Roseau, Dominica’s capital city, has solidified its international connections by twinning with Jining City in China.
This historic partnership was formalized on November 8, as Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chen Ping, the Vice Governor of Shandong Province, during her official visit to China.
This alliance is part of an ongoing global effort to strengthen the bonds between cities across the world.
Jining City: A thriving hub in Shandong Province
Jining City, nestled within China’s Shandong province, boasts a vibrant population of over 8 million residents.
The primary focus of the MOU is centered on several key areas, including the development of smart cities, modern agriculture, agricultural technologies, and trade.
A particular emphasis will be placed on promoting local products sourced from Dominica and exporting them to the China-Caribbean Centre, strategically located within China.
A boon for Roseau’s future
Minister Poponne-Skerrit shared her optimism about the significant advantages that this partnership holds for Roseau.
The collaboration is poised to usher in a new era of progress for the city, marked by enhanced urban infrastructure efficiency, increased agricultural productivity, improved quality of life for residents, and overall advancement and growth.
Poponne-Skerrit and her dedicated team have plans to collaborate closely with the Small Business Unit, aiming to elevate Dominican agro-processors to international standards, facilitating exports to Shandong and beyond.
Strengthening global ties: Roseau’s Twinning with Yiwu, China
Roseau’s global outreach extends beyond its ties with Jining City.
In a testament to its commitment to fostering international relations, Roseau has also established a twin-city relationship with Yiwu, another prominent Chinese city located in the Central Zhejiang Province of Eastern China, boasting a population of over 2.9 million residents.
A multifaceted partnership with Yiwu
Minister Poponne-Skerrit further solidified Roseau’s global network by signing an agreement with Yiwu Mayor Ye Bangru on November 15.
The MOU between Roseau and Yiwu encompasses a broad spectrum of collaboration, including trade, education, culture, tourism, and sports.
This multifaceted partnership is poised to unlock a multitude of opportunities for Roseau’s constituents and the entire population of Dominica.
“We are excited about the prospects that lie ahead and are confident that this partnership will bring long-term benefits to the Roseau constituents and the people of Dominica,” Poponne-Skerrit stated.
