OSLO REGION

ByJon-Gunnar Aasen

Information consultant

The Oslo region

• The Osloregion consists of the capital of Norway, Oslo, and the surrounding area of Akershus County.

• Population: 990 000 (+ 55 000 students)• Growth in work force: 69 000 new jobs since 1996• Growth in population: 46 000 since 1996• Unemployment: 2,1%• 50% of the total resources related to R&D (manpower and financial

resources)• Innovation rate among businesses located in the region: Norwegian

average level (which is far below OECD average) - NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

In order to promote, co-ordinate and market business development and increased contact between R&D and business in the region: Establishment of a regionaldevelopment unit: Oslo Business Region (OBR).

The vision for the Oslo region:

“The Oslo region shall become one of the most innovative regions in Europe within 2010” March 27 th.2001

• The vision is stated by authorities, R&D and Business• The vision is also our vision (OBR)

Develop areas/clusters where capabilities and possibilities already exist: • Biotechnology (sea food, health care etc.)• Information and communication technologies (mobile Internet,

satellite communication etc.)• Energy (oil/gas, new renewable energy sources, offshore,

hydropower)• Maritime (shipping, transportation)• Revitalising other business sectors (transportation/logistics,

printing, tourism and other culture related areas)

Reaching the vision?

Regional development

Areas of interest:

• Knowledge foundation - what is it all about?• Regional innovation - how does it happen?• Regional ”competition” - our challenge!• Regional clusters - how to promote it?• Urban development - where does it happen?• Regional governance - how to manage it!International co-operation and networking - learning and getting inspiration!