Ostfold County Council
Key Competitive Attractions
Ostfold occupies a strategic location between Oslo and Sweden. The county’s administrative centre is Sarpsborg, but the industrial centre – and the largest city - is Fredrikstad. Together, Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad create the fifth largest urban area in Norway, with a total population of 125,797 (Statistics Norway, 2010).
The main industries of the region are shipping and maritime, granite mining, food and drink production, chemicals, light industries, creative industries and tourism.
Large manufacturing communities are established here, and Moss and Fredrikstad are home to significant shipyards.
The brewing industry is a major contributor to the Ostfold economy, home to Borg Bryggerier, a branch of the Hansa Borg Bryggerier, Norway's second-largest brewery-group.
The old town in Frederikstad attracts many tourists for being the best preserved fortified town in Northern Europe. Ostfold has great ambition for capitalising on its cultural and touristic assets, and encouraging innovation and creativity in Ostfold's business community.
The county is developing a stable cluster of nationally and internationally known companies in various areas of the the creative industries including film, TV, photography, media, gaming, design, architecture, art, literature, music, fashion, and performing arts. Arena Magica, owned by Innovation Norway, helps create increased profitability among businesses in creative industries.
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
The county council manages regional development, collaborating with businesses, experts, facilitators, professional and industrial bodies, and local authorities to achieve its goals:
- Expanding the labour market
- Facilitating a creative and innovative environment
- Improving the businesses environment
- Improving the infrastructure
Services:
- Networking
- Identifying partners
- Application advice
- Project management
