With a rich history in fishing, canning, agriculture and the shipping industry, the region has had its ups and downs, but ever since the 1960s, the petroleum industry has contributed immensely to the economic development of Stavanger and Sandnes. The region has become the most international in Norway, and industry sectors are continuously diversifying. Innovation, technology, entrepreneurship as well as leading the way in the green transition. The Stavanger region has earned a reputation as a hub for world-class medical research in certain fields with the establishment of a new research hospital and manufacturing companies exporting medical equipment and tools globally. 

The county of Rogaland is one of the most important regions for food production, and this is reflected in the food culture. Local chefs take great pride in serving world-class meals with local resources from land and sea. This has made the Stavanger region one of the leading destinations for foodies with multiple MICHELIN-star restaurants and a food scene that is a major contributor to tourism, which is also a key industry especially going forward.