Espen Rikter-Svendsen, Consul General of Norway in Guangzhou, gives a speech at the conference

Chen Xiaochun

654789759@qq.com

Norway, as the biggest market for electric vehicles in Europe, welcomes electric car companies from Shenzhen and other parts of China, a Norwegian Chinese investment conference in Shenzhen was told Thursday.

Per Stensland, manager of Invest in Norway, said: “China is leading the industry in electric cars. But to stay in the lead, you have to be in a market like Norway because it is a very mature market in the field of electric cars.”

“If you can produce electric cars that can run long miles without charging or if you have the technology that can make charging time shorter, come and test the market in Norway,” he said, adding that the country is building charging stations for every 50 km on all the main roads.

The forum was attended by key players from the public and private sectors in Norway’s finance and offshore industries including Innovation Norway, Invest in Norway, DNB, Oslo Stock Exchange and Statoil.

Espen Rikter-Svendsen, consul general of Norway in Guangzhou, stressed that Shenzhen is the ideal place for the investment conference as it is the most dynamic city in China, home to the fastest-growing companies and also headquarters to many of the most dynamic companies in China.

Norway is the second-largest investment destination for Chinese investors in Europe, surpassed only by Britain, and in 2015, Chinese investors invested in hotels, ICT, renewable energy and consumer product businesses in Norway.

Chinese and Norwegian companies have sought cooperation in the maritime sector.

In China, the maritime industry was highlighted in the 13th Five-Year Plan. Ocean engineering equipment and high-end vessels have been listed as one of the 10 key sectors of the 10-year national plan “Made in China 2025.”

Norway has always been strong in oceanic industries. Almost 90 percent of its export revenues come from sea-based economic activities and resources.

“Deep cooperation with Norway in the oceanic industry may accelerate our development in this industry,” said Gao Shang, Offshore Division head at China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd.