Cebu to ink sisterhood pact with Fujian, China

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is set to clinch a formal sisterhood agreement with Fujian province in China, boosting the strengthening trade exchanges with the Philippines and China.

Fujian and Cebu will sign a sisterhood agreement come September this year, following the successful visit of the Fujian delegation last year in February, announced Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Office (CPIPO) ) officer-in-charge Floreza Duque-Alpuerto.

Alpuerto said Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III will be flying to Fujian, China for the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA).

Aside from the MOA signing, the Governor and delegates are also set to join the CIFIT, China’s only international investment promotion event aimed at facilitating bilateral investments.

The MOA signing this September also includes a visit to the cities of Quanzhou, Putian, and Zhangzhou, that also seeks to also forge sister-city agreements with the cities of Danao, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

The partnership with Fujian and Cebu is also seen not only to boost mutual investment exchanges between two provinces, but would also benefit the tourism and other sectors.

Alpuerto said Fujian is offering three cultural-exchange opportunities, including the Fujian Asean government officials/international friendship state and province liaison officers seminar; government scholarship program to students from Cebu to study in institutions of higher education in Fujian as well as a two-way cultural exchange for the youth from different sectors this June and July.

Like Cebu, Fujian is also a home to a number of economic and technological development zones.

Fujian is one of the more affluent provinces in China with many industries spanning tea production, clothing and sports manufacturers.

In 2015, it landed on the 11th spot  as one of the largest provincial economies in China with 2.6 trillion yuan or $419.35 billion.

In terms of agriculture, rice is the main crop of Fujian, supplemented by sweet potatoes, wheat and barley.

The province also leads in longan production and is also a major producer of lychees and tea. Shellfish production is also prominent in Fujian.

The private sector in Cebu, led by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is also strengthening its effort in taking advantage warmer relationship between China and the Philippines which led the influx of investors, Chinese tourists here. (FREEMAN)