nordic co-operation programme for business and innovation policy 2018

20 Pages·2017·1.04 MB·English

NORDIC CO-OPERATION
PROGRAMME FOR
BUSINESS AND
INNOVATION POLICY
2018 –2021
Nordic Co-operation Programme for
Business and Innovation Policy 2018–2021
ANP 2018:702
ISBN 978-92-893-5382-3 (PRINT)
ISBN 978-92-893-5383-0 (PDF)
ISBN 978-92-893-5384-7 (EPUB)
http://dx.doi.org/10.6027/ANP2018-702
© Nordic Council of Ministers 2018
Layout: Mette Agger Tang
Cover Photo: Scanpix
Print: Rosendahls
Printed in Denmark

Nordic co-operation
Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of
regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,
Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.
Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, the economy,
and culture. It plays an important role in European and international
collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in
a strong Europe.
Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests
and principles in the global community. Shared Nordic values help the
region solidify its position as one of the world’s most innovative and
competitive.
Nordic Council of Ministers
Nordens Hus
Ved Stranden 18
DK-1061 Copenhagen K
www.norden.org
Download Nordic publications at www.norden.org/nordpub
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NORDIC CO-OPERATION
PROGRAMME FOR
BUSINESS AND
INNOVATION POLICY
2018 –2021
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CONTENTS

06 Foreword
08 Facing challenges together
10 Joint initiative
14 We want to promote Nordic interests in the EU
16 Implementation
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FOREWORD
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The Nordic countries have a long Today, each of the Nordic countries
tradition of co-operation. When we has many companies supplying many
leverage our combined strengths in-demand solutions; but globalisation,
we can exert a much greater global increased international competition,
influence, to the benefit of Nordic and the trend towards increased trade
businesses and residents – together protectionism place greater demands
we are stronger. on the ability of companies in the Nordic
Region to rapidly adapt and become
Many of the societal challenges that more innovative and efficient so as to
we face are shared with the rest of the ensure continued access to international
world. Climate change and increasing markets. New small and medium-sized
pressure on the world’s natural innovative companies need to grow
resources mean that we, along with rapidly across the Nordic Region in order
the rest of the world, must undergo a to evolve into new growth engines that
green transition if we are to continue to will provide a stable foundation for
have sustainable growth and a welfare increased growth and employment.
society that benefits both present and
future generations. Another challenge Together we can find better solutions,
we share is an estimated global but if we are to achieve this, then
population of nine billion by 2050. the authorities, businesses, and
This will result in increased demand, organisations will have to work together
increased pressure on resources, and and challenge each other. We must
a challenge to our welfare states. leverage the potential of Nordic co-
operation and focus on those areas
By the same token, these challenges where co-operation yields the greatest
present great opportunities for our value.
companies to offer their solutions
around the world. These opportunities On behalf of the Nordic Ministers for
are bolstered by the fact that many of Business
the world’s nations have committed to
reducing CO2 emissions by signing the
2015 Paris Agreement and supporting Monica Mæland
the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Minister of Trade and Industry
Goals (SDGs). Norway
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FACING
CHALLENGES
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In the Nordic Region we face a number start-up and growth of a company, or
of challenges to sustaining growth and the green transition.
employment across the region which we
must meet in order to continue to improve Because we all have small, open
welfare and cohesion. In this co-operation economies, our companies are especially
programme we describe the primary dependent on international markets,
challenges and areas for co-operation. global value chains, talent, knowledge,
We’re setting a clear direction for Nordic and so on. For this reason, the trend
co-operation on business policy, and we’re towards greater trade protectionism
supporting the vision of the Ministers for poses a challenge, as do the increasing
Nordic Co-operation that was adopted in strength of new growing markets – and
2014 – Together we are stronger – as well their subsequent influence on global
as the prime ministerial declaration of development – as well as market changes
2016 that the Nordic Region is to be the brought about by demographic and
most integrated region in the world. climate change.
Globalisation and technological We will therefore work together to:
development present companies with
both challenges and opportunities. These • preserve our ability to adapt quickly;
include digitalisation, automation, and • boost innovation and
new business models, as well as a more competitiveness; and
volatile and unpredictable economy. • improve global market opportunities.
Volatility and unpredictability require
our Nordic companies to be capable In order for the co-operation programme
of changing the way they run their to leverage its full potential, it integrates
businesses at short notice and adapting the Nordic Council of Ministers’ cross-
ever more rapidly to, for example, the cutting thematic areas of gender
green transition if they are to remain equality, sustainable development, and
competitive. children and young people. Together we
want to promote Nordic interests in the
As authorities, we too are challenged EU. We want to make an impact and
by such rapid changes to the basis of ensure commitment within the Nordic
corporate competitiveness. We too must countries. This is why we’re taking the
rapidly adapt to ensure that we support Nordic countries’ priorities and national
the competitiveness of our businesses as initiatives within business policy as
best we can. The Nordic authorities must our basis. Accordingly, the programme
therefore maintain a competitive starting will build on earlier successful Nordic
point that will ensure the inclusion of initiatives and the relevant UN 2030
companies in the Nordic Region in global SDGs. The co-operation programme
value chains as well as their ability to was adopted on 22 May 2017. It comes
hold their own against their international into effect on 1 January 2018 and runs
competitors in terms of innovation, the until 31 December 2021.
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