Continued Growth In Foreign Investment In Norway

18 Jan 2013

At the end of 2011, the stock of foreign direct investment in Norway amounted to NOK 1 068 billion, which was an increase of 6 per cent from the year before, Statistics Norway (SSB) reports.

Norwegian foreign direct investment abroad amounted to NOK 1 169 billion; an increase of 8.7 per cent.

SSB says in a press release that equity capital made up 56 per cent of the foreign direct investment in Norway compared with 87 per cent of Norwegian foreign direct investment abroad. The remainder of the investment consisted of other kinds of capital, mainly inter-company loans. An increase in equity capital was the largest contributor to the growth in the stock of direct investment in Norway, while increased loans were most important for direct investment abroad.

Equity capital made up 56 per cent of the foreign direct investment in Norway compared with 87 per cent of Norwegian foreign direct investment abroad. The remainder of the investment consisted of other kinds of capital, mainly inter-company loans. An increase in equity capital was the largest contributor to the growth in the stock of direct investment in Norway, while increased loans were most important for direct investment abroad.

The geographical breakdown shows that the foreign direct investment is dominated by the EU countries. Sixty-three per cent of the investment in Norway originated from these countries, with Sweden on top with a share of 16 per cent. However, the Netherlands was the country with the largest increase in investments in Norway, increasing by more than 27 per cent in 2011.

With regard to Norwegian direct investment abroad, the EU countries counted for more than 65 per cent of the total. Once again Sweden was one of the most important countries, with a share of 12 per cent, but the country on top was the Netherlands, receiving 15 per cent of total direct investment abroad from Norway, which equalled an increase of 90 per cent.

The oil business is still the most important activity for direct investment both in Norway and abroad, with shares of the total of 28 and 27 per cent respectively. The manufacturing industry is also important on both sides. Financial intermediation was the next most important industry for inward direct investment.

Source: http://www.norwaypost.no/index.php/news/latest-news/27988-continued-growth-in-foreign-investment-in-norway