Solberg came to receive input from a number of business representatives at MHWirth’s facility at Dvergsnes. Each representative was given three minutes to present a message for the Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Anniken Hauglie.
CEO Anne-Grete Ellingsen at GCE NODE mentioned these issues for Solberg.
Develop a plan for plug and abandonment
It is estimated that 3,000 wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf are to be plugged permanently. We call for the Government to develop a plan for when P&A should be done, and encourage the development of new technology and methods for reducing costs of this procedure.
Encourage increased extraction of mature fields
22 new projects could be initiated on the NCS, provided minor adjustments in the regulatory framework. These fields can be linked to existing infrastructure. It is critical to make use of these resources before the infrastructure around them is removed or taken out of service.
Mechatronics Innovation Lab
The national pilot test lab in Grimstad is scheduled to open in 2017. So far, the lab has received MNOK 40 million from the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries. An additional MNOK 60 is required.
Funds for restructuring
The Government has allocated MNOK 100 for restructuring in the Southern and Western part of Norway. Most of these funds are allocated to grants for entrepreneurs. In 2015, Innovation Norway granted uncontested funds for restructuring to clusters in Kongsberg, Raufoss and Halden. This region has not yet received any kind of support like this.
“Industry Futurum” – the digitized workplace
Digitalization and robotics are important for maintaining production in Norway and Agder. We expect to see a national strategy for this, supported by adequate measures, when Industrimeldingen is submitted to Parliament this fall.
Unemployment benefits while establishing a business
We call for simpler regulations, and we look forward to the announced extension of unemployment benefits (to 12 months) to take effect.
Building competence
It is important to remove any regulations that restrict the possibility and motivation of an unemployed or laid-off person to build competence.
