31-01-2024 14:04
During the period of October 3rd to October 6th, 2023, a team of key experts from Project No. DFPO-1.007 "Implementation of Innovative Combined Measures to Support Innovation and Technological Development and Promote the Internationalization of Bulgarian SMEs through Exchange of Knowledge and Experience between Norway and Bulgaria" conducted its first working visit to Oslo, the Kingdom of Norway.
On the first day of the visit, the Bulgarian team was warmly welcomed at the headquarters of their project partner, namely Innovation Norway. The working visit began with a welcome from Ms. Elizabeth Meyer, Director of the Tourism and Special Operations Division on behalf of Mr. Haakon Haugli, CEO of the Agency. Ms. Meyer presented the activities of Innovation Norway and the main directions and mechanisms through which support is provided to businesses. Ms. Marte Tobro, Director of Strategies and Policy Implementation, provided detailed information to the SME team regarding the strategies and policies implemented by Innovation Norway. In the afternoon of the same day, Mr. Espen Varland, Special Advisor on European Programs and "Horizon Europe," presented European programs and projects for supporting and financing enterprises in the Kingdom, executed by Innovation Norway, with particular attention paid to "Horizon Europe." The first day of the working visit concluded with discussions on future plans for bilateral cooperation within the current Project. Ms. Ranveig Gimse, Director for Romania and Bulgaria, together with Ms. Venetslava Yanchovska, Manager of the Innovation Norway office in Bulgaria, presented Norwegian mechanisms and Norway's participation in the European Economic Area. In the evening, the Bulgarian delegation held an informal meeting with H.E. Ms. Desislava Ivanova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Norway.
On October 5th, 2023, Ms. Tonya Nelson, Director of International Trade Regulations, briefed the SME team on specialized measures for exports and internationalization applied by Innovation Norway to promote Norwegian companies. Subsequently, Mr. Geir Hansen, Director of Financing, disclosed the financial mechanisms used by the institution to support not only small and medium-sized enterprises but also startups and well-established firms in the market. In the afternoon, the Bulgarian delegation was received by Innovation Norway's main partner in the country, namely the Research Council of Norway. Ms. Alexandra Haugstad, Special Advisor in the International Department of the Council, presented to the Project Team the schemes through which funding is allocated for research projects of Norwegian and foreign institutions.
Today, on October 6th, 2023, the SME team will hold meetings with Ms. Siri Rosberg, Portfolio Director in the Commercialization and Growth Department, regarding startups and entrepreneurship, as well as with Mr. Tom Miskin, Leader for Oslo Innovation Week and Nordics, who will acquaint the Project participants with the peculiarities of the business district in Oslo and innovative enterprises in the Kingdom.