UAE seeks cooperation with Norway in energy and technology: Al Mansouri

Abu Dhabi: Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, yesterday stated that the UAE, as part of its quest to move towards a knowledge-based economy, was interested in building constructive relations of cooperation with Norway in areas of energy and technology. Al Mansouri made his remarks during a meeting with the visiting Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Trond Giske, discussing prospects of bilateral cooperation in various sectors including trade, economy and investment. The minister said there were a need for increasing two-way trade exchange, which stood at US$ 277 million in 2011, a figure he considered as under expectations of the huge potential in the two countries. Al Mansouri noted that the UAE views North Europe as having ideal promise for broader economic partnership, noting that direct flights between Dubai and Stockholm were boding well for joint cooperation. The minister said that the UAE welcomes investors and businessmen from Norway and is ready to provide them with every assistance they need to do business. For his part, the Norwegian minister said his country's future ties with the UAE was promising, given the joint strong will and availability of business opportunities. He noted that the UAE has a strategic vision, which could make an unprecedented leap in development and growth in various fields. He invited Al Mansouri to visit Norway to explore opportunities for joint cooperation. According to Ministry of Economy figures, Norway has 17 registered trade companies, 38 trade agencies and 244 trademarks in the UAE. – Emirates News Agency, WAM