Good infrastructure is essential for trade and economic activity. The development of safe and efficient transport corridors in the High North therefore figures prominently on the Government’s agenda. The Government supports the initiative for the establishment of the Northern East–West Freight Corridor (the NEW Corridor) between China and North America through the port of Narvik.

It is important to provide North Norway with direct access to the major international markets in order to open up new opportunities for industrial and economic development in the north. It is therefore a goal to develop efficient transport solutions across national borders.

The NEW project could have a great impact on North Norway and the entire Barents Region. One of the main obstacles to industrial and economic development in this area is the cost of transporting goods to and from markets.

The NEW Corridor would provide cost-effective transport services and create increased economic activity directly as a result of more demand for logistics services.