Overseas Business Risk – Norway

Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Norway.

Norway is a safe country in which to live and visit and provides a risk free business environment. However, like any other comparable western country, crime occurs especially in the major towns. Sensible precautions should be taken when frequenting quiet streets and pathways late at night, it is advisable to be in company with others. In crowded situations take special care of money and valuables and use bank and credit cards carefully. Most cafés and restaurants will bring bank terminals to your table for secure payment. Check that mini-bank terminals have no unusual elements added before using them.

More information on political risk, including political demonstrations is available in FCO Travel Advice

Human Rights

Norway remains in 2013 at the top of the UN list of best countries in the world in which to live. Living standards are high, the economy robust and unemployment low.

In 1999, the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, adopted a specific Human Rights Act which states that the European convention on human rights and the two UN conventions from 1966 shall be part of Norwegian law. Where the human rights conventions conflict with other sections of Norwegian law, human rights shall take precedence.

Nonetheless there is no room for complacency and in Norway as elsewhere respecting the rights of children and adults who may be especially vulnerable because of race, sexual preference, gender, age or illness may be a challenge. The task of making sure that international standards with respect to human rights are upheld, and especially for these groups, is given to Norwegian local authorities. The standard of care provided in homes for the elderly, centres for asylum seekers, childcare and other care centres is also monitored by a variety of independent authorities in the form of ombudsmen.

In business Norway aspires to play a leading role in upholding the principles of human rights. Supporting projects in South America, Asia and Africa to maintain ecological systems with sustainable farming and forestry are examples of how Norway is helping to protect the rights of indigenous peoples. Working with fair-trade initiatives, enforcing fishing quotas on her fishing fleets to maintain fish stocks and refusing to invest in suspect funds and business projects are other examples of the high standard that Norway aspires to.

In 2003 Norway passed a law which stated that 40% of company board members shall be women. Today Norway leads the world in ensuring that women have equal rights in the business world and it is unthinkable that women should be paid less than men for the same job or be discriminated against in any way because of their gender. Similarly Norway aspires to giving equal rights in the workplace to everyone regardless of gender, handicap, race or sexual preference.

Bribery and Corruption

Bribery is illegal. It is an offence for British nationals or someone who is ordinarily resident in the UK, a body incorporated in the UK or a Scottish partnership, to bribe anywhere in the world.

In addition, a commercial organisation carrying on a business in the UK can be liable for the conduct of a person who is neither a UK national or resident in the UK or a body incorporated or formed in the UK. In this case it does not matter whether the acts or omissions which form part of the offence take place in the UK or elsewhere.

According to the Transparency International’s corruption perception index (CPI).

Norway ranked 7th in 2012. It is therefore unlikely that companies will be faced with requests for bribes when doing business in Norway.

One point worth noting is that Norway is the location of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).This organisation works for good governance and transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries, and the countries benefiting from them.

Furthermore the focus of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is as prominent in Norway as in the UK. Norwegian industry, particularly within the oil and gas sector sometimes operates in challenging political environments. This has resulted in CSR moving high on the Authorities’ agenda. In 2009 a White Paper on CSR was ratified by Parliament. Report No. 10 the first of its kind in the world.

Crossing the line discusses the ethics of corporate gifts. When do these become bribes? Practice has changed considerably in the past year or two and it is now much less acceptable for Norwegian businesses to give gifts to trading partners and associates.

Visit the Business Anti-Corruption portal page providing advice and guidance about corruption and some basic effective procedures you can establish to protect your company from them.

Read the information provided on our Bribery and corruption page.

Terrorism Threat

Read the information provided on our Terrorism threat page

Protective Security Advice

The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure also provides protective security advice to businesses

Norway is a modern, safe country to visit. However, like any other destination, street crime does happen and care should be taken to protect belongings from pick-pockets and thieves. Care should always be taken when using bank terminals and cash points. Credit and bank cards should be protected when using pin codes. Likewise it is wise not to hand over bank cards to restaurant and café staff. Bank terminals are usually brought to the customer’s table

Read the information provided on our Protective security advice page

Intellectual Property

Read the information provided on our Intellectual Property page.

Organised Crime

Read the information provided on our Organised crime page.

More information is available on overseas business risk in a range of markets.

UK Trade & Investment Contact:

[email protected]

Countries: Norway
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