Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth met with her Canadian colleague Tim Hodgson from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Photo: NFD
Norway’s minister of trade and industry, Cecilie Myrseth, has called for stronger trade cooperation with Canada, highlighting the potential for deeper collaboration in a variety of sectors, including seafood and aquaculture.
Speaking during a visit to Toronto, where she met Canada's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, Myrseth said the two countries “are close to each other and have much in common.”
“In a time of increasing geopolitical unrest, it is important to strengthen trade policy cooperation,” Myrseth said. “Canada offers good opportunities for Norwegian companies, and Norway is also an attractive country for Canadian investments. Closer trade cooperation will be good for both countries.”
According to the Norwegian government, discussions with the Canadian officials focused on sectors where the two countries already maintain strong industrial links.
“Norwegian companies contribute to jobs and innovation in Canada. The cooperation is particularly strong in raw materials, aquaculture, energy and the maritime sector,” Myrseth said. “Canada's research institutions and start-up environments also create opportunities for Norwegian companies in areas such as space, defence and health.”
The talks also addressed plans to update the free trade agreement between Canada and the four members of the European Free Trade Association – Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The agreement, signed in 2008, mainly covers trade in industrial goods and seafood.
“Norway believes it is time to modernize and update the free trade agreement between the EFTA countries and Canada,” she said. “We believe the agreement should be expanded to also apply to trade in services, business establishment and public procurement, among other things.”
According to the Norwegian government, EFTA countries and Canada plan to meet during the first half of 2026 to continue negotiations on modernising the agreement. During her visit, Myrseth also met representatives from Norwegian and Canadian companies and took part in events linked to the PDAC conference.
