Wakefield forges economic ties with Romania
dinsdag, 8 december 2009
A pioneering agreement to boost mutual trade opportunities between a Yorkshire city and Eastern Europe has been sealed.
Wakefield Council has formalised an economic relationship with Romania by signing a memorandum with the Mayor of Craiova, Antonie Solomon.
The agreement pledges to develop economic links between the two cities by promoting import and export opportunities, joint ventures and technology transfer.
More than 4,000 UK companies are already reaping the benefits of working in Romania and investment opportunities are available for enterprises spanning water, oil and gas and waste treatment as well as construction, infrastructure and agriculture.
Coun Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “This economic agreement is another important step towards establishing trade links between Wakefield and the city of Craiova.
"We welcome our Romanian colleagues and look forward to helping businesses in both countries to develop mutually beneficial relationships so that our communities will prosper together.”
The agreement follows a visit to Wakefield by Mr Solomon and Robin Barnett, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Romania, where they spoke at and international trade seminar at the Waterton Park Hotel.
Regional companies attended the event to learn how to tap into Romania’s expanding and accessible markets.
Mr Solomon said: “This is a major step in our partnership with Wakefield and will bring strong results for the future.
"Romania needs Wakefield and Wakefield needs Romania and it is important to seize opportunities now because in a few years time other investors will have taken advantage.”
Meanwhile, officials from nine global Chambers of Commerce were given a taste of Sheffield on a recent visit to the city.
The chief executives of Chambers from six different nations - Finland, Norway, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates - attended a round-table meeting at the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce office.
Visitors took in a tour of the city, including the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at Waverley and Sheffield Hallam University’s sports science research facility, to look at the city’s 21st century developments in manufacturing and science.