Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is situated on the south west coast. It has developed a diversified economy, based largely on fishing, shipbuilding and associated industries (repairing and equipment), machinery and metal products, and food processing. In 2000 it was one of the Cultural Cities of Europe and in July 2001 it hosted the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race.
Background to Twinning
Newcastle has a particularly close bond with Norway. The King of Norway, Olav V, opened Newcastle's Civic Centre in 1968 and each December the City is presented with a Christmas Tree by the City of Bergen. The custom originated after the Second World War as a symbol of peace and goodwill. In terms of economic development the twinning arrangement with Bergen is potentially very important as Britain is the main recipient of foreign investment by Norwegian industrial, shipping, commercial and financial companies. The City regularly exhibits at Offshore Northern Seas in Stavanger, with a selection of local offshore oil and gas related companies. At the Civic level twinning with Bergen has been very active. Links with Norway have existed for hundreds of years and the contact with Bergen has been fairly easy to maintain because of the physical proximity and the direct transport links. For this reason the Council has been able to organise youth exchanges and activity holidays for some of the more deprived and unemployed young people in the City, as well as the more usual school exchanges.