RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/373  
23 April 2018  
(18-2506) Page: 1/11 
Trade Policy Review Body   Original: English  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY  
NORWAY  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Norway  
is attached.  
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the 
first session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Norway . WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  Contents  
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
2   RECENT ECONOMIC DEVE LOPMENTS  ................................ ................................ ...........  4 
2.1   Norway 's economy and trade patterns.  ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
2.2   Current economic climate: Growth is rising  ................................ ................................ ..... 5 
2.3   Restructuring the economy: Going green and blue  ................................ ...........................  5 
2.4   Innovation and Technology  ................................ ................................ ...........................  6 
2.5   Fiscal policy framework insulates the budget from fluctuations in oil and gas 
revenues. ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  6 
2.6   State ownership  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
2.7   Investment policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  7 
3   TRADE POLICY DEVELOPME NTS ................................ ................................ ..................  7 
3.1   WTO ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  7 
3.2   European Economic Area (EEA)  ................................ ................................ .....................  8 
3.3   Brexit  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  9 
3.4   Free Trade Agreements  ................................ ................................ ................................  9 
3.5   Public support  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 10 
4   THE WAY FORWARD: TRA DE POLICY IN A CHANG ING WORLD  ................................ .. 10 
 
 
  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  Norway is a trading nation. Support for, and dependence on, open international trade are key 
features of Norway 's international profile.  
1.2.  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 predicta ble trading environment. 
Trade policy is an integral part of the Government 's policy to promote sustainable growth, 
domestically and globally. The World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, the European 
Economic Area (EEA) Agreement and the European Free T rade Association (EFTA) free trade 
agreements are the cornerstones of Norwegian trade policy.  
1.3.  Norway has a fundamental interest in a strong multilateral syst em with clear rules that 
minimiz es the opportunity for misuse and provides maximum transparency, a s well as an efficient 
dispute settlement system. The WTO and the multilateral trading system constitutes an 
indispensable part of the global governance architecture and must be preserved and strengthened. 
Norway will continue to support the multilateral t rading system in any possible way, including 
through further development of rules in order to take into account the realities of the 21st century.  
1.4.  Norway 's long -term interests and fundamental commitmen t 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, 
areas i n which the trade policy framework is less well developed than for trade in goods.  
1.5.  In Norway 's trade policy profile, the agricultural sector differs from other sectors due to high 
tariffs and extensive subsidies. A number of factors make agricultural prod uction in Norway 
challenging, and the Government will maintain a certain amount of flexibility in agricultural trade 
policy in order to compensate for the disadvantages agriculture faces in Norway. At the same time, 
Norway remains committed to play a const ructive role in global agricultural trade policy, 
acknowledging that all WTO Members are committed to achieving progressive liberalization in 
agriculture in accordance with Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture. Norway will fulfil the 
commitments stem ming from WTO decisions including from the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial 
Conferences, phasing out all remaining export subsidies by the end of 2020.  
1.6.  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 creation, and overall prosperity. Trade  policy 
and other elements of economic, social and structural policies are integral parts of the totality of 
the Norwegian Government 's policies that not only stimulates growth and secures jobs, but also 
ensures decent working conditions and an equitable d istribution of the benefits of trade and 
economic growth to the Norwegian population.  
1.7.  Trade agreements provide an opportunity to help shape the course of globali zation through 
international cooperation. The objective is to maintain and develop a trade fra mework that 
maximises Norwegian value creation while at the same time contributing to global growth and 
sustainable development. This is particularly important in a time of considerable geo -economic and 
geopolitical turmoil.  
1.8.  Globali zation is under pressur e. 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 multilateral trading system.  
1.9.  In this report, we will present some highlights of Norwegian trade policies. For more detailed 
information on Norwegian trade and economic policy, please see the Secretariat 's report.  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  2  RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS  
2.1  Norway 's economy and trade patterns  
Facts on Norway 's trade  
2.1.  For geographical and historical reasons Norwegian trade primarily takes place with our 
European neighbours. The global character of major Norwegian exports and imports means that 
the well-being of the Norwegian economy is directly linked to the overall health of the world 
economy. Norway's principal exports are raw materials, intermediary goods and infrastructure 
services, while a very large proportion of both finished and intermediat e goods and services that 
consumers and businesses demand are imported. Thus, trade openness and access to global value 
chains are crucial to the smooth functioning of the Norwegian economy. In order for Norwegian 
firms to benefit from economies of scale, Norway must participate in international markets. An 
open, stable and predictable trading system anchored in the WTO allows Norway to employ its 
comparative advantage.  
2.2.  Since oil was discovered off the Norwegian coast in the late 1960s, Norway has become a  
significant petroleum producer. Oil and gas today constitute about 40 % of Norwegian exports, 
while less than 3 % of the workforce is employed directly in the petroleum sector.  
2.3.  The petroleum sector makes a large contribution to Norway 's positive trade bala nce. The 
so-called mainland trade balance, which excludes oil, gas as well as ships and oil platforms, is 
negative and has been so for a long time. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Norway has 
been running relatively large current account surpluses,  although the surplus has fallen 
significantly in recent years, following the fall in oil prices.  
2.4.  Norway exported goods for NKr 846 billion in 2017 and imported goods for NKr 683 billion. 
Norway's largest trading partners are the EU countries, China and th e US. 65 % of mainland 
exports (excluding oil, gas, ships and oil platforms) were exported to the EU in 2017, and 60 % of 
mainland imports were from the EU. Sweden and Germany are Norway's largest trading partners 
in the EU for mainland goods. When including  the petroleum sector, the UK is Norway's largest 
export market. Norway is an integral part of the single market of the European Union (EU) through 
the EEA agreement, which also secures free movement of services, persons and capital.  
2.5.  Over the past few dec ades, exports of services have increased substantially. In gross terms, 
goods play the definite lead role in Norwegian exports. Looking at trade in value -added terms, 
however, services account for nearly 40 % of total exports, almost twice as high as the sh are in 
gross terms.  
High labour force participation, collective wage bargaining and equal income distribution  
2.6.  Norway is a medium -sized economy, with a GDP per capita among the highest in the world. 
Measured by the Gini coefficient, the distribution of inc ome in Norway is among the most equal in 
the OECD. The public sector is large and provides free education and health care and some 
insurance against loss of income.  
2.7.  In an international context, Norway has a high labour force participation rate. High labou r 
utilization is important for both economic growth and the sustainability of public finances. The 
Government is committed to ensure high employment and low unemployment. More women, 
elderly people, and immigrants are part of the labour market than in most  other countries. In 
2017, 67.1 % of Norwegian women participated in the labour force. Improving the economic status 
of women is beneficial to society as a whole as it leads to increased tax revenues, economic 
growth and poverty reduction. Nearly 80 % of the  workforce works in the services sector. 
Manufacturing and other secondary sectors employ close to 20 %, and the primary sector employs 
less than 3 %. 
2.8.  A large part of economic activity in Norway takes place in smaller businesses. 60 % of the 
workforce is empl oyed in small and medium -size businesses, defined as businesses with less than 
100 employees. Norway has a high rate of union membership, although it has been falling for 
some time. Wage formation in Norway is a coordinated bargaining process and follows a  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  wage -leader model. The model seeks to retain the competitiveness of Norwegian businesses. 
Wages in export -oriented manufacturing industries are negotiated first and set the norm for other 
industries and sectors. The social partners are responsible for bar gaining on collective agreements, 
where the specific regulation on wages are decided. The authorities are responsible for institutional 
arrangements to support the coordination. In addition to the central bargaining for wages and 
collective agreements, bar gaining normally also takes place at the company level. There is no 
universal minimum wage in Norway, but the extension of collective agreements within sectors 
provides minimum wages for certain types of jobs. The Norwegian workforce is well educated and 
the level of productivity is relatively high.  
2.2  Current economic climate: Growth is rising  
2.9.  The sudden drop in oil prices in 2014 was a negative shock to the Norwegian economy. 
Petroleum investments, which had been a major contributor to GDP growth for years, fell sharply, 
and unemployment increased.  
2.10.   Faced with the most severe oil and gas price slump in 30 years, the Government used fiscal 
policy to counter unemployment. Norges Bank lowered the key policy interest rate to a record low 
level. A depreciation of t he krone exchange rate together with lower wage growth led to a strong 
improvement in cost competitiveness for Norwegian businesses. Targeted fiscal policy and low 
interest rates have served to improve competitiveness, promote growth and reduce 
unemploymen t, including in areas where economic activity was the most affected by lower oil 
prices.  
2.11.   Recently, economic growth has increased and unemployment is decreasing. The oil price 
has also rebounded, and the fall in petroleum investments seems to be levelling o ff. Economic 
growth is expected to have been in line with trend growth in 2017 and higher than trend growth in 
2018. The unemployment figure based on Statistics Norway 's labour force survey was 4.1 % in 
November 2017.  
2.3  Restructuring the economy: Going green  and blue  
2.12.   The petroleum industry is important for Norway's economy – and will continue to be so for 
many decades to come. However, the petroleum industry will no longer contribute as strongly in 
supporting activity in the mainland economy. Norway is workin g to make full use of the export 
potential in other industries, so that the Norwegian economy will have a broader base. The main 
challenge today is to strengthen other parts of the private sector and facilitate growth and 
employment in industries exposed t o international competition.  
2.13.   The world is facing climate challenges that require transiti on into a more sustainable, 
low-emission society. "Thinking greener " implies that many of tomorrow's low -emissions solutions 
will come from or through cooperation with  industry. In order to limit global warming in line with 
the goals of the Paris Agreement, there will be a continuous need to develop new production 
methods. This creates opportunities for competent and innovative Norwegian businesses.  
2.14.   In a white paper to  the Storting ( Parliament) the Government has presented its strategy on 
how to reach our commitments to the climate goals after the Paris agreement. In cooperation with 
the EU, the 2030 -goal for non -quota emissions will be reached mainly through reductions  in 
national emissions and necessary use of the EU -regulations ' flexibility mechanisms.  
2.15.   More than 70 % of Norwegian exports comes from so -called ocean industries. 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 future.  
2.16.   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 increasingly applying ind ustry 
expertise and technology across the traditional sectoral divides. This is particularly evident in the 
emerging offshore aquaculture, offshore wind and marine biotechnology segments.  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  2.17.   The shift towards a more integrated blue economy 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 industries can contri bute to economic growth in new areas and at the 
same time contribute to Norway's international commitments on environment and combatting 
climate change.  
2.4  Innovation and Technology  
2.18.   Norway 's total R&D (research and development) expenditure is around 2 % of GD P, much of 
it in the petroleum -related sector, and ranks in the middle of the OECD member states rankings. 
The most recent European Innovation Scoreboard on broader innovation measurements, presented 
by the European Union last year, ranks Norway as 12 of 3 6 EU and neighbouring countries.  
2.19.   R&D and innovation policies are high on the agenda of the Norwegian Government. Budget 
allocations to R&D have increased since 2012. Public research in universities and research 
institutes is above the long term target of 1% of GDP. Current policy aims at supporting the 
development of excellent research groups and key enabling (generic) technologies.  
2.20.   The Norwegian Research Council (Norsk Forskningsråd) handles most R& D related support, 
and is responsible for both industry and the academic sector. The Norwegian Research Council has 
a formal role in Skattefunn, a tax credit program me, which forms the backbone of Norway 's 
support for business innovation. The programme has  been gradually expanded since its 
introduction in 2002. One of the strengths of the scheme is that it is refundable and helps 
innovative enterprises at an early stage of development. A ceiling on annual cost limits total 
support through the scheme.  
2.21.   Innov ation Norway is in charge of broader innovation and entrepreneurship schemes. Over 
the past decade, there has been a reduction in regional presence of Innovation Norway, with about 
a 15% reduction in employment in the regional offices since 2010. In the sa me period, support 
and involvement in "green business" has increased, with dedicated schemes in a new agency 
(Enova) and late stage funding (testing and demonstration objectives) through Innovation Norway.  
2.5  Fiscal policy framework insulates the budget from  fluctuations in oil and gas 
revenues.  
2.22.   The State's net cash flow from petroleum activities is transferred in full to the Government 
Pension Fund Global (GPFG), and returns are reinvested in the Fund.  
2.23.   The GPFG is a financial investor. The objective of the investments is to achieve the highest 
possible return, within an acceptable level of risk. The Fund is invested solely abroad, in listed 
equities, fixed -income securities and real estate. The strategy for the investments is expressed in 
the management mand ate for the Fund issued by the Ministry of Finance. Operational 
management is carried out by Norges Bank in accordance with the mandate.  
2.24.   The use of petroleum revenues, i.e. withdrawals from the Fund, fully covers the non -oil 
budget deficit, which amounts t o about NKr 230 billion for the budget year of 2018.  
2.25.   The fiscal guidelines stipulate a gradual use of petroleum revenues over time, in line with 
the expected real rate of return of the GPFG. The estimated annual real rate of return over time 
has recently been reduced from 4 % to 3%. 
2.26.   In any given year, the use of petroleum revenues can deviate from the 3 % path to help 
stabili ze economic activity and thereby support high capacity utili zation and low unemployment. In 
the event of large fluctuations in the Fund 's value, implications for the use of petroleum revenues 
will be phased in over several years.  
2.27.   Monetary policy is the first line of defence against a cyclical downturn. Interest rates may be 
changed swiftly if economic prospects indicate the need. Interest  rates are currently low, 
stimulating economic activity.  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  2.6  State ownership  
2.28.   The Norwegian State is a large direct owner of companies in Norway. This is a result of 
different historic developments which include the creation of public corporations in the indu strial 
sector post World War II, public ownership connected with the exploitation of oil and gas from the 
1970s and the banking crisis in the 1990s, as well as reorganization of government agencies into 
companies. A common denominator of state ownership ha s been a desire to safeguard the public 
interest. The State owned around one third of the values listed on Oslo Stock Exchange at the end 
of 2017, through large holdings in some of the biggest companies. The State also owns several 
large unlisted commercia l companies. The State is a professional owner, whose main aim is that 
these commercial companies have long -term value creation.   
2.29.   The Government 's aim is to reduce the State's commercial ownership over time. At present, 
the Government has parliamentary ap proval to decrease state ownership in eight commercial 
companies. Decisions to buy or sell are made on a case -by-case basis, and reductions in ownership 
are undertaken when considered to be commercially beneficial for the State.  
2.30.   The management of the State's commercial ownership is designed to maintain the role of 
owner separate from the roles of policymaker, regulator and supervisor. The Minister of Trade, 
Industry and Fisheries exercises the ownership role in most commercial companies where the 
State is an owner. The State's exercise of its ownership is in line with generally accepted principles 
for corporate governance, and with the division of roles set out in Norwegian company legislation.  
2.31.   To enhance the transparency of state ownership and further deve lop state ownership policy, 
the Government presents a white paper to Parliament approximately every four years. In addition, 
the Government publishes a yearly ownership report on the exercise of the State's ownership and 
on the companies' operations and re sults.  
2.7  Investment policy  
2.32.   In general, Norway has an open investment regime for foreign investors, apart from some 
restrictions in certain sectors, notably the exploitation of natural resources such as petroleum and 
gas, farmland and forests, and power supply rights. With regard to investment promotion, 
Innovation Norway, the Government's body for business development creation, operates an 
investment promotion agency, Invest in Norway, which aims to attract and facilitate foreign direct 
investments in Norway. It serves as a central p oint for potential foreign investors to get key 
information, assess opportunities, and organize meetings/networks.  
2.33.   The basic principles of the EEA on foreign investments apply in Norway as in other EEA 
member States, including freedom of establishment and  free movement of capital.   
3  TRADE POLICY DEVELOP MENTS  
3.1  WTO  
3.1.  The primary focus of Norwegian trade policy is the multilateral trading system embodied in 
the WTO. Other elements of Norwegian trade policy, be they regionally through the EEA or EFTA, 
or bilater ally, are based on the fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system and are 
complementary and supplementary to Norway 's WTO commitments.  
3.2.  Norway was a founding member of the GATT in 1947 and the WTO in 1995 and remains 
strongly committed to the  multilateral framework under the auspices of the WTO. The WTO 
continues to demonstrate its value as the global defence against protectionist pressures. The peer 
pressure exercised through the Trade Policy Review Body and regular committees, as well as the  
dispute settlement system, has generally functioned in the interest of the membership. As an 
open, medium -sized economy, it is essential for Norway that the multilateral trading system 
remains relevant, valid and actively in use by the membership.  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  3.3.  Norway has fulfilled the commitments stemming from WTO decisions including from the Bali 
and Nairobi Ministerial Conferences by  
 Notifying its acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in December 2015,  
 Completing the WTO procedures and implementing the revi sed ITA product coverage in 
2016,  
 Implementing the revised list of pharmaceutical products following the 4th review of 
product coverage,  
 Completing the procedures for adopting the revised Government Procurement 
Agreement in April 2014,   
 Notifying on 28 February 2018, its revised schedule phasing out all export subsidies by 
2020, and by  
 Notifying in June 2015 the preferential treatment which Norway has made available to 
services and services suppliers of least -developed countries with effect from 1 July 201 5. 
3.4.  Norway will continue to pursue regional and bilateral agreements, in conformity with 
Article  XXIV of the GATT and Article V of the GATS, in order to expand trade and economic 
cooperation with its partners and safeguard Norwegian business opportunities. In addition to the 
multilateral work and negotiations through the WTO, Norway pursues its trade policy objectives 
along two main tracks: Regional integration through the Agreement on the European Economic 
Area, and free trade agreements, primarily in coope ration with its EFTA partners: Iceland, 
Liechtenstein and Switzerland.  
3.2  European Economic Area (EEA)  
3.5.  The EEA Agreement is the mainstay of Norway 's European policy. For more than 20 years, it 
has broadened and deepened the cooperation between the EU and Norw ay, Iceland and 
Liechtenstein.  
3.6.  The agreement has 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. It has had great significance for  the business sector and for working life in 
Norway.  
3.7.  There is broad support in Norway to continue to be part of European cooperation through the 
EEA Agreement, the Schengen Agreement and our other agreements with the EU. The Government 
pursues its Europea n policy within the framework of these agreements.  
3.8.  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 equ al rules and competition throughout the area. It gives Norwegian 
businesses access to Norway 's largest export market – the EU single market. Norway has one of 
the highest proportions of EU labour migrants compared with EU member States.  
3.9.  The EEA Agreement is dynamic in character. It is continuously updated and amended to 
incorporate new single market legislation in order to maintain homogeneity across the EEA. Since 
1994, Norway has implemented more than 10 ,000 pieces of EU legislation, of which around half  
are in effect today.  
3.10.   Norway does not participate in the EU decision -making process. However, Norway has the 
right to give input during the preparatory phase, when the Commission draws up proposals for 
new EU/EEA legislation that is to be incorporated into  the Agreement. This includes the right to 
participate in expert groups and Commission committees.  
3.11.   The EEA Agreement also covers cooperation in other important areas, such as research and 
development, education, social policy, the environment, consumer pr otection, tourism and culture.  WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  3.12.   The Agreement does not cover the EU common agriculture and fisheries policies, the 
customs union, the common foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs or the monetary 
union.  
3.3  Brexit  
3.13.   Negotiations between the EU and  the UK on the consequences of UKs decision to leave the 
EU are ongoing, and the results are far from clear at the time of this report being written 
(March  2018). However, certain consequences for Norway are already evident.   
3.14.   When the UK leaves the EU, it  will most likely no longer be a member of the single market. 
Norway will remain a participant in the single market through the EEA Agreement, but the EEA 
Agreement will no longer be the foundation for Norway 's trade relationship with the UK.  
3.15.   It is in Nor way's interest that the EU and the UK succeed in negotiating an orderly UK 
withdrawal from the EU and a framework for their future relationship. Norway and the EU share 
common rules, notably with regards to the single market and Schengen. Norway and the EU  
cooperate closely in most policy areas. This relationship stands firm. At the same time, Norway 
has strong economic, political and historical ties with the UK. Norway 's objective is to continue as 
close and extensive cooperation as possible with the UK after its withdrawal from the EU.  
3.16.   Norway shares the priority of preserving the integrity of the single market, to the benefit of 
citizens and businesses in the 30 States (EU27 + EFTA3) remaining in the European Economic 
Area (EEA) after the UK 's withdrawal . In that context, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are not 
ordinary third States in the UK withdrawal process. Therefore, it is Norway 's policy that the terms 
– including the timing – the EU and the UK agree on with regard to withdrawal and/or transition  
pertaining to the single market, should be extended to all the EEA countries in order to prevent a 
fragmentation of the single market. There is broad consensus that this is a sensible course of 
action.  
3.17.   The UK is one of Norway 's most important trading part ners and the single largest market for 
both Norwegian goods and services exports. It is a goal for the Norwegian Government to 
negotiate a new set of agreements that enables continued preferential access to the British market 
when the EEA Agreement ceases to apply to the UK. Such a future trade agreement between 
Norway and the UK will to a significant degree depend on the future agreement between the EU 
and the UK. Solutions found between the EU and the UK will in many cases be solutions that also 
will be r elevant for a future legal framework governing the relations between Norway and the UK.  
3.18.   The timetable for concluding both an agreement on relevant withdrawal terms, a transitional 
arrangement and an agreement on the future relationship is the same for Nor way as for the EU27.  
3.4  Free Trade Agreements  
3.19.   Since the early 1990s, Norway and its partners in the European Free Trade Association 
(EFTA) – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – have established an extensive network of free 
trade agreements. Since 2012, Norway has signed agreements with Montenegro, Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, the Philippines and Georgia. As of March 2018, the 
EFTA network consists of 27 free trade agreements with 38 countries and 6 declarations on 
cooperation. E FTA is currently negotiating with Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mercosur and 
Viet Nam. Negotiations with Algeria, Russian Federation /Belarus/Kazakhstan and Thailand are 
currently on hold. In addition, Norway is negotiating a bilateral free trade agr eement with China.  
3.20.   While the scope varies from one agreement to the other, the free trade agreements 
normally cover trade in goods, services, investments, protection of intellectual property, 
competition, dispute settlement, government procurement and sus tainable development.  
3.21.   EFTA's free trade agreements with developing countries take into account the different level 
of economic development in the partner countries by providing for an asymmetrical approach. In 
these agreements, the EFTA States grant free t rade from the date the agreement enters into force, 
while the partner countries have transitional periods of tariff dismantling for certain sensitive 
products. This gives the partner country time to adapt their economy to open trading conditions.   WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  3.22.   Norway participates in the Pan -Euro-Mediterranean system of cumulation of origin. This is a 
network of free trade agreements that has identical rules of origin thereby allowing for diagonal 
cumulation of origin among the members and has been an important step to facilitate trade in the 
region. The Regional Convention on Pan -Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin will 
supersede and further simplify challenges related to the management of the around 60 bilateral 
protocols on rules of origin that exist in th e region.  
3.5  Public support  
3.23.   The trade policy continues to enjoy broad political support in Norway and the concerns seen 
elsewhere questioning the value of trade and globali zation is less prominent. The public debate on 
trade policy is, however, extending bey ond the traditional debate on the economic merits of trade 
and development. Increased emphasis is placed on issues such as health, the environment, 
climate change, food security, public sector services, data protection and consumer safety as well 
as aspect s of progressive trade such as labour standards, gender policy and anti -corruption. The 
Government performs consultations on trade policy regularly and ad hoc with non -governmental 
groups, including representatives of trade and industry, employee organizat ions, consumer and 
other interest groups. Over the past years, the Government has striven for greater openness 
regarding ongoing negotiations by making public Norwegian negotiating proposals. Consultations 
and such publication contribute to increased trans parency around trade policy formulation in 
Norway.  
4  THE WAY FORWARD: TRA DE POLICY IN A CHANGING WORLD  
4.1.  Safeguarding the rules -based multilateral trading system continues to be Norway 's primary 
trade policy priority. Trade plays a strong role, and can play an  even stronger role, in fulfilling the 
sustainable development goals.  
4.2.  Norway is deeply concerned by developments in 2017 -18, from the lack of substantial results 
at the Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, through the stalemate over the appointments of 
Appellate Body members, to the threat of unilateral measures in the face of overcapacity in major 
industries.  
4.3.  Norway strongly believes that binding, enforceable multilateral rules and open markets 
continues to be the right approach to economic growth, peac eful cooperation, job creation and 
development, including as a contribution to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals.  
4.4.  Multilateral agreements will always be first best.  
4.5.  At the same time – provided that they are pursued as building blocks – not as s tumbling 
blocks – towards further multilateral agreements, Norway sees promise in pursuing its interests 
through joint initiatives with those who want to take part, such as the initiative on electronic 
commerce from the ministerial conference in Buenos Air es. Such initiatives should be open to all, 
and as far as possible kept under the WTO umbrella.  
4.6.  The growing scepticism against globali zation and the trend towards increased protectionism 
must be addressed. Inclusive growth and distributing benefits of glo balization can be achieved 
through appropriate national policies and international cooperation. Challenges related to 
unresolved burden sharing between developed and emerging economies must find workable 
solutions.  
4.7.  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. Insufficient integration of developing economies into the global trading system must be 
addressed. Special and differential treatment should not primarily mean that developing Members 
remain outside the framework, but that emphasis is placed on identifying what needs t o be done in 
order for them to be included.  
4.8.  The 2030 Agenda is a strategic priority for Norway. The Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs) make it clear that all countries, rich and poor alike, have work to do at the national level. WT/TPR/G/373 • Norway  
 
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  Norway has the means and  the political will to be a contributor in the implementation of the SDGs, 
both through national efforts and internationally. The SDGs reflect the fact that the framework 
conditions for international cooperation and development assistance have changed. The  relative 
importance of development assistance is falling as other flows of capital increase. With many 
developing countries, Norway is moving towards a new type of cooperation. There will be a gradual 
transition from a bilateral relationship based mainly on development assistance to a relationship 
increasingly based on common interests, trade, investment and cooperation on research, culture 
and multilateral issues. Within Norwegian development cooperation, low -income and least 
developed countries are prior itized.  
4.9.  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 Agenda and the Paris Agre ement 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 reform, fossil fuel subs idies reform etc.  
4.10.   Norway will work to promote full economic rights for women and equal opportunities for 
women to participate in the labour market. Inclusive trade policies can contribute to advancing 
gender equality and women 's economic empowerment. Impro ving women 's access to opportunities 
and removing barriers to their participation in national and international economies contributes to 
sustainable economic development.  
 
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