Ministry of Trade and Industry (Norway)
Encyclopedia
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry (Norwegian: Nærings- og handelsdepartementet) is a Norwegian
ministry
responsible for business, trade and industry. It is led by Trond Giske
(Labour
). The department must report to the legislature, Storting.
Ministry of Trade, Shipping, Industry, Craft and Fisheries was created on 1 October 1916. After this, the ministry underwent several name changes: to Ministry of Trade, Shipping and Industry on 1 July 1946, to Ministry of Industry, Craft and Shipping on 6 December 1947, to Ministry of Industry and Craft on 1 January 1955, to Ministry of Industry 1 January 1988, to Ministry of Industry and Energy on 1 January 1993 and to Ministry of Trade and Industry on 1 January 1997.
The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Trade and Industry. The other political staff consists of three State Secretaries and one Political Advisor.
The ministry is divided into the following sections:
Other agencies associated with the department:
Wholly owned limited companies
:
Partially owned public limited companies
:
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
ministry
Ministry (government department)
A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...
responsible for business, trade and industry. It is led by Trond Giske
Trond Giske
Trond Giske is a Norwegian politician and the current Minister of Trade and Industry representing the Norwegian Labour Party in the government headed by Jens Stoltenberg....
(Labour
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
). The department must report to the legislature, Storting.
History
The NorwegianNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Ministry of Trade, Shipping, Industry, Craft and Fisheries was created on 1 October 1916. After this, the ministry underwent several name changes: to Ministry of Trade, Shipping and Industry on 1 July 1946, to Ministry of Industry, Craft and Shipping on 6 December 1947, to Ministry of Industry and Craft on 1 January 1955, to Ministry of Industry 1 January 1988, to Ministry of Industry and Energy on 1 January 1993 and to Ministry of Trade and Industry on 1 January 1997.
Organisation
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has six departments. The Press and Communications Division is part of the Secretary General’s staff.The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Trade and Industry. The other political staff consists of three State Secretaries and one Political Advisor.
The ministry is divided into the following sections:
- Political staff
- Information section
- Department of Planning, Administration and Economic affairs
- Department of Ownership
- Department of Trade and Industrial Economics
- Department of Research and Innovation Politics
- Department of Regulations and Shipping
- Department of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization
Political staff
- Minister Trond GiskeTrond GiskeTrond Giske is a Norwegian politician and the current Minister of Trade and Industry representing the Norwegian Labour Party in the government headed by Jens Stoltenberg....
(LabourNorwegian Labour PartyThe Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
) - State Secretary Rikke LindRikke LindRikke Lind is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.She served in the position of deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Akershus during the terms 1997–2001...
(LabourNorwegian Labour PartyThe Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
) - State Secretary Frode BergeFrode BergeFrode Berge is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He worked as a political advisor to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence from 1990 to 1992, and to the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs from 1996 to 1997...
(LabourNorwegian Labour PartyThe Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
) - Political Advisor Annelene Svingen (LabourNorwegian Labour PartyThe Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
)
Subsidiaries
Subordinate government agencies:- Brønnøysund Register CentreBrønnøysund Register CentreBrønnøysund Register Centre is a Norwegian government agency that is responsible for the management of numerous public registers for Norway...
- Guarantee Institute for Export Credits
- Norwegian Accreditation
- Norwegian Directorate of Mining with the Commissioner of Mines at Svalbard
- Norwegian Maritime DirectorateNorwegian Maritime DirectorateNorwegian Maritime Directorate is a Norwegian government agency responsible for life, health, vessel and the environment for Norwegian registered ships and ships at Norwegian ports...
- Norwegian Metrology ServiceNorwegian Metrology ServiceNorwegian Metrology Service is a Norwegian government agency responsible for metrology. Its main responsibility is to ensure that all measuring equipment in Norway is trusted nationally and internationally. The agency is subordinate the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry....
- Norwegian Geological SurveyNorwegian Geological SurveyNorwegian Geological Survey , abbr:NGU is a Norwegian government agency responsible for geologic mapping and research. The agency is located in Trondheim with an office in Tromsø, with about 225 employees...
- Norwegian Patent Office
- Norwegian Ship RegistersNorwegian Ship RegistersThe Norwegian Ship Registers, sometimes called NIS-NOR is a Norwegian government agency responsible for operating the Norwegian International Ship Register, the Norwegian Ship Register and the Norwegian Shipbuilding Register. The register is subordinate to the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and...
- Norwegian Space CentreNorwegian Space CentreThe Norwegian Space Centre is a Norwegian government agency that promotes space exploration.-Norsk Romsenter :...
Other agencies associated with the department:
- BEDIN
- Euro Info Centre
- Industrial Development Corporation of NorwayIndustrial Development Corporation of NorwayThe Industrial Development Corporation of Norway or SIVA is a Norwegian state enterprise responsible for government investment in incubators, science parks, industrial parks and real estate through partial ownership of 150 companies...
- Innovation NorwayInnovation NorwayInnovation Norway is a state-owned company started in 2004 that replaced four governmental organisations. These organisations were:* The Norwegian Tourist Board* The Norwegian Trade Council* The Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund...
- Master Craftsman Committee
- Norwegian Design CouncilNorwegian Design CouncilNorwegian Design Council is a Norwegian state-controlled foundation that encourages good design of Norwegian products as a key to improve innovation and the products international reputation and sales. Among the activities of the foundation is the award Merket for God Design and the Design Day...
- Norwegian Export Credit Agency
- The Research Council of NorwayThe Research Council of NorwayThe Research Council of Norway is a Norwegian government agency responsible for awarding grands for research as well as promoting research and science. It also advises the Government in matters related to research, and is subordinate the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research...
- Standards NorwayStandards NorwayStandards Norway is the main standards organization of Norway. It claims responsibility for all standardization areas except for electrotechnical and telecommunication issues. Standards Norway represents the country of Norway in CEN and ISO. Its headquarters are located at Lysaker....
Wholly owned limited companies
Aksjeselskap
Aksjeselskap is the Norwegian term for a stock-based company. It is usually abbreviated AS or A/S, especially when used in company names. An AS is always a limited company, i.e. the owners cannot be held liable for any debt beyond the stock capital...
:
- Argentum FondsinvesteringerArgentum FondsinvesteringerArgentum Fondsinvesteringer is a Norwegian government enterprise that participates as a minority owner of 22 private equity funds. The goal of the company is to stiumulate to create private equity investment groups in Norway, develop high research competence and to receive high return of capital...
- BaneTeleBaneTeleBaneTele is a Norwegian part state owned telecommunications company previously part of the Norwegian State Railways. The company provides stem fiberoptic cable network in Norway along the railway and power grid. The company has its headquarters in Oslo....
- BjørnøenBjørnøenBjørnøen AS is a Norwegian government enterprise that owns all land and some heritage buildings on the uninhabited overseas territory of Bjørnøya. The company is managed by Kings Bay AS, and does not have any employees...
- Electronic Chart CentreElectronic Chart CentreElectronic Chart Centre AS is Norwegian government enterprise created in 1999 to create and publish nautical charts for use by ships and boats. The company was originally part of Statens Kartverk The Electronic Chart Centre is based in Stavanger and has 15 employees...
- Entra EiendomEntra EiendomEntra Eiendom AS is a Norwegian government enterprise owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. The company manages 1,2 million m² of real estate, primarily in Norway's seven largest cities....
- FlytogetFlytogetis a Norwegian high-speed airport rail link connecting Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Oslo Central Station in nineteen minutes. Run by Flytoget AS , it operates on the high-speed Gardermoen Line using sixteen GMB Class 71 electric trains. Normal service frequency is once every ten minutes, with half...
- Innovation NorwayInnovation NorwayInnovation Norway is a state-owned company started in 2004 that replaced four governmental organisations. These organisations were:* The Norwegian Tourist Board* The Norwegian Trade Council* The Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund...
- Kings BayKings Bay ASKings Bay AS is a government enterprise owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry that operates the entire settlement of Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard. The settlement, the most northerly in the world serves research staff...
- MestaMesta ASMesta AS is a Norwegian government enterprise delivering services within construction and civil engineering of roads. The company was created in 2003 when the construction division of Statens Vegvesen was demerged to become a separate limited company that has to compete for each contract...
- Industrial Development Corporation of NorwayIndustrial Development Corporation of NorwayThe Industrial Development Corporation of Norway or SIVA is a Norwegian state enterprise responsible for government investment in incubators, science parks, industrial parks and real estate through partial ownership of 150 companies...
- StatkraftStatkraftStatkraft is a Norwegian state owned electricity company. With a total energy production of 44.9 TWh in 2007, the Statkraft Group is the third largest energy producer in the Nordic region, as well as the largest energy producer based on renewable energy sources in Europe,consisting of 40% of the...
- Venturefondet
- Store Norske Spitsbergen KulkompaniStore Norske Spitsbergen KulkompaniStore Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani , or simply Store Norske, is a Norwegian coal mining company based on the Svalbard archipelago. It was formed in 1916, after a Norwegian purchase of the American Arctic Coal Company ....
Partially owned public limited companies
Allmennaksjeselskap
Allmennaksjeselskap , or ASA, is the Norwegian term for a public limited company. "ASA" or "asa" is added to the company name of all Norwegian companies registered as Allmennaksjeselskap....
:
- TelenorTelenorTelenor Group is the incumbent telecommunications company in Norway, with headquarters located at Fornebu, close to Oslo. Today, Telenor Group is mostly an international wireless carrier with operations in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Asia, working predominantly under the Telenor brand...
(54,0%) - Kongsberg GruppenKongsberg GruppenKongsberg Gruppen is Norway's major defence contractor and maritime automation supplier, located in Kongsberg, a former mining town....
(50,0%) - NammoNammoNammo short for Nordic Ammunition Group is a Norwegian/Finnish military industry manufacturer of ammunition. The company has subsidiaries in Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and Canada. The company is owned 50/50 by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry and...
(50,0%) - Norsk HydroNorsk HydroNorsk Hydro ASA is a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, headquartered in Oslo. Hydro is the fourth largest integrated aluminium company worldwide. It has operations in some 40 countries around the world and is active on all continents. The Norwegian state holds a 43.8 percent...
(43,8%) - CermaqCermaqCermaq is a Norwegian fish farm and fish feed company. The company is owned 43.5% by the Government of Norway and is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange. The company has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway...
(43,5%) - Yara InternationalYara InternationalYara International ASA is a Norwegian-based chemical company. Its largest business area is the production of nitrogen fertilizer, however it also encompasses the production of dry ice, nitrates, ammonia, urea and other nitrogen-based chemicals....
(36,2%) - DnB NORDnB NORDNB ASA is Norway's largest financial services group with total combined assets of more than NOK 2.0 trillion and a market capitalisation NOK 102 billion as per December the 31st. The Group includes brands such as DNB, Vital, Nordlandsbanken, Cresco, Postbanken, DnB NORD and Carlson...
(34,0%) - Aker HoldingAker HoldingAker Holding is a holding company that owns 40.27% of Aker Solutions. It manages the ownership of four major owners in the company, through a common agreement to insure negative control over the company.Ownership:*Aker ASA...
(30.0%, and thus indirectly 12% of Aker KværnerAker KværnerAker Solutions ASA is a Norwegian multinational provider of services related to engineering, construction, maintenance, modification and operation of both large and small industrial facilities. The company, with roots back to 1841, has its headquarters in Oslo and is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange...
) - Eksportfinans (15,0%)
- SAS GroupSAS GroupScandinavian Airlines System Aktiebolag , trading as SAS Group and SAS AB, is a holding company based in Solna, Sweden. It is the parent company of the airlines Scandinavian Airlines, Blue1 and Widerøe, and the aviation services companies SAS Business Opportunities, SAS Cargo Group, SAS Ground...
(14,3%)
Officeholders
| Norwegian Ministers of Industry after 1945 | |
| Name | Party | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lars Evensen Lars Evensen Lars Samuel Myhrer Evensen was a Norwegian trade unionist and politician. He belonged to the Communist Party in the 1920s, but later joined the Labour Party. He was also deputy chairman of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
5 November 1945 | 19 November 1951 |
| Gustav Adolf Sjaastad Gustav Adolf Sjaastad Gustav Adolf Sjaastad was a Norwegian lawyer and politician for the Labour Party. He is known as Minister of Justice and Minister of Industry in the 1950s, and also as County Governor of Nord-Trøndelag.-Early life and career:... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
22 January 1955 | 9 April 1959 |
| Kjell Holler | Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
9 April 1959 | 4 July 1963 |
| Trygve Lie Trygve Lie Trygve Halvdan Lie was a Norwegian politician, labour leader, government official and author. He served as Norwegian Foreign minister during the critical years of the Norwegian government in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952 he was the first Secretary-General of the United... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
4 July 1963 | 28 August 1963 |
| Kaare Meland Kaare Meland Kaare Meland was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.He was born in Bergen.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hordaland in 1965, but was not re-elected in 1969. He had previously served in the position of deputy representative during the terms 1954–1957 and... |
Conservative Conservative Party of Norway The Conservative Party is a Norwegian political party. The current leader is Erna Solberg. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party in the late 1990s and 2000s... |
28 August 1963 | 25 September 1963 |
| Trygve Lie Trygve Lie Trygve Halvdan Lie was a Norwegian politician, labour leader, government official and author. He served as Norwegian Foreign minister during the critical years of the Norwegian government in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952 he was the first Secretary-General of the United... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
25 September 1963 | 20 January 1964 |
| Karl Trasti Karl Trasti Karl Trasti was a Norwegian civil servant and politician for the Labour Party.During the third cabinet Gerhardsen he was appointed state secretary to the Minister of Finance in 1955, a post he held one year... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
20 January 1964 | 12 October 1965 |
| Sverre Walter Rostoft Sverre Walter Rostoft Sverre Walter Rostoft was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.He was born in Glemmen.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Vest-Agder in 1954, lost his seat in 1958 but was later re-elected in 1965. In 1965, however, he was appointed Minister of Industry during the... |
Conservative Conservative Party of Norway The Conservative Party is a Norwegian political party. The current leader is Erna Solberg. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party in the late 1990s and 2000s... |
12 October 1965 | 17 March 1971 |
| Finn Lied Finn Lied Finn Lied is a Norwegian military researcher and politician for the Labour Party.By education he was a military officer, serving as captain in the army from 1944 to 1945, and civil engineer. From 1946 to 1956 he was a researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, and from 1957 to... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
17 March 1971 | 18 October 1972 |
| Ola Skjåk Bræk Ola Skjåk Bræk Ola Skjåk Bræk was a Norwegian banker and politician for the Liberal Party. He was Minister of Industry in 1972–1973.... |
Liberal | 18 October 1972 | 16 October 1973 |
| Ingvald Johan Ulveseth Ingvald Johan Ulveseth Ingvald Johan Ulveseth is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.In 1964, during the third cabinet Gerhardsen, he was appointed state secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Labour. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hordaland in 1965, and was re-elected on one occasion... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
16 October 1973 | 15 January 1976 |
| Bjartmar Alv Gjerde | Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
15 January 1976 | 11 January 1978 |
| Olav Haukvik Olav Haukvik Olav Haukvik was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was Minister of Industry 1978-1979.-References:... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
11 January 1978 | 8 October 1979 |
| Olav Haukvik Olav Haukvik Olav Haukvik was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was Minister of Industry 1978-1979.-References:... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
8 October 1979 | 4 February 1981 |
| Finn Kristensen Finn Kristensen Finn Kristensen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was Minister of Industry in 1981, 1986-1987 and 1988-1989, Minister of Petroleum and Energy 1990-1992, Minister of Industry again in 1992, and Minister of Industry and Trade in 1993.... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
4 February 1981 | 14 October 1981 |
| Jens-Halvard Bratz Jens-Halvard Bratz Jens-Halvard Bratz was a Norwegian businessman and politician for the Conservative Party. He was for many years director of the ironworks Grorud Jernvarefabrikk, and also served in the leadership of several organisations. He was among the people who initiated the Norwegian Glacier Museum... |
Conservative Conservative Party of Norway The Conservative Party is a Norwegian political party. The current leader is Erna Solberg. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party in the late 1990s and 2000s... |
14 October 1981 | 16 September 1983 |
| Jan Peder Syse | Conservative Conservative Party of Norway The Conservative Party is a Norwegian political party. The current leader is Erna Solberg. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party in the late 1990s and 2000s... |
16 September 1983 | 4 October 1985 |
| Petter Thomassen Petter Thomassen Petter Johan Thomassen was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.He was born in Salangen as a son of farmers Karl Thomassen and Johanna, née Grimstad . He finished his secondary education in Trondheim in 1960, and took the siv.øk. degree in Copenhagen in 1963... |
Conservative Conservative Party of Norway The Conservative Party is a Norwegian political party. The current leader is Erna Solberg. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party in the late 1990s and 2000s... |
4 October 1985 | 9 May 1986 |
| Finn Kristensen Finn Kristensen Finn Kristensen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was Minister of Industry in 1981, 1986-1987 and 1988-1989, Minister of Petroleum and Energy 1990-1992, Minister of Industry again in 1992, and Minister of Industry and Trade in 1993.... |
Labour Norwegian Labour Party The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway.... |
9 May 1986 | 31 December 1987 |