OSLO, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) provides an important platform for Norwegian companies to expand business networks, find Chinese partners and build long-term cooperation, a senior Norwegian trade official has said.

"There are many opportunities for Norwegian companies in China," Henning Kristoffersen, commercial counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy in China and director of Innovation Norway China, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Kristoffersen's own connection with China dates back to 1989, when, as a 20-year-old, he travelled to southern China to source goods for his family's flower shops, garden centers and other small businesses in the Norwegian city of Sandefjord, 120 km south of Oslo.

Filling containers with goods and sending them back to Norway, he recalled, gave him an early understanding of China's production capabilities and taught him the importance of engaging directly with the market.

More than three decades later, Kristoffersen is helping Norwegian businesses explore opportunities in China.

In his eyes, Innovation Norway organizes CIFTIS-related activities under the "Brand Norway" banner, working with the Norwegian Embassy, the consulate general and other members of Team Norway.

Such activities enable Norwegian companies, notably small and medium-sized enterprises, to present their products and technologies, assess market demand and meet potential Chinese partners.

Norway serves as the guest country of honor at the 2026 CIFTIS. It has built a national pavilion of about 260 square meters at Beijing's Shougang Park, highlighting Norwegian strengths and innovation in marine industries, health and nutrition supplements, agritech, energy, and digital services.

In his assessment, China's rapid move up global industrial value chains has created opportunities for cooperation for Norwegian businesses.

Kristoffersen highlighted marine and offshore industries, automation, process technology and advanced green materials as areas in which Norwegian companies possess internationally competitive niche technologies.

With China at the center of global shipbuilding, maintaining a strong presence in the Chinese market is essential for Norwegian maritime companies such as Kongsberg Maritime, DNV and Jotun to retain their leading positions globally, he noted.

Kristoffersen also sees considerable potential in consumer-oriented sectors, particularly nutritional supplements and omega-3 products. For Norwegian companies looking to enter China, he said, cross-border e-commerce offers "an excellent opportunity" to test the market before committing to a larger presence.

Drawing on his own experience, Kristoffersen encouraged younger Norwegian entrepreneurs to explore the Chinese market in person.

"Just get out there if you have the chance," he said.