Norway's ambassador to India, Nils Ragnar Kamsvag, has shown keen interest in investing across various sectors in the state, while offering technical support to the state government in its ambitious target to make agriculture self-sustainable and profitable.The envoy, accompanied by his Second Secretary Erlend Draget and Advisor Ms. Undis V Singh, made the offer during a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here on Wednesday, according to an official spokesperson.While discussing investment opportunities in food processing, fishing, renewable energy, oil and gas, the ambassador said Norway was interested in harnessing the positive industrial environment promoted by the Captain Amarinder government in the state.The government had successfully infused the much-needed positivity among the industry, Captain Amarinder told the visiting delegation, citing the recently unveiled new Industrial Policy as a sign of his government's intent to transform Punjab into the most favoured investment destination.
The envoy expressed interest in fortifying the centuries-old India-Norway association in order to complement each other's overall progress. Captain Amarinder said Punjab and Norway could further explore various avenues, especially the Agriculture sector, as both nations had vast experience in the field.Highlighting the various pro-farmer initiatives being taken by his government to make farming profitable again, Captain Amarinder shared with the envoy the details of the pilot project involving installation of 900 farm tubewells in six villages to promote ground water conservation.The ambassador spoke about his visit to Punjab Agricultural University yesterday, where he had the opportunity to interact with farming experts, from whom he received a highly positive impression about the loan waiver scheme initiated by the Chief Minister. Highlighting the efficient road connectivity which Punjab enjoys, Kamsvag singled out Food Processing as a sector with a huge untapped potential.The meeting was attended, among others, by Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh and Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Viswajeet Khanna.