Aberdeen City and Shire Council explores new opportunities in Norway

26 August 2016

26 August 2016

Aberdeen City and Shire Council explores new opportunities in Norway

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are preparing to showcase the region’s talent and ambition at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) 2016 Exhibition, Conference and Festival in Stavanger in Norway next week.

With more than 40 years’ experience both local authorities will be supporting business promotion in Norway in a joint venture by co-hosting a stand in the Scottish Development International (SDI) pavilion at ONS.

The local authorities will be joined by six local organisations to showcase their services at the major offshore conference and include Energetica – Scotland’s Energy Corridor; Blaze Manufacturing Solutions Ltd; Met Office; Denholm MacNamee; Flowline Specialists and Roemex.

The conference takes place every two years with the Aberdeen City and Shire stand having a prominent location and sets the perfect scene to boost business. Over 90,000 visitors attended ONS 2014.

A new exhibition hall is set to be unveiled for ONS 2016 at the event launch on Monday 29 August. The event will run for four days until Thursday 04 September.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam said: “The City of Aberdeen has close ties with Stavanger, which we have been twinned with since 1990. ONS provides a tremendous opportunity to engage directly with a large number of international companies from the offshore industry. Whilst it is a particularly challenging time for companies involved in the industry there are still great opportunities for innovative partnerships, inward investment and export. It is essential that we continue to highlight on a global stage that Aberdeen is open for business and that we have the expertise and knowledge to take on ambitious ventures across the world.”

Councillor David Aitchison, Chair of Infrastructure Services committee at Aberdeenshire Council said: “Aberdeenshire Council looks forward to returning to Stavanger this year with our colleagues at Aberdeen City Council. ONS allows us to demonstrate on an international stage what our fantastic region has to offer and I am sure our stand partners will benefit from this unique opportunity.

“The festival element of ONS really adds value to the experience, enabling our companies to maximise their time in Stavanger whilst showcasing our renowned hospitality.”

The Aberdeen City and Shire festival pavilion at Vagen Harbour in Stavanger is also the perfect evening venue for exhibitions, delegates and locals to network and experience first class Scottish hospitality. The three-night event provides a great atmosphere with performances by Newtonhill Pipe Band and Aberdeenshire ceilidh band Hoolichan.

The local musicians have been given the opportunity to perform on an international stage with the assistance of a twinning grant provided by Aberdeen City Council. Award-winning catering and support services firm Entier will also be dishing up traditional Scottish cuisine including haggis and stovies, alongside locally brewed beer and malt whisky.

Sponsoring the Aberdeen City and Shire festival pavilion this year are VisitAberdeenshire, Wideroe, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and Centrifuges Unlimited.

Full details on ONS 2016 can be found at www.ons.no/2016