The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) allows other WTO member countries to ask questions of the country under review. Norway received close to 300 written comments and specific questions from other WTO countries. Replies to these questions were provided in writing. Both questions and answers can be read here.
Certain topics generated particularly strong interest. These include issues such as state ownership in the Norwegian business sector, agricultural policy, the EEA Agreement as well as the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP scheme) and market access to Norway for developing countries.
The same applies to Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global and its role, as well as to regulations governing work permits and the approval of qualifications and education.
Norway’s trade policy is examined every four years on the basis of a report prepared by the WTO Secretariat on developments in all policy areas of relevance to trade and investment flows. Almost all the Norwegian ministries have provided input to the report. The Norwegian authorities have also prepared a shorter report on selected topics related to trade policy.
The review was concluded at a meeting in Geneva on 9–11 October. Norway’s opening statement to the trade policy review meeting is available here.
All the documents related to the review will be published on the WTO website in due course.