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international

the local community there gets the support they
need when they make their municipalities and
beautiful areas available to so many tourists. We
have to ensure that the local communities get
something back. That’s why we work to establish
what is known in many parts of the world as a
visit-contribution for Norway.

Are you going to introduce a visitor’s allowance
as found in the U.S., for example?
It’s something that exists in most places in
Europe. We’re working on it now, but it’s not yet
finalized. But I believe that we need to make it
possible for municipalities to get something in
return for the services they are rendering to the
tourists.

Norway is known for being very expensive.
How are you going to change this image?
Is it an image? There are more and more tourists
coming to Norway, and now the Norwegian
krone exchange rate has made it less expensive.
We’re now seeing an increase in tourism, we’re
getting more restaurants that are recognised
around the world with Michelin stars, and we
have chefs who are doing very well in the most
important international arenas, so that’s another
advantage.

The most important thing for Norway is not to
get as many people as possible to come to our
beautiful country, but that those tourists who
do come get a high-quality product. Norway is
a safe, stable country, and this year we’re having business community will recognize in the future,
a beautiful summer - you can now wear shorts not least when it comes to seafood products and
for several days in northern Norway. Oslo has the seafood industry. That we have zero tariffs on
become a city like most big cities in Europe, seafood is absolutely fantastic, and it opens up a
where you can take part in many different new big market for Norwegian industry. We’re
activities. You can even swim right from the now working to realize the opportunities that
centre. Being in the capital in summer is nice. lie there. I look forward to trying Norwegian
You don’t have to go far out in Europe when you seafood with indian spices. There are great
can have a big city, swimming and midnight sun things to come for Norway in India.
in Norway.
Leaving Ms Myrseth to her other engagements,
You also signed a trade agreement with India we wish her lots of success in her endeavors. She
not so long ago. What do you expect to come is promoting Norway in a very positive manner,
out of that agreement? and it’s reassuring to see that despite recent
I’m very happy that we have concluded the political turmoil there are clever and committed
agreement with India. A lot of people worked persons in the Støre government.
on this, not least in the EFTA community. My
predecessor, Jan Christian Vestre, personally
Fete des sciencested to getting this agreement in place.
contribu
I’m very proud of that, and it’s something that
Norwegian companies and the Norwegian

Library in Geneva
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