Norway's Telenor launches Indian mobile service

NEW DELHI — Norwegian telecom group Telenor launched a new mobile service Thursday in India's congested cellular market where over a dozen operators are in a tariff war for millions of new customers each month. "This is indeed a milestone in a longer journey to become a significant operator in India," said Stein-Erik Vellan, managing director of Unitech Wireless, the new mobile venture of Telenor and Indian property giant Unitech.  

Telenor, the world's sixth-largest mobile services provider, holds 49 percent of the cellular company, known as Uninor, but the stake is set to rise to 67.25 percent. The venture is part of a strategy by Telenor, which already has operations in such countries as Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand, to boost its revenues from Asia. The service was rolled out in seven of India's 22 cellular phone zones -- covering a potential 600 million customers -- and Uninor plans to launch in more zones next year. Uninor, using the slogan "My time is now" targeting India's burgeoning youth population, is aiming for an eight percent share of the Indian market by 2018. 

"This is a long term venture, not something we can do as a quick fix," said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, chief executive of Telenor Group. Telenor joined a clutch of other foreign companies which have teamed up with local partners to tap the Indian market including Britain's Vodafone, Japan's NTT DoCoMo and Russia's Sistema JSFC. Foreign ownership in Indian telecom companies is capped by the government at 74 percent. Foreign telecom firms have been coming to India in the hope of increasing revenue against a backdrop of sluggish domestic markets. India, a country of nearly 1.2 billion people, added 16.67 million new mobile phone connections in October, making it the world's fastest-growing cellular market. But a no-holds-barred price war has driven down billing rates to below a cent a minute, threatening revenues and profits of Indian telecom heavyweights such as market leaders Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications. 

Telenorr, the second-largest foreign telecom operator in Asia after Vodafone, said it will steer clear of new per-second billing plans offered by rivals. It will aim to offer more attractive deals for customers who talk longer. Telenor and Unitech, India's second-largest real estate company, teamed up last year to launch the company. 

"This is the fastest rollout we have ever done in this group," said Baksaas. The company has begun service in southern India, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and the eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand. India now has 14 cellular operators, T.R. Dua, director general of the Cellular Operators' Association of India, said, warning that the market has too many players. "The industry cannot support this many operators. Consolidation is the only way forward," he told AFP. Telenor's launch is expected to be followed by several others including that of the United Arab Emirates' Etisalat. Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j3Q_Xrl6Lq5fL5aLOhX-fJdnF-kw

Food and Drinks Specialists in Norway - Aarkstore Enterprise

Retail databooks are based on key market value data for eight major product sectors, 16 core retail distribution channels and 62 countries. This profile focuses on food and drinks specialists in Norway and provides data on channel size. It also offers information on main product groups sold through the channel, and includes growth forecasts up to 2012. Scope *An overview of total retail value in this country segmented by retail channel *The value of sales through this key retail channel from 2002 to 2007 and forecasts to 2012 *Channel value segmented by the major product groups sold through it Highlights The food and drinks specialists format in Norway increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5% between 2002 and 2007. Food and grocery product sales accounted for a 92.8% share of the food and drinks specialists format in 2007. Reasons to Purchase *Discover which retail channels have been growing and declining in popularity within this country *Understand the value of major product groups sold through this channel *Uncover the future direction of the retail channel with reliable historical data and full five year forecasting Source: prminds.com/

Cisco extends deadline for bid on Norway company

OSLO — Cisco Systems today extended the acceptance period for its $3.4 billion bid for Norway's Tandberg ASA by two days, after failing to secure enough support for the offer within the original timeframe. Cisco increased its bid for Tandberg — the world's largest provider of videoconferencing equipment for business users  on Nov. 16 to 170 kroner ($30.23) per share from its initial offer of 153.5 kroner and set the offer period to end today. That bid will now expire on Thursday. Cisco said it will announce whether it has obtained the 90 percent of Tandberg stock required to close the deal "soon after" the extended offer period ends. 

Whenn tendering the new bid, Cisco said 40 percent of Tandberg's shareholders backed the new offer, including the largest minority shareholders  Folketrygdfondet, Norway's domestic pension fund, and OppenheimerFunds. However, it has yet to announce it has secured 50 percent of the stock, an announcement it has to make under Norwegian law. The original bid of about $3 billion was approved by the Norwegian company's board but attracted less than 10 percent of Tandberg shareholders. Tandberg shares held steady today, closing at 161.5 kroner ($28.72) in Oslo before the extension was announced. Cisco shares rose 2.2 percent to $23.92 in early afternoon trading. San Jose-based Cisco, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, has been focusing on the high end of the videoconferencing market, selling so-called "TelePresence" systems with multiple plasma screens that present life-size images of the participants to provide the illusion of face-to-face communication. With Tandberg, Cisco would get the leading maker of video systems ranging from small "videophones" to full conference-room setups. The deal would also let the company spend some of the cash that has been piling up in its overseas subsidiaries. By buying an international company, Cisco would avoid the U.S. taxes it would have to pay to bring the money home. Source: mercurynews.com/

Sons of Norway

The Sons of Norway Elvedal Lodge December gathering will celebrate a Scandinavian Christmas at Dec. 12 at Hotel Mead. Julefest will begin at 4 p.m. with cocktails followed by a 5 p.m. dinner featuring Torsk (poached cod), roast loin of pork, mashed potatoes, vegetables, tossed salad, cucumber and dill salad, cole slaw, herring, rolls, beverage, lefse and bread pudding with brandy sauce. The program is the Lincoln High School Chamber Orchestra led by Ginger Martin followed by the Santa Lucia processional with Miss Wisconsin Rapids Lindsay Lobner and youth club as attendants. Reservations are necessary. Cost is $22 for non-members, $19 members, and $8.25 for children ages 3 to 11. Call Carol Bender, 424-5074, by Sunday. Vietnam Veterans In December, Vietnam Veterans of America again will collect nonperishable goods such as canned fruits, meats and vegetables. We will also donate $100 to the food pantry. 

You can also drop off items at Don Schillinger's, house, 850 14th St. S., before Thursday. In November, we donated $200 to VA Hospital at King and the PTSD unit at Tomah VA hospital. The color guard will participate in the Nekoosa Christmas parade and Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony on Monday at the VFW in Wisconsin Rapids. The chapter thanked all the veterans for their participation in this year Veterans Day activities. Our next meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday at The BAR. 

For additional information on the Vietnam Veterans of America, call Gary at 325-6881. Business & Professional Women Wisconsin Rapids Business & Professional Women will meet Thursday at Hotel Mead. The meeting begins promptly at 6 p.m. and ends at or before 8 p.m. December's meeting will feature a holiday gift exchange among members. Fellowship and a great meal will be top priority. The meeting is open to any working woman in the area. Dinner is $12 and non-member attendees need to call Deb at 424-1892 (leave a message) by noon Monday to reserve a place. Items for club news are limited to 150 or fewer words. Source: wisconsinrapidstribune.com/

About Norway

In May 2010, Norway will be the proud host of the Eurovision Song Contest. Having hosted Europe's favourite TV-show twice before, in 1986 and 1996, and the Olympic Winter Games in 1994, NRK has the expertise to organise a wonderful show for the whole of Europe! The basics Norway is one of the Nordic countries with a population of 4,660,539 happy people. It is bordered by the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea in the West, Russia, Finland and Sweden in the East, and the Skagerrak (an arm of the North Sea) in the south. Most of the country consists of mountains and plateaus. Forests are found almost as far north as Nordkapp (the North Cape). Summers are remarkably mild for the latitude, while winters are long and very cold, often with plenty of snow. History A number of small Norwegian communities were gradually organised into larger regions in the 9th century, and around the year 900 King Harald Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre) unified the realm and became its first supreme ruler. In the Middle Ages Vikings from Norway settled in England, France, Ireland and Iceland. Norway and Denmark subsequently formed one kingdom from 1380 to 1814 when, in the wake of the Napoleonic wars, Norway was united with Sweden, adopting a modern constitution in the process. I 1905 Norway and Sweden went their separate ways peacefully and Norway has been independent since. Modern Norway Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The monarchy holds a strong position in Norway, and the present monarch, King Harald V, enjoys great popularity. The country is of great socio-economic equality with a high standard of living and a homogeneous population. Apart from Oslo and adjacent suburbs, there are no metropolitan cities in Norway. Norwegians usually live in small communities with well developed road, air and ferry communication. Did you know? The sea along the coast is rich in natural resources like oil and fish; Norwegian per capita income ranks among the world's highest; Norway is now the world's leading producer of salmon; North of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set between the middle of May and end of July; conversely the sun does not rise between the middle of November and the end of January; More than 30 stave churches are well preserved and open to the public at the original cite of building, or at the folk museums in Oslo and Lillehammer: Norway if very known for its beautiful fjords; Skiing originated in Norway. Words like ski and slalom are Norwegian. Ski jumping and slalom competition started in the county of Telemark. The 1994 Olympic Winter Games were held in Lillehammer; NRK hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2004; According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Norwegians read more than any other population in the world, spending an average of 500 kroner a year per capita on books! Famous Norwegian people include the playwriter Henrik Ibsen, the composer Edvard Grieg and the band A-ha whose leadman Morten Harket was the host of the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest; Norway has rejected joining the European Union twice, in referendums in 1972 and 1994. Source: eurovision.tv/

Norway's Bokko ready for breakout win

Havard Bokko has endured many second-place finishes during his career, but the Norwegian is ready to prove that he can be an Olympic gold medalist. "I'm the perpetual number two," he said during a recent World Cup stop in his home country. Bokko has historically found himself second-best to Sven Kramer and Shani Davis. Can he reverse his result? HAMAR, Norway -- Havard Bokko is tired of winning silver. "I'm the perpetual number two," he said, laughing. A review of the results from championship events in 2009 reveals the many silver medals that Havard is talking about. They include the 5000m and 10,000m at the Allround World Championships, the World Single Distance Championships and the European Championships. Since his success at the 2006 Junior World Speed Skating Championships when he won the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m, Bokko has been relegated to silver status on the global stage, mostly behind two golden skaters: the American Shani Davis and the Dutchman Sven Kramer. "Shani skates very good corners, and he has a very high top speed," Bokko said during an interview at a recent World Cup stop in Hamar, Norway. "He's almost alone at that top speed. I consider myself a fast skater, but I haven't yet gotten to that level. And Sven has developed so dominantly now that he's difficult to overcome in all regards. I have my work ahead of me." That work continues this weekend with a World Cup competition in Calgary, Canada. At the 2009 World Cup opener in Berlin in early November, Bokko found himself in familiar silver territory. He finished second to both Kramer in the 5000m and Davis in the 1500m. Bokko is quick to laugh it off. "I'm bored of hearing those anthems on the podium," he said. "I need to hear the Norwegian anthem up there more." Norway boasts a proud speed skating history. Speed skating is second only to the cross-country skiing in the country's Olympic medal wins, with 79 to 87 for skiing. Bokko is well aware of the regal status placed on star speed skaters in Norway, and he knows that many of his fellow Norwegians would like to see him push beyond being the "perpetual number two." Still, he considers the upside of the situation. "Always getting silver actually helps keep me focused," he said. "It motivates me. I know what the next step up is that I have to take. I know where the barriers are that I need to break. I'm only 22. I think I have another 15 good years skating ahead of me. I'm only beginning." Bokko started competing in speed skating in 1994 at age seven during an illustrious year for the sport in Norway. Fellow Norwegian Johann Olav Koss broke three world records as he won three gold medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. Bokko chose to focus on skating instead of skiing in part because of his memories of watching Koss during those Olympics. Koss began coaching Bokko and the Norwegian team last week along with head coach Jarle Pedersen after former head coach Peter Mueller was fired following remarks he made to a female Norwegian skater that Norway's skating federation considered to be inappropriate. Bokko would not comment on the matter. Bokko grew up in rural Hol, Norway, "the type of town where we would skate after school on Mondays and Thursdays, and ski on Wednesdays and Fridays," he says. He still has his first pair of skates and plans to keep them. They remind him of his first successes in skating, when he was best in his age class from seven to twelve years of age. "I could see that other guys in my class were stronger in different ways, and training for speed skating was my way of challenging myself to catch up with them," he recalled. Bokko needed to play catch up a bit earlier this season. Before the second World Cup weekend of this season in Hamar in late November, Bokko missed a week of training after he fell ill with the H1N1 virus. He earned only one podium finish in Hamar, a third place in the 1500m. Bokko shrugged off the disappointment in Hamar and now looks forward to the next World Cup competitions in Calgary (Dec. 4-6) and Salt Lake City (Dec. 11-13) as stepping stones to the Vancouver Games. "The World Cup is great, but this season is a different season," he said calmly. "My focus now isn't on the World Cup. My focus is on the Olympics in Vancouver. Calgary and Salt Lake will be events along the way for me, but I am preparing myself mentally and physically now for the Olympics." Bokko's sense of calm evokes praise from some of his competitors, which include Enrico Fabris, who won gold in the 1500m and team pursuit at the 2006 Torino Olympics. "Physically, he's good in all distances," Fabris said. "But what I really admire about him is how calm and rested he appears. I think his 'no pressure' approach will take him further." Bokko's senior career is not without triumph. He did win the 1500m at the 2009 World Allround Championships and he won a World Cup 10,000m race in December 2007. Source: universalsports.com/

Norway - Foreign Minister Støre underlines importance of a new WTO Agreement

Concluding the Doha Round must be given top priority,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre in Norway’s main statement at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva today. The objective of the Conference is to review the status of the existing multilateral framework for international trade, and to discuss the global economic situation. A large number of countries, including Tanzania, which spoke on behalf of the least developed countries, advocated the conclusion of the Doha Round, as did Norway. Prior to the Conference, a group of 110 developing countries had agreed on the importance of a rapid conclusion of the Doha Round on the basis of the draft agreement of 2008. 

“I made it clear that Norway is prepared to go the last mile, provided we can find satisfactory solutions for Norwegian agriculture. And I am confident that we will do so,” said Mr Støre. In his statement, Mr Støre also emphasised the importance of bringing the next generation of issues onto the WTO agenda, once the Doha Round has been concluded. “It is important that workers’ rights are included in the WTO discussions, and that coherence between what is done in the WTO and what is done at the ILO is ensured. Climate change issues also need to be dealt with. But this will not be possible before the Doha Round has been successfully concluded,” Mr Støre added. Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk also took part in the Ministerial Conference, and in addition the Norwegian delegation included members of the Storting and representatives of civil society Source: isria.com/

Norway positive to new US strategy for Afghanistan

Norway is positive to the new US strategy for Afghanistan, which will mean sending a further 30,000 US troops, as outlined in President Barack Obama's speech, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “A stronger and broader US involvement in order to ensure development and stability in Afghanistan is important, and this gives direction to the international efforts that Norway is supporting, the Norwegian Foreign Minister commented. The strategy means that the US will send a further 30 000 troops to Afghanistan, in addition to significantly increasing its civilian efforts. 

In his speech, President Obama underlined that the Afghan authorities must gradually take over responsibility for development and security in the country, and that the US involvement is not open-ended. “The overall objective of the US strategy is to enable the Afghan people to govern and further develop their country. This requires the continued presence and active involvement of the international community, both in civilian and military terms. The intensified US efforts will be important for implementing the mandate the UN Security Council has been given for Afghanistan” Mr Støre commented. 

“The course that President Obama is now staking out is the result of a thorough process. Norway values the close consultations between the US and its allies and other ISAF partners. The strategy highlights the need to implement measures that can help strengthen the ability and capacity of the Afghan authorities to fulfil their own responsibilities, both with regard to security and development,” Mr Støre said. “We are pleased that the US intends to place greater emphasis on protecting the civilian population and on civilian capacity-building. It is capacity-building of this kind that can pave the way for a gradual scaling down of the international military presence in the country. 

This is an approach that we have also prioritised in Norway’s efforts in Afghanistan,” The Norwegian Foreign Minister said. "Close cooperation and coordination between the international community and the Afghan authorities will be required. In supporting an Afghan government, it is important to keep in mind that the effect of international efforts, both civilian and military, depends on the quality of this government. We must therefore expect the Afghan Government to initiate resolute reforms and demonstrate an ability to implement these. 

This includes delivering measurable results in combating corruption and countering drug production. I note that President Obama is expressing clear expectations of this kind of the Afghan Government, and that he opens the way for reconsidering assistance to the country in the light of Afghan performance,” the Foreign Minister said. “For its part, the international community must become far better at coordinating its civilian efforts, and at aligning aid and assistance with Afghan priorities. We agree with President Obama on the significance of close cooperation between the UN, other international partners and the Afghan people in order to pursue a more effective civilian strategy. 

A high-priority task in the weeks ahead will be to strengthen coordination mechanisms and ensure that international expertise is made available in the appropriate manner,” Mr Støre commented. Norway’s considerable civilian and military involvement in Afghanistan will be continued. In the period 2008–2012, Norway will annually provide NOK 750 million in assistance. Norway has 515 troops in Afghanistan and is prepared to maintain its current level of participation in ISAF.(NRK/Press release)Rolleiv Solholm Source: norwaypost.no/

Letter: Elves might visit Sons of Norway Julefest

Christmas will soon be here again and along with this season is the annual Sons of Norway Julefest. This year's Julefest dinner and program will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Hotel Mead. 

Our program this year is Ginger Martin with her Lincoln High School Chamber Orchestra. This will be followed by the beautiful and solemn Santa Lucia processional. Dressed in a gown of white with a crown of candles, Santa Lucia is followed by her attendants who sing about light and hope returning. We may also have a visit from a Norwegian NISSE. "Nisser" are elves (or gnomes). 

There are several types of "nisser" in Norway. The most known is the "Fjøsnisse" which is a "nisse" who takes care of the animals on the farms. The "Fjøsnisse" is very short and often bearded and lives in a barn or a stable. He wears clothes of wool and often has a red, knitted hat. The "Fjøsnisse" often plays tricks on people. Sometimes he will scare people by blowing out the lights in the barn or he will scare the farm dog at night. He can become very friendly with the people who live on the farm, but one should never forget to give him a large portion of porridge on Christmas Eve -- or else he will play tricks on your family. 

Off course there is also a Christmas nisse (julenissen), which, in most homes, is more or less identical to Santa Claus. The "Julenisse" hand delivers presents to all the nice children on Christmas Eve, unlike our Santa who secretly comes down the chimney! Reservations must be made by Dec. 7. Call Carol Bender at 715-424-5074. Source: wisconsinrapidstribune.com/

New Norway power plant uses salt to make electricity

TOFTE, Norway — Norway unveiled the world's first osmotic power plant on Tuesday, harnessing the energy-unleashing encounter of freshwater and seawater to make clean electricity. "While salt might not save the world alone, we believe osmotic power will be an important part of the global energy portfolio," the head of state-owned power group Statkraft, Baard Mikkelsen, told reporters. Statkraft, which claims to be the biggest renewable energy company in Europe, is running the osmotic power plant prototype in a former chlorine factory on the banks of the Oslo fjord, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the Norwegian capital. Osmotic energy is based on the widespread natural phenomenon of osmosis, which allows trees to drink through their leaves and plays on the different concentration levels of liquids. When freshwater and seawater meet on either side of a membrane -- a thin layer that retains salt but lets water pass -- freshwater is drawn towards the seawater side. The flow puts pressure on the seawater side, and that pressure can be used to drive a turbine, producing electricity. 

Thee point of osmotic power is "to use power not against nature but with nature," summed up Sverre Gotaas, in charge of innovation and growth at Statkraft. Contrary to other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, osmotic power produces a stable electricity flow regardless of weather conditions. Osmosis has been used by industry to desalinate seawater, but Statskraft's prototype at Tofte marks the first time it has been used to produce energy. Inaugurated Tuesday by Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the plant will for now produce just enough electricity to power a coffee-maker. But it could prove to be a great potential clean, environmentally friendly power source. "It has very, very limited environmental consequences. 

It's only positive and it can be used in many places," Frederic Hauge of environmental organisation Bellona told AFP, adding the development of osmotic power was "very exciting". Because they produce energy from the encounter of freshwater and seawater, osmotic power plants could be installed almost anywhere where rivers flow into the ocean. "Even countries that do not have oil, coal or mountains will be able to produce their own energy," Rasmus Hansson, the head of the World Wildlife Fund in Norway told AFP. "It is very nice when industry imitates nature," he added, lauding the decision by Statkraft and various Norwegian organisations to invest around 150 million kroner (17.9 million euros, 26.8 million dollars) of their own money in a "revolutionary technology." According to advocates of the technology, an osmotic energy plant could be constructed near a water source, with an office building or shopping centre built on top. "We could imagine a plant in the basement of a shopping centre, instead of a parking garage," Gotaas said. The worldwide potential of osmotic energy is estimated at 1,700 terrawatt hours (TWh) per year, equivalent to half of the European Union's energy production. But before osmotic energy can be profitable, a more energy-efficient membrane will need to be developed -- a process that is being keenly watched by NASA which could use the technology for its space stations. The most efficient membranes currently produce three watts per square metre, while a commercially viable one must produce five watts. "This is possible, we believe in these figures," Gotaas said. Statkraft hopes to start building the first commercial osmotic power plant, which would have a 25 megawatt capacity, enough to provide about 10,000 households with electricity, in 2015. Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i75rDBtv8u5BRFShNijTpvIEXLPQ

Norway searches for gingerbread town vandals

Bergen’s traditional Christmas decoration – a gingerbread village – has been crushed, literally, by vandals who covered the crumbled ruins with paint and foam from a fire extinguisher. Local police have appealed to the public to help them sniff out any cookie-scented criminals after the 650-house town was toppled inside its massive tent in the city centre. 

“The people who did this must be full of gingerbread dust, they will smell a long way,” said police inspector Erik Sveaas. Norway News reports that residents of the picturesque North Sea city were shocked by the doughy destruction, with the efforts of hundreds of children who decorate the gingerbread, reduced to rubble. However, the festive exhibit will open sometime next week after running repairs to the tiny township according to Steinar Kristoffersen from the Bergen Sentrum, the foundation that runs “the world’s largest and greatest gingerbread town”. 

Kristoffersen lamented the actions of the vandals but added that the local community were rallying around the confectionary crisis. “We are rebuilding the whole landscape and are receiving a lot of gingerbread houses. Many want to lend a hand,” he told reporters. The biscuit breakers had faced calls for public pillory in an online campaign in which some sought retribution for the loutish display. In an attempt to quell rising public sentiment, local Bishop Halvor Nordhaug attempted to calm protestors through the local media. “We must not lynch anyone over a few gingerbread houses,” the Bishop stated. Source: icenews.is

Struggle ahead for Norway offshore fleet

OSLO) Norway's offshore shipping will struggle over the next two years because of a lack of financing and project delays, according to Elisabeth Grieg, president of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association.



Line management: Oil producers such as Statoil ASA, Norway's largest, have cut investments and delayed projects after crude prices plunged last year
The industry has 'started to feel the crisis much more now than maybe they did this spring', Ms Grieg, 50, said. 'The outlook for the offshore industry is more uncertain for 2010 and 2011.'

Norway has the world's second-largest offshore fleet with 465 vessels that service oil and gas platforms at home, in Brazil, West Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and Australia. The industry represents about 55 per cent of the association's more than 160 members, which also includes owners of oil tankers, bulk transport and containerships for cross-ocean routes.

Oil producers such as Statoil ASA, Norway's largest, have cut investments and delayed projects after crude prices plunged last year. Industry spending may fall 8.5 per cent to 118 billion kroner (S$29.2 billion) next year and decline 11 per cent in 2011, according to the Norwegian Oil Industry Association. Brent crude, which rose to more than US$147 a barrel in July 2008, traded at US$79.35 a barrel as at 7am in London.

'We see that 40 per cent of the order book along the coast hasn't been financed yet,' Ms Grieg said, referring to offshore ships at Norwegian yards. 'There are no newbuilding projects at Norwegian shipyards after 2011 and, of course, with the volatile oil price, fewer projects have been started.'

About 10,000 people work in the Norwegian shipyard industry and many more in supporting businesses. Norway, the world's sixth-largest oil exporter and second-largest gas exporter, relies on the petroleum industry for about 25 per cent of its economic output. The country's oil production has been in decline since 2001 as fields in the North Sea age.

Members of the association include Seadrill Ltd, the offshore driller founded by billionaire John Fredriksen, Subsea 7 Inc and Wilh Wilhelmsen ASA, a Norwegian investor in vehicle shipping companies. Ms Grieg, part of the fourth generation at the family controlled Grieg Group, is the first female president in the association's 100-year history.

The group's other big constituency, transcontinental carriers, may start seeing a recovery next year, Ms Grieg said. The industry will be helped by demand for raw materials such as iron ore, coal and soyabeans from China and India as well more willingness to lend by banks, she said.

The Baltic Dry Index, a measure of shipping costs for commodities, has jumped more than fivefold since the start of the year, after plunging 91 per cent in 2008. The index tracking costs on international routes shed 87 points, or 2.2 per cent, to 3,887 points on Nov 30, according to the Baltic Exchange.

'I guess we'll see more of a soft landing for 2010 than we had anticipated just a few months ago,' said Ms Grieg. About 90 per cent of the world's trade is transported by ship, of which 5 per cent is controlled by Norwegian vessels.

China's manufacturing grew last month at the fastest pace in five years, a survey yesterday showed, helping Asia to lead the recovery from the global economic slump.

The industry may also be helped as the number of new ships coming on the market is less than anticipated. Shipowners have cancelled new ships or asked for delays as shrinking global trade and lower rates caused losses. -- Bloomberg


Source: businesstimes.com.sg

CATHEDRAL, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD Confirmed For Norway's HOLE IN THE SKY - Dec. 4, 2009

CATHEDRAL, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and DEAD CONGREGATION have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Hole In The Sky festival (a.k.a. Bergen Metal Fest XI), set to take place August 25-28 in Bergen, Norway. Tickets go on sale today (Friday, December 4). A limited number of four-day passes will only be available until December 24. Hole in the Sky was founded in memory of Erik "Grim" Brødreskift (IMMORTAL, GORGOROTH, BORKNAGAR). Source: roadrunnerrecords.com/

Cisco raises price to buy Norway's Tandberg

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cisco Systems Inc. on Monday raised its cash offer for Norwegian videoconferencing company Tandberg ASA to about 3.4 billion U.S. dollars. Cisco announced that it is now offering to purchase all the outstanding shares of Tandberg for 170 Norwegian Kroner per share, which is said to be the networking giant's "final price" for the transaction. 

Accordingg to Cisco, the acceptance period is also extended to Dec. 1 this year. Cisco will "withdraw the offer and evaluate alternative ways to expand our activities in the video communications market" if it doesn't achieve the desired level of acceptances representing 90 percent shares, the company said in a statement. On Oct. 1, Cisco initially offered to buy Tandberg for 153.5 Norwegian Kroner per share or about 3 billion dollars in total. The deal was backed by Tandberg's board but has received opposition from some minority shareholders who said the offer price is too low. As a result of the revised offer, the transaction has already gathered acceptances representing more than 40 percent of Tandberg's outstanding shares, Cisco said. 

Tandbergg, a market share leader in the videoconferencing industry, has more than 1,500 employees worldwide with dual headquarters in Norway's Oslo and New York, the United States. Source: xinhuanet.com/

A1 represent Norway at Eurovision?

Reunited boyband A1 are bidding to represent Norway in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The Brit award-winning pop act are favourites to represent Norway, who host this year's show after Alexander Rybak's Fairytale stormed to victory earlier this year. 

A11 have always had a Nordic connection through band member Christian Ingebrigtsen who was born in the Norweigan capital Oslo. The boys acheived chart success in 2000 with two No 1s Take On Me and Same Old Brand New You. 

Theyy announced their comeback last month with the launch of their latest single Take You Home. The band will take part in the Melodi Grand Prix in February 2010, the national finals to the Eurovision Song Contest, where they will find out if their bid for Euro glory was successful. Sourc: virginmedia.com/