Enhanced cooperation between Norway and the South of France

Norwegian companies are keen to expand their presence in the French market and the South of France is proving to be an ideal option as the two territories share many of the same advantages and concerns regarding carbon neutrality, the energy transition, and industrial ecology.

These shared values made it a natural decision for a delegation from the Scandinavian country to visit the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region as part of the Global Growth economic cooperation program organized by Team Norway France.

Between April 9 and 11, the risingSUD team welcomed 25 Norwegian companies and economic stakeholders involved in decarbonizing shipbuilding and maritime passenger transport.

Accompanied by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in France, Innovation Norway, and the Franco-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, the delegation visited the South of France's emblematic industrial sites, ports, and shipyards. In total, the Norwegian visitors participated in more than 200 business appointments and took part in some 50 pitches thanks to the mobilization of nearly 40 local partners and companies.

A partnership agreement between the Pôle Mer Méditerranée blue economy hub in the South of France and the Maritime CleanTech cluster in Norway was also finalized to strengthen cooperation on decarbonizing the maritime and port sector. The agreement was signed in the presence of Anne CLAUDIUS-PETIT, Regional Councillor representing Renaud MUSELIER, President of the Region Sud and Deputy President of Régions de France; Ole DENSTAD, First Secretary to His Excellency Niels ENGELSCHIØN, Norwegian Ambassador to France; Åsa AGDESTEIN, Honorary Consul of Norway in Marseille; and Svein ERIK INDBJO, Deputy Mayor of the Rogaland county in Norway.

The outlook for the economic relationship between the two territories is already very promising and a delegation from the South of France is due to visit Norway in 2025 to continue discussions.

risingSUD contacts: Nathalie OHAYON, International Project Manager for Renewable Energies & the Blue Economy & Anaïs MARQUIS, International Project Manager for Trade for Europe and Latin America