Internship report

by Natalia A. Nerobova
Fredrikstad municipality
11 – 30 September 2005

12th of September, Monday

Having got an acquaintance and held excursion around Sarpsborg city.

General information about County House and County Østfold presented by
Special Advisor, Mr. Terje Flesjø: “ Eye through internet website of Østfold
County”.

“Following up the parliament election in Norway”. Visit to the polling station at

the Town Hall of Sarpsborg. Assisted the election procedure, opened how
process of parliament election is carried on in Norway.

Received the information about geographical position, neighbourhood counties

and some other facts about Østfold: population, territory, most important
industries, the way of life of Østfold inhabitants, neighbour municipalities and
its place in the framework of EU countries cooperation (Sweden, Denmark).

Having got some facts about County Authority’s main tasks (dental health,
further education in schools and business, upper secondary schools)and
responsibilities.
Regional political tasks as:
-cultural initiatives
- environmental protection
- transport and communication
- business development
- county planning

13th of September, Tuesday

Having got the information about how the public sector politically is organized
in Norway by Mr. E.Ch. Olsen.

Information about:
- Main tasks for the County Governor
- Municipality modernization programme
- “on going” reform about decreasing the number of municipalities in
Norway
The main information about Educational system in Norway fallowed by
evaluation discussion.

Political structure:
- state level
- political and administrative structure of the County Council

Visit to Moss city. Meeting arranged with Østfold governor (fylkesmann) Mrs.
Anne Enger Lahnstein.

Meeting with director of the State House social wealth department, Mr. Nils Egil
Monstad.
Having got the information about State House organizational structure:
- Governor – Deputy governor – Staff personnel (organizational control
department)
- 5 directorates: health, agriculture & environment (making green block),
education & social care (making red block)

Some facts about County’s Governor activities:

- acting on behalf of ministries
- coordinating authority
- acting as a guardian of civic rights
- connecting link between central government administration and county
municipalities
- chief representative of King and Government in County
- implement the decisions of Storting and central government
- implement health policies
- responsible on the field of education, etc.

14th of September, Wednesday

Information about how the public sector, concerning the administration, is

organized in Norway (cont.) by Mr. E.Ch.Olsen.
- administrative structure of the County Council (cont.):
- chief county executive and his responsibilities
- communication and service staff
- corporate staff
- planning and development staff
- authoritative administrative staff
- office of the auditor
- joint service administration
Having got the general information about the International section of the County
Council administration by Mr. Dag Eriksen
- staff: 6 persons- different tasks
- since 1996 – work with EU section – common programmes, funding,
projects, etc.
- challenge: from 1996 – how to organize the work, business, legislation
base for mutual cooperation with countries - EU members
- importance of EA agreement signed by Norway and EU due to keep
working and coordinate the regulations in way the style of cooperation
between Norway and EU not changes. EA agreement as a guideline in
Norway’s participation in EU programmes
- participation in joint projects: “+” education, culture, health; “-“out of
regional policy
- head of the section, Mr. Svein Age Lauritzen follow up and work with
political organizations: AER, CPHR, BSSSC, etc
- European office in Brussels has been opened in order to try influence and
“be in touch”
- Scandinavian projects have been set up: Oslo-Gøterburg cooperation.
Objective – attract new business partners – market enlargement,
developing of educational direction, tourism, etc.

Different EU-based programmes for regional development:

- from 1996 – part of INTERREG programme:
- #1996-2000: INTERREG II A between Sweden and Norway
- #2000-2007: INTERREG III A between Sweden and Norway

Having got the information about principles of INTERREG activity:

INTERREG III:
- A – Cross boarder cooperation
- B – Transnational programmes
# within Baltic Sea
# within North Sea
# within Northern countries
- C – Interregional cooperation

Østfold participate in all 3 areas of INTERREG cooperation.

Shared the information about international cooperation and working projects in
district.

15th of September, Thursday

Visit to Fredrikstad municipality: office of Trade and Industrial development.

Information and discussion about “what kind of tools is used in creating
economic growth and development in municipalities and regions” by Mr. Per
Erik Simonsen, Head of Trade and Industrial development, city of Fredrikstad.
Main goal – assist to the start up of new business processes.
Fredrikstad has no many economic means but spend approximately NOK 15
mln. per year to promote the industry for Ostfold.

Department tasks:
- connection with different regions of Sweden, city of Oslo
- not to build but to make happen – link interests of people trying to build
- building the network between producers
- work with other official bodies
- provide local industry
- representative networking establishment in conferences and forums in
framework of INTERREG programmes.

The international activity of Fredrikstad by Mr. Kristen Fredrik Stray, Head of

the International Office, city of Fredrikstad
- friendship relation with Guatemala, established in 1999 (non officially -
1980)
- 2 friendship groups
Beginning of 90th – Peace Conference in Fredrikstad was held:
- relation developing
- preparation of Guatemala guests visit in Fredrikstad
- preparation of agreement with China
Agreements of educational cooperation, friendly contacts, cultural cooperation
and twinning declaration of Fredrikstad city:
- One relation in Kotka (Finland) – culture
- One in Aalborg (Denmark) – sport, culture
- One in Husavik (Iceland) – culture
- One in Patzun and San Martin (Guatemala) – culture
- One in Zhuzhou, province Hunan (China) – culture, agreement between 2
primary schools, etc.
Besides, Fredrikstad support cultural cooperation with Bayamo city (Cuba) and
has a contract of collaboration with Russian Federation. Having got the samples
of mutual agreements of Fredrikstad kommune with sister-cities.

16th of September, Friday

Meeting with environmental adviser of Fredrikstad municipality, Mr. Rolf Petter

Heidenstrøm. “Sustainability and environmental progress – keywords in
international cooperation.
Information: “Time, challenges and solutions in the 50th – 60th”
- community
 - political focus
- local freedom

The same structure for period of 80th, 90th and 2000th.

Changing character of the environmental challenges: the gap between traditional
and modern problems.
Long-term planning as an issue.
Discussion about LA 21.
Activity of the municipalities central organization on the base of democracy and
sustainability: # goal – to help in establishing of similar organization in Serbia
and Montenegro (SKGO).
The environmental city project
Main focus on:
- holistic town development and cultural heritage
- land use and transport
- development of the town centre
- local communities
- green structure, national environment and outdoor recreation
- waste and recycling
- involving the public
Sustainable local community
Main focus on:
- consumption and production
- establish “Local Agenda 21” arena\ forum
- establish arena for environmental information
- involving all sectors of the community to carry out activities
Activities:
- green families
- local agenda 21 forum
- ecological food
- green housing cooperatives
- church and sustainable development
- composting kindergardens and schools
- consumption patterns among primary school pupils
- new environmental schools
- private sector
- cooperation with NGO’s
- environmental sporting\boating clubs
Presentation of application for European Sustainable city Reward

Visit to the institution “Innovation Norway, Østfold”. Presentation by Mr. Rune

Andersen
General information about Innovation Norway: objectives, vision, business
concept, contacts, effective and result-orientation, activity organisation,
internationalisation process, step by step approach, international consultancy
services, comprehensive innovation policy, innovation process, Innovation
Norway’s strengths, Innovation Norway’ board, website information and
discussion on perspectives of Russian market in Norway.

19th of September, Monday

Visit to the institution “Young Enterprises Norway”. Information about the

young enterprises concept by Mr. Christer Engstrøm

In what way encourage young people to establish their own business.

YEN has been established in 1997 and supported by different ministries,
confederations: # ministries of: education and research, trade and industry, local
government and regional development, agriculture; confederations of:
Norwegian business and Industry, Trade Unions; Norwegian Saving Bank, etc.
Having got general information about organization’s intentions and goals,
networking, activities and challenges, its international dimension, programs and
criteria of success.

Visit to the Askim Upper Secondary School. Meeting with Mr. Arnfinn Løken.
Presentation “A YOUNG ENTERPRISES in Askim Upper Secondary School” .

Having got the information how pupils start up new business and get knowledge
about business economy, marketing, management, etc.
- step by step theory: planning – company establishment – running –
winding up – company liquidation
- “learning by doing” activity
- theory and practicalities
School teacher’s building capacity, quality courses, trainings period for
development of new strategies and approaches.
Visible results: 80,4% start up their own business, 95 % recommended by YEN.

20th of September, Tuesday

Visit to the Tourist Centre of Fredrikstad. Meeting with Mrs. Ann Jorid
Pedersen: “Ecotourism as a tool in economic development of the
municipalities”. Held the discussion about ecotourism development, advantages
and challenges, projects for future. “Russian potential” in the international
ecotourism market, network building.

Visit to the fortified town of Fredrikstad and tourist office.

Meeting with director of culture of Fredrikstad municipality, Mr. Egil Syversen.
Presentation and discussion on “Culture as a tool in economic development of
the municipalities”.
- business and culture as transcrossing areas
- creation of new work positions
- keywords in success perspective
- project plan for culture school and Nordic festivals in Fredrikstad.

21st of September, Wednesday

Visit to Askim Cultural Centre.

Visit to Askim Town Hall, presentation on “local development” issues.
Received the information about: population, local and regional public sector,
culture activities, production industry, service and consultant businesses
connected with local, regional, national and international markets, agriculture
community, economic situation.
Visions:
- culture town with local and regional culture activities
- regional centre attractive for business and people to be resident in
- activities for youth and children as a priority
- use of natural resources in a conscious way and preserve man made and
natural landscape qualities
- active inhabitants, businesses and organizations involved in local
development trough participation, cooperation and partnership
Municipality’s role in local development:
- strategic social, cultural, economic and physical local planning
- maintaining and development of public services and infrastructure
- planning, actions and partnership for town centre development
- maintains active dialog between administrative and political leaders and
representatives from local business
Focus and main goal: “The good life in Askim for people, businesses and
organisations by social, economic and ecologic sustainability”.

22nd of September, Thursday

Visit to Non Governmental Organization: Norwegian Confederation of Business

and Trade (NHO).
Information about the NHO, in general and especially about the cooperation
with the public authorities by Mr. Gunnar Laursen
- 15 years activity (established in 1989)
- 16400 member companies
 - organizational structure: general assembly, central and executive board,
sectorial and regional federations, NHO headquarters
- top management system
- international office’s in Brussels tasks
- distribution of financing and small company’s majority
- Norwegian currency as a challenge for making business in European and
international markets
- Industrial sectors represented in Østfold
- “value creation” as a key principle for industry’s future
- higher education as a weapon to fight for international market
- distribution of higher education in Østfold and Norway in general

Visit to Moss Peterson Paper Pulp.

Peterson Group as a leading global supplier of paper & packaging solution from
1801. Having received the main information about:
- producing items: liner, coated paper, display, block liner, solid board,
craft liner
- total turnover (2,5 bill.)
- sales areas: Norway, Europe, USA, others
- employees
Peterson Linerboard: 2 mils, Moss and Tronheim
Peterson Packaging: 6 factories, main item – corrugated board
Peterson Barriers: PE – coated board and paper as well as wrapping, special
paper, packaging board, liquid packaging board, oxygen barrier board, sack
paper and laminates for corrugated boxes.
Value chain – fibres and packaging, 93% of export.

Visit to Sarpsborg City Hall

Information about importance of cooperation in the Glomma Region and cross
boarder to Sweden by Mr. Tore Hansen, adviser of economy department and
Mrs. Bente Jåger, Sarpsborg Tourist Centre
Information about:
- “New public management concept”
- Sarpsborg municipality, history of the city, foundation, city emblem
- Political structure of the municipality and municipal administration
- Gross expenses and total income
- Resources, planning process and city development
- Property, management, finance, personnel, organization, public service
and municipal responsibilities.

23rd of September, Friday

Visit to the electric energy company: Østfold Energi

Having got the information about the company, in general.
“Public Norwegian policy within the area of electric and gas supply” by Mr.
Roger Prang, Director of Communication:
- Activities of Østfold Energi today: power producing, 90 employees, office
in Sarpsborg, power stations in Sogn, Fjordane and Østfold, wind
turbines, hydro power and wind power production, heat production from
burning waste, participating in regional developpement
“Natural gas in Norway” – a brief overview by Mr. Tommy Fredriksen, Director
of strategy and development:
- history, resources and industry
- natural gas onshore in Norway
- gas fired power stations – politics and prospects
- Østfold Energi and natural gas
Norway as a small Energy superpower: Norwegian way:
- Natural gas export from Norway and inside gas consumption
- Catching the CO2 and Kyoto agreement ratification
- LNG and Snøhvit LNG Melkøya Processing Plant
- Establishment of cooperation with Statoil based on LNG
Summary: Norway as a gas nation of European importance; use of natural gas
onshore Norway has a growth potential; Østfold Energi is a small but keen
player.
“Wind power in Østfold Energi” – by Mr. Olav Rommetveit. Main information
about:
- installed base of wind power worldwide
- wind power targets for EU and Norway
- status of wind power in Norway
- wind energy and wind turbine technology
- wind resources in Europe generally and Norway specifically
- grid challenges
- potential conflicts – flora, fauna, cultural landscape
- concession process.
Having held the fruitful discussion and exchange of opinions and expressions
where I’ve presented some data facts about industry in Nenets autonomous
district as well.
“Company organization and staff motivating policy” by Mrs. Mette Qvortrup:
“looking after” function, working week, social care and insurance system, risen-
salary policy and further education providing.

26th of September, Monday

Work on the final presentation in Fredrikstad municipality office.

27th of September, Tuesday

Visit to the fresh and waste water plants of Frevar

Presentation “The environmental plant of the district” by Mr. Fredrik Hellstrøm,
Environmental manager fallowed by excursion around the plants.
Having received the general information about Frevar:
- public company owned by the municipality of Fredrikstad. By the Frevar’s
establishment the community of Fredrikstad has become an innovator in
environmental protection work.
- company main goal: to operate water and sewage treatment plants including
water storage basins, pumping stations, water and sewer mains.
- company actively seek to influence the public to obtain an improved
attitude towards environmental protection work.
- if necessary – provide the free of charge consultations to private industries
located within the community and other services on non-profit basis.
- all tasks are undertaken with due regard to resources and the environment
as well as to technical and economic consideration
Frevar company has a water treatment plant which in its process includes
chemical treatment, three sewage treatment plants, one plant for sorting solid
waste from industry, two incineration plants - one for solid community waste
and one for hospital waste – and a sanitary landfill.
Achieved results: up-to-date environmental protection industry which utilizes
the resources and removes the toxic elements from the leftovers produced in the
locality and neighbouring districts.
Waterworks description included: water source, water treatment, treatment of
sludge and back flush water.
Sewage treatment presentation included: collection system, treatment process,
effect of treatment, sludge treatment, working conditions and process control
and other treatment facilities.
Information about incineration plants: incineration plant for community solid
waste, process which benefits the environment, incineration plant for hospital
critical waste.
Information about solid waste handling: solid waste deposits, reception area and
sorting plant.
The summary discussion has been held after presentation.

28th of September, Wednesday

Visit to Norges BedriftsForbund (Norwegian Association of Small and Medium

sized Entreprises, city of Oslo)
“Association as an organization and lobbyist for small and medium-sized
business” by Mr. Tom Bolstad, Manager Director
Having got the information about Norwegian Association’s of Small and
Medium business key facts:
- founded fall 1992
- approx. 3500 members
- an important player within the politics of business and enterprise
- offer assistance to members and significant economies of scale
- an efficient organization undergoing the strong growth
- represented in every region of Norway

Association is the only organization devoted specifically to such enterprises

throughout all branches of business and independent of political parties. It’s a
natural voice for small and medium sized enterprises.
Networking:
- is a good point of contact where such enterprises countrywide can
network with each other
- female business managers have established their own county-based
networks for professional and personal development
Aim:
Prime task – to improve the conditions within which such enterprises are run in
Norway
Key facts about business in Norway.
Organization:
- 16 county-based affiliates
- approx. 150 representatives across the country
- 10 employees in Oslo
Central political interest:
- sharing model - sick payment
- investment tax - new business taxation
- employers contribution - organizational freedom
- inheritance tax - annual VAT returns
- wealth tax - car taxation, etc
Political influence:
- Association actively participate in influencing political process
- Annually submits proposals to approx. 50 hearings regarding new laws
and changes to rules and regulations
- Is represented in different committees
- Lobbies both central & local levels
Influencing through the media:
- get coverage in the media
- has raised its profiles considerably by being in the news
- is now considered one of the three largest organization for business
Association as an adviser: regard legal, personnel enquires and enquires
regarding a business.
After the presentation we had an interesting discussion due to compare the
system of running small and medium business in both countries.

29th of September, Thursday

Preparing the final report, work on the evaluation of training period and final
presentation in Oslo.

30th of September, Friday

Presentation of the Nenets autonomous district in Fredrikstad municipality.

Q&A, final discussions.