Local business incentives
| Foreign investments do not benefit from particular conditions. On the other hand, Norway is divided into 5 areas, and some of them grant tax deductions. To find out about the nature and details of these advantages, companies can contact the Innovation Norway.
|
Legal forms of companies
| Form |
Number of partners/shareholders |
Minimum and/or maximum capital |
Liability |
Registration fee |
Release of financial documents |
|
Aksjeselkap (AS) is similar to a Private Limited Company
|
No minimum.
|
NOK 100,000
|
Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
|
About NOK 4,545
|
No
|
|
Allmennaksjeloven (ASA) is similar to Public Limited Company
|
No minimum.
|
NOK 1 million
|
Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
|
About NOK 2,000
|
Yes, if it is quoted on the stock exchange.
|
|
Kommandittselskap (K/S) is a limited partnership.
|
No minimum.
|
No minimum capital.
|
Liability is unlimited for some partners and limited for others.
|
About NOK 2,000
|
Yes, if it is quoted on the stock exchange.
|
|
Ansvarling selskap (ANS) is a general partnership.
|
No minimum.
|
No minimum capital.
|
Liability is unlimited.
|
About NOK 2,000
|
Yes, if it is quoted on the stock exchange.
|
|
Selvstendig naeringsdrivende firma is a sole proprietorship.
|
Only 1 person.
|
No minimum capital.
|
Liability is unlimited.
|
About NOK 2,000
|
No
|
Registration and licensing procedures
New businesses must register with the Register of companies in Bronnoysund.
|
Legal framework
Norway is very open to foreign investment although there are no fiscal incentives to attract foreign investments. The economic activity's regulation in Norway has been adapted to the EU's since January 1994. The legislation does not contain discriminatory dispositions between EU's companies and national companies wishing to start a business in Norway.
The Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund (SND) has been active since January 1st of 1993 and its mission is to promote socio-economic development through different funding modes.
|
Foreign exchange control
Free conversion of the Norwegian krone is carried out. In other words, it can be freely bought and sold by residents and foreigners with no exchanges limitation.
As for profits and capital repatriation, the investors are not subject to any limitation. However, the Bank of Norway (Norges Bank) needs to be notified.
|
Regulations concerning equity investment
A majority holding interest in the capital of a Norwegian company is legal, except in certain sectors: air and sea transports.
|
FDI inflows in Norway
| FDI inflows (millions US$) |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
World rank |
| Foreign Direct Investments (F.D.I.) |
677
|
3801
|
2159
|
38
/ 196 |
| Sources : UNCTAD Database FDI/TNC |
Export Entreprises SA ©, All rights reserved
Last modified in
December 2003
|
|
|
