Moves are being stepped up to strengthen economic links with Inverness’ twin city, Augsburg, Bavaria.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce organised a recent trade mission to Augsburg attended by several Highland businesses from a range of sectors including tourism, food and drink and renewable energy.
Representatives from HIE and UHI also attended the initiative which was arranged in consultation with the Scottish Government.
The City of Inverness Area Committee was told that the potential within the Bavarian economy was huge and the Chamber hoped to attend Expo Real, an annual inward investment exhibition and conference in Munich in October.
Councillors heard that it was hoped to attract foreign direct investment from Bavaria into the Highlands.
There was also an opportunity to collaborate on healthcare-related activities centred around UHI Healthcare and Life Sciences Centre.
In May 2016, a civic visit to Augsburg led by re-elected Inverness Provost, councillor Helen Carmichael, commemorated the 60th anniversary of the twinning links between the two cities.