Aberdeen’s globe-trotting Lord Provost Barney Crockett has attended a conference less than 300 miles south of the arctic circle.
The energy conference in Norway’s far northern town of Hammerfest offers the chance to attract new business to the city.
It is just one of a number of visits Mr Crockett, administration colleagues and officials will make over the next 12 months.
Councillors on yesterday’s city growth and resources committee met to approve the local authority’s travel plans for the year ahead.
Visits as far afield as Qatar, Japan and Mexico are on the agenda while countries like Kazakhstan, Canada and Colombia have been identified as “trade priorities”.
Opposition councillors have questioned some of the trips, with the SNP’s Alex Nicol saying he had “deep concerns” about sending Mr Crockett to Qatar due to its poor human rights record.
Administration chiefs have, however, insisted the travel is necessary to bring business to the city ahead of Brexit.
Mr Crockett believes the first of the trips presents real opportunities for Aberdeen.
He said: “It is a very positive atmosphere here and the Norwegians are very keen to know about Aberdeen and our energy facilities.
“We are taking a leading role with the companies in northern Norway.”
