Government is not committed to development

According to the Centre for Global Development annual Commitment to Development Index, Norway has the lowest score on the trade component, which measures tariffs on import and subsidies for domestic farmers. “This is not solidaric and very disappointing”, says Jørund Rytman, Progress Party Spokesman on tariffs.

Since 2003, the independent American research center and think tank, Center for Global Development has investigated how much wealthy nations`policies are helping poorer nations. This year’s index is very disappointing to those who would like to see a shift in Norwegian agricultural policy towards a reduction of tariffs and subsidies.

“In this year’s index, Norway is ranked at the bottom, below countries such as South Korea and Switzerland. The Norwegian Government’s policy discriminates against countries that want to sell their products in Norway”, says Rytman.

The Progress Party has repeatedly proposed zero tariffs for all developing countries, but this has been rejected in Parliament.

“The Government promised to contribute to improving the trading agreements for developing countries, but this has not happened. This is very disappointing”, says Rytman.