The Norwegians Have Taught Me That There Are No Problems in Life, Only Challenges!

SOLUTIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS omega IN NORWAY

The Norwegians have taught me that there are no problems in life, only challenges!

ALEKSANDRA F. ERIKSEN APRIL 12 - SEPTEMBER| ISSUE 2018 FREE COPY Dear Readers,

e are delighted to present the freshest 2018 edition of our magazine, which hopefuly will serve Was useful source of information regarding living and working in Norway. There will be a lot about taxes, changes and investments. We start with a detailed overview of tax changes in 2018, which in fact are quite many and will affect significantly people who work away from their place of residence. More changes are to be read about regarding VAT regulations and new working hours regulations. We also wanted to remind you about providing the officials wih updated electronic contact details by publishing some more details on that. For those of you who are interested in state investments, one of our consultants has made an investigation of plans for the next 12 years on investments in development of transport infrastructure in Norway. We would also attract Aleksandra F. Eriksen your atention to the results of the Urban Audit which took Chairman of the Board place last year and engaged 12 municipal companies. Omega Accounting AS Have a good read! & Polish Connection

Table of Contents

Changes in taxes in 2018 – Magdalena Ułas 3. Fresh facts. Changes in Norwegian law – Magdalena Bielecka 4. Do you have your own company? Remember to provide the register with an electronic address – Magdalena Ułas 5. (Rail)roads to success – Barbara Cecylia Liwo 6. A bright future for the Norwegian economy – Izabela Połeć 8. Compliance with regulations pertaining to wages and work conditions reviewed in Norway – Magdalena Bielecka 12. Telematics Solutions Becoming a Must-Have for Businesses – ABAX 14. The Norwegians have taught me that there are no problems in life, only challenges! - Interview with Aleksandra F. Eriksen 16.

Chief Editor: Anika Konopka Editorial Office: Polish Connection Sp. z o.o. Translation: Olga Zawada Antoniego Abrahama 37/3 81-366 Gdynia, Poland Graphic design & printing: Marek Sulej, www.dorkassa.pl +48 58 727 05 55; +47 67 41 24 70 www.polishconnection.no Emails to the Editor: [email protected] Editorial team does not return unordered texts or editorial materials Cover photo: Heidi Dokter and is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. Magdalena Ułas Changes in taxes in 2018 There are many changes in the Norwegian budget concerning taxation system. Changes will affect people working away from their place of residence – Poles living in Norway.

Limiting the rights to tax allowan- be reimbursed for their travel and of online services. They want to ce for accommodation and board food expenses for the next 2 years abolish tax limits – you will have to and will lose them in 2020. pay tax if you rent a room or rooms One of the most important chan- for a short-term (shorter than 30 ges to be introduced in 2018 con- Lower reimbursement for food days), provided that your income cern tax deduction for accommo- In 2018 the government wants exceeds 10 000 in a year. dation and lodging. The solution to limit reimbursement for food suggests that a person employed What about my tax expenses. The right to this tax al- by the same employer and living return for 2017? lowance will be granted to persons in the same administrative district living in locations without access for over two years will no longer be Persons who want to do their tax to kitchen facilities (hostels, bar- considered a pendler with rights to return for 2017 in 2018 will not have racks, boarding houses). People reimbursement of accommoda- to follow new tax regulations. If you who live in rented apartments or tion and lodging expenses. There are a pendler you would still be able houses and with access to a kit- is a caveat, however, which states to make a tax allowance for your chen will lose the right to such allo- that if someone is to change their commute and board according to wance. What is more, according to place of employment and move to old rates: 315 NOK for an overni- the legislators, the tax allowance is a different administrative district, ght accommodation in a hotel or too high and should be lowered by the two-year period of the tax de- a boarding house or rooms witho- 100 NOK. duction is renewed. What is more, ut access to kitchen and 205 NOK even after two years the employer Second tax tier is no more for an overnight accommodation in a location where you have the can still provide their employees The government plans to wind access to kitchen equipment. You who commute to their place of down the second tax tier. The re- will also be able to claim tax re- work, both transportation and bo- ason for this decision is a desire turn for costs of commute which ard according to the current rates. to activate women, especially the exceeds 22000 NOK (up till 70500 It is worth noting that the costs women from immigrant families NOK) and use second tier tax allo- of the commute are not included in the job market. It is motivated wance. Persons who are just em- in the new regulations. You still by the fact that women and pen- barking on their careers in Norway can get reimbursed for the costs sioners use this tax allowance the and covering the costs of their tra- of your commute, if you travel to most. vel, accommodation and food will a different administrative district, Taxation of renting a flat be able to claim 10% tax allowan- fylke, or land. The aforementioned ce. 2-year period will come into effect The officials also want to regulate in 2018. It means that people who and limit short-term flat rent, which More details are available online: are pendlers retain their right to is on the rise due to the popularity www.podatek.no

3 Magdalena Bielecka FRESH FACTS – CHANGES IN NORWEGIAN LAW

Financial fines for companies for failing to meet the deadlines for tax returns and financial reports.

ach company or business the amount of the legal fee. ement have pledged to exchan- which fails or misses the ge information and assist each • The fine for failing to comply Edeadline to submit their other in detecting dishonest with book-keeping instruc- tax return or financial declara- VAT practices. tions issued by Revenue Offi- tion can expect to be fined. Ac- ce amounts to the equivalent cording to the act from January Change of H&S cards design of one legal fee per day of de- 1st, 2017, fine is being charged Health and safety cards have lay. The maximum fine can for each day of delay. The fines changed their design. The chan- amount to 1 million NOK. amount to the rate of legal fee ge concerns construction and – 1 049 NOK. Changes in VAT regulations cleaning industries. It is now also easier to order cards onli- • The fine for failing to submit From April 1st, 2017, compa- ne. The change of design does your tax return or VAT return nies with registered offices in not influence the operation of or for missing the deadline the following countries: Poland, a company. ID cards which for submission amounts to Germany, Czech Republic, Slo- have been issued prior to the ½ of legal fee for each day venia, Portugal, Belgium, Fin- change remain valid. of delay. The maximum fine land, Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, Spain are freed from the cannot exceed the equiva- New working hours regulations lent of 50 times the amount obligation to register a VAT rest presentative. However, they are From July 1 , 2017 it is possi- of the legal fee. still obliged to list a contact per- ble (only after a written contract • The fine for failing to submit son for VAT report purposes. has been signed by the employ- or missing the deadline for The reason for the change in ee and the employer) to work A-melding submission amo- the legislation is motivated by between the hours of 21:00 and unts to double rate of legal the fact that Norway has ente- 23:00 as part of regular working fee for each day of delay. The red into an agreement with the hours. Work after 21:00, which maximum fine cannot exce- countries mentioned above. exceeds daily working hours ed the equivalent of 50 times The participants of the agre- will be counted as overtime. 4 Magdalena Ułas Do you run your own business? Now you must provide the register with an electronic address Norway is making great strides towards digitalization of official correspondence. In order for Norwegian state departments and offices to be able to send their decisions and other important information to companies registered in Norway, they require appropriate electronic address data, which will allow them to stay in touch with the company’s representative.

he electronic address is the address must be used to have to provide electronic con- not limited to your e-mail send official decisions, impor- tact data. However, the compa- Taddress. You can provide tant information, confirmations ny is obliged to update the data the appropriate state depart- and for other administrative accordingly. ments with your mobile phone purposes. The address is sensi- Specialists advise companies number, which allows you to re- tive data and it cannot be pas- to carefully consider which ad- ceive text messages. It is enti- sed onto third parties. dress to provide the officials rely possible that the electronic From 15th of January 2015 all with because it must be the ad- address might take a different companies are supposed to re- dress which is frequently chec- shape in the future. gister their electronic address. ked. All companies registered in En- The information is obligatory Failure to reply to the messages hetsregisteret are obliged to and failure to provide it in the sent to this electronic address provide the officials with -con “Samordnet registermelding” might be met with financial pu- tact details. If a company has form will make it impossible to nishment such as a fine, and other subunits, it is not neces- submit the form. that’s why you should treat this sary to provide an electronic ad- Companies which have been matter seriously. We recom- dress for these subunits. registered in Enhetsregisteret mend to avoid being reminded Public institutions can use the and their Altinn profile conta- to update or provide them with electronic addresses only for ins their electronic address or appropriate data because it mi- their purposes – it means that mobile phone numbers do not ght prove to be a matter.

5 Barbara Cecylia Liwo (RAIL)ROADS TO SUCCESS

According to the budget for 2018, the state of Norway will increase the investments into development of the country’s infrastructure. 67.5 billion NOK is to be invested in developing and improving Norwegian transport infrastructure. Out of this sum, 35.9 billion NOK are set aside for roads and 23.1 billion NOK are to be invested in railroad development. The remaining funds are to be spent on coastal navigation, air transport, postal services and telecommunication.

Railroads as well as the tracks between enterprise, established in 2015. Sandbukta-Moss- Såstad on As the Minister for Transport, Compared to 2017, the expen- Østfoldbanen line. Ketil Solvik-Olsen, pointed out: ditures on railroads are expec- When it comes to investments “In the last two years, Nye Ve- ted to raise by 6% in 2018 and into the railroad system in Nor- ier has proven that we can build will amount to 23.1 billion NOK. way, it is important to note that cheaply and more effectively. This sum will include the cost the government is prioritising The government wants to keep of maintenance of the existing ERTMS (European Rail Traffic this trend going”. Nye Veier railway infrastructure and new Management System) project. aims to lower the cost of con- construction projects. A sub- This IT project aims to introdu- struction by 20%. stantial amount of money is ce new signalling and warning to be set aside for the develop- systems as well as purchase Nye Veier is responsible for ment of high-speed railway (In- of 14 new Flirt trains to replace the following projects: terCity Project) in the eastern the old trains operating on the • E 18 between Tvedestrand parts of the country. This in- Gjøvikbanen and Vossebanen and Arendal (Aust-Agder cludes Ringeriksbanen line lines. region) from Hønefoss to Sandvika. Roads – new player in town • E 18 between Rugtvedt Ongoing projects will also be fi- and Dørdal and Kjørholt -og nanced from the 2018 budget, The overall sum invested in Bambletunnelene (Telemark for example, the second track 2018 will amount to 35.9 billion region) of Vestfoldbanen line betwe- NOK. It means the expenditu- • E 6 between Kolomoen and en Farriseidet and Porsgrunn, re will be 7.7% higher than in Moen (Hedmark region) which is supposed to be com- the previous year. 30.6 billion • E 39 between Kristiansand pleted in 2018. The govern- NOK will be transferred to the vest and Lyngdal vest (Vest - ment hopes to commence two National Directorate of Roads Agder region) new projects: modernisation (Statens Vegvesen) and 5.3 bil- of the tracks between Venjar- lion NOK is meant to go to Nye Even though the government is -Eidsvoll-Langset on Gardermo- Veier AS (translated as New Ro- considering whether to task the banen and Dovrebanen lines, ads), which is a state-operated enterprise with the renovation

6 and modernisation project of under the sea. It will be 27.3 The Rogfast project (a tunnel the road E 6 between Skjerding- kilometres long and will run un- connecting Randaberg with stad and Melhus S., the main der the Bokna (Boknafjord) and Bokn, which will also incorpo- player in the road investment Kvitsøy (Kvitsøyfjord) fjords, rate Kvitsøy island) has been market is still the National Di- which are located in the vicinity approved by the Storting in rectorate of Roads. of Stavanger. The tunnel will be May of 2017. The budget for a part of the modernised the project amounts to 16.8 bil- 27 kilometres long, E 39 and will make the jour- lion NOK and the tunnel is to be 392 meters below sea level ney from Stavanger to Bergen completed in 2025 or 2026. One of the focal new projects 40 minutes shorter, because First construction work on the is the Rogfast tunnel (the main it will replace the need for two Rogfast tunnel has just be- investor behind it is the Na- ferry services between Mortavi- gan. The contractor, NCC, has tional Directorate of Roads). ka and Arsvågen and between commenced the construction When completed, the tunnel Kvitsøy and Mekjarvik. Ultima- work on the 2-kilometre long will be the longest (until so- tely, the entire E 39 route betwe- side tunnel, which will be used meone attempts to set a new en Trondheim and Kristiansand to transport the soil which has record, of course) tunnel built is supposed to be ferry-free. been dug during the construc-

7 tion of the main tunnel. The between Stanghelle and mence in the second part of side tunnel will later serve as a Arna (the project is schedu- the plan) ventilation shaft. The contract led to commence in the first • E 18, the so-called western to build this side tunnel is worth 6 years of the plan) corridor between Lysaker 183 million NOK. and Sleenden The construction of the two Railroad projects such as: main tunnels (the Rogfast tun- Sea transport projects such as: • Indre InterCity: second nel will, in fact, be two tunnels track to Hamar (Åkersvika), • Ship tunnel in Stad (the for vehicles moving in the op- Fredrikstad (Seut) and project is scheduled to com- posite directions) will begin Tønsberg by 2024. Exten- mence in the first next year. The main contractor ding the line to Sarpsborg by 6 years of the plan) has not been named yet. What 2026. • Port in Borg (the project is we know, however, is that apart • Ytre InterCity: second track scheduled to commence in from being the longest under- to Porsgrunn (Eidanger) by the first 6 years of the plan) water tunnels in the world, the 2032 and Halden and Lille- • Modernisation of port and Rogfast tunnels will also be the hammer by 2034. fairway in Longyearbyen widest tunnels in Norway. Spe- • Better train connections on Svalbard (the project is ed limit will be 100 km/h. and more train services in scheduled to commence in Rich ‘twenty-year’ plan and around Oslo and on the first 6 years of the plan) Vossebanen, Jærbanen and • Fishing port in Andenes (the It is also worth mentioning Trønderbanen lines as well project is scheduled to com- that according to the National as all necessary modernisa- mence in the first Transport Development Plan tion work. 6 years of the plan) for the next 12 years (Nasjo- • New train tunnel running nal Transportplan 2018-2029), under Oslo. Aviation projects such as: which has been passed in 2017, • New Grenlandsbanen train • New location for Bodø air- the overall budget for road, ra- line port (additional financial ilroad, navigation and aviation • Electrification of support for the start of the development will amount to Trønderbanen and construction is scheduled 400 000 billion NOK. Meråkerbanen lines. for the first 6 years of the The main elements of the plan) Road projects such as: plan are: • New airports in Mo • E 39 Rogfast tunnel i Rana (additional financial Road and railroad projects such • E 39 between Ådland – support for the start of the as: Svegatjørn (Hordfast) – (the construction is scheduled • E 16 between Skaret and project is scheduled to com- for the first 6 years of the Hønefoss and Ringeriksba- mence in the second part of plan) nen rail line (the project is the plan) scheduled to commence in • E 39 between Ålesund– After: Statsbudsjett 2018, Na- the first 6 years of the plan) Molde (Møreaksen) - (the sjonal Transportplan 2018- • E 16 and the second rail line project is scheduled to com- 2029, Byggfakta

8 Izabela Połeć A bright future for the Norwegian economy - good economic forecast for year 2018 Norway is finally emerging from the crisis, this is certain. The three largest environments - Norwegian economists, statistical centers and bank specialists (Nordea, DNB) agree that both the private and country’s economy is developing. Economy in year 2018 will be better than in 2017 or at least as good as the year before. The biggest growth is expected around year 2020.

he economy condition is Wage growth is still lower than to borrow the money. Norges measured by purchasing inflation, but the three major Bank has held the key interest Tpower growth, borro- forecasts have agreed that real rate of 0.5 per cent since March wing costs, a rate of unemploy- wage growth will be around 1 2016. The best mortgage ra- ment, mainland investments per cent in 2018 and it is the tes for housing are just over 2 and of course - the oil industry best growth since 2014. This percent, according to the Con- investments. Optimism is back means that a family with two sumer Council’s finance portal. in business. Let’s look at the de- average wages around 540,000 On the other hand, banks’ depo- tails of forecasts. in 2017 will actually get aro- sit customers will still have very und 8,000 kroner netto more to low interest rates. For example Wage increase and growth in spend in year 2018. Specialist pensioners with money in the purchasing power from DNB estimates a wage bank after a long years of working will earn very little again for Wage growth took a cold break growth of 3.2 percent in year savings in the form of interest through the oil season. It drop- 2020. rates. ped from around 4 percent to The forecasts agree that annual core inflation will be quite historically low 1.7 percent in Falling unemployment 2016. It was a cold shower for flat at 1.5 percent price inflation Norwegians accustomed to the and will be about the same in All three forecasts estimate that annual increase in wages every next few years. unemployment will drop below spring. What is more – it is still gainful 4 percent in year 2018, me-

9 asured by Statistics Norway’s method, which tries to capture also those who do not register with Nav. The unemployment for year 2017 was estimated to be 4.2 percent on average. It’s predicted that in year 2018 there will be about 25,000-30,000 new jobs, so similar to the year before, but significantly better than in the spring 2016. At the same time, more people will join the labor market, so unemployment will not go down as much. What is important, the unemployment fell most where it was the highest. In Rogaland during the year 2017 the number of ful- ly unemployed registered at Nav dropped by 1/3. The decline has thus been gre- ater than we expected at the end of last year- said Sigrun Vågeng, Labor and Welfare Director, when the December statistics from Nav were presented. This is of course a very good information for many skilled professionals from Poland and other countries who wish to enter the Norwegian market.

Oil investments increase again

Investments in production and pipeline transport of oil and gas fell by nearly 1/3 third between the year 2013 and 2017. Re- gions Sørlandet and Vestlandet suffered the greatest losses because of the oil crisis. Oil prices have risen above $60 per barrel, costs are cut sharply and this

10 combination strengthens the suppliers abroad” speaks in sts fall from 2017 to 2018, cal- profitability of projects on the favor of Norwegian supplier in- culated as the average for the shelf. Oil-fired companies and dustry. According to Statoil, the years. Those three are in the employees in Western Norway investment of Johan Sverdrup range of 1.6-5 percent in year can enjoy the growth of oil inve- (one of the five largest oil fields 2018. Young people who enter stments for the first time since the housing market can enjoy on the Norwegian continental 2013. themselves and the purchasing shelf) in phase 1 is estimated to We are far from old heights, but value of their money. Of cour- 92 billion krones, phase 2 is es- there are robust projects in pro- se falling housing prices could timated to provide investments gress. Hopefully, the Norwegian lower housing construction in of 40-55 billion krones. share of investments will be 2018 which is not a good news high - said Knut Sunde, the Nor- Housing prices fall for the building industry. wegian Industry Association, to Aftenposten in November Housing prices began to fall in www.aftenposten.no 2017. He said euphemistical- spring 2017. Both SSB, Norges www.hegnar.no ly that „mixed experience with Bank and DNB Markets foreca- www.abcnyheter.no Magdalena Bielecka Compliance with regulations pertaining to wages and work conditions reviewed in Norway

Last year Urban Audit of Oslo has run a series of reviews and controlled whether the provisions and regulations pertaining to wages and work conditions are included in contracts. The auditors have also checked if the municipal organs have undertaken steps to curb crime in work environment. 12 he administrative district of Oslo sets condi- -tions for wages and work conditions in con- Ttracts with vendors and companies also are obliged to control if conditions in their contracts comply with the regulations. The administrative district of Oslo is obliged to run an urban audit. The aim of the audit is to review the economics, productivity, and how the goals are reached. 12 municipal companies have been chosen for the audit. The companies are located in Alna, Old Oslo, Grorud, Nordre Aker, Sankt Hans Haugen, Sto- vner, Southern Nordstrand, Vestre Aker townships.

In 2017, report of the audit has been published. The report finds that there were faults and shortco- mings discovered in each of the audited companies. For instance, in Vestre Aker the auditors have failed to find 3 out of 9 of the required contracts. The contracts they have examined were not drafted according to the regulations pertaining to wages and work conditions. 2 other contracts have expired and have not been renewed in due time. However, all contracts were drafted according to the administrative district conditions on obtaining the correct authorisation for extended fiscal certification. The report also points out that 6 companies from the audited region did not consider the need to run internal review of wages and working conditions, 5 did not run the audits at all, while 6 companies ran the audit, but not on all contracts.

However, in companies based in Alna, Old, St.Hanshau- gen the majority of contracts were drafted according to the conditions.

Urban audit has issued a set of recommendations for the audited companies. The companies are to introdu- ce all necessary procedures to judge the need to review of wages and working conditions. Urban audit also re- commends the Finance Department to consider taking further steps to ensure that companies comply with all conditions regulating wages and work conditions.

13 Telematics Solutions Becoming a Must-Have

for Businesses Morten RakkePhoto.:

With the accelerating pace of technological change, firms seek for new smart solutions and applications to transform every aspect of their operations and manage their regular business. As one of Europe’s fastest growing telematics companies (Berg Insight, 15th September 2016), ABAX effectively respond to the perceived needs, and enables customers to stay updated, be more effective and save costs by providing world-class Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that maximizes value.

By providing mobility, flexibility ost operational efficiencies. et visibility contributes to faster and usability, ABAX believes in Apart from GPS tracking and response rate. Fleet managers a connected, seamlessly inte- saving fuel costs, vehicle-ba- consider ABAX Triplog as an ef- grated IoT domain. sed telematics system can do ficient solution for productivity a lot more. ABAX Triplog – is – decreasing fleet running co- Telematics for Better Fleet a match box-size solution to sts, saving time and increasing Management regain control over the fleet of staff and process efficiency. any size and in turn improve Cost-Effective Monitoring and Telematics solutions are vital fleet’s productivity. Real-time Equipment Control Technology for fleet management. Growing metrics reduce breakdowns by Telematics fuels productivity numbers of fleet managers ar- providing crucial insight about for fleets, but also machinery- med with vehicle monitoring upcoming maintenance of the -based industries. The equip- systems and project manage- vehicles. Reliable documenta- ment control technology with ment software, can leverage tion of each vehicle’s trips ensu- GPS tracking device can be the latest technologies to bo- res 100% TAX compliance. Fle- installed in any piece of equip-

14 ment to determine their loca- feguard valuable assets. In the The difference is ABAX tion. Reporting, monitoring, and event of unit tampering or re- controlling companies’ assets moval from a pre-defined area, With a lifetime warranty of “plug live on a Google integrated di- and play” self-installable pro- a notification is delivered via gital map provides significant ducts, ABAX is constantly gro- SMS and/or email. If the equ- benefits for the business. Com- wing the portfolio of happy and panies increasingly looking for ipment is lost, GSM positioning satisfied customers worldwide. rugged, reliable and cost-effec- and a radio tracking beacon The company vision is: “The dif- tive solutions to gain powerful can be utilized to assist recove- ference is ABAX™”. This vision insights and manage their equ- ry. ABAX Equipment Control is is embodied throughout the en- ipment. ABAX Equipment Con- a perfect solution for all compa- tire value chain and implemen- trol is the response to market ted in all internal and external nies using excavators, tractors, needs. Telematics system ena- communications – to create diggers or boats but also all bles to improve efficiency in da- positive changes both for em- non-powered equipment such ily operations by providing 24/7 ployees and clients. unlimited access to real-time as containers, trailers or vehic- equipment data and informa- les and equipment in dead sto- For more information visit tion to track, manage and sa- rage. www.abax.net.pl

15 Photo.: Morten RakkePhoto.: The Norwegians have taught me that there are no problems in life, only challenges!

Aleksandra F. Eriksen has been running Polish Connection & Omega Accounting AS since 2004. The company currently employs 42 employees; more than half of them work in the office in Oslo and the rest are split between offices in Moss, Gdynia and Warsaw. Aleksandra is a psychologist by profession and specializes in business management and consulting. She primarily ran her projects in Norway and Poland, but gradually kept expanding into other markets. Thanks to her determination and hard work, she became a successful entrepreneur who connects businesses and people from different parts of the world.

You are successful in running with family, social or school pro- start my own business was a company where you cur- blems. I had many ideas about that after Poland’s accession to rently employ over 40 people. how to improve our pupils’ lives the EU, more and more Polish How did it all start? Was it but most were blocked in the citizens began to ask me for as- a coincidence or did you notice initial phase and the decision sistance in dealing with issues a market opportunity? process was really lengthy. I see that concerned Norwegian ins- One of the reasons why I deci- myself as a dynamic person and titutions. Because I spoke Po- ded to start my own business I like to work effectively “from lish and Norwegian it was never was my job where the decision- idea to implementation”, the- a problem to help, but when -making process concerning refore I decided to change my I realised the demand for this even the most positive ideas of- occupation for one that would type of support has increased ten took many months. At that suit my working style better. significantly I decided that it time I worked for young people Another case that made me was time to start a company

16 that would offer professional I think that the key issue is not Certainly commitment to work, consulting and later accounting to be too arrogant and treat as everywhere else. What dis- services. That is how Polish your potential business partner tinguishes Norway from other Connection was established. in a direct and honest way. For countries is a very balanced Norwegians social equality is and calm approach to all mat- Was it difficult at the begin- ters and issues, even the most a norm, so regardless of your ning? Where there times when controversial and conflictual academic title, job position or you thought about giving up ones. If you watch any debate skills, it is expected to be mo- and going back home? or discussion on Norwegian dest and not to overwhelm television you may notice that Going back to Poland was not your business partner with your nobody shouts at anyone and an option but of course there achievements, abilities and ti- everyone waits for their turn were difficult moments. Norwe- tles. It is also worth knowing to speak. The main topic is the gians taught me to treat pro- that Norwegians appreciate most important in the discus- blems as challenges. The word cooperation and dialogue the sion and there is no need to “problem” has a negative con- judge a person for his or her notation, while “challenge” gi- views. It is also good to remem- ves you the strength to achieve I like working ber about small talk before dis- your goals thanks to your own cussing business. Almost all effort. But coming back to your “from idea to Norwegians like talking about question, it is harder to start skiing, the weather or the we- your own business in a country implementation” ekend plans. where you didn’t grow up. I did After many years of continuous not have friends from school or most, so often instead of ai- economic migration, more and college here. Building a network ming to beat the competition, more Poles and foreigners from scratch was a challen- it is worth to look for a way to working in Norway decide to ge. A company run by a Polish establish a mutually beneficial return to their home countries. woman who offers business cooperation. There are also Why is this happening? consulting, registration and ac- a few rules to stick to. For exam- counting services. I could sen- ple, bargaining is not common- According to SSB (Central Sta- se the hesitation and lack of tistical Office in Norway) 2016 ly accepted. Nor is giving valua- trust, wondering whether they was a record-breaking in terms ble gifts in business situations, should rely on my company to of the number of Poles retur- because it can be taken as an assist them. Overcoming this ning to Poland. It is forecasted attempt to influence a decision obstacle definitely took me that economic migration to in favour of the client and it is more time than if I were doing Norway will be decreasing. This not necessarily consistent with it in Poland. is because many Poles treated the law. I would also strongly Norway as a workplace with A lot has been said about diffe- advise not to show pessimistic higher income than in Poland, rences between Norwegians attitude towards life, complain and not as a country where they and Poles, especially in busi- about your country, boss or planned to immigrate with their ness terms. What are the main children. families. In Poland, the demand differences you need to take for employees in many indus- into consideration in order to Is there anything else you tries is increasing, the exchan- have a good business rela- would recommend to have ge rate of the Norwegian crown tionship with Norwegians, in a good life and be successful has decreased, and some fa- your opinion? in Norway? vourable tax deductions keep

17 changing. Probably all of the for business clients, especially caping from work. factors mentioned above are in our offices in Gdynia and Easter is coming. Will you the reason why Poles return to Warsaw. We also want to deve- spend holidays like Norwe- their home country. lop our cooperation with other gians, skiing in the mountains, countries, such as Spain and You are clearly one of those Po- reading crime novels or more continue our cooperation with les who have settled in Norway traditionally like Poles do? Or countries such as Austria and and feel at home here. What maybe you are a fan of mixing Lithuania. direction is your company he- these two traditions? ading? Do you find the time to relax with such an active professio- This year I am going to spend For sure I would like to continue nal life? Easter at home with my fami- growing at a similar pace. We ly and friends. For sure there do not work in a sector where Sometimes I joke that I do not will be time for skiing for a few you can invest and hire many have a private life, because hours. The snow in the woo- employees in a short period of even during skiing I think about ds and on the slopes stays time. Getting a client requires work. But it’s not true. I try to here until May. Two crime no- a lot of time. In autumn we will tune out while skiing or during vels are already waiting to be be changing our office in Moss long walks in the forest with read; a Polish and a Norwegian to a bigger one so there will be my dog. I live just outside of one. Some of the Easter tradi- an opportunity to increase the Oslo, close to nature. Therefo- tions are the same. “Bunny” or number of full-time employees re, I try to use the opportunities “påskehare” brings sweets to and, consequently, new clients. this place offers. I also enjoy children in both countries. Talking about Polish people co- working in the garden. Reading ming back to Poland, we are Norwegian crime stories is also Aleksandra was interviewed about to create new services one of my favourite ways of es- by Anika Konopka

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Data speed varies with coverage & other conditions. Other prices apply to countries not included, calls from the EU to other countries outside the EU, special numbers, offshore, ships and planes. Read more at mycall.no OMEGA ACCOUNTING AS & Polish Connection

Connected to Norway since 2004

Are you looking DO YOU RUN A COMPANY Do You have questions for accounting IN NORWAY OR HAVE concerning Norwegian services? PLANS TO ESTABLISH ONE? complexities?

Entrust your matters to the experts

For over 12 years we have been specializing in counseling in the field of Norwegian tax regulations and labor law. Our offices provide a wide range of accounting services for companies that run or intend to establish their business in Norway. More than 10 000 clients put their trust in us. Among them you will find individuals as well as large companies performing contracts in Norway.

SERVICES DIRECTED TO COMPANIES: SERVICES DIRECTED TO INDIVIDUALS: • Registration of companies • Tax settlements and appeals • VAT representation • Applications for Norwegian social beneﬁts and welfares • Tax advisory services • UDI registration, family immigration • Representation before the Tax Authorities • Translations and contacts with Norwegian institutions • Services for foreign entities in Norway • Full spectrum of accounting services also for Norwegian companies.

Visit us in our oﬃces:

Our oﬃce is located also in Romania. www.polishconnection.no | www.tax-back.no | www.omega-as.no