The Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa hosted a Team Norway meeting on the 6th of December 2018 where several Norwegian companies and non-governmental organizations participated. Team Norway meeting is a platform for exchanging information bringing together all Norwegian businesses and business instruments operating in Ethiopia.
Ambassador Merete Lundemo welcomed participants and chaired the meeting. Participants were informed on the general focus of the Embassy in 2019 and relevant changes and additions of Norwegian government’s strategies and priorities including the newly launched digital strategy for Norwegian development policy.
Security updates and the overall changes and structural reforms in the political economy of Ethiopia were also discussed. All companies that participated on the meeting gave a brief introduction and status update of their activities in Ethiopia. While the changes taking place in Ethiopia are greatly appreciated, critical challenges still remain for doing business in Ethiopia. These include the forex scarcity, the hassle of getting and renewing work permits including the long and tedious process of document authentication/naturalization. There are over 20 Norwegian companies operating in Ethiopia in various forms and sectors including mining, recycling, health, agribusiness, and trade in horticulture, agricultural products, and textile.
Team Norway is a network-based collaboration between various public and private actors who work for Norwegian-based business internationally. The purpose of the cooperation is to contribute to increased value creation in the Norwegian economy through information exchange, coordination and coordinated efforts and initiatives. Norwegian businesses operating in Ethiopia or Norwegian citizens with a local businesses in Ethiopia are encouraged to contact the Embassy by sending an email to emb.addisabeba@mfa.no.
Business promotion is a top priority for the Norwegian Embassy and the type of support given to Norwegian businesses are listed on this page – Bistand til norsk næringsliv. [https://www.norway.no/en/ethiopia/for-nordmenn/bistand-og-tjenester-for-norsk-naringsliv/]
Information on the actors that are in Team Norway can be accessed on Aktørene i Team Norway. [https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/naringsliv/internasjonalt-naringssamarbeid-og-eksport/team-norway/aktorene-i-team-norway/id2344754/]
All Norwegians coming and traveling within the country are advised to refer to the travel advice on Ethiopia-reiseinformasjon, which is continuously updated. [https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/utenrikssaker/reiseinformasjon/velg-land/reiseinfo_etiopia/id2414712/]
Norwegians traveling to Ethiopia should also make sure to register themselves and the duration of their stay on Reiseregistrering.No. [https://www.reiseregistrering.no/]
Read more about Team Norway here. https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/naringsliv/internasjonalt-naringssamarbeid-og-eksport/team-norway/om-team-norway/id2344659/