A major market is opening up – what opportunities does this create for your business?

The new Free Trade Agreement between EFTA and MERCOSUR will enter into force between Norway and Brazil on 1 November. The agreement has already entered into force with Uruguay, and Argentina and Paraguay are expected to follow soon. The agreement will make it easier to trade, invest and do business. For Norwegian companies, improved market access, fewer trade barriers and more predictable business conditions could open the door to new customers, partners and investment opportunities.

The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), The Embassy of Brazil in Oslo and the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) are pleased to invite you to join the MERCOSUR–EFTA Free Trade Agreement business conference.

Program

8:30 – 9:00 Registration and welcome coffee

Practical information by moderator International Director Petter Tollefsen, NHO

9:00 Welcome and opening remarks

Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO Yara, President of NHO

Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, President and CEO, Statkraft

H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide 

Antonio Ricardo Alvarez Alban, President of the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI)

Ambassador Rodrigo Santos, Embassy of Brazil in Oslo

Ambassador Claudio Alberto Giacomino, Embassy of Argentina in Oslo

Panel 1 – From entry into force to implementation

Understanding the MERCOSUR–EFTA Free Trade Agreement and its implications for business

The panel will present the principal provisions of the Agreement and discuss how the new framework will affect market access, customs procedures, rules of origin, trade in goods and services, investment and bilateral economic relations.

Mr. Henrik Weisser, Chief Negotiator for Norway on the Mercosur-EFTA FTA

Mr. André Perfeito, partner, Garantia Capital 

Norwegian business representative 

Moderator: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nils Martin Gunneng  

Panel 2 - From Agreement to Opportunity: Where Is the Business Potential?

The panel will examine concrete opportunities arising from the Agreement, with particular attention to energy and decarbonisation,  specialised industrial services, sustainable agriculture and higher-value-added food products. 

Team Norway, Innovation Norway, Director Eva Camerer

André Armin Odebrecht, vice-president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (FIESC)

Rodrigo Santiago, vice-president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN)

Aloysio Nunes, Head of Strategic Affairs, at Apex European office in Brussels

Moderator: Petter Tollefsen, Director International Department, NHO

Coffee Break

Panel 3 - Norway–MERCOSUR: Building the Next Generation of Business Partnership

A high-level discussion bringing together business leaders and government representatives from Norway and the MERCOSUR countries to explore new opportunities for trade, investment and industrial cooperation. The panel will discuss how to strengthen business relations, develop new partnerships and make the most of the opportunities created by the Free Trade Agreement.

Mr. José Velloso Dias Cardoso, President of the Brazilian Association of the Machines and Equipment Industry (ABIMAQ)

Mr Jairo Souza, Country Manager, WEG Scandinavia

Anri Havard Hebib, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Corvus Energy

Norwegian panelists – business representatives, name and title tbc

Moderator: Petter Tollefsen, Director International Department, NHO

Closing remarks: From Agreement to Action

H.E. Ministry of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth (tbc)

Director Petter Tollefsen NHO, Ambassador Rodrigo Santos, Embassy of Brazil in Oslo, Antonio Ricardo Alvarez Alban, President of the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) 

12:45 Sectorial lunch - roundtables in smaller conference rooms

Standing lunch with business roundtables in smaller conference rooms

Networking lunch for participating authorities, business representatives and institutional partners, organized in parallel sectoral rooms intended to connect Brazilian and Norwegian companies and institutions in the following areas:

• Energy and industrial clusters
• Food industry
• Industrial machines and equipment

14:30 End of program