The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 20 year sister relationship with the Chinese City of Ningbo is zooming into the development of the metro”s agriculture, education and health sectors.
That was revealed at a strategic working meeting that was held between a high powered delegation from Ningbo and the NMBM delegation led by Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development Shuling Lindoor.
The City of Ningbo arrived in the metro on 18 April 2024 as part of their South African Cities working visit.
On arrival the delegation visited the Motherwel Day Hospital for a site visit and bilateral discussions with the Department of Health district management.
The department of Health visit was followed by a meeting with the NMBM Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture. The last session was with the Nelson Mandela University.
Speaking during the meeting with the NMBM Economic Development team, the leader of the delegation Zhong Guanhua said for the past years foundations have been made to build a good mutual beneficial relationship.
“This time around we both have identified areas, clarified each other on how to navigate in order to achieve our goals in the identified areas. We are looking at a results based process plan,” said Guanhua.
He said that one of the immediate implementable derivables were in the area of agriculture, farming, agro processing and exporting.
“There is an opportunity for the two cities to work together and benefit from each other in this area. We have an advanced agricultural sector that is backed by research capability. We think the NMB and the Eastern Cape can tap into this resource to improve the capacity and capabilities of their sector. One of the main advantages the metro and the province
have is the available farm land and the fact that it is a port city perfectly positioned within South Africa,” said Guanhua.
He also said that they have noticed a huge strain in the health sector within Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We have offered to assist with exchange training programmes, research capabilities and an overall improvement of the health system within Nelson Mandela Bay. Our discussions with the Health Department have identified areas we will work on on a short to medium term with the intention of having long term results,” he added.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture, Cllr Lindoor said she was pleased with the results driven approach of the Chinese delegation. “As you might be aware, the metro is struggling with poverty and unemployment, the Ningbo delegation has a special focus on Agriculture which does not only have a huge potential on employment, it also goes a long way is dealing with hunger,” said Cllr Lindoor.
Cllr Shuling said the metro was also pleased to know that the health sector will also benefit, considering the challenges currently faced. “For a City to build a prosperous economy, you need a healthy population. This relationship further talks to the area of research, an area that is critical when dealing with development,” she added.
NMBM Director for International and Intergovernmental relations Lulamile Moolman said after this visit an MOU will be done focusing on the areas identified. “We will then work with the relevant departments in both cities to draft a process and an implementation plan. Regular updates will be given through the Mayoral office.
NMB Communications
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