The Iloilo City Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Quanzhou Municipal People’s Government, Fujian Province, China.
Iloilo and Quanzhou agreed to “make a concerted effort on the basis of equality and mutual benefit to promote people-to-people friendly contacts, economic trade overflow, and cooperation in the economy, trade culture, and education.”
Entrepreneurs from Iloilo and Quanzhou will be invited to take part in expos like the China Maritime Silk Road International Brand Expo and the Iloilo Food Beverage Expo (IFBEX).
To promote cultural and artistic exchanges through the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, Chinese and Ilonggo artists will be asked to attend, among others, the Maritime Silk Road International Art Festival and the Dinagyang Festival.
The partnership is also expected to pave the way to push forward educational and people-to-people exchanges, which encourages schools to establish friendly relationships by fostering educational activities, as assigned departments and personnel will facilitate communication, coordination, and organization of carrying out exchange programs in both cities.
For upcoming city-to-city projects, the two cities will pledge financial support, cost-sharing, and funding commitments.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the partnership and collaboration with urban centers abroad are parts of the city government’s efforts to promote the city’s potentials in the global community.IMT
