Norwegian women entrepreneurs on India visit

NEW DELHI: A delegation of Norwegian women entrepreneurs is visiting India from Monday to identify potential investment opportunities and network with their India counterparts, particularly in the SME sector.

The 12-member group is here to identify opportunities in areas like oil and gas, energy and power, IT services, textile, handmade products and tourism.

"The pilot project is aimed at making contacts and creating ideas for business by way of one-on-one meetings and interactions," Leader of the Norwegian Delegation Anne Lise Rognlidalen said at a Ficci meeting.

He said establishment of Indian companies in Norway is increasing specifically in IT services and pharmaceuticals and India will be the most important partner as it is the fastest growing democratic country with high degree of entrepreneurship."

The Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma welcomed the Norwegian women and informed them of the opportunities in the country.

"I invite Norwegian companies to participate actively in the vast infrastructure boom that is now unfolding itself in India. They may also consider investing in shipping, telecommunications, services sector, energy sector, chemicals, food processing, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, metallurgical industries and knowledge-base industries," Sharma said.

The delegation will also visit Mumbai and Chennai.

According to a latest estimate, 66 per cent of the women in Norway are working as against 73 per cent men. Of these, 22 per cent are hold top management positions in private sector and 27 per cent are in the middle management while 41 per cent are the board members in publicly-owned companies.