Over a number of years, Norway has been a relatively significant initiator of and financial contributor to many of the World Bank Group’s programs and projects requiring expertise in research and technology, as well as education, particularly in the context of the WBG’s many Trust Funds. By convening these annual workshop dialogues with the WBG, the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C., through its Forum for Research & Technology, wishes to further pursue the following objectives having guided the first successful dialogue in May, 2003:
to provide better information to relevant Norwegian individuals, institutes and research and consultant companies about the WBG’s lending instruments, how the WBG interacts with governments and with the research community
to provide updated information about the WBG’s policies and activities regarding procurement and tenders
to present and discuss relevant business opportunities for the Norwegian participants
to offer better information to relevant departments/sections/desks in the WBG and relevant Norwegian research and technology expertise as well as educational competence which might play an enhanced future role in a variety of pertinent WBG activities
to promote better mutual understanding and familiarity between relevant stakeholders in Norway and within the WBG.