A new evaluation of Norwegian private sector tools hails the success of the Norwegian risk capital fund Norfund and its role in establishing SN Power. However, it fails to address the lack of a scheme for financing infrastructure in Africa, where Norwegian publicly-owned companies do not necessarily have an ownership interest.

A ‘Swedish NOREPS’ to help firms into post-disaster market

Swedish businesses are not well placed to compete for contracts in Haiti. Their strength is a “systems approach" with an emphasis on high quality, while UN agencies tend to procure in “bits and pieces" based on the lowest price. To give them a fighting chance in the post-disaster market, consultant Lars Klöfver proposes the creation of a preparedness network along the lines of NOREPS.

Norfund prepares for investments in Burma

In its new strategy, Norfund aims to increase its assets to NOK 9 billion in the coming years. Agro-business will be a new priority sector, and the fund will explore investment possibilities in Burma, preparing for a time when it becomes politically acceptable to operate in the country.

Exit from SN Power approaches, could generate billions for Norfund

In 2003, Norfund and Statkraft established SN Power for investment in hydropower in developing countries. The firm has become a huge commercial success, and that presents a problem for Norfund.