Strengthening Trade Cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia

"A closer collaboration between EFTA and ASEAN is a milestone. This opens the door to new opportunities for many Norwegian businesses and strengthens economic ties to one of the world's most dynamic regions," says the minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth.

With total goods trade of nearly NOK 57 billion in 2023, ASEAN is Norway's fifth-largest trading partner, after the EU, the UK, China, and the USA.

The declaration was adopted at a meeting between the EFTA States and ASEAN in Laos today. The declaration strengthens economic and trade relations between the EFTA States and ASEAN, including by establishing a common platform to promote dialogue and collaboration.

Seafood, machinery, technical equipment, and fertilizers are important exports from Norway to ASEAN.

Facts about ASEAN
ASEAN is a intergovernmental organization in Southeast Asia, founded in 1967. ASEAN works to promote economic, political, security, and cultural cooperation among its ten member countries: Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN's total population is approximately 673 million people, and with a combined GDP of USD 3.6 trillion, the region ranks as the fifth-largest economy in the world, after the EU, the USA, China, and Japan.

Norway has been a sectoral dialogue partner with ASEAN since 2015. This partnership has strengthened cooperation between Norway and ASEAN in several areas, including economic collaboration, sustainable development, and peace and security.