LAOAG CITY – At least seven groups of Chinese provincial officials and business owners from Shandong Province, China will arrive in Ilocos Norte on Aug. 21 to strengthen sisterhood ties and business relations with the province, the Provincial Sustainable Development Center (SDC) said Thursday.
SDC head Edwin Cariño said the Chinese delegates and Ilocos Norte leaders, officials and businessmen will be holding two separate forums on Aug. 22 at the Office of the Governor and at the Capitol session hall to discuss greater collaboration and partnerships in agriculture, infrastructure and commerce among others.
“For the third time, the government of Shandong and some of their business partners will visit us again for the creation of mutual business opportunities,” Cariño said.
As the largest agricultural exporter in China, Shandong is eyeing to partner with the province of Ilocos Norte in terms of industrial, economic and trade, an agricultural development; mutual promotion of tourism resources; promotion of research institutes to establish and enhance maritime technology and professional training, and enhancement to the people’s livelihood through education and personnel training and cultural exchanges.
Earlier last year, Cariño reported that a ‘market matching’ plan was developed between the Shandong delegates and Ilocos Norte leaders and business groups for the development and promotion of products and services to China and the Philippines.
The action plan was signed by Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos and Shandong Vice Governor Wang Junmi.
Shandong is a province on the west coast of China, known for being a top food producer, and also an industry leader in equipment, and renewable energy, among others.
Since 2002, it has shared sister-province relations with Ilocos Norte. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
