Evaluation of the Norwegian Mixed Credits Programme

In January 2000, Fafo was awarded the international tender for evaluating the Norwegian mixed credit arrangement by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The term "mixed credits" refers to tied grant aid in connection with regular export credits to developing countries. Norway established such a facility for Norwegian firms in 1985, following the introduction of similar export facilities in most other OECD countries. The purpose of the facility was to increase the contribution made by Norwegian businesses to private and public sector development in the recipient countries through the transfer of capital, technology, infrastructure and competence.

The evaluation of the facility aimed at assessing (1) to what extent mixed credits have contributed to private and public sector development, as such, and, (2) to what extent mixed credits have fulfilled Norwegian development co-operation policy objectives in general.

During the evaluation, field studies were carried out in China, Indonesia and in Southern Africa. In Southern Africa, visits were made to Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe while Mozambique was inaccessible at the time due to flooding. All mixed credit projects in these countries were reviewed except for China, were a selection was made.

Fafo cooperated with the following institutions:

• National Research Institute for Science and Technology for Development (NRCSTD), China
• Center for Policy and Implementation, Indonesia