Business and industry in the Bergen region

Bergen has been a meeting place for almost 1,000 years. Ever since the Hanseatic era in the 14th century, Bergen has been a centre of knowledge and a place where different industries come together.

Research and development
Bergen currently has more than 30,000 students. Large educational institutions such as the University of Bergen, Bergen University College and the Norwegian School of Economics have given Bergen a strong and wide-ranging research community and leading expertise in important sectors. With several Centres of Excellence and as the only region with a Centre of Excellence in subsea technology, Bergen has academic and research communities that are recognised worldwide, communities that have hosted conferences for up to 3,000 participants.

Media and culture
The Bergen region is a leading region for media, film, music and design. In addition to its rich popular musical scene and its trend-setting role since the 1970s, the region has played a leading role in media technology and media production for use in all sectors.

The maritime and marine industries
There is a long tradition in the Bergen region for harvesting and producing seafood, and the region has a dominant position in catching, producing , processing and selling seafood to the global market. The region is home to important national players in all parts of the aquaculture industry, which leads the field in developing efficient and sustainable production methods. With one of Europe's biggest ports, the city is also a centre for maritime industry.

Oil, gas and energy
The Bergen region has a unique resource base in the petroleum sector, traditional hydroelectric power and new renewable energy sources. Over the past 40 years, local subsea, oil and gas enterprises have developed an expert community in Bergen that is now among the best in the world. The Bergen region is the biggest area in Norway in terms of bringing oil and gas ashore, and it is famous for its expertise in the production, operation and maintenance of onshore, offshore and subsea installations. The industry cooperates closely with the maritime industry and many players are expert in both fields.