Association  (EFTA).  
4.229.   However, despite being a largely open economy, Norway continues to provide one of the 
highest protection and support to the agriculture sector. We note that during the period the 
average tariffs decreased slightly due to autonomous liberalization including of some agricultural 
tariff lines. However, in several products including, meat and dairy, Norway continues to use 
heavily regulated instruments such as target pricing, transport support, product price equalisation 
and structure income support. I n 2016 -17, producer support in Norway amounted to around 60% 
of farm revenues according to an OECD estimate. Norwegian farm subsidies are more than three 
times the OECD average. Most of the agricultural products including wheat also receive product 
specifi c AMS subsidies well beyond de minimis  and the tariff structure is characterized with high 
tariffs and non -ad valorem duties. We hope Norway would do more to reduce the large subsidies in 
the agricultural sector. We will also continue to work with Norway i n addressing the inequities and 
imbalances in the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture (AOA).  
4.230.   India and Norway share warm, close and multifaceted relations. In the last few years, 
there have been regular high level political exchanges between both countr ies and our relations 
have strengthened in all areas. The bilateral trade between India and Norway stood at 
US$1.2  billion in 2017 -18 registering a strong growth over the previous year. There is considerable 
potential for promoting trade between both count ries in sectors like chemicals, iron and steel, ship 
building, electrical machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, minerals and other areas.  
4.231.   Several Norwegian companies have invested in India in areas like ship building, marine 
equipment, new and renewable en ergy, IT and telecommunication. Indian companies are also 
investing in Norway in sectors like offshore drilling, IT and high -tech industries. Both countries also 
have a broad institutional framework in place with agreements and MOUs to strengthen our 
coope ration in areas including science and technology, Polar research, fisheries, financial services 
and other areas of education and research.  
4.232.   The India -EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement has been under active discussion and 
many rounds have been held in rece nt years. We earnestly hope that the Agreement would be 
concluded at an early date with the resolution of a few pending issues as this would give a huge 
boost to the trade and investment ties between both countries.  
4.233.   To conclude, we look forward to working closely with the authorities of Norway for further 
expanding and harnessing the potential of our trade and investment ties for mutual benefit. We 
wish the delegation of Norway a productive and successful TPR.  
THE PHILIPPINES  
4.234.   It is my honour to participate in your TPR today as it reminds me of the privilege of being 
a discussant during Norway's 5th Trade Policy Review in 2008.  
4.235.   This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and 
Norway, which was established in March 1948.  The Philippines and Norway enjoy strong and 
cordial relations in all three pillars of Philippine foreign policy economic, political and people -to-
people cooperation. The Kingdom of Norway opened its Embassy in Manila in 1967. Four decades 
later, due to th e increasing number of Filipinos in Norway as well as the many promising 
opportunities in energy and maritime -related fields, the Philippine Embassy in Oslo opened in 
2007.  
4.236.   The Philippines is pleased to be among the countries that have recently concluded a free 
trade agreement with the EFTA member states, which entered into force on 1st of June 2018. The 
Philippines -EFTA FTA seeks to provide greater market access and increase trade and investment 
between the Philippines and the EFTA members, including Norw ay.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.237.   Relations between the Philippines and Norway have been marked by robust economic 
activity and strengthened political ties. The maritime sector is one of the most important aspects 
of our bilateral relations. Since then, our relations have expanded to encompass not only the 
shipping industry, but also other sectors, such as energy, labour migration, and peace and 
reconciliation efforts. New areas of commercial cooperation include aquaculture, the petroleum 
sector, renewable energy, and the use of inform ation technology (IT) in business process 
outsourcing.  
4.238.   Philippines -Norway bilateral trade reported a total of US$50.47 million in 2017, with 
Philippine exports increasing by 11.79% compared to the previous year. Among the top Philippine 
exports to Norway a re pineapples, desiccated coconuts, electronic micro -assemblies, and 
carrageenan. The top Philippine imports from Norway, on the other hand, are pacific salmon, 
double salts, fertilisers, and other digital monolithic integrated circuits.  
4.239.   Norway has an adva nced economy with a per capita GDP among the highest in the world 
at US$75,200 in 2017. Trade plays an important role in its economy, comprising 63% of its GDP 
last year. 70% of Norwegian exports come from so -called ocean industries making them one of the 
world's largest producers of oil and gas, one of the world's largest and most advanced maritime 
nations, and the world's second largest exporter of fish and seafood.  
4.240.   Norway has remained an open economy and there have been no fundamental changes in 
its tra de policies since the last Trade Policy Review in 2012. Norwegian trade policies are firmly 
anchored in the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, the European Free Trade Agreement 
(EFTA), and the WTO.  
4.241.   As a founding Member of the GATT in 1947 and the WTO  in 1995, Norway remains strongly 
committed to the multilateral trading system. It is an active Member in the various formal and 
informal groups in the WTO, including the Friends of MSMEs Group, Electronic Commerce, and the 
Women and Trade initiative.  
4.242.   As indicated in the Secretariat's report, Norway has an exemplary record in terms of 
meeting its notification obligations in the WTO. It has also ratified the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement, implemented the revised ITA and pharmaceutical product coverage, and c ommitted to 
phasing out all remaining agricultural export subsidies. While majority of Norway's tariffs (85% of 
tariff lines) are duty free, those that remain can be high, with tariffs of over 100% on some 
agricultural products.  
4.243.   The Philippines looks forw ard to further enhancing the mutually beneficial economic 
relations between our two countries through bilateral, regional, and the WTO fora.  
NEPAL  
4.244.   It is appreciable that Norway has an advanced economy with highest per capita in the 
world which is US$75,200 . High trade to GDP ratio of about 63% shows that trade is of paramount 
importance for the Norwegian economy. The economy is essentially based on the use of its natural 
resources, mainly oil, gas, hydroelectric power, forests and minerals. The service sect or in Norway 
is also a highly developed one. The fishery is a major activity, making Norway one of the biggest 
exporters of fish in the world.  
4.245.   As a staunch supporter of the rule -based multilateral trading system, the role of Norway in 
nurturing and strengt hening the WTO is commendable. Norway could play a constructive role to 
bring the remaining issues of DDA to a logical conclusion for the benefit of poor and marginalized 
countries of this august House.  
4.246.   Nepal appreciates Norway's Generalised System of Pref erences (GSP) scheme which 
provides duty free market access for LDC products. Similarly, we also appreciate Norway's 
notifications on preferential treatment to services exports of LDCs. We encourage Norway to be a 
model for the implementation so that the L DCs could reap benefits from the waiver scheme. We 
appreciate the support provided by Norway to the EIF and TFA Facility under AfT.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.247.   Similarly, we would encourage Norway to consider the implications of technical standards 
and SPS regulations for the low lev el of utilization of its GSP System by the beneficiary countries.  
4.248.   Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Nepal and Norway have been 
enjoying friendly and cooperative relations. A number of high level visits, including at the Prime 
ministers' level by both countries in 2008 and 2009, have further strengthened the diplomatic and 
economic relations between two countries.  
4.249.   Nepal appreciates continued support of Norway to our development efforts basically in the 
areas of basic and primary education, renewable energy, gender, human resources development, 
local governance, and private sector development. Similarly, the support provided by Norway 
during the earth -quake of 2015 was commendable. Besides support to the government, Norway 
has channelled its assistance through non -state actors.  
4.250.   Nepal could learn from the experience of Norway in sustainable production and use of 
hydro power as enormous hydropower potential needs to be harnessed in Nepal, among others.  
4.251.   Finally, we value the cordial relationship of Norway with Nepal. We expect continued 
support for our socio -economic development. We wish Norway a great success for the Tra de Policy 
Review.  
SRI LANKA  
4.252.   Norway, a prosperous economy, highly dependent on the petroleum sector, has been 
managed to be on its growth path, even at a moderate rate, despite the significant decline in oil 
and gas prices since mid -2014. The price decline has brought formidable challenges than the 
effects of the global financial crisis experienced. The petroleum sector of Norway accounts for the 
largest portion of export revenue of the country and about 30% of government revenue. 
Combination of expansionary  fiscal policy and expansionary monetary policy has been helpful to 
bring back economy into its growth path. It is interesting to note the role of the accumulated 
sovereign wealth fund as a mean of mitigating economic downturns and counter external shocks.  
We have learnt that this wealth fund has been created in anticipation of eventual declines in oil 
and gas production and prices of the country.  
4.253.   We commend Norway's highly liberalized economic policies. Around 85% of tariff lines are 
duty free; the average  applied tariff is around 7% while the average bound rate is 30.4%. 
However, we observed high tariff on Agricultural products, which also bound to be on average over 
130%, whereas the binding commitment for non -agricultural products is only 3% on average. Just 
as the trade, Investment is also fully liberalized, with few exceptions.  
4.254.   In the Multilateral front, Norway's commitments to the multilateral trading system is 
remarkable. According to the Secretariat report, it has an exemplary record on meeting its 
notification requirements. We also recognize Norway's commitment for the elimination of 
agricultural export subsidies by the end of 2020 consistent with the Nairobi Ministerial decision. 
Most interestingly, Norway has not resorted to any contingency measure s since its membership 
with the WTO, while the Customs Act contains provisions for anti -dumping, countervailing, and 
safeguard measures. On WTO's dispute settlement mechanism, Norway has never being a 
respondent to a dispute, demonstrating its commitment t o meeting obligations under the 
multilateral rules and regulations.  
4.255.   On bilateral front, Sri Lanka and Norway share friendly relations. Norway has been a 
development partner for Sri Lanka for many years. Significant humanitarian assistance has also 
been ext ended to Sri Lanka. With regard to trade, the total trade turnover has being fluctuating 
between US$20 -30 million in the recent years. The highest was recorded in 2016 with the 
contribution of both exports and imports. Sri Lanka has enjoyed favourable bala nce of trade over 
the past decade. Export of Sri Lankan Apparel has become dominant accounting for nearly 
one-thirds of Sri Lankan exports to Norway. Fertilizer is the primary importing item to Sri Lanka 
from Norway accounting for nearly a quarter of Sri L anka's imports from Norway in 2017. Further, 
Sri Lanka is a beneficiary of the Norway GSP scheme and it has facilitated Sri Lanka to strength 
her market positions in Norwegian market. We believe that the bilateral trade between two 
countries could be furth er diversified and enhanced through an integrated market development WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  programme for pre -identified products. Norway has also been one of the major FDI source for Sri 
Lanka.  
4.256.   Under fisheries cooperation, last year the Directorate of Fisheries of the Norwegian  
Government extended assistance on a bilateral project with the Government of Sri Lanka to 
undertake a fish stock assessment in the EEZ of Sri Lanka. We take this opportunity to thank the 
Norwegian Government for bringing forward this timely project.  
4.257.   As I stated earlier, my delegation appreciates Norway's highly valued contribution to the 
multilateral trading system and its sustainable way forward. Norway is an active WTO member and 
engage proactively in the ongoing negotiations. The dynamic role played by His Excellency the 
Ambassador Mr. Harald Neple and his team in Geneva is highly commendable, in particular the 
Ambassador's leadership to this organization as the chair of Dispute Settlement Body and the 
General Council.  
4.258.   In concluding, my delegation sincer ely wishes Norwegian delegation a successful 
deliberation on its seventh Trade Policy Review.  
THE SEPARATE  CUTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.259.   Norway has an advanced economy with a per capita GDP among the highest in the world 
at US$ 75,20 0 in 2017, where trade of goods and services is equivalent to 63% of its GDP. 
Sharing the same ideology that trade can do a lot more for the environment, my delegation is 
particularly impressed that there is a high share of renewable energy in the Norwegia n domestic 
energy market in the form of hydro -based electricity. The outstanding achievement of Norway on 
renewable energy does not just end here. It was reported by the Economist that the world's first 
floating wind farm installed by the Norwegian Company  Statoil opened in Scotland in October 
2017. Such an innovation was a true game changer of renewable energy. All the policy supports 
and advisory services provided by the Norwegian government for energy efficiency and energy 
transition activities has made Norway a global leader in the reduction of greenhouse gas emission.  
4.260.   As far as trade policy is concerned, we are encouraged by the fact that Norway has 
accepted the Trade Facilitation Agreement, implemented the revised ITA and pharmaceutical 
product covera ge, completed procedures for adopting the revised GPA, and committed to phasing 
out all remaining agricultural export subsidies. It was particularly remarkable that Norway has an 
exemplary record in terms of meeting its notification obligations, setting a role model for all the 
other WTO Members.  
4.261.   Norway should be commended on its support and commitment to maintain a strong, 
stable, rules -based trading environment. Being a member of Friends of System here in the WTO, 
my delegation have been enjoying to work closely with Ambassador Harald Neple, who has been a 
strong advocate of the rules -based multilateral trading system, as embodied by the WTO.  The 
leadership revealed by Harald during his term as the chair of the General Council was outstanding, 
which was pa rticularly valuable at the time when the challenges facing the WTO appear to be 
greater than ever.  
4.262.   In conclusion, my delegation looks forward to strengthening our trade and economic 
relations with Norway in the years to come, and of course we wish Norway a  very successful first 
trade policy review.  
PAKISTAN  
4.263.   Pakistan and Norway enjoy very warm and cordial bilateral relations. Trade between 
Norway and Pakistan is increasing albeit rather modest with the balance being in favour of 
Pakistan. In 2017, bilateral trade stood at US$128 million, up from US$97 million in 2016. Norway 
grants a GSP status to Pakistan, meaning a 10 -100% tariff reduction on imports. Norway is the 
fourth most important source of remittances for Pakistan in Europe because of its large Pakis tani 
diaspora. In 2017, the value of such remittances from Norway was about US$40 million.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.264.   The EFTA States Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland signed a Joint Declaration 
on Cooperation with Pakistan in Geneva, on 12 November 2012. As a follow -up, negotiations on a 
trade agreement are currently being held.  
4.265.   From June 2015 to June 2016, Norway was the source of the largest foreign direct 
investment in Pakistan, investing a total of US$173 million in telecommunications and energy 
sectors.  
4.266.   Norway has  invested considerably in Pakistan through the extensive activities of the 
Norwegian mobile phone operator Telenor. Since its establishment in 2005, Telenor has invested 
about US$3 billion in Pakistan, and currently has some 40 million customers there, mak ing it the 
second biggest mobile operator in Pakistan.  
4.267.   In the energy sector, the Norwegian solar power company Scatec Solar signed in 2015 a 
Memorandum of Understanding with a Pakistani partner, Nizam Energy, to establish a solar power 
plant with a capaci ty of 150 MW in upper Sindh province. The investment would amount to about 
US$200 million. Implementation is still being discussed.  
4.268.   Furthermore, in 2016, the Norwegian company Höegh LNG entered into a contract to 
deliver a Floating Storage and Regasificati on Unit (FSRU) to a private Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 
terminal in Port Qasim, to the west of Karachi. Similarly, the partly Norwegian shipping company 
BW Group has committed to providing Pakistan Gas Port Ltd with an FSRU for 15 years at the 
public termi nal at Port Qasim.  
4.269.   Norway has an advanced economy with a per capita GDP among the highest in the world 
at US$75,200 in 2017. Trade is important to the economy, with imports and exports of goods and 
services equivalent to 63% of GDP in 2017. Although the va lue of exports declined in U.S. dollar 
terms from US$161 billion (in 2012) to US$102 billion (in 2017), this reflected the fall in oil and 
gas prices rather than a change in volume exported.  
4.270.   Norway has a very large sovereign wealth fund. The Fund, which i s invested entirely 
outside of Norway, held assets valued at more than US$ 1 trillion at the end of 2017. The size of 
the Fund provides the authorities with some leeway to mitigate economic downturns and counter 
external shocks. The effects of the global f inancial crisis of 2008 -09 were thus short -lived in 
Norway.  Overall, signs of economic recovery grew stronger during 2017 and the current outlook 
for the Norwegian economy is positive.  
4.271.   Despite the recent challenges, Norway has remained an open economy and  there have 
been no fundamental changes in its trade policies since the last Trade Policy Review in 2012. Since 
2012, Norway has accepted the Trade Facilitation Agreement, implemented the revised ITA and 
pharmaceutical product coverage, completed procedure s for adopting the revised GPA, and 
committed to phasing out all remaining agricultural export subsidies. Norway has an exemplary 
record in terms of meeting its notification obligations.  
4.272.   Pakistan appreciates that with few exceptions, Norway does not have any legislation 
restricting investment from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), while investment from 
within the EEA is part of the free movement of capital. A new investment promotion entity, "Invest 
in Norway", was established in 2013 to coordinate  the Government's efforts to attract foreign 
investment.  
4.273.   85% of Norway's tariff lines are duty free but those that remain can be high, with tariffs of 
over 100% not unusual in many agriculture sub -sectors. The simple average tariff rate decreased 
slightly from 7.5% to 6.9% during the review period compared to an average bound rate of 
30.4%. Under Norway's preferential schemes, least developed countries are granted duty and 
quota free access for all goods. Furthermore, with the notable exception of agricultu re, Norway 
gives duty free access to imports of practically all goods from all trading partners, and similar 
liberal treatment extends to services and investment. In addition, Norway has not resorted to any 
contingency measures since the creation of the WT O. WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.274.   Although the EEA countries are not covered by the trade mark and community design 
schemes of the European Union, Norway adopted a new Trademarks Act in 2010, inter alia , to 
codify the principle of EEA regional exhaustion.  
4.275.   There have been no major chang es in levels and means of support to the agricultural 
sector in the period under review. Consistent with the Nairobi Package adopted at the WTO 
Ministerial Conference in December 2015, Norway has legislated for the elimination of agricultural 
export subsid ies by the end of 2020.  
4.276.   Fisheries sector accounted for 12% of exports in 2016. During the review period, 
aquaculture growth was stronger than that of wild catch, for salmon production, which accounted 
for 78% of production and 68% of exports in 2016.  
4.277.   Pakistan commends the active engagement of Norway in the WTO negotiations to prohibit 
fisheries subsidies and had a key role in the conclusion of the Agreement on Port State Measures 
to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing u nder the Food and 
Agriculture Organization.  
4.278.   The forestry sector continues to contribute to the economy, employment and trade, with 
increasing output in recent years. Several policies have improved the sustainable harvesting of 
Norway's forests, including c limate policy measures that have provided incentives for increasing 
carbon stocks and forest densification.  
4.279.   Norway is the world's third largest exporter of natural gas and continues to be a major 
producer and exporter of crude oil. Norway's domestic energ y market is characterized by a high 
share of renewable energy delivered to power -intensive industries, households, and other users in 
the form of hydro based electricity. Norway has adopted the same 2030 targets as EU countries for 
increased energy efficie ncy and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. However, Norway's 2020 
target for renewables is much higher (67.5%), a reflection of Norway's differing point of departure. 
The target was exceeded in 2014.  
4.280.   In the services sector, which represents over two t hirds of GDP, public administration and 
other services provided exclusively or predominantly by the public -sector account for over half of 
the value added from services.  
4.281.   Norway's legal framework for financial institutions was updated and consolidated with the 
passage of the Financial Institutions Act (2015) and a consolidated regulation to accompany it in 
2016.  
4.282.   I cannot end this statement without mentioning the very important role played by his 
Excellency Ambassador Harald Neple in doing his best to furthe r the multilateral trading system. 
Norway has always exhibited an active participation in the WTO. We want to thank him for all his 
efforts and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. His presence will definitely be missed.  
4.283.   In the end I want to wis h Norway a very successful and a fruitful TPR.  
KINGDOM  OF SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.284.   Known by its open and solid economy, Norway continued to show resilience against the 
challenges revolved around the sharp oil price slump in 2014 –15 which led to a decline in the oil 
and gas sector's contribution to GDP with spillover effects on supporting  industries across the 
supply chain. Signs of economic recovery grew stronger as the real growth in GDP reached 1.8% 
in 2017, and the current outlook for the Norwegian economy is positive due to the stronger 
domestic demand supported by accommodative fisca l and monetary policies undertaken by the 
government since 2016.  
4.285.   The Norwegian Government is to be commended for its hard efforts to yield the 
macroeconomic stability and revive the growth engine in the non -oil sector through boosting 
productivity and refo rms in education, innovation, and market regulations, promoting high -quality 
employment, and establishing an open and business -friendly environment and a healthy financial 
system.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.286.   Norway is also to be praised for creating the sovereign wealth fund, the la rgest in the 
world, with assets valued at more than US$1 trillion at the end of 2017. This fund which invested 
solely abroad, contributed to diversify resources, mitigate economic downturns and counter 
external shocks.  
4.287.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commends  the Kingdom of Norway for its active engagement 
to reinforce its economic integration through free trade agreements with its major trading 
partners. The EFTA -GCC Free Trade Agreement which was signed in June 2009 by Liechtenstein, 
Norway, Iceland and Swit zerland with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has entered into force in 
July 2014.  
4.288.   Saudi Arabia enjoys a friendly and substantive relationship with Norway. Bilateral trade 
between Saudi Arabia and Norway reached US$210 million in 2016. The two kingdoms aim to 
fortify their bilateral cooperation in several fields including oil and energy, construction, education, 
commerce, and investment. Both countries apply their abundant hydrocarbon resources to the 
development of economic and social infrastructure. At  present, the Norwegian sovereign Wealth 
Fund has huge investments in Saudi Arabia.  
4.289.   In closing, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to continuing the very close working 
relationship with Norway.  
4.290.   I wish the delegation of Norway a very successful Trade  Policy Review.  
HONDURAS  
4.291.   Tal como lo señalan los informes, desde comienzos del siglo XXI, Noruega ha venido 
registrando superávits por cuenta corriente relativamente elevados que sin embargo, han 
disminuido sustancialmente en los últimos años debido a la c aída de los precios del petróleo, razón 
por la cual observamos que Noruega está trabajando para aprovechar el potencial exportador de 
otros sectores con vistas a dotar a la economía noruega de una base más amplia.  
4.292.   Destacamos con satisfacción que el PIB pe r cápita de Noruega, en el 2017 ascendió 
alrededor de setenta y cinco mil  dólares estadounidenses, por lo que se encuentra entre los más 
elevados del mundo, y en ese mismo año el crecimiento real del PIB fue del 1,8% y las 
perspectivas actuales para la ec onomía noruega son positivas.  
4.293.   Notamos que la agricultura y la ganadería forman parte del "giro ecológico" de la economía 
noruega con el que se pretende reducir la huella medioambiental de la actividad humana y los 
informes indican que los servicios, repre sentan más de dos tercios del PIB, y la participación del 
sector aumentó del 58% al 64%, lo cual es remarcable.  
4.294.   Observamos que la apertura del comercio y el acceso a las cadenas de valor mundiales son 
esenciales para el buen funcionamiento de la economía noruega.  
4.295.   Por otro lado, queremos destacar las enmiendas de 2016 de la Ley de Defensa de la 
Competencia que modificaron las normas sobre las fusiones y la solución de casos relacionados 
con cárteles, e introdujeron un nuevo sistema de apelación basado en el  establecimiento de un 
Tribunal de Apelación en Asuntos relacionados con la Competencia.  
4.296.   En cuantos algunos indicadores podemos mencionar que Noruega es:  
 el decimocuarto productor y octavo exportador de petróleo crudo del mundo;  
 el tercer principal exportador mundial de gas natural;  
 segundo exportador de pescado del mundo;  
 el primer productor de Europa y el séptimo del mundo de energía hidroeléctrica;  
 el onceavo lugar en ranking de competitividad;  
 el Decimonoveno en ranking de innovación; y  
 octavo l ugar en el "Doing business".  
4.297.   Noruega ocupa un lugar destacado a nivel internacional en lo referente a igualdad de 
género y nivel de vida. Alrededor del 70% de las mujeres participan en la vida laboral. El alto WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  grado de igualdad de género es una de las raz ones del sólido crecimiento económico de Noruega y 
de la constante mejora del nivel de vida desde la década de 1960.  
4.298.   Noruega posee uno de los fondos estatales más grandes del mundo y han invertido en más 
de 9.000 empresas en unos 80 países y la distribució n de ingresos en el país, medida a través del 
índice de Gini, figura entre las más equitativas de la OCDE.  
4.299.   Notamos que las políticas noruegas están firmemente conexas con en el Acuerdo sobre 
Espacio Económico Europeo (EEE); la participación activa de Norue ga en la OMC y en la 
membrecía de Noruega a la Asociación Europea de Libre Comercio (AELC).  
4.300.   Sobre esto último, es de resaltar que nuestros países han mantenido conversaciones para 
alcanzar un acuerdo, aunque por los momentos las negociaciones se encuentra n suspendidas, se 
espera que un futuro se restablezcan.  
4.301.   Finalmente, Honduras felicita a Noruega por sus destacados e importantes logros durante 
el período de examen y les deseamos siempre el mayor de los éxitos.  
PANAMÁ  
4.302.   Panamá aprovecha la ocasión para res altar los pasos que ha tomado Noruega en los 
últimos años para lograr una economía robusta e igualitaria, convirtiéndose en un país con un 
crecimiento económico sólido y sostenible, lo que les ha transformado en uno de los líderes en 
desarrollo macroeconóm ico.  
4.303.   Noruega dispone de una economía basada en la sociedad de bienestar y convenientemente 
diversificada en distintos ámbitos. En conjunto, todos los indicadores macroeconómicos, así como 
su puntuación en el índice de desarrollo humano, lo convierten en u n modelo a estudiar de forma 
detenida.  
4.304.   En cuanto, a nuestra relación comercial, el 24 de junio de 2013, Panamá suscribió con los 
representantes de Suiza, Islandia, Noruega y el Principado de Liechtenstein, un Tratado de Libre 
Comercio con la Asociación Eu ropea de Libre Comercio (EFTA por sus siglas en ingles).  
4.305.   A través de este Acuerdo, Panamá exporta a Noruega diversos productos como café 
tostado y descafeinado.  
4.306.   Este acuerdo comercial, junto con el Acuerdo de Asociación con la Unión Europea, logra 
cerrar el círculo de trato preferencial con todos los países de Europa, potenciando así una dinámica 
diferente en las relaciones económicas de Panamá con este bloque comercial, a través de los que 
espera fortalecer el intercambio comercial y el desarrollo económi co y social.  
4.307.   Igualmente, es significativo señalar que Noruega es un importante usuario del Canal de 
Panamá por abanderamiento de buque y sus naves efectuaron 312 tránsitos para el año fiscal 
2017, lo que representa un total de 6,639.055 toneladas largas de  carga. Recientemente el 
Norwegian Bliss, un crucero con capacidad para 5.000 pasajeros y que supera las 
168.00  toneladas brutas, ha cruzado la ampliación del Canal de Panamá marcando un nuevo hito 
para la vía interoceánica, ya que se trata del barco más g rande de este tipo que ha transitado por 
las aguas del Istmo de Panamá.  
4.308.   A pesar que Noruega sigue realizando esfuerzos para tener una economía abierta, tal y 
como se reflejan en los informes, existen áreas en las que no han experimentado mayores 
cambios de sde el último examen de las políticas comerciales realizado en 2012, como en el área 
de propiedad intelectual, donde hemos observado que Noruega no forma parte de importantes 
tratados internacionales.  
4.309.   De igual manera, el reporte de la Secretaría refleja qu e no se han presentado reducciones 
de los niveles o las medidas de ayuda al sector agropecuario. Sin olvidar que aún se mantienen 
altos niveles de aranceles para algunos productos agrícolas, así como medidas que restringen y/o 
prohíben las importaciones.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.310.   A pesar que todavía existen espacios para mejorar, es importante destacar programas 
como la estrategia para la exportación y la internacionalización en la que Noruega reforzará su 
posición como nación dedicada al comercio, buscando garantizar el acceso a l os mercados, el 
fomento de la inversión extranjera y el aumento de las exportaciones.  
4.311.   Vemos con agrado que dicha estrategia contempla entre sus objetivos, revitalizar las 
negociaciones relativas a los servicios con el propósito de alcanzar un Acuerdo ambi cioso que dote 
al comercio de servicios de un marco estable y previsible.  
4.312.   De igual manera, deseamos destacar la participación activa de Noruega en las 
negociaciones de la OMC, específicamente en las discusiones encaminadas a adoptar disciplinas 
para eliminar las subvenciones a la pesca. Así como su papel clave en la conclusión del Acuerdo 
sobre medidas del Estado rector del puerto, destinadas a prevenir, desalentar y eliminar la pesca 
ilegal, no declarada y no reglamentada de la FAO.  
4.313.   Para finalizar, n os gustaría resaltar la disposición de Panamá en reforzar los lazos de 
cooperación con Noruega, con miras a promover el comercio y las inversiones entre ambos países. 
Asimismo, deseamos destacar la labor de la Misión de Noruega en Ginebra liderada por el 
Embajador Neple en las discusiones que se llevan a cabo en esta Casa.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
4.314.   We fully support this important mechanism, which allows us to exchange views on the 
trade policy of WTO Members in general, and today – of Norway in particular. Norway has an 
advanced economy with a per capita GDP among the highest in the world at more than US$75000 
in 2017. Trade is important to the economy. Last year imports and exports of goods and services 
amounted to 63% of GDP. We note that despite the recent chall enges, Norway has remained an 
open economy. There have been no fundamental changes in its trade policies since its trade policy 
review in 2012. Norway has accepted the TFA, implemented the revised ITA, completed 
procedures for adopting the revised GPA, and  committed to phasing out all remaining agricultural 
export subsidies. It has an exemplary record in terms of meeting its notification obligations. 
Norway has never been a respondent in a dispute settlement case.  
4.315.   Trade and cultural ties between the peoples  of Russia and Norway are maintained from the 
IX century. Currently, the legal basis of our trade and economic relations is the agreement on the 
trade and economic cooperation of 26 March 1996. On its basis the Intergovernmental Commission 
on Economic, Ind ustrial and Scientific -Technical cooperation was established. The last session of 
the Commission was held on 20 April 2017 in Moscow. Russian and Norwegian businessmen 
welcomed the reinvigoration of high -level political and economic dialogue between the tw o 
countries. The parties expressed interest in enhancing business cooperation in the field of energy, 
shipbuilding, tourism, aquaculture, health, infrastructure, regional and border projects. The next 
session of the commission will take place in Norway lat er this year.  
4.316.   Bilateral trade volume reached US$1 billion 422 million in 2017. Russia's exports 
amounted to US$776 million, while imports equalled US$646 million. Russia is an important 
destination for Norwegian ships and other machinery and equipment (63% ), metals (12%), 
mineral products (10%). On the other hand, Russian export to Norway mineral products (mostly 
crude oil and diesel fuel -48%), food products (30%) and metals (7%). We see a great potential 
for further enhancing the bilateral trade in goods and services and increasing investment flows. 
One of the important areas of bilateral cooperation is fishery. Cooperation in this field is 
coordinated by the joint Russian -Norwegian Commission, which considers the joint management of 
fish stocks and the re gulation of fishing in the Barents and Norwegian seas. I would also like to 
underline the active and constructive role that the Norwegian delegation is playing in current WTO 
negotiation on fisheries subsidies.  
4.317.   During this TPR, the Russian delegation has not addressed any written questions to 
Norway. We are ready, if necessary, to continue discussion in the context of regular bodies of the 
WTO and bilateral format.  
4.318.   We wish Norway a successful Trade Policy Review.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  BÉNIN  
4.319.   La délégation du Bénin salue les efforts déployés par la Norvège au cours de la période à 
l'examen.  
4.320.   Économie avancée et ouverte, la Norvège a maintenu ses bons résultats économiques et 
commerciaux malgré la baisse notable du prix du pétrole brut qui est intervenue dans l'intervalle.  
4.321.   La No rvège occupe la quatrième (4ème) place en Europe, avec un PIB par habitant estimé 
à 75000 dollars des États -Unis en 2017.  
4.322.   Doté de ressources, gisements de pétrole et gaz naturels, ainsi que d'importantes 
ressources hydroélectriques, la Norvège promeut une industrie métallurgique et chimique de 
pointes.  
4.323.   Le commerce des services est resté stable, mais toujours diversifié, dans la période sous 
examen (2013 -2016).  
4.324.   Par son régime d'investissement qui soutient la concurrence et la compétitivité, la Norvège 
a su d iversifier, non seulement ses activités d'investissement à l'extérieur, mais également celles 
d'entreprises étrangères intervenant en Norvège même si une forte baisse des IDE entrant en 
Norvège a été noté en 2016.  
4.325.   La Norvège reste un acteur majeur des négo ciations commerciales multilatérales à l'OMC.  
4.326.   Elle soutient la promotion d''un commerce ouvert, transparent, inclusif.  
4.327.   Elle participe à plusieurs initiatives permettant d'avancer sur le champ des négociations 
commerciales multilatérales de Doha et a su rec hercher, à ce jour, les équilibres utiles permettant 
d'injecter la dimension développement dans les travaux et les résultats.  
4.328.   La délégation du bénin voudrait saluer l'implication personnelle et la contribution 
importante de l'Ambassadeur, Représentant Perm anent du Royaume de Norvège à l'OMC, son 
Excellence Monsieur Harald Neple, aux travaux de négociations en cours.  
4.329.   Entre autres rôles exercés, l'Ambassadeur Neple a assumé une excellente présidence du 
Conseil général de l'OMC en 2016.  
4.330.   Elle exprime son appréc iation à la Norvège pour le soutient constructif qu'elle apporte aux 
PMA dans la promotion de leurs intérêts et priorités dans le cadre des négociations au cours du 
cycle de Doha.  
4.331.   Elle forme le vœu que les efforts, les initiatives et les réformes engagées par la Norvège se 
poursuivent et débouchent à court, moyen et longs termes, sur des résultats qui soutiennent le 
développement durable inclusif.  
4.332.   La délégation du Bénin remercie le Secrétariat de l'OMC et le Gouvernement de la Norvège 
pour les rapports très  informatifs élaborés dans le cadre de la présente session d'Examen des 
politiques commerciales de la Norvège.  
4.333.   Elle souhaite plein de succès à la Norvège et un Examen réussi de ses politiques 
commerciales.  
KENYA  
4.334.   Kenya and Norway have strong bilateral relat ions, which have deepened over the many 
years of diplomatic and economic relation. The bilateral trade between Kenya and Norway is 
modest. Total bilateral merchandise trade amounted to US$66 million in 2017, with Kenya 
exporting goods worth US$31 million a nd importing goods worth US$35 million. Kenya's main 
exports to Norway include: plants, flowers, coffee, tea and spices while over 57% of imports from WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  Norway's is made up of oil products. We believe that there is immense potential for trade 
expansion betwe en the two countries.  
4.335.   Norway has also provided development assistance to Kenya for many years. The Norway's 
development aid to Kenya targets priority areas, such as environment, energy, health and 
education. During the review period the Norwegian Sovereign  Wealth Fund invested in Kenya 
US$4.99 million in 2012, increased to US$133.68 million by 2015.  
4.336.   Since the last TPR in 2012, Norway has remained an advanced economy, with a GDP per 
capita among the highest in the world. We note that Norway maintains an open economy with no 
fundamental changes in its trade policies since the last review and its trade p olicies are firmly 
anchored in the European Economic Area. We also note that Trade continue to play an important 
role in the Norwegian economy, with imports and exports of goods and services contributing to 
63% of GDP in 2017.  
4.337.   We welcome Norway's contribu tion to the WTO work programmes including trade 
negotiations. In this regard, we commend the Norway's delegation for its active participation in the 
fisheries subsidies negotiations with a view of contributing to sustainable use of marine fisheries 
resourc es. Since the last review, Norway has fulfilled most of her notification obligation under WTO 
agreements and has also accepted to fully implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and 
commitments to phasing out all remaining agricultural export subsidies.  
4.338.   We also appreciate Norway's contribution to the WTO trade -related programmes, devoted 
in helping developing countries and least -developed countries participate in multilateral trade 
negotiations and better access global markets.  
4.339.   We note that Norway's inve stment regime is generally open and liberal; however, state 
ownership remains substantial with about 11% of the total workforce in enterprises wholly or 
partly owned by the State in 2016.  
4.340.   During the review period, the service sector's contribution to the N orwegian GDP increased 
from 58% to 64%, with Public administration and other services provided exclusively by the public 
sector, accounting for over half of the value added. We note that Norway's legal framework for 
financial institutions was updated and c onsolidated with the passage of the Financial Institutions 
Act 2015. The new legislation maintained the stricter capital adequacy requirements for banks and 
credit institutions adopted in 2013 and introduced new capital adequacy requirements for 
insurance companies.  
4.341.   In conclusion, we congratulate Norway for a successful TPR.  
MALAYSIA  
4.342.   We note that since its last TPR in 2012, Norway has remained an open economy with no 
fundamental changes in its liberal trade and investment policies, despite the global econo mic 
challenges and uncertainties. Despite the volatility of the of oil and gas prices during the review 
period, Norway as an advanced economy has managed to sustain a per capita GDP among the 
highest in the world at US$75,200 in 2017. Trade has also remain ed a significant contributor to 
the Norwegian economy, with imports and exports of goods and services equivalent to 63% of the 
GDP in 2017.  
4.343.   At the multilateral front, we applaud Norway's long -term interests and fundamental 
commitment in pursuing progressiv e trade and investment policies through the multilateral trading 
system, such as the adoption of the revised Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) in 2014, 
ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2015, implementation of the revised 
Information Technology Agreement (ITA) product coverage in 2016, as well as the recent 
legislation for the elimination of agricultural export subsidies by the end of 2020.  
4.344.   In addition, Malaysia would also like to commend Norway's active contribution in 
advocati ng inclusive trade policies, particularly in advancing gender equality and women's 
economic empowerment.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.345.   Bilaterally, in 2017, Norway was Malaysia's 2nd largest trading partner among the EFTA 
member countries after Switzerland and within ASEAN, Malaysia i s the 4th largest trading partner 
for Norway. In terms of merchandise trade, Malaysia's total trade with Norway increased by 66.4% 
from US$345.2 million in 2016 to US$551.9 million in 2017, with exports to Norway growing by 
13.5% to reach US$98.7 million.  
4.346.   Malaysia values Norway's effort to develop its bioenergy sector in the recent years. 
Nevertheless, Malaysia wishes to highlight that any proposed measure on the possible adoption of 
a regulation banning the public procurement of palm oil -based biofuels, to  be applied in a 
non-discriminatory manner. We would also appreciate it if Norway could notify such measure to 
the WTO to provide sufficient time for Members to review and consult Norway on the possible 
implications of the imposition of such measure.  
4.347.   Malaysia has also provided some questions for Norway on financial services and agriculture 
among others. We look forward to receiving responses from the Norwegian delegation.  
4.348.   We wish Norway a productive and successful seventh Trade Policy Review.  
JORDAN  
4.349.   We wo uld like to thank the Head of the delegation for the statement made, which 
highlights the positive economic developments and the resilience of the economy in spite of the 
economic challenges. It is the fruit of productive and open trade policy that is base d on the rules 
of the multilateral trading system, which provides a solid base for a predictable, fair and 
comprehensive trade for all.  
4.350.   Jordan and Norway enjoy good relations and always keen to strengthen relations on 
multilateral and bilateral levels. Bey ond the WTO, the trade between both countries is also 
governed under a free trade area agreement that was signed between Jordan and EFTA States in 
2001 and entered into force in 2002.  
4.351.   This FTA plays an important role in increasing bilateral trade and reinf orcing global 
economic integration for all partners. Exchanged trade between Jordan and Norway is growing; it 
reached in 2017 US$58 million against around US$19 million in 2016. We look forward to 
increasing and diversifying bilateral trade.  
4.352.   Jordan appreci ates its longstanding relations with Norway and always looks forward to 
advancing cooperation in different areas of mutual interest.  
4.353.   Finally, we wish Norway a successful Trade Policy Review.  
URUGUAY  
4.354.   Uruguay mantiene amistosas y contractivas relaciones con noruega en los distintos 
ámbitos de la relación bilateral, tanto en el plano político, económico -comercial, como de 
cooperación y cultura.  
4.355.   Desde el último Examen de las políticas comerciales de Noruega en el año 2012, el 
relacionamiento político y comercia l entre Uruguay y and Noruega se ha fortalecido.  
4.356.   En abril del presente año, el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay, Don Rodolfo Nin 
Novoa, se reunió con la Ministra de Relaciones Exteriores de Noruega, Sra. Marie Eriksen Soreide, 
encuentro durante  el cual procedieron a la firma de un Memorando para establecer un mecanismo 
de consultas bilaterales con vistas a incrementar el intercambio en las áreas política, económico -
comercial y de cooperación.  
4.357.   De igual manera, el Canciller Rodolfo Nin Novoa mant uvo una reunión de trabajo con el 
Ministro de comercio, Industria y Pesca de Noruega, Sr. Roe Isaksen, en la cual repasaron los 
temas de interés común, en particular con respecto al comercio bilateral, las inversiones noruegas 
en Uruguay y el estado de las  negociaciones entre MERCOSUR Y EFTA.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.358.   En tal sentido, manifestaron la voluntad de avanzar hacia la conclusión de un acuerdo 
provechoso entre ambos bloques, y resaltaron el compromiso que ambos países comparten con el 
sistema multilateral del comercio.  
4.359.   Asimismo, el Canciller Nin Novoa se reunió con el Ministro del Clima y Medio Ambiente, 
Sr. Ola Elvestuen y repasaron las visiones y desafíos comunes en materia de alcance de los 
objetivos de desarrollo sostenible 2030, intercambiando sobre distintas áreas de  posible 
cooperación bilateral.  
4.360.   Con relación al intercambio comercial, las exportaciones de Uruguay hacia Noruega 
totalizaron los 44 millones de dólares EE.UU. durante el año 2017, y se concentraron en los 
siguientes productos: residuos de las industrias alimentarias, carne y despojos comestibles, lana y 
pelo fino, frutas y frutos comestibles, entre otros.  
4.361.   En cuanto a las importaciones desde Noruega, el valor importado por Uruguay durante el 
año 2017 totalizo la cifra de 13 millones de dólares EE.UU., y se  concentró en los siguientes 
productos: los pescados y los crustáceos, carnes y despojos comestibles, maquinaria y material 
electrónico, entre otros.  
4.362.   En el ámbito de la OMC, Uruguay quisiera resaltar que Noruega ha aceptado el acuerdo 
sobre facilitación de l comercio, ha aplicado el acuerdo revisado sobre tecnología de la información 
y la lista revisada de productos farmacéuticos, y se ha comprometido a eliminar progresivamente 
todas las subvenciones a la exportación de productos agropecuarios aún vigentes.  
4.363.   Es dable destacar el papel que desempeñan las pequeñas y medianas empresas, de menos 
de 100 trabajadores, en la economía Noruega, las cuales emplean alrededor del 60% de la fuerza 
laboral.  
4.364.   Uruguay encomienda la labor por Noruega en este ámbito, y alienta a  dicho país a 
continuar participando del grupo informal de trabajo de las MIPYMES de la OMC, a los efectos de 
aunar esfuerzos hacia la exitosa integración de las MIPYMES en el comercio internacional.  
4.365.   Finalmente, quisiéramos reafirmar el interés de seguir trabajando para alcanzar un 
resultado positivo en la 12a conferencia Ministerial de la OMC, y proteger el sistema multilateral de 
comercio basado en normas previsibles, transparentes y equilibradas.  
4.366.   Uruguay le desea a Noruega el mayor de los éxitos en su séptimo Examen de políticas 
comerciales.  
PERÚ  
4.367.   Las relaciones entre Noruega y el Perú pasan por un muy buen momento. Como un 
ejemplo de la intención del Perú de mejorar los niveles de dialogo y cooperación con Noruega, el 
año pasado el Perú inauguro su Emba jada en Oslo. Previamente a la apertura de nuestra 
Embajada en Oslo, un acuerdo de libre comercio entre Perú y los Estados de la Asociación Europea 
de libre comercio (EFTA, por sus siglas en inglés) entro en vigor entre Perú y Noruega en Julio de 
2012. Den tro de este marco integral, que brinda mayor claridad y estabilidad jurídica a nuestra 
relación comercial, venimos trabajando bilateralmente para mejorar nuestros intercambios.  
4.368.   En el ámbito multilateral, Noruega y Perú tenemos muchos importantes puntos en  común: 
el apoyo comprometido al sistema multilateral de comercio, y en particular a su mecanismo de 
solución de diferencias, el interés por el empoderamiento económico de la mujer y la importancia 
asignada a las negociaciones para regular los subsidios a la pesca y para adoptar disciplinas en 
materia de reglamentación nacional de servicios. También coincidimos y somos voceros de una 
visión común respecto al importante rol del comercio para el desarrollo. Notamos con gran 
satisfacción estos puntos en común y el trabajo realizado en Ginebra para promoverlos. En este 
sentido, la misión del Perú quisiera saludar el trabajo y amable disponibilidad de la misión de 
Noruega ante la OMC, encabezada por el Embajador Harold Neple, de quien se recuerda su 
importante ro l liderazgo como presidente del consejo general de esta Organización.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  4.369.   Como potras delegaciones, quisiéramos también sugerir la importancia de continuar 
concretando pasos para mejorar el nivel de liberalización del sector agrícola en Noruega. No 
obstante, apreciamos también las explicaciones en este aspecto brindadas por la señora Secretaria 
de Estado Hagen.  
4.370.   Mi país no ha planteado preguntas para este examen, pero agradecemos el útil dialogo 
llevado a cabo durante esta reunión, que será puesto en conocimien to de nuestros colegas en 
Lima. A nombre de la delegación peruana, no me resta sino desear a Noruega, el mayor éxito en 
este Examen de sus Políticas comerciales.  
NIGERIA  
4.371.   We agree with the opening statement of the leader of the delegation, which underscored  
the fact that transparency is one of the fundamental tenants of the multilateral trading system. We 
also share the assessment that the TPR is an extremely valuable exercise, arguably its importance, 
seems underestimated. The major conclusion from the vari ous statements is the fact that it would 
have been extremely difficult, if not impossible for Norway to have achieved its current level of 
prosperity, without engaging in international trade other economic interactions across borders. 
Against this backgrou nd, my delegation would like to highlight the following.  
4.372.   First, according to the Secretariat report, despite the recent challenges, Norway has 
remained an open economy and there have been no fundamental changes in its trade policies 
since the last trade Po licy Review in 2012; for example, Norway's import prohibition, restrictions, 
and licensing have remained largely unchanged during the review period, Norway has not resorted 
to any contingency measures since the creation of WTO, and there have been no major  changes in 
levels and means of support to the agricultural sector.  
4.373.   Second, Norway has consistently been a strong supporter of the WTO and the multilateral 
trading system. Norway participates actively in the work of regular bodies, and also cooperates 
and contribute generously to the development and capacity building in WTO.  
4.374.   Third, Norway should be commended for the successful conclusion of the TFA, given its 
constructive role and contributions during the complex and challenging negotiations, and for 
having  accepted the trade facilitation agreement, implemented the revised ITA and pharmaceutical 
products coverage, complemented procedures for adopting the revised GPA, and committed to 
phasing out all remaining agricultural export subsidies, since 2012. Some o f the points highlighted 
by the Chair, in the concluding Remarks at the previous TPR in 2012, are still relevant today; 
especially in relation to agricultural production and trade, predictability potential for increased 
trade, SPS and TBT, services, state ownership, to mention a few. However, as pointed out in the 
secretariat report, in terms of electronic systems, Norway continues to use TVINN and does not 
have a single window application, while Norway is still in the early stages of elaborating and 
digita lizing customs systems. Given the commitment of Norway to the full implementation of the 
TFA, we would be grateful if Norway could share its experience, particularly the status of 
implantation in this regard.  
4.375.   Fourth, on aid for trade, Nigeria is happy with  the strong and decisive commitment of 
Norway to assist developing countries, in particular LDCS in their efforts to achieve economic 
growth and poverty reduction through increased participation in the international trade. We agree 
with Norway that the ben efits of trade need to be more widely shared, in spite the challenging 
trends in global trade. Fifth, given the st8udent drop in oil prices in 2014, and the negative shock 
to the Norwegian economy, we commend Norway for its foresight in establishing the bi ggest 
sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of its future generation, and we can learn from the 
experience and expertise of Norway in this regard.  
4.376.   Sixth, Nigeria wishes to acknowledge Norway's contribution to the multilateral trading 
system, especially in respect of Norwegian support to the WTO through its contributions to the 
DDA Global Trust Fund. The generous donation by Norway in financing technical assistance 
programmes and training activities are beneficial to developing countries and LDCs in particul ar, in 
a manner that enables them to adapt their practices and laws to WTO rules and disciplines, 
improve implementation of their membership rights. Norway deserves our commendation for 
spending above 1 percent of its GDP on development assistance. We are happy note also that WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  Norway is committed to promoting full economic rights for women and equal opportunities for 
women to participate in the labour market. We agree that with Norway that improving women's 
access to opportunities and removing barriers to th eir participation in national and international 
economies would no doubt contribute to sustainable economic development and inclusive growth.  
4.377.   Seventh, Nigeria recognizes and is, indeed encouraged by the strong commitment of 
Norway towards preserving and st rengthening a universal multilateral trading system. At the 
bilateral level, Nigeria enjoys excellent trade and economic relations with Norway. Nigeria and 
Norway have one very important thing in common we are both major petroleum producers. Both 
Governmen ts are also heavily involved in petroleum activities, in order to protect the national 
public interest thus, having a shared interest in promoting cost -effective, safe socially responsible 
exploration as well as in environmental protection and in making su re that the petroleum revenues 
are a blessing to our countries. Norwegian offshore experience is of great interest for Nigeria. In 
that regard, the Norwegian Government has been very supportive is sharing sub -sea technical 
experience and knowledge with Nig eria. We hope to continue to sustain this mutual relationship, in 
order to build local capacity and skills so that more Nigerian goods and services may be used in 
the country's petroleum -related activities. There is also cooperation at the level of individ ual 
companies are active in the petroleum exploration and transportation sectors of the Nigerian 
economy. On the whole, the Norwegian experience demonstrates that the oil and gas sector can 
be a powerful engine for economic growth, for industry and employm ent, and for enhancing the 
country's economic basis. The potential for such development is great also in Nigeria.  
4.378.   In conclusion, Nigeria wishes to acknowledge and commend Norway for its strong 
commitment to the multilateral trading system, including its ac tive and constructive participation 
in the ongoing negotiation. As we look forward to continue working with Norway to further 
strengthening the multilateral trading system, we wish to pay special tribute to the enormous 
contributions made by H.E. Ambassado r Harald Neple and his team, here in Geneva, not only to 
the DDA but also to the regular work of the WTO, especially Ambassador Neple's extraordinary role 
as the former Chair of the General Council.  
4.379.   We wish the entire delegation and Government of Norway a  successful Trade Policy 
Review.  
ISRAEL  
4.380.   We are pleased to note that Norway and Israel have longstanding, mature and traditionally 
close and amical economic and political relations. On the goods front, the Israel -EFTA FTA in force 
since January 1993 has ser ved as a reliable and incremental framework for our trade.  
4.381.   The economic relationship between Israel and Norway is positive and growing across 
several areas of economic activity (such as gas exploration). The total of two -way goods trade 
between Israel and Norway reached over €260 million in 2016. Although the EU continues to 
account for 80% of Norwegian exports, export market diversification has continued a discreet but 
consistent trend toward Asian markets.  
4.382.   Norway has kept over the years a positive trend of overall economic performance, better 
than most developed economies and navigated swiftly through global shocks impacting its GDP 
composition – such as the declining prices for oil and gas. It has done so through a decisive shift 
to services exports and by effectively implementing measures that stimulate the economy as well 
as back financial stability, while cutting taxes and applying higher expenditures in infrastructure.  
4.383.   As far as Norway's trade policies and practices are concerned, Israel would like to  
acknowledge Norway's strong commitment to the multilateral trading system and to an open and 
liberal market at home.  
4.384.   At the same time, with a systemic and competition interest in mind, we would also like to 
encourage Norway to continue to address concerns  of other Members in such areas such as the 
high level of State participation in the economy.  
4.385.   Israel and Norway share similar views and liberalization interest in many areas, including 
in services and trade and environment where we have worked alongside to wards reaching bilateral WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  agreements in the TiFA and EGA initiative. Importantly in agriculture we both have sensitive 
agricultural sectors and are part of the G10.  
4.386.   Systemically, we share fora such as Friends of the System and have subscribed to other 
initiatives to advance work at the WTO. Israel looks forward to continued cooperation in these and 
other areas in the future.  
4.387.   We welcome this Trade Policy Review as a good opportunity to extend our appreciation of 
Norway's active role in this Organization. We w ould like to commend the Norwegian team in 
Geneva lead by Ambassador Neple who under the period under review was one of the most active 
Chairpersons in the General Council and played a constructive role in a variety of negotiations 
groups as well as in the  work of the regular WTO Bodies.  
4.388.   We wish Norway a successful seventh TPR.  
MS. MARIANNE  HAGEN  (HEAD  OF DELEGATION)  
4.389.   This turned out not only to be a very good morning but also a very interesting and fruitful 
day. I want to thank all of you for your time, you r effort and your interest in Norway's trade policy. 
We value the constructive remarks from all the 41 countries who have had the floor here today 
and we appreciate also your very kind words.  
4.390.   On a more personal note, I would like to say that it has been h eart-warming to hear your 
tribute to the Ambassador Harald Neple. It is important for Norway to have great ambassadors 
who contribute in the community in which they operate and I am glad that Harald clearly has done 
so at the WTO here in Geneva.  
4.391.   Of course,  I want to thank the Chairperson and our discussant for your efforts and I just 
want to end by saying that Norway will continue to be a firm supporter of the WTO and I wish you 
all two more productive days discussing our TPR. Thank you.  
  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF NORW AY AND ADDITIONAL CO MMENTS  
AMBASSADOR  HARALD  NEPLE  
5.1.  Thank you all for your participation, your comments, your questions and also thank you from 
me and from my delegation for all the nice words for the nice work we are doing here in Genev a. 
5.2.  Special thanks to the discussant, Alvaro Cedeño Molinari, and the Chair for their valuable 
contributions.  
5.3.  Norway received 227 written questions before the meeting. They have all been answered, 
and distributed to the Members before Day 1 of the TPR. After the meeting, we received additional 
questions from Malaysia and China, and from the United States today, wh ich will be answered as 
soon as possible.  
5.4.  With reference to Monday's meeting, let me comment on some issues raised by various 
Members.  
5.5.  Norway's domestic energy market is characterized by a high share of renewable energy 
delivered to power -intensive indust ries, households, and other users in the form of hydro based 
electricity. "Thinking greener" leads us towards low -emissions solutions such as promoting the use 
of electric motor vehicles and pilot projects focused on the use of electricity in public transp ort, as 
well as in coastal traffic. A ban on the use of mineral oils in the heating of buildings, including 
residential homes, will come into effect on 1 January 2020.  
5.6.  In a "green context", we appreciate the positive comments from Members on our 
engagemen t to promote Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform.  
5.7.  To ensure sustainable use of the oceans is a crucial part of restructuring the economy. We 
are going both green and blue. Indeed, there are many opportunities for growth, employment and 
value creation in existing as well as emerging and new ocean industries. Through sustainable 
management and regulation of the ocean economy we can improve the health and productivity of 
ocean ecosystems. Better governance and blue economy strategies will ensure financial 
sustainabil ity, ecosystem integrity and promote long -term value creation and employment in 
ocean industries. Our aim is clear: we want sustainable use of the oceans. Indeed, we are inspired 
by the interest in our oceans strategy.  
5.8.  In this regard, we appreciate the pos itive comments from Members on our engagement in 
fishery subsidies reform. This is an issue which is very important to us.  
5.9.  Gender equality is an economic sound policy to ensure equal opportunities for all. For a more 
comprehensive description of Norwegian  policy to ensure women's participation in the labour 
market, please have a look at the written answers to questions from Iceland.  
5.10.   The Norwegian State is a large direct owner of companies in Norway. This was commented 
on by many of you. The ownership is c onducted within a framework that has broad political 
support in Norway. I would like to elaborate briefly on this.  
5.11.   The Norwegian State keeps its role as an owner separate from its other roles as 
policymaker, regulator and supervisor. The policy is very cle ar: the ownership is market -based and 
exercised professionally within the constraints of Norwegian corporate law, other legislation and 
generally accepted principles of corporate governance. The Norwegian Government is in no way 
involved in the day -to-day operations of the companies.  
5.12.   These policies apply to all enterprises in which the State has a holding, whether wholly or 
jointly owned by the State. In other words, enterprises in which the State has a holding shall not 
receive any benefits or privileges from the State or other enterprises owned by the State, neither 
in access to capital nor otherwise.  
5.13.   The Government publishes an annual report on its exercise of the State's ownership and 
presents a white paper to the Parliament every four years to ensure transparency.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5.14.   Several Members commented on the fact that Norway does not apply trade remedies. The 
Norwegian market is an open competitive market, we have well -developed competition policy and 
instruments that ensure that companies do not misuse their strengths and market powers, be they 
domestic or foreign. Competition is a force that, over time, motivates the transition from less to 
more productive activities.  
5.15.   I know palm oil is of particular interest to some Members. Let me clarify: the Norwegian 
Parliament has requested a ban on palm oil -based biofuel in public procurement. The Government 
is currently assessing and clarifying the available legal scope of action as well as possible 
alternatives to the ban requested by Parliament. This assessment will,  of course, take into account 
all our international commitments including those on trade and climate.  
5.16.   Regarding notifications: on Monday, some Members referred to outstanding notifications 
and asked for updates. As far as we can see, there are no outstand ing notifications from Norway 
concerning rules of origin. With regard to quantitative restrictions and customs valuation, these 
notifications were sent to the Secretariat in advance of the TPR and are in the process of being 
finalized.  
5.17.   Turning to some of the remarks we heard on Monday from the discussant and Members 
concerning agriculture.  
5.18.   Taking into account the rapid growth in productivity in the agricultural sector in Norway, the 
discussant asked whether there was still the same need for protection give n these technological 
changes.  
5.19.   Technological changes take place in agriculture in Norway as well as in other countries. 
However, numerous disadvantages of Norwegian agriculture will continue to exist in spite of 
technological changes. I can mention climate  and weather conditions, steep fields, still small farms 
and high production costs as examples.  
5.20.   The question from Members concerning possible reduced border protection and reduced 
trade distorting agricultural support also deserves a comment. In this regar d, we would like to give 
some nuances to the report from the Secretariat: the Norwegian bound tariff schedule has mixed 
duties for 51% of agricultural tariff lines. This means either specific duty or ad valorem  duty.  
5.21.   However, in practice we use the bound specific duties as applied duties. The applied specific 
duties have been the same since year 2000. The value of the specific duties decreases year by 
year due to the inflation over the last 18 years.  
5.22.   This means that the border protection for most tariff li nes is clearly weaker today than it 
was in year 2000 at the end of the implementation of the Uruguay Round commitments. For most 
tariff lines, the specific duty gives less protection than the alternative ad valorem  duty. 
5.23.   It is important to underline that f or the tariff lines with mixed duties we use the bound 
specific duty for nearly all tariff lines. The notable exception is that we apply ad valorem  duties for 
10 sensitive tariff lines in the dairy sector and the meat sector.  
5.24.   Agricultural support is a very  sensitive political issue in Norway. The Government must 
respect the opinion of the majority in Parliament. The annual negotiations with the two farmers' 
organizations take place in accordance with the objectives of the Norwegian agricultural policies as 
set forth by the Parliament.  
5.25.   This year, the Government and the farmers' organizations concluded successful 
negotiations, which the Parliament endorsed.  
5.26.   We are aware that we are close to the upper commitment for trade distorting support. 
However, the Govern ment ensures that Norway stays within the bound entitlements for trade 
distorting agricultural support.  
5.27.   As to the question from Canada concerning pork, the Government proposed in 2016 to 
repeal the target price system for pork, but this was not accepted b y Parliament.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5.28.   Several Members have shown interest in Norway's application of EU's SPS and TBT 
legislation. We have provided written responses to these questions, but I will try to give some 
more detail.  
5.29.   As an EEA partner, Norway is committed to the rules o f the internal market in Europe, which 
secures the free movement of goods, persons, capital and services. To maintain the integrity of 
the internal market, it is vital that all countries play by the same rules. This includes the necessity 
to apply harmoniz ed rules with regard to imports from countries outside the EEA.  
5.30.   The EEA Agreement gives us the right to participate in the risk assessment procedures and 
drafting of new regulations. Regulations are notified to the WTO by the European Union. It would 
not b e practicable, nor helpful, for third countries if Norway made an identical and parallel 
notification of the same regulations.  
5.31.   After adoption of the new legislation in the European Union, the EEA/EFTA side does the 
relevant assessments before the EEA Joint  Committee formally makes the regulation part of the 
EEA Agreement. In general, Norway aligns itself with the EU level of protection for human, animal 
and plant health. It is only on very rare occasions that Norway deviates from the assessment done 
by the European Union.  
5.32.   In the cases where Norway adopts national regulations these are notified to the WTO.  
5.33.   In response to comments concerning trade facilitation and the single window, Norway is 
working on a new digitalization strategy for the interaction betwee n border agencies and traders, 
importers and exporters.  
5.34.   The TPR is an extremely valuable exercise. Thank you again for your comments and 
interest, and for challenging us on our trade policies. TPR is valuable not only to enhance 
transparency within the mul tilateral trading system, but also to build trust between the Members.  
5.35.   We look forward to continuing working with other Members to promote an open, 
predictable, well -functioning and rules -based trade regime fit for the 21st century and for the 
multilatera l common good. Thank you.  
DISCUSSANT   
5.36.   I have collected what I consider to be take aways  from this trade policy review exercise 
which I regard as personal but I want to share with you in case this could help us or illustrate a 
different way of understanding what we do in this House.  
5.37.   The first one is a comment that was made about Norway's high  tax regime. It is well -known 
that it is one of the highest in the world and from my personal experience living in Norway and not 
having paid taxes, is very easy to give an opinion. I perceived that the tax regime in Norway is a 
fair social contract. I thi nk that the way it is described by some people or the way it was described, 
I have to put into perspective the fact that I was there 15 years ago, is that you work half of the 
year for your family and you work half of the year for the State. And, in return , the State gives 
you the best public services that money can buy. So, if I look around the world in countries that 
have lower tax regimes, I don't see proportionate public services rendering on behalf of the State 
to their citizens and I do not see the sa me degree of acceptance of the social contract on behalf of 
those citizens. This is something that was remarkable then and I think it could still be remarkable 
if the tax regime is similar or, I understand, a little lower. So, in that sense, it is importan t to 
mention that I don't think that Norwegians feel that their social contract is any less fair.  
5.38.   I also think that the Norwegian State and the Norwegian nation, before they became 
wealthy, before they found their oil 50 or 60 years ago, they were already egalitarian as a culture. 
This is an anthropological fact about Norway that goes back centuries. So, wealth creation in 
Norway, combined with the well distribution they already had, has been synergistic, and the way I 
see it is that when you have a fair sy stem to distribute what you have, even if you don't have 
much, whenever you find or you have or you create more, then you are going to be able to lift 
everybody up in an inclusive way. Today we speak about inclusive growth, I think Norway is one of WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  those c ountries that shows how inclusive growth looks like once you have engaged in it for 
decades.  
5.39.   In a similar note, I also remember a piece of information about Norway at the turn of the 
20th century being the poorest country in Europe, one of the poorest coun tries in Europe perhaps. 
And I thing that the last hundred plus years in Norway, this country has engaged in intentional 
development. Other countries also have found oil and still we don't see similar levels of 
development as the ones we see in Norway. The  last 20 years, Norway has been top of the list of 
the UN Human Development Index, either number one or number two, when they fail. For me, this 
is a remarkable fact that development is intentional. I do not think that development is something 
that just sp routs organically or spontaneously. I don't think it is a result of inertia. I don't think 
development comes from abroad. I think help can come from abroad but development is an 
internal decision, and an internal action that takes many decades to move forw ard. And I also 
think that development is a process, if something happened in Norway and they stopped pursuing 
the well -being of their population and the good governance of their institutions, in 20 or 30 years 
from now they might not be where they are tod ay. It is a process, it is not an end in itself. I think 
this is something remarkable about Norway and it is only partially related to the fact that they 
have found oil and exploited it in a very sustainable way.  
5.40.   Regarding gender, I think this is also a very good example about how ensuring women's 
access to opportunities in the economy is an ideal policy for inclusive growth and to make this 
social contract fairer for everyone. So I ask the question here, and this is a question that I have 
heard before in  a different context: what if we attempted every time we develop a new public 
policy to try to benefit the most the 50% of our population that is most vulnerable in any specific 
target group? Because in many countries the 50% most vulnerable are the women,  or maybe even 
50+, are the women. And developing policies that ensure that women would be the most 
benefitted with whatever policy we are talking about, transportation, education, health, 
environment, security, then we would be seeing a very fast pace of development and this is a 
reality that is very clearly seen in Norway. Sometimes when I engage in discussions about gender, 
especially back in my country, I wonder how far behind we are in the conversation that will 
eventually lead to a policy, that will e ventually lead to a culture change because Norway has 
already done the culture change but they had before the policy and they had before the 
conversation so there is still so much to be done and so much we can learn from Norway as well.  
5.41.   Then someone mentio ned on Monday the fact that Norway is a small economy and it made 
me realize that it is a small economy, that it is open to the international economy, that it is very 
well integrated to the larger economy. And then I reflected about the fact that, in econo mic terms, 
size does not matter. What is key to a country's well -being and to its development is the 
robustness of the economy. What is a robust economy and how do we assess and mitigate the 
vulnerabilities that small economies have? I don't really have an swers to those questions but I 
think asking the questions themselves would help us move forward in terms of how can we ensure 
that the economies of all of us in this room that are pretty much small, all of them, can become 
less vulnerable or, even better, more robust. I leave the question not only as a philosophical 
approach but also as something that could help us move forward in the work in this House.  
5.42.   A brief comment on the fourth industrial revolution as well, and Harold just mentioned the 
fact that tec hnology is changing not only in Norway but in many other countries. When I made the 
comment about the high tariff levels in agriculture in Norway and the fact that now machines and 
robots are doing part of the work in agriculture, if that justified the hig h tariffs. I didn't mean to 
oversimplify the complexity of why tariffs are there and that applies not only for Norway but for all 
of us. But at the same time I wanted to reflect upon the fact that the fourth industrial revolution 
implies a series of accele rations that we are seeing at a very fast pace happening before our eyes. 
It hasn't been 11 years yet since the coming of the smartphone and today we feel, at least many 
of us, that they are ubiquitous, that they are part of our working tools, of our enter tainment. We 
give a lot of value to these devices that today have computing capability greater than any of the 
computers we had 10 years ago. As we see that acceleration and we see the prices going down in 
the cost of technology, as we see the environmenta l constraints closing in on our civilization, then 
it is important to realize that we are at a crossroad where a lot of trade is going to be affected, 
hopefully in a positive way, thanks to technology. It will be disruptive and when there are 
disruptions i t means that usually a majority wins but there are minorities that lose. So we have to 
figure out a way in which we balance the equation so that those that tend to lose will also tend to 
adapt the fastest.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5.43.   A brief word on e -commerce, when talking about the  fourth industrial revolution: will trade 
become frictionless in a digital setting? And if it does, then what it is going to happen to those 
artificial obstacles that we have put to our trade in the presence of technologies that bypass those 
obstacles? So I think this is making it a little more complex the idea that technology can help 
reduce some tariffs.  
5.44.   On the blue economy also I think that the blue economy simply means to make a 
sustainable use of oceans' resources. But there is a more strict use of the  concept of blue 
economy, which means trying to make the most value out of the resources you have locally. In 
that sense, can we think in terms of a blue economy that aspires to the regeneration of the 
ecosystems that we have? I believe Norway is one of th ose countries where forests are a source of 
building material for example. You are preserving your bio capacity and your biodiversity, and at 
the same time making use of it to transform the way we live without having to reduce the value of 
the ecosystem. I n that sense, when I think about Norway being an oil producing, oil exporting 
country and, at the same time, seeing that Norway is a country that invests enormous amounts of 
money in biodiversity protection, in reforestation in developing countries, then i t makes me think 
that this is an equation that the planet needs where you transfer financial capital from a place that 
has financial capital to places where there is natural capital at risk of being lost. In that sense, how 
could we think big in terms of t his blue economy equation.  
5.45.   That also leads me to the topic of fisheries subsidies negotiations in this House, and the 
leadership that Norway has been having and the leadership that I think should show the way to a 
global use of resources in a way that it r egenerates the stocks of fish that are in the oceans. That 
is really the challenge. The challenge of our fisheries subsidies negotiations is not to stop the 
depletion; the end game is to revert these depleting tendencies and move them in the opposite 
direction to replenish the stocks around the world so that there is not the same amount of fish we 
have today but more. And that we consume it more than we do today but that there is more 
available. This is the real challenge of that negotiation and I think Nor way is a very good example 
of how to do it.  
5.46.   A last point, someone also mentioned, I think it was Canada, the relationship that they have 
with Norway in terms of the Artic issues. It made me reflect about Roald Amundsen, who is a 
Norwegian hero, a very rele vant person in Norway, he is also a very significant person in our 
human civilization as being the first proven and documented person to have flown to the North 
Pole and also to have reached the South Pole. One of the two was already remarkable enough but 
he actually accomplished both and he was the first one to accomplish both. I see him, and I 
remember his statue in Tromsø, as someone who back in those days navigated really the toughest 
of waters and took the biggest of challenges and tackled unforeseen r isks and also took the best 
decisions he could, not only for his own survival but to advance the cause of human civilization. He 
is quoted as saying that victory awaits him who has everything in order, luck people call it. Talking 
about him, I want to refl ect on the departure of my very dear friend and colleague Harald Neple, 
Harald, I have learned enormously from you the last three and a half years. I think your 
demeanour as a representative of your Government, of your State, of your nation, is a role mode l 
to me and to many. Your wisdom and your very fine diplomatic talent are absolutely remarkable 
and unquestionable. I thank you very much, I have to say that you will be sorely missed and, 
because of the fact you are not so good at using Twitter, I guess I  won't be hearing much from 
you. It has been great to share these very intense years here at the WTO with you and I hope that 
as long as I am here, I will help move the causes that you pushed forward with such passion and 
intensity. Thank you very much and  thank you all of you for the time.  
TAJIKISTAN  
5.47.   Tajik-Norwegian trade and economic relations were established after the acquisition of 
sovereignty by the Republic of Tajikistan. The foreign trade turnover between Tajikistan and 
Norway for 2017 amounted to a  very small number of the total amount of foreign trade turnover. 
Imports constitute 100% but there is a decrease in comparison with 2016 by US$1 million.  
5.48.   There is a joint venture of Tajik -Norwegian, Tajgidro in Tajikistan, which was established on 
the bas is of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 
the Kingdom of Norway and the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan, 
signed in 2010.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5.49.   The expansion of trade cooperation with Norway is in the i nterests of both States. In this 
regard, it is important to make use of available opportunities for development of trade relations 
between Tajikistan and Norway.  
5.50.   Here I would like to point out a number of important areas of cooperation between 
Tajikistan a nd Norway, including establishment of joint ventures for development of new 
technologies for oil extraction and gas production, cooperation in the field of hydropower, 
particularly the construction of small and medium -sized hydropower stations, investment on 
procurement, processing and marketing including export of granite, marble, semi -precious and 
ornamental stones, development of intensive livestock including meat production in dairy sector as 
well as sheep breeding, establishment of joint ventures for p roduction of consumer goods, 
development of mountain tourism and mountaining, and so forth.  
5.51.   The seventh Trade Policy Review of Norway provides an excellent opportunity to get 
acquainted and improve our understanding of its trade regime. Allow me to highlig ht some key 
points of trade policy reports. Norway has an advanced economy with a per capita GDP among the 
highest in the world. Trade is important to the economy, with imports and exports of goods and 
services equivalent to 63% of GDP in 2017. The effects  of the global financial crisis of 2008 -2009 
were shortlived in Norway, and the economy returned quickly to its historical growth path, 
reaching 2.7% in 2012.  
5.52.   The significant decline in the price of oil and gas since mid -2014 poses a serious challenge 
in the yearly global downturn. The combination of expansionary fiscal and monetary policies 
contained the effect of the national economy as growth in GDP continued at a modest 1% in 2016. 
Economic recovery grew stronger during 2017 when real growth in GDP was  1.8% and the current 
outlook for the Norwegian economy is positive.  
5.53.   Norway is an active Member of the WTO, has accepted Trade Facilitation Agreement, 
implemented the revised ITA in pharmaceutical product coverage, completed procedures for 
adopting the rev ised GPA, and committed to phasing out all remaining agricultural export 
subsidies.  
5.54.   Based on provided reports, Norway has been a third party in 82 dispute settlement cases, 
has never been a respondent, and was a complainant four times.  
5.55.   My delegation acknow ledges Norway's continued pursuit of trade liberalization in the 
multilateral as well as in the bilateral context.  
5.56.   Norway's contribution to, and constructive involvement in, various areas of the work and 
negotiations of the WTO is also remarkable. We also acknowledge Norway's efforts to support the 
integration of developing economies into the global trading system. We are confident that Norway 
continues to undertake further trade policy and structural reforms to improve its overall efficiency 
and to maintai n an open WTO consistent trade and investment regime to secure sustainable 
growth.  
5.57.   In conclusion, I wish Norway a very productive and successful trade policy review exercise.  
RÉPUBLIQUE  CENTRAFRICAINE  AU NOM  DU GROUPE  DES  PMA 
5.58.   La Norvège est un pays économi quement solide et développé qui fait du commerce 
d'intégration au système commercial multilatéral les fondements de sa croissance qui soit de 
nature durable pour les décennies à venir. La Norvège a su traverser les périodes difficiles de 
ralentissement éco nomique mondial suite à la crise de 2008, ainsi que la forte chute des prix du 
pétrole qui s'en est suivi en appliquant des politiques budgétaires et monétaires adéquates pour 
maintenir ou renforcer la compétitivité du pays sur le plan du commerce internat ional.  
5.59.   L'économie du pays est résolument tournée vers l'extérieur puisque les exportations et les 
importations de marchandises et de services représentent plus de 60% du PIB. Cela constitue 
notamment une source d'inspiration pour les PMA que nous sommes co mme un objectif et/ou 
conséquence d'une véritable dynamique d'intégration au commerce mondial.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5.60.   En matière d'intégration au commerce mondial, le groupe des PMA voudrait saluer et 
remercier vivement la Norvège pour les efforts résolus que le pays mène pour f avoriser une 
meilleure intégration de son pays au commerce mondial. Cela s'est manifesté par l'application d'un 
traitement préférentiel accordé pour les importations en provenance des PMA, ces derniers 
bénéficiant d'un accès au marché norvégien en franchis e de droits et sans contingent sur 100% 
des lignes tarifaires.  
5.61.   En outre, la Norvège applique la Décision de Bali en matière de dérogation sur les services 
en ayant notifié dès juillet 2015 le traitement préférentiel accordé aux fournisseurs de services 
issus des PMA pour un meilleur accès au marché norvégien. Nous attendons également avec un 
intérêt dans ce cadre les efforts de la Norvège relatifs à la mise en œuvre d'initiatives 
conformément au Paragraphe 1.4 de la Décision de Nairobi sur la dérogation pou r les services.  
5.62.   Les PMA continuent évidement à être confrontés à des problématiques de capacité à 
exporter leurs biens de services et donc à véritablement bénéficier des préférences accordées 
malgré l'application des décisions ministérielles.  
5.63.   Là encore, l e groupe des PMA se félicite et remercie la Norvège pour son engagement de 
premier plan dans le financement du programme du Cadre intégré renforcé qui a justement pour 
vocation de développer sur le terrain les capacités exportatrices des PMA à travers diff érents 
projets et partenariats avec nos autorités et le secteur privé.  
5.64.   Le groupe des PMA sollicite, souhaite vivement que le soutien de la Norvège envers notre 
groupe de pays pérennise. Nous vous inscrivons, par ailleurs, pleinement dans la vision de la 
Norvège qui est celle du renforcement du système multilatéral et du développement durable basé 
sur le commerce et la coopération économique.  
5.65.   Enfin, je voudrais au nom du groupe des PMA, souhaiter plein succès à la Norvège pour la 
conduite de ses réformes, ainsi qu'un plein succès de son Examen de politiques commerciales et la 
remercie vivement pour toute l'aide qu'elle apporte aux PMA dans le cadre de l'aide pour le 
commerce.  
UNITED  STATES   
5.66.   We would like to sincerely thank you and Ambassador Cedeño Molinari  for your thoughtful 
perspectives this morning. And we would like to express our appreciation to the Secretariat for its 
excellent work and the entire delegation of Norway, especially Ambassador Neple, for your 
constructive and diligent efforts in this sev enth trade policy review, and to the Ambassador for his 
distinguished contributions to the WTO overall.  
5.67.   We greatly appreciate the summary of discussions from Day 1 and the informative 
responses we have received from Norway to most of our advance written qu estions. Washington 
will study them carefully and, as usual, we have a number of follow -up questions which were 
submitted to the TPR Division earlier this morning.  
5.68.   I'll just take a moment to briefly describe several of the questions on which the United 
States will be seeking further clarification. We have a follow -up question under trade and 
investment regimes, regarding the specific date of when the EFTA agreement with the Gulf 
Cooperation Council (GCC) will be notified. We have several questions on standa rds and other 
technical requirements, including explanation of a large difference between notifications made to 
the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Committee and those made to the EU technical regulation 
information system database. We have a few questions  on sanitary and phytosanitary 
requirements. The original question was about notification process used for amending legislation, 
and the follow -up question is about notification to trading partners in the future and whether they 
will be broadcast more wide ly than publication on an internal site.  
5.69.   I would like to express thanks to Norway for its approach in addressing some issues of 
importance raised by the United States during Day 1 of the TPR. While the United States remains 
troubled by a demonstrably high  level of protectionism for the agriculture sector through high 
tariffs, government support and SPS measures, we do appreciate the transparent discussion and 
excellent notification record of Norway on these issues.  WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  5.70.   As mentioned on Day 1 of the TPR, we woul d respectfully encouraged Norway to re -examine 
its measures related to genetically engineered products, and to highlight the importance of science 
and risk -based regulations.  
5.71.   We've also well noted other things with widespread interest in this TPR discussio n, such as 
the future focus on Norwegian ocean industries, the Green and Blue economy, gender equality, the 
social contract and an inclusive sustainable growth strategy.  
5.72.   The United States very much appreciates its strong and friendly relationship with Norw ay in 
trade and beyond. Nearly 5 million Americans claim Norwegian ancestry, which I understand to be 
close to the current population of Norway itself. Our cultural relations are very rich and deep. We 
especially admire Norway's proactive engagement and le adership on many bilateral, plurilateral 
and multilateral efforts in such areas as capacity building, fisheries subsidies negotiations, Artic 
issues, renewable energy and environmental protection, health, educational exchanges, global 
development and globa l peace initiatives, as well as combatting terrorism.  
5.73.   We look forward to continued cooperative work with our Norwegian colleagues here in 
Geneva and in many other international venues. I would like to congratulate the team on this 
successful TPR and wish e veryone travelling back to Oslo a safe journey.  
AMBASSADOR  HARALD  NEPLE   
5.74.   We will revert with answers to the written questions that we have received after Day 1. I 
would just like to once more thank the discussant for his comments. You praised Norway as an 
example to be followed and, of course, as a representative of Norway, I highly value that. On a 
more personal note, I would like to thank you for the true kind words. I am not very good at 
receiving these things, that's what my staff tells me all the time but even if I'm not good at 
receiving praise I bring it with me and I will remember it, so thank you. Thank you to all the 
Members for their active participation in our Trade Policy Review.  
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  This seventh Trade Policy Review has allowed us, once again, to have a closer look at the 
trade and economic policies of Norway and to deepen our understanding of developments in these 
policies since the last Review. I would like to thank the Norwegian delegation headed by State 
Secretary Ms Marianne Hagen, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its positive engagement 
throughout this exercise. I would also like to thank our discussant, Ambassador Alvaro Cedeño 
Molinari, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the WTO, for his pertinent and insightful 
remarks, as well as the 41 delegations which took the floor the first day and 2 on the second day, 
for their active and constructive participation in this Review.  
6.2.  Members noted that Norway remained one of the wealthiest countries i n the world, with a 
GDP per capita around US$75,000, despite significant economic headwinds in the period under 
review. As a major producer and exporter of crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum -related 
services, the Norwegian economy had felt the sharp dec line in the price of petroleum that began in 
2014. However, Norway had weathered the storm well with expansive monetary policies and fiscal 
policy stimulus aided by solid public finances. Meanwhile, Norway's trade policies for goods and 
services had remain ed generally open and liberal. Members felt that the difficulties experienced in 
the petroleum sector may indeed have accelerated the "greening" of the domestic economy with 
focus on renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, as well as the restruct uring and 
consolidation of Norway's ocean industries, i.e. maritime services, oil and gas, fisheries, and 
aquaculture, into a forward -looking "blue" economy.  
6.3.  Norway's trade policies remained firmly anchored in the WTO and the European Economic 
Area (EEA) Agreement with the European Union, its largest trading partner. In addition, Norway's 
membership in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) provided an extensive network of free 
trade agreements with trading partners in most corners of the world. Member s were particularly 
appreciative of Norway's strong engagement in the WTO and its longstanding and dedicated 
commitment to an open, rules -based, inclusive, and effective multilateral trading system. Since 
2012, Norway had provided ample evidence of this co mmitment, including through the timely 
ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, implementation of the Information Technology 
Agreement (ITA) expansion and the revised pharmaceutical product coverage, completion of 
procedures to adopt the revised A greement on Government Procurement, and the adoption of 
legislation to phase out agricultural export subsidies by the end of 2020.  
6.4.  Several Members highlighted Norway's commitment to sustainable economic growth, 
including its high level of engagement and v aluable expert contributions in the negotiations on 
fisheries subsidies, and its interest in concluding an agreement on trade in environmental goods. 
Norway was also a firm supporter of new initiatives in the WTO such as the recent Ministerial 
declarations  relating to micro, small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs), the reform and 
phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, electronic commerce, services domestic regulations, 
and trade and gender. In addition, Norway continued to be a generous donor to activities that 
aided other WTO Members, in particular LDCs, in their integration into the world trading system. 
Norway was commended for its exemplary record in meeting its notification obligations in virtually 
all areas of the WTO. Some Members also n oted positively that Norway had never been a 
respondent in a WTO dispute settlement case.  
6.5.  Low tariffs reflected the openness of Norway's trade regime, where 85% of the tariff lines 
were duty free on an MFN basis. The simple average tariff had declined fro m 7.5% in 2012 to 
6.9% in 2017, principally as a result of the elimination of low and nuisance tariffs on 
114 agricultural tariff lines. Applied tariffs on manufactured goods averaged 0.5%. Some Members 
noted with appreciation that the policy of low tariff s was combined with a firm rejection of the 
resort to trade contingency measures.  
6.6.  As in previous Trade Policy Reviews, agriculture stood out as a sector with high levels of 
protection, regulatory intervention, and government assistance. Members noted that  despite 
consistent gains in productivity, technological advance, and continued high levels of support, 
Norwegian agriculture was not internationally competitive. The main outputs of the sector 
remained highly insulated from the world market and subject to  extensive production -distorting 
government intervention. Applied tariffs on agricultural products averaged 37%. Norway's support 
to its agricultural sector was three times higher than the average for OECD countries. While some 
Members called for lower tar iffs and less support, it was also noted that the under -utilization of WT/TPR/W/150  • Norway  
 
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  many existing tariff rate quotas suggested scope for reform. The application of sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures was also related to agricultural policy. Here, some Members stressed the 
importance of science -and risk -based regulations, including for the registration and use of 
pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, and other innovative tools to supporting and 
functioning trade in agricultural products.  
6.7.  Although access to Norway' s markets for industrial goods and services was generally open 
and non -discriminatory, several Members noted that state ownership remained substantial in the 
Norwegian economy. It was suggested by some of them that the frontiers of the state in economic 
activities could be rolled back in some measure. Some Members also sought information about 
Norway's TBT measures, including conformity assessment, and their harmonization with EU 
practices.  
6.8.  Norway has provided answers to 227 written questions raised by Memb ers in advance of this 
review. This TPR will be successfully concluded once Norway has also replied to all the questions 
that arrived after the deadline, in a month's time. I am confident that Norway has taken good note 
not only of the deserved praise that  it received during this meeting, but also of the critical 
comments, though much fewer, that resurfaced in the course of this TPR. It is my hope that these 
friendly but critical interventions may serve as input in the domestic political debate, and inspire  
future action.  
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