Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries Research Cooperation - Chile and Norway Svein Ludvigsen, Norwegian Minister of Fisheries

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Norway – background Norway is a small country with an open economy High cost country Research and development are amongst the main sources of innovation and long term growth in Norway Important for Norway to stay in touch with the international knowledge frontier

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Key issues in this presentation 1.Norwegian policy for international research cooperation 2.The Norwegian research and innovation system 3.Opportunities for research cooperation between Chile and Norway © Photo: Hydro and Norwegian Seafood Export Council

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Norwegian policy for international research cooperation 99 % of global knowledge and technology is developed outside Norway Norwegian policy to increase international research cooperation Since Norway is a small country with limited research resources, “we can`t beat them all” in every area and discipline The governments White Paper on research has put priority to certain focal areas © Photo: Statoil

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Marine research © Photo: Per Eide, Norwegian Seafood Export Council

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future together with basic research, research on health, petroleum, energy and climate, as well as biotechnology, ICT and material sciences ….. is one of the priority areas

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future The Norwegian research system The Norwegian research system can be divided into three levels: –The political level - The Parliament and the Government define framework conditions and outline the main goals and priorities for research policies. At the political level, research is organized according to the so-called "sector principle“, implying delegation of responsibility to each ministry involved. –The strategic level - The Research Council of Norway has a unique position as a strategic research advisor to the government as well as handling budgets from 16 Ministries. Approximately one-third of the public funding for research is channelled through this institution. –The performing levels - we find industrial companies, research institutes, universities and colleges. Approximately 40% of the public research funding is channelled directly to the universities and colleges.

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Second we divide research into: Basic research Strategic research Industry driven research Possibilities for research cooperation between Chile and Norway in all this areas

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Status research cooperation Chile and Norway We have good cooperation in some areas Let me highlight the cooperation between NLH (the Norwegian agricultural College) and Chilean academy. Today 15 Chilean master students in aquaculture and food technology study at NLH.

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Successful international research cooperation Complementary scientific excellence is the prime base in successful international research cooperation Important that the research is “userdriven” i.e. (university, institute or firms) All parties involved must feel that “there is something in it for us” This implies a win – win situation and genuine motivation for research cooperation between all parties involved Otherwise we end up with agreements on research cooperation without real substance

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Our model to international partnership innovation:

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Future common research interest for Chile and Norway Few countries farm cold water fish and the global knowledge in this field is limited compared to agricultural livestock’s; poultry etc. As leading countries for farming cold water fish, Chile and Norway have common interest in developing the generic knowledge base for this industry. Therefore - I believe that both Chilean and Norwegian actors in the salmon business will benefit from more active cooperation on strategic research in areas where we have common interests One example – together we can conduct research that verifies and promotes salmon as healthy and user-friendly food, and thereby expands our common markets

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future This will result in a win – win situation for both parties as: Higher demand will promote higher prices or/and more volumes – Benefit actors in both countries It gives possibilities to strengthen existing research platforms of excellence in both country – Norway has high quality research institutions working upstreams – Chile is good at R&D based industry development and marketing

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Some will say – Chile and Norway will benefit more from competition in all areas I personally do not think so !  The customer in the US in general does not distinguish between Norwegian or Chilean salmon. News about human health effects of salmon from Norway is equivalent to news about human health effects of salmon from Chile

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries The Riches of the Sea - Norway`s Future Conclusion Few countries in the world farm cold water fish and there is a limited knowledge base available compared to the agriculture sector Thus we would gain from cooperation Both countries will benefit from more research cooperation in areas where we have common interest The research cooperation must be user initiated And research cooperation must be based on a win- win situation, were the prime base is complementary scientific excellence