“In 2015, Norwegian development aid amounted to NOK 34.5 billion. This represents an increase of approximately NOK 2.4 billion on the previous year. Aid in 2015 corresponded to 1.05 per cent of Norway’s gross national income (GNI). In 2014, Norway gave NOK 32.1 billion in development aid, equivalent to one per cent of GNI.
Altogether 109 countries received Norwegian development aid in 2015, seven fewer than in 2014.”
“On Thursday October 13, 38 speakers and around 400 African and Nordic business delegates and participants, including more than 20 ambassadors from African and Nordic countries discussed how best to invest in the rapidly growing cities in Africa. For the sixth consecutive year, The Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA) hosted the leading Nordic-African business summit in Oslo.”
“Sustainable energy is a key priority for the EIB in Africa, where 57% of the population remains without access to electricity, which in turn hinders the continent’s economic development and prevents it from reaching its potential. As it is, the energy sector in Africa is characterised by inefficiency, and below-cost pricing limits necessary investment. There is enormous unexploited potential for renewable energy, however, and almost a quarter of EIB operations in sub-Saharan Africa and over a third in North Africa have supported this sector. The Bank offers finance and technical assistance for projects which help meet the need for accessible and efficient power generation, with a focus on renewable energy and regional integration, all of which will enable Africa to develop its economy.”
The 6th annual NABA Summit – Nordic-African Business Summit – is taking place at the Radisson BLU Scandinavia Hotel in Oslo, Norway, Thursday the 13th of October 2016.
“Norway today signed a contribution of NOK40 million (about US$4.8 million) to a new phase of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF)’s Managing Natural Resource Wealth Fund. Mr. Jon Lomøy, Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Ms. Carla Grasso, IMF Deputy Managing Director, signed the letter of understanding in Washington today.”
“In the Norwegian State Budget for 2016 the Government proposes to strengthen Innovation Norway’s Environmental Technology Program with 134 million to 465 million next year. – This is an important signal, and strengthens our work with the necessary shift faced by Norwegian industry, says Inger Solberg, director of Sustainability in Innovation Norway.”
“Nopef’s credit committee has approved financing totaling EUR 232,000 for seven new projects. If long-term operations are set-up in the project countries, total investments will exceed EUR 4.1 million. The feasibility studies concern investments in projects to be carried out in China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Ukraine and the US.”
“The silent giant of the EU’s economy, the European Investment Bank, needs to be less secretive, more accountable and firmer about corruption.
If trust in a common European future is to be rebuilt, the perceived democratic gap between citizens and institutions has to be tackled. Yet the growing debate over the governance and accountability of EU institutions often leaves one central actor out: the European Investment Bank (EIB).”
“WASHINGTON, September 27, 2016— Executive Directors of the World Bank today agreed unanimously to reappoint Dr. Jim Yong Kim to a second five-year term as President of the World Bank Group, beginning July 1, 2017.
Executive Directors cited the achievements of Bank Group staff and management during Dr. Kim’s first four years in office, and recognized his leadership and vision. Chairs acknowledged several accomplishments the institution has achieved during this time with strong Board support.”
