Looking ahead!
Norway has a long maritime tradition and one of the most comprehensive maritime sectors in the world. A long coastline combined with natural resources, such as timber and fish, gave foundation to develop a maritime industry in Norway. Today, the Norwegian maritime industry is designing, building, supplying and operating advanced vessels.
The Government’s focus is firmly placed on the industries were Norway has comparative advantages and is seeking to exploit and develop those in order to increase the overall competitiveness. The Norwegian maritime sector has expanded during the petroleum growth period from the late sixties, and the Norwegian maritime industries are in forefront in developing new solutions to new challenges. Demanding customers, our harsh climate and challenging geography has been among the driving forces for the innovative activity in Norway.
We are now facing extraordinary economic challenges which started by the turmoil in the financial markets. We need to have a long term perspective in times like these and particularly seize the new opportunities that are created.
The Government’s ambitions were put forward in the White Paper “An Innovative and sustainable Norway” in December 2008. Innovation is an important part of companies’ day-to-day efforts to develop better products for their customers and generate greater value for their owners and society at large. Not least is investment in research and development essential for the company’s future competitiveness. Companies in the private and public sector must take upon themselves the responsibility for innovation, and the authorities will provide the framework that supports their innovative activities.
In the white paper the Government emphasises strategic use of design as particularly important to develop attractive and user friendly products and solutions. A strategic approach to industrial design will, without doubt, contribute to competitiveness and profitability also for companies in the maritime industries. It is therefore important to increase the awareness of industrial design in all levels of the organization.
A report based on a thorough market analysis of the global reputation of the Norwegian maritime industries was finalised in the autumn of 2008. This report was also part of the follow up of the various measures in the Government’s maritime strategy, put forward in 2007. The analysis shows that the Norwegian maritime industries are associated with high quality and advanced products. However, the report indicates there are room for improvements in particular concerning after sale services. We will work in close contact with the industry on improving our weak points, and on further development of our existing competitive advantages and qualities in 2009 and onwards.
I hope you will enjoy this publication. We are looking forward to continue developing relations with our maritime partners all over the world, and together create innovative and environmentally friendly solutions in the maritime industry.
Mrs. Sylvia Brustad
Minister of Trade and Industry
