Menu
15/06/2005
Belfast signs 'sister city' agreement with Hefei
Belfast City Council has signed an historic ‘Sister Cities’ agreement with the Chinese city of Hefei.
The agreement, which is the culmination of an eight-year relationship fostered by Belfast City Council, was signed during a two-day visit by a senior delegation from Hefei, led by the city’s Mayor, Mr Guo Wanqing.
It is expected that the sister city relationship will help strengthen civic, commercial and cultural ties between Belfast and Hefei.
Ahead of the signing, Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Sub-Committee, said: “We have been working hard to forge relationships with China for the last eight years, as there can be absolutely no doubt that China represents a massive opportunity for local businesses.
“It is our objective to enable local companies to use our relationship with Hefei to minimise the legal and regulatory obstacles to the Chinese market."
The agreement will aim to foster a partnership on a range of issues of mutual benefit and interest, including business development and investment, education and training. It also will help strengthen links between the Council and the city’s Chinese community in Northern Ireland.
Recognising the importance of China in the global economy, Belfast City Council began developing links with the world’s largest emerging market in 1997, undertaking its first formal visit to Hefei three years later. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2000, the two cities have now taken their relationship to the next, most formal level, with the signing of a ‘Sister Cities Agreement’.
During the visit, the seven-strong delegation from Hefei will attend a range of briefings and seminars, and meet representatives of Belfast City Council, Investment Belfast, Invest NI, the city’s education sector, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Welfare Association.
The delegation also will visit Delta Packaging, the first local company to establish a joint venture in China.
Later this year, the Council will be launching an export development programme for local companies seeking to do business in China.
(SP/MB)
The agreement, which is the culmination of an eight-year relationship fostered by Belfast City Council, was signed during a two-day visit by a senior delegation from Hefei, led by the city’s Mayor, Mr Guo Wanqing.
It is expected that the sister city relationship will help strengthen civic, commercial and cultural ties between Belfast and Hefei.
Ahead of the signing, Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Sub-Committee, said: “We have been working hard to forge relationships with China for the last eight years, as there can be absolutely no doubt that China represents a massive opportunity for local businesses.
“It is our objective to enable local companies to use our relationship with Hefei to minimise the legal and regulatory obstacles to the Chinese market."
The agreement will aim to foster a partnership on a range of issues of mutual benefit and interest, including business development and investment, education and training. It also will help strengthen links between the Council and the city’s Chinese community in Northern Ireland.
Recognising the importance of China in the global economy, Belfast City Council began developing links with the world’s largest emerging market in 1997, undertaking its first formal visit to Hefei three years later. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2000, the two cities have now taken their relationship to the next, most formal level, with the signing of a ‘Sister Cities Agreement’.
During the visit, the seven-strong delegation from Hefei will attend a range of briefings and seminars, and meet representatives of Belfast City Council, Investment Belfast, Invest NI, the city’s education sector, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Welfare Association.
The delegation also will visit Delta Packaging, the first local company to establish a joint venture in China.
Later this year, the Council will be launching an export development programme for local companies seeking to do business in China.
(SP/MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
02 March 2022
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
23 July 2009
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
12 October 2004
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
