By HELEN ZULU –
NORWEGIAN companies are in the process of establishing businesses in various sectors of the economy in Zambia.

. Ofstad

Norwegian ambassador to Zambia Arve Ofstad expressed happiness that several companies from Norway were in the process of establishing businesses in the country and more were looking at the energy, aquaculture, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
Mr Ofstad said Zambia, Norway and all Nordic countries were looking for economic opportunities for business investments and trade for mutual benefit.
He was speaking at the Nordic open day in Lusaka on Thursday.
“We are all looking beyond aid, Zambia, Norway and all Nordic countries are looking for economic opportunities for business investments and trade for mutual benefit,” Mr Ofstad said.
He further disclosed that while the Norwegian embassy in Lusaka was closing its doors in June this year, it was not closing its collaboration and relationships.
Mr Ofstad said the ongoing programmes that were supported by Norway would continue running based on the agreements until they were completed.
Norway has focused on three main areas of support to Zambia which include, climate-smart conservation agriculture, public finance management with emphasis on support to Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC).
He said there were a number of NGOs as well as research and exchanges in higher education which would continue and these were funded from various parts of the Norwegian aid budget.
Mr Ofstad said Norway was a strong supporter of the United Nations (UN), the World Bank and the African Development Bank and other global programmes in education and health which Zambia was benefiting from and these would continue to receive Norwegian support.
“Norway contributed approximately US$ 22 million in bilateral aid to Zambia and in addition, Norway is a strong supporter of multilateral aid and global development funds.
I want to tell you that while the Norwegian Embassy in Lusaka is closing its doors in June this year, Norway is not closing its collaboration and relationships in Zambia,” he said.