Lisburn Castlereagh relationship with Foshan City progresses with Trade Programme
February 14, 2022
Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Stephen Martin was delighted to lead a civic delegation at an online meeting facilitated by Madame Zhang, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Belfast with the Mayor of Foshan City, Mayor Tao Bai, to further enhance the relationship between both cities.
Mayor Martin was joined by Councillor Hazel Legge, Development Committee Vice-Chair, the Chief Executive David Burns and senior officers. The council party had a productive meeting with representatives of the Foshan City Government, the China Committee for the Promotion of Investment and Trade (CCPIT), responsible for trade and the Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) responsible for education, culture and tourism.
Speaking after the meeting Mayor Martin said, ‘I was honoured as Mayor to continue the civic relationship between our two cities which included a discussion of the wide opportunities created by a potential Friendship Agreement. We are keen to strengthen our relationship with Foshan building a lasting partnership in China economically and culturally.
‘We discussed the virtual trade opportunities our council has developed alongside CCPIT in China to raise the international profile of Lisburn Castlereagh businesses. Our local companies will be virtually meeting with Foshan based companies to establish possible trade opportunities in March 2022.
“Our exciting virtual trade programme will enable local businesses to open the door to tourism and trade opportunities and partnerships with scope for business to business visits to take place in the future. Both cities are keen to work together to bring opportunities and investment to our areas.”
Councillor Hazel Legge, Vice Chair of the Council’s Development Committee commented, “The council aims to work jointly with CCPIT through support with HMC Global to deliver the virtual trade programme in March 2022. We greatly appreciate CCPIT’s support as it is an essential component to the successful delivery of this programme.
“The council will host a further event in April 2022 with the participating virtual trade programme participants to share their experiences with Members and Officers, Madame Zhang and colleagues, Invest NI and appropriate stakeholders.”
Mayor Martin concluded, “We will continue to explore how we can encourage as a council the development of two-way tourism into the future. We look forward to the opportunity to showcase Royal Hillsborough, HRP Hillsborough Castle and Garden, amongst other offerings as key tourist attractions to Foshan‘s 7.5 million population.”