NBA China's Annual General Meeting: Board of Directors 2026

The Norwegian Business Association China (NBA China) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 26 March, with more than 50 participants in attendance. The event commenced with a pre-meeting session, officially opened by H.E. Vebjørn Dysvik, Ambassador of Norway to China.

 

The pre-meeting featured contributions from distinguished speakers, including Tobias F. Svenningsen, Consul General of Norway in Shanghai; Kristian Røed, Director and Head of the Section for Business Promotion and Green Transition, Department for European Affairs and Trade Policy at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Håvard Figenschou Raaen, Director and Head of the Section for International Trade Promotion at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries; Henning Kristoffersen, Commercial Counsellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beijing and Country Director of Innovation Norway China; Sigmund Bjørgo, Director China at the Norwegian Seafood Council; and Jian Guo, China Country Manager at NORWEP.

 

The speakers shared updates on key developments shaping the Norway–China business landscape. Topics included the current state of bilateral relations, ongoing efforts by Team Norway to facilitate high-level visits and strengthen trade engagement across China, as well as recent developments in Norwegian exports to China. Initial figures from the Norwegian Business in China Report were also highlighted, providing an overview of market trends and business sentiment.

 

The session further explored trade dynamics between Norway and China, reaffirming China’s position as Norway’s largest trading partner in Asia and a key export market. Updates on seafood exports underscored continued growth potential, while NORWEP presented its upcoming activities and strategic priorities for the year ahead.

 

Overall, the pre-meeting provided a valuable platform for members to gain updated insights and exchange perspectives on opportunities and challenges in the evolving business environment.

 

Following the pre-meeting, the AGM formally commenced. Bård Bjerken, Chair of NBA China, presented the NBA Annual Report 2025, outlining key achievements from the past year as well as the strategic priorities for the year ahead.

 

As the number of nominations received equaled the number of available board positions, no board election was required this year. The NBA China Board of Directors for 2026 was therefore confirmed, comprising three members based in Beijing, seven in Shanghai, and one representing South China.