Greater benefits are possible for sister cities Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay and the Chinese city Ningbo. This was the clear message from all the stakeholders concerned during bilateral discussions at the Port Elizabeth City Hall today and the subsequent visits to the Coega IDZ and the Port of Ngqura.
Mr Hong Jia Xiang, Vice Mayor of the Ningbo Municipal People’s Government, said the purpose of the visit by the high powered delegation led by him, is to enhance the relationship and the cooperation with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“I came here before and brought along very powerful companies from Ningbo. The exchange and cooperation between our two cities is progressing well and as a result I am satisfied with the progress but I am not happy with the result. I believe that the potential is great for us to further develop the relationship, ” Vice Mayor Hong added.
Ningbo is in the northeast of Zhejiang province and has the third largest port in China.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor Benson Fihla, affectionately known as Oom Ben, said it is an honour for Nelson Mandela Bay to welcome the delegation to our shores.
“We hope there will be more interactions between us and that our alliance will be beneficial to both the residents of Ningbo and Nelson Mandela Bay.”
As part of the Sister City agreement the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce are signatories to an accord with the Ningbo Chamber of Industry.
The delegation touched down on Monday, 8 April, and will leave Port Elizabeth today.
