Banking on the huge potentials of prospective tourists and investors, the Iloilo City Government will be conducting trade missions to its sister city Quanzhou in Fujian Province, China.
“It is very important that they also learn about Iloilo, especially because China is a very big market for tourism,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
This year, he will send a team headed by Salvador Sarabia, Jr., City MICE Center director, to promote the metropolis as a prime destination for MICE (meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions).
Next year, Treñas will lead a delegation to sign the sisterhood agreement.
The mayor also extended invitation to Quanzhou delegation headed by Mr. Zhu Tuan Neng, vice-chairman for foreign affairs, for them to attend the Iloilo Dinagyang 2020 festival in January.
They were in the city on Nov. 12 to sign a memorandum of youth exchange with City Hall.
Treñas said they will send qualified students of the Iloilo City Community College to China to learn the language, while Chinese will come to the city to study English.
“Promoting the sustainable development of friendship, both sides decided to make youth exchange a regular program under the support of governments or councils,” the agreement stated.
The cultural connections and economic linkages seek to enhance “the understanding and friendship between the people of Iloilo and Quanzhou, and to consolidate and develop friendly cooperation.”Iloilo City PIO
