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Background of the Friendship Cooperation Initiative 'Norway-Hubei Week'
Telemark Province by Mrs. Mayor Gunn Marit Helgesen signed a friendship agreement with Hubei Province in 2006.
Friendship Province Agreement leaflet (pdf)
Within this short time, there have been several reciprocal visits, and Telemark and Hubei have established a good relationship.
Pre-study 'To Hubei with Telemark County'
As a solid base for the friendship agreement, Province Mayor Mrs. Gunn Marit Helgesen has conducted a pre-study that investigated which sectors and companies would be interested in utilizing the friendship agreement and with which measures best to continue the development of the collaboration.
Together with the Advisory Board, the following target areas were chosen:
- Environment and Energy
- New Materials
- Shipping and Construction
- Health including Bio-technology
- Trade
Business Marketing Survey
Telemark Province conducted a market survey to support Norwegian initiatives, which was completed in May 2006.
Business Marketing Survey (pdf)
The survey presents facts and figures about Hubei imports and exports and introduces the main sections covered in the survey. The section that covers new materials also includes several Chinese institutions outside of Hubei. The trade section covers ceramics, clothing, garden furniture, gardening tools, glass crusher, health & beauty, recycling and software products.
Another survey focused on industry in Telemark Province, as well as some industry in the provinces of Vestfold and Buskerud. There are approx. 110 companies within the target sectors in these provinces. These companies were invited to join a half day seminar held in Telemark Province which focused on business opportunities in China and which provided an insight into Chinese negotiation styles. Many of the companies were interested in the seminar topic and expressed their wish to learn more about business opportunities in Hubei. More than 70 people attended this seminar.
Norway-Hubei Week Friendship Cooperation Initiative
In order to promote Norway and Telemark in Hubei, Telemark Province Mayor Mrs. Gunn Marit Helgesen wished to arrange a Norway-Hubei Week in China. Telemark Province will host this week in cooperation with Hubei Province.
The event will provide more information and knowledge about Norway. It will also highlight the cooperation Telemark Province already has established with Hubei Province.
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